Domestic violence worker Kate Jackson took the late Cunningham\u2019s mantra one step further when she created Haus of Armour, a fashion styling service for victim-survivors, who often need to suit up for battle \u2013 quite literally \u2013 to face their perpetrators during legal or custody proceedings.<\/p>\n
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In difficult situations, fashion can become armour. <\/span>Credit: <\/span>Monique Westermann\/iStock<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cI am trying to use clothes and fashion as a means to rebuild [their lives], so they feel valued and seen,\u201d she says. \u201cThis is a form of healing that impacts their mental health and wellbeing,\u201d she says. \u201cTalking therapy isn\u2019t always the only form of recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n Jackson provides her service to women located in and around the Northern Rivers region of NSW who have left abusive relationships and are trying to re-establish their independence. Her corporate partners, including clothing chain Dissh and Thread Together, donate excess and past-season stock from Australian brands, which Jackson styles into three outfits for each client who comes to her Mullumbimby studio (for now, Haus of Armour is unable to accept clothing donations from individuals).<\/p>\n Often, Jackson has to find women a suitable outfit to wear to court, a task that she also uses to smash stereotypes about what such clothing \u201cshould\u201d look like. She points to a pair of bright red Camilla and Marc tuxedo trousers that she selected for one client, to make the point that power dressing doesn\u2019t need to be bland. \u201cWhy do you have to look boring and conservative?\u201d she asks. \u201c[My client] felt powerful and the sense she [felt protected].\u201d<\/p>\n Haus of Armour founder Kate Jackson.<\/span><\/p>\n One of Jackson\u2019s clients, Melissa Maher, had been feeling apprehensive about going to court to face her attacker, until her session with Jackson. \u201cThen I tried on some funky stuff and felt amazing,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Maher, who is 34, has two children and experienced homelessness after leaving her violent partner. She says there was no time for self-care \u2013 including buying herself clothes \u2013 when she was in the abusive relationship. Receiving styling advice and clothes from Jackson made her feel \u201celated\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving the opportunity to have Kate look at my body type, and have someone give me a well-made piece of clothing \u2026 it feels good, it puts me in the place of being able to \u2026 feel worthy of goodness,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Jackson, a trained interior designer and stylist who switched careers to social work after a trip to Kenya about 10 years ago, hopes her unusual skill set leaves her well-placed to expand Haus of Armour across Australia. But to do so, she will need grant money, or a revenue stream for the not-for-profit, such as setting up a high-end op-shop.<\/p>\n She says it would help if more people \u2013 including government and other policy- and decision-makers \u2013 could see the important practical and therapeutic role clothing can play in the healing process for victim-survivors. \u201cYou see the difference in how they hold themselves in the mirror,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Fashion as armour: New York Times photographer the late Bill Cunningham.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP Photo <\/cite><\/p>\n Jacquie O\u2019Brien, director of community change at Respect Victoria, says a woman\u2019s access to clothing and control over what she wears are often tied up in patterns of abuse.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you look at women who are leaving relationships, they may not have taken their clothes or wardrobes with them, or been able to wear what they want to in those violent and controlling situations,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s something that needs to be genuinely seen as part of the process of rebuilding a life after leaving a violent situation.\u201d<\/p>\n Brisbane-based charity Beyond DV says 95 per cent of its clients say being told what they can and cannot wear was one of the features of their abusive relationship.<\/p>\n If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on <\/b>1800RESPECT<\/b> (1800 737 732), <\/b>Lifeline<\/b> 131 114 or <\/b>Beyond Blue<\/b> 1300 224 636.<\/b><\/p>\n Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our<\/i><\/b> Live Well newsletter<\/i><\/b>. <\/i><\/b>Get it in your inbox every Monday<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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