And That Was That: Our Year in Review

Hi friends – Kelley (founder and editor-in-chief of Peppermint) here. ? As the year that was 2021 wraps up (I want to say thank goodness, but at this rate 2022 doesn’t exactly appear to be starting off on the right foot), I’ve been reflecting on some of the good things that did happen over the past 12 months. It may be hard to see through the mud right now, but we still need to find things to be grateful for and celebrate the little wins when we can.

‘They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.’

DINOS CHRISTIANOPOULOS

First up – we’re still here. That’s a big win. That might seem a bit jarring and maybe oversharing, but so many businesses have not survived this Whatever You’d Like To Call It period. We’re a little team with a big heart and so we actually still do a happy dance when we are supported by you all – so, thank you. Thank you for buying our magazines, for purchasing subscriptions, for partnering with us through advertising, for engaging with us on socials, for downloading our patterns and for being part of this kick-ass, caring community. Thankful doesn’t even scrape the sides.

JUST A TAD EXCITED FOLLOWING OUR MUMBRELLA AWARD WIN

We were over the moon earlier in the year to win the Mumbrella Award for Sustainable Practices. The Mumbrella Awards have been around since 2010, celebrating the best and brightest across the marketing, advertising, media, production, PR and communications industries, so receiving this huge social-distanced pat on the back was a massive achievement. Of course awards are not everything. We do what we do because we are driven to make change in the world. However, we have to admit we were pretty chuffed to be recognised for our efforts, especially when we were up against some huge global advertising agencies and campaigns in this category. Yay us!

We’ve been carbon neutral for years here at Peppermint, but this year we went through the process of undertaking an extensive emissions audit through the Carbon Reduction Institute to find out exactly what our carbon footprint was. We are now happy to say that we are 100% Certified Carbon Neutral with complete certainty of the emissions we are offsetting.

OUR 50TH LAUNCH PARTY – PHOTO BY GEORGE LEVI

In May we launched our 50th issue – and what a beauty it was. We marked the occasion with a little socially cautious shindig, hosted by our pals at Allpress. Thirteen years on from our first edition, every issue continues to fill us with pride.  

We also launched our digital sewing magazine – Sew&Tell – into the #MeMade world. Our sewing pattern downloads reached record numbers (hello #isewlation) and as a result we welcomed Bonnie, our new Sewing Content Manager (a role unheard of in media previously).

We were very happy to be one of Indigenous Fashion Projects‘ very first founding members, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and governed program that collaborates with Indigenous Australians working in textiles and fashion, with a range of development programs, mentoring opportunities and promotional events.

GRANNY CHORN WHO PEPPERMINT SPONSORS THROUGH CAMBODIAN CHILDREN’S FUND

We continued to sponsor our granny through Scott Neeson’s Cambodian Children’s Fund (which we have done since 2018), we planted 1063 trees through One Tree Planted and continued to support Groundswell (a giving platform for climate action) as a founding member.

We survived endless lockdowns, tricky working conditions and kept ethical chocolate in business. We hung out at markets and events, when it was safe to do so (and they hadn’t been cancelled). We navigated our way through socially distanced photo shoots and traversed difficult dilemmas, often with tears, laughter, love and lessons. I’m super grateful that the whole team is also vaccinated – I want to wrap them all in cotton wool and protect them from the world at large, but some antibodies will hopefully do the trick. 

I’m also going to personally sneak in a big pile o’ love for my amazing team – if you all knew how hardworking, talented, smart, kind and determined they were, you’d all be showering them with adulation too (please do, they deserve it).

So yeah, I know, 2021 can get in the bin. But amongst the many cracks, there was also a little light that found a way to shine through. We’re in a super privileged position and don’t think for a second that doesn’t escape us. Our love and thoughts go out to those who are experiencing hardship these holidays, may you find some peace and support somehow.

To our community: we heart you more than you’ll ever know. Here’s to getting through 2022 together. 

Kelley (and Desta, Lauren, Caitlin, Michelle, Bonnie and Mara) xxx

TOP PHOTO AT OUR END OF YEAR PARTY (TAKEN BY TENILLE LESLIE, OWNER OF THE PLANT BUNKER)