Bond Uni student turns entrepreneur with activewear business
Bond University’s Alisha Geary is on a mission to turn every local body into a moving art installation with her inspired start-up. Introducing Faebella, stocking funky and fashionable activewear featuring authentic Indigenous artwork prints.
The brainchild of talented Bondie Alisha, Faebella turns Indigenous paintings into wearable art in a nod to its founder’s heritage. The unique range of tights, sports bras and singlets combines the uplifting and colourful artwork prints with luxurious materials for maximum comfort and practicality.
Bond University is home to the largest private collection of Indigenous art on public display – the Corrigan Walk – and Alisha said this was the basis of her inspiration.
“I was inspired to create Faebella to share the rich cultural history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a unique, contemporary way,” she said.
“Indigenous art is bold, eye-catching and meaningful, and I want to bring this to a wider audience so more people in the world can appreciate it for its history and beauty.
The artwork used for the print designs is sourced from artists of Indigenous heritage and Alisha has been drawing on her network of relatives and community connections to tap into talented regional artists to partner with.
As well as creating amazing designs for people to wear, these partnerships will allow the artists’ individual stories to be shared, along with the stories behind their artworks.
Bond Business Accelerator Program
Alisha is currently taking part in an incubator program for early stage start-ups, led by Dr Baden U’Ren, Director of the Bond Business Commercialisation Centre. The Bond Business Accelerator program aims to help transform ideas into fully-fledged commercial entities by incorporating high-level mentoring and investor introductions.
Currently looking to raise capital for her venture and eventually expand the range to include yoga mats, swimwear and daywear, Alisha says that the program has been invaluable and has given her the practical skills she will need to make Faebella a commercial success.
“I am also looking to raise capital to work with photographers to capture images of artworks from these remote areas, so that I can then print their designs onto the fabric,” she said
Bond Business Accelerator Program Manager Tres West is also mentoring Alisha as she works towards successfully establishing her business. Other mentors in the program include Aaron Birkby, CEO of Startup Catalyst and Leigh Kelson, CEO of BeachCity Group – a global resource for entrepreneurs and innovative companies.
Dr Baden U’Ren said the program helped entrepreneurial students take their business dreams from the classroom to the boardroom.
“In today’s global marketplace, a business concept born and bred on the Gold Coast can find lucrative markets anywhere in the world.
“Our mentors have all met the challenges of creating a business from scratch, so their expertise is of significant benefit to our students in helping them explore different possibilities and understanding the practicalities of bringing an idea to market.
“The Bond Business Accelerator is open to both students and existing small businesses and individuals looking to make their start-up concepts a reality.”
Pairing one of the oldest art forms in the world, with the current fashion trend of unique and patterned active wear, looks set to be a successful combination for Alisha, with her range sure to be a hit with Gold Coast City locals, known for their love of colourful and inspiring activewear.
Find out More about Faebella
You can check out Faebella’s launch range of activewear here, and you can also sign up to the mailing list, to be the first to find out about the next range to hit the market.
For more information on the Bond Business Accelerator Program, visit http://bond.edu.au/bond-business-accelerator.
