MELISSA X TIRADE
AUSTRALIAN IDENTITY
TIRADE is a publication that celebrates culture and communication in a youthful and unique way - highlighting artists around the world and supporting community growth. Melissa is a brand synonymous with diversity and inclusion that caters for everyones style. Together we have collaborated on a project. The "outsider" perspective would describe Australians as white with blonde hair and blue eyes, but this country is made of diversity; shapes, colours and shades. It's such a mixed country that it's almost impossible to describe how an Australian looks - TIRADE and Melissa want to celebrate this.
Tirade sat down with an amazing group of 7 Australians for an open and honest talk about identity, diversity, and representation in media, while wearing the latest collections from Melissa shoes Australia.
Interview by DANIELLE FOX
Photographs by MACAMI
Ava
Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Ava, I’m 21 years old, and I was born and raised in Brisbane. I’m currently working full time in administration, but still searching for my dream job.
Why is diversity in and representation in media so important?
Mainstream media is more disconnected from reality than ever. Self worth in young people is on its strongest decline. In my opinion, it’s greatly due to the lack of diversity and representation. Every single human being is unique - so many diverse backgrounds and histories. Yet the media showcases the ‘ideal’ or ‘preferred’ characteristics of a person. Uniqueness is what makes us who we are! It’s so important to recognise and celebrate differences! Who wants to look the same or act the same as everybody else? It’s important to diversify the portrayal of people within media to bring us back down to earth and fall back in touch with what really makes us beautiful.
What is the importance of this kind of talk in general?
Conversations regarding diversity and differences are so important because we as a society have been conditioned to think that one way is the best way. Subconsciously ruling our individuality as negative because we don’t look, think or act the way those who are being praised do. It’s time to take back what’s uniquely ours; our identities, our heritage, our our traditions and our appearances.
What are your thoughts on Melissa shoes?
Melissa Shoes blends perfectly into the topic of this conversation - diversity. Each pair is so distinctive from the rest. Quirky combinations and vibrant colours that would suit perfectly to whoever owns them. It’s like an extension of ones self. Anyone who wears a pair is sure to embrace the indescribable feeling of being truly individual.
Ava’s shoe
Melissa Lola - Opaque Blue
Bajupé
Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Bajupé! I tend to be a bit of a conductor, whether it’s in my professional or creative life as a studio manager or photographer-stylist. I love to create and explore different styles whether it be in fashion or art.
What does being an Australian mean to you?
Sunny days, wild weather, outdoor culture, strange banter, a good laugh and the smell of certain trees. Adopting, participating and living in the collective culture of Australian life. Someone who acknowledges its history and impact on their current surroundings of the 'Australia' we know today. Being Australian is being on Aboriginal land.
Why is diversity in and representation in media so important?
We like and feel secure in what feels familiar to us. Perhaps, this is needed more when the media we consume doesn't look like us. Diversity can reinforce our sense of identity and belonging. It frames how we love ourselves. A lack of it, can impact ones identity and question acceptance in oneself. I believe it creates tolerance and exposure to a unified understanding that we share in our diverse experiences. It brings compassion, which alleviates suffering.
What are your thoughts on Melissa shoes?
What a diverse range of shoes! You can practically choose your vibe and experiment with your style identity. I just looked at a whole bunch and they are seriously so fun. They look happy!
Bajupe’s shoe
Melissa Becky Panc + Isabela Capeto - Yellow
Sachém
Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Sachém, I am an African-American, Noonuccal & Ngughi writer, musician and Hip-Hop artist.
How do you describe your identity?
My identity is deeply rooted in my role within my cultures, family and community. I come from a family who are hardworking, honest and strong spirited. This is the foundation of my identity, and I am very proud to come from where I come from.
Why is diversity and representation in media so important?
Diversity and representation in media are extremely important because of two perspectives; the one being represented, and the consumer. I think for the person
being represented or given a spotlight within media, it gives the person a sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment and feeling of belonging within their own or new communities. Also consider the families who get to see their family member representing themselves, you could only imagine how proud the family would be. Secondly, the consumer. When there is a lack of representation within our media, it creates this false narrative about what our world is really like. It’s so important for the truth telling (something this country has a lot of trouble with) because there a many different perspectives, beliefs and ethics within society now and media has the power of exposing just how beautiful and diverse our world is.
What are your thoughts on Melissa shoes?
Rate the shoe so highly! Such a unique approach to footwear, even bringing back the nostalgia of the old school Jelly shoes. Catch me wearing my new Melissa shoes on stage at my next show!
Ava’s shoe
Melissa Melting Boccaccio + Rombaut - Clear Rice Husk
Bridget
Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Bridget Smith, all my friends call me B. I am a creative, model and musician. My main focus is music, I live and breathe rhythm. I go by the stage name golden web, I'm currently focusing and working on my solo ep and my collective BBTK's ep as well! Amongst that, I work a part-time job and perform live music shows.
Why is diversity in and representation in media so important?
Representation and diversity in the media is extremely important! I cannot stress this enough! It's important because it educates masses of people on different cultures and different perspectives which aren't the norm in western society. It makes people feel seen and included! It brings people together and teaches people that there's nothing wrong with being different! In fact, you should embrace your differences because that's what makes you unique! Growing up as a brown kid in Brisbane I barely saw any children or people of colour on the tv or in magazines! Wild! I can honestly say I feel a lot more seen and represented now! There's still a lot of work to be done in regards to media representation and diversity, but I think we're making small steps to get there and in the words of Kev Carmody - from little things, big things grow.
What is the importance of this kind of talk in general?
