Whether rallying for Indigenous rights, strolling down the street, or sipping coffee in a cafe on Wurundjeri country in Victoria - you're bound to have come across someone with a dual love for fashion and justice sporting apparel from Clothing The Gaps.

While it was never meant to become "a fully-fledged business", Clothing The Gaps chief executive and co-founder, proud Gunditjimara woman Laura Thompson, told Style Up that all changed after the Naarm-based social enterprise's first campaign.

"It started as an extension of the health promotion work we were doing through Spark Health, an Aboriginal health promotion business," said Thompson.

"However, everything changed when we found ourselves leading the Free The Flag campaign after receiving a cease-and-desist notice for using the Aboriginal Flag."

A moment that revolutionised the direction of the brand, Thompson said: "That experience showed us the power of fashion as a tool for social change."

Central to CTG's mission is creating "merchandise with a message," encouraging people to boldly wear their values and shamelessly stand proud in what they believe in.

"We design clothing to connect with people who share similar values and to spark conversations with those who may not," explained Thompson.

Acknowledging fashion as a "powerful form of self-expression," CTG's effortlessly cool streetwear style strikes the perfect balance of casual and bold.

They are unapologetically loud in their designs, demanding attention to get their messaging across.

"Using it [fashion] as a platform for activism feels natural to us," said Thompson.

Being vocal in their support for the Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023; which sought to recognise Indigenous Australians by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - CTG made a statement that will forever be etched into the Australian fashion landscape.

Dressing Mutthi-Mutthi and Wamba Wamba Senator for Victoria, Jana Stewart for the Midwinter Parliamentary Ball in the iconic "Yes" dress, it was not only a powerful representation of First Nations advocacy but a deeply personal one for Thompson.

"I had the privilege of creating this dress for my sister-in-law, Jana Stewart," said Thompson.

"Having Blak women in leadership roles and being able to dress them for such a significant occasion at the Parliamentary Ball was something I never could have imagined."

Reflecting on the journey of the brand, Thompson said: "It's incredible to see how far we've come — from creating tees to making ball gowns."

Building on its legacy, CTG reworked the gown featured in the Closing Showcase at last year's Melbourne Fashion Week, where they were celebrated as one of the 30 iconic Australian brands.

Incorporating the word "Still", Thompson explained that, "through fashion, we continue to elevate these conversations and reach a broader audience, helping to advocate for the change we want to see".

As another January 26 passes, First Nations communities continue to call on the rest of Australia to truly acknowledge the significance of the day.

This year, CTG intensified the actions of their 'Not A Date to Celebrate' campaign by launching a petition directed at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

With more than 60,000 signatures, Thompson described the campaign as a "natural extension of what CTG has always done — using fashion as a tool for social change".

"Our goal is to educate people on the truth about this date and the hurt it causes First Nations peoples," she said.

"We're using our platform to raise awareness, initiate dialogue, and ultimately push for meaningful change — building on the advocacy and resistance work that First Nations peoples and communities have been doing for decades."

Hoping that the movement will resonate with all Australians, specifically those who remain ignorant of the significance of January 26, Thompson said: "For First Nations people, this date is one of mourning, survival, and remembrance."

"It represents the invasion of Aboriginal lands, the loss of lives, and the ongoing legacy of trauma passed down through generations," she said.

"Continuing to celebrate on January 26 disregards the lived experiences of First Nations people and perpetuates harm."

"We believe that acknowledging the pain of January 26 is a crucial step toward creating a future built on understanding, respect, and genuine reconciliation."

Style Up joined forces with CTG for a special shoot which featured a stellar team of First Nations creatives including Waanyi and Ngadjon photographer Rob Hookey and Narungga and Kaurna Make-Up and Hair Artist, Louise Stuart.

Prominent figures in the community, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Chief Executive Aunty Jill Gallagher AO, Kimberley Activist Brentisha Macale, Gunditjmara Activist Christopher Saunders, emerging leader Kyeema, Hawthorn FC player Jarman Impey, Media Presenter and Education Consultant Shelley Ware and Deputy Co-Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Sue-Anne Hunter also united to represent the campaign in the collaborative shoot.

With the shoot symbolising resilience and cultural pride, when asked how this campaign resonates with her as a leader, Hunter said: "The conversations start with understanding the history, understanding why our people want the date changed and understanding that it's our shared history."

"It's not just First Peoples' history, it's all of our history," she said.

When asked why she believes January 26 is not a date to celebrate, Aunty Jill said: "We struggle to celebrate with the rest of Australians on the 26th of January, because that was the beginning of the mass murders, the, rounding up and putting us on missions, controlling every aspect of our lives, disempowering our people."

"That was the beginning of all the atrocities that were committed on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country," she said.

Resonating deeply with CTG's 'Not A Date To Celebrate' campaign, Ware said: "I want Australians to realise that there's more to Jan 26 than what they've been told in school and high school, and campaigns like this actually help with truth-telling and letting us know that we can challenge those thoughts that we thought were truth and actually re-educate ourselves - it's all part of that unlearning and relearning.

"I believe in this campaign, so I'm really happy to be here and be a part of it," she explained.

Having already achieved remarkable feats, CTG has spent January pouring their efforts into their campaigning, along with opening a new store.

Set to make an impact on Sydney Rd, Brunswick (Wurundjeri Country), the brand will continue its strong focus and partnership with the Our Islands Our Home campaign, in addition to truth-telling and treaty.

With an exciting announcement on the horizon, we can't wait to see what's next for Clothing the Gaps.