It's important to talk about these topics such as representation and diversity in the media so we can touch on how to represent different people and cultures correctly and in respectful ways. Hopefully by doing so we can educate people on the fact that western societies norms and beauty standards are not, and should not, be 'global' standards. Thus bringing people from all walks of life and communities together in a beautifully diverse and represented unity. The world is huge! There's space for everyone, and you can't tell me any different!
What are your thoughts on Melissa shoes?
I freaking love my Melissa shoes! Every time I wear them I feel like I'm walking on a cloud! I guess you could say I'm on cloud 9 when I wear these bad boys. What's not
to love about a shoe that's 100% recyclable, sustainable and fashionable? Also the shoes smell like bubblegum, which makes me love them even more! I love being able to represent an incredible Brazilian shoe label, in Australia, whom is forward thinking and inclusive! That's what representation and diversity is all about right?
Bridget’s shoe
Melissa Melting Boccaccio + Rombaut - Clear Rice Husk
Noff
Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Noff, I’m 20 years old and I’m an actor.
How do you describe your identity?
With great difficulty. Identity is something I have found very hard to find in solid form. It’s constantly changing in really intricate ways with every new experience, so it’s difficult to really pinpoint. The foundation of my identity lies with my family and our background. I’m the youngest of three children, born to Israeli parents who spent the better part of 12 years travelling the world with my siblings, until settling in Melbourne where I was born. I grew up here in Australia, but I don’t see being Australian as something I’m particularly patriotic about. I grew up speaking Hebrew at home, so language is a big part of my identity. Dance, drama, music and media are all huge parts of who I am and how I see myself, which obviously affected my choice of career and most of my personality. I really just see my identity as some kind of amalgamation of circumstances that have made me who I am. Made me enjoy the things I do, and see the world from where I stand.
Why is diversity in and representation in media so important?
Everyone deserves to see themselves in the media. Everyone deserves to feel heard and seen! Media used to be a way to control the public, create trends and make change. Diversity in every respect, gives media consumers room to make their own choices, see a variety of people, lives and experiences. Diversified media is a far less constricted form of media. In saying that, often diversity comes across forced and symbolic so I think it needs to be done with grace and tact. Important nonetheless!
What are your thoughts on Melissa Shoes?
They remind me of my childhood! I wore a pair of jelly shoes to the only trip my family ever took to Israel to see my extended family in 2008. I wore those shoes to absolute death and I was in love with them. They’re so unique, the material, the colours and the added smell- just all so fun!
Noff’s shoe
Melissa Lady Emme - Red
Bona
Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Bona Obiri-Yeboah, I currently work as a transcriptionist, and I am a multi-disciplinary artist. In my artistic practise, I make zines, produce a podcast, I’m a film photographer and am learning how to DJ.
How do you describe your identity?
My identity has always been something I have had difficulty taking pride in, but now as I get older I am finding it more natural to lean into parts of myself I was not always completely comfortable with. The main parts of my identity are my Ghanaian heritage and my queer identity. The two have clashed, and continue to clash in some ways, but the intersections of my heritage and sexuality have taught me a lot about why these inner identity clashes happen because of the different expectations and perceptions of heritage of sexuality.
What does being an Australian mean to you?
Being Australian means being cognisant of isolation from the wider world because of distance but appreciating and revelling in that isolation from the globe as it makes us unique. So, to be Australian is to be isolated, but being isolated is not distinctly Australian. I think that this isolation manifests itself in facets of Australia like the fauna and flora, even to our accents, mannerisms, and definitively unapologetic attitude. To be Australian is also to occupy a small space on an entire continent, while rarely realising the magnitude of Australia. I think to be Australian is to exist within a constructed cultural norms and traditions, many of which have been imported via the coloniser, and have not been around for longer than a couple of centuries. Finally, I think to be Australian is to continuously reconcile colonial culture with indigenous and immigrant cultures to create something new and representative of all who call this continent, island, and nation home.
What are your thoughts on Melissa shoes?
I love the shoes! They’re incredibly ergonomic and stylish, and super easy to break in. While they share similar fundamental shoe designs to other shoes, the material choice makes them beautiful in my opinion.
Bona’s shoe
Melissa Papete + Rider - Beige
Zoe
Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Zoë Boe & I am an film maker, currently based in Meanjin.
How do you describe your identity?
My mother is a Butchulla woman (our mob is K’Gari, Fraser Island) and my father is Burmese. I’ve never really been sure of how to describe my identify other than to say it may be a little indescribable. I guess we could all say that… but to put it simply, as all my sisters and I would say: “I’m a murri in a hurry for a curry”.
What does being an Australian mean to you?
Being an Australian to me means learning our neo-culture just as much as learning our history. The ground on which we stand, the people that came before us, and the history that may not be so past as we like to imagine. Now, being a young Australian
to me, that’s pretty simple: to educate each other. And yes, the sun adds to the appeal.
What are your thoughts on Melissa shoes?
Imagine being in a strawberry field, or on a beach somewhere, Nikki Webster’s Strawberry Kisses plays on speaker, sipping on a vanilla milkshake with a bouquet of fruit beside you. That’s Melissa Shoes. Plus, they’re vegan. Sells itself.
Zoe’s shoe
Melissa Fluffy Slide - Pink
Melissa is a Brazilian brand who are known for their vegan, recyclable and sustainable high fashion footwear. Emerging in 1979, the brand was one of the first in the world to create collaborative collections. Their products, created with and carrying the signature of big names in fashion, art and design, are accessible to everybody. “Melissa is made of stories. Each person’s story with the brand is what makes it relevant. It is connecting with others and assimilating other points of view and ways of living that makes us both singular and plural at the same time. Our story is yours. And in your story there is Melissa.”
Special Thanks to Mellisa
FOLLOW & SHOP MELLISA
CREATIVE TEAM
Interview & styling by DANIELLE FOX @_foxtale
Photographs by MACAMI @macami___