‘Brotherhood 2.0’ seeks to support shaken Aussie soldiers

Brisbane, QLD (Oct 2016) – Independent streetwear label Made Status Clothing is re-launching its successful Brotherhood jersey in its forthcoming summer collection to pay homage to the brotherhood that its founder experienced while serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Made Status founder and CEO Marty Cornish, a 29-year-old ex-junior non-commissioned officer (JNCO) in the Army, shared that the jersey represents the key values of strength, loyalty and brotherhood.

“I know first-hand that life has a way of throwing curveballs at us, so we wanted to design something that reflects mateship, having your mates’ back not only in the Army but in the face of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues rising across the globe,” Cornish said, who personally witnessed the depression and suicide striking military personnel and affecting their loved ones even after service.

A recent investigation by News Corps’ Sunday Herald Sun reveals that 41 military personnel and veterans have taken their own lives this year – the same as Australia’s combat toll in Afghanistan during 13 years of war. Grieving families believe they might still be alive if they had received adequate support as they returned from war zones anxious and depressed yet unable to find help.

Since he left the Army three years ago to man his clothing label full-time, Cornish has incorporated the idea of brotherhood in his designs, which all resonate with the brand’s value proposition “From Nothing to Something” to live a purposeful life.

“I used to have a lot of ego and pride and never wanted to talk about my problems,” he recalled. “But having someone you can trust and listens provides faith – the key is identifying the issues and finding a strategy to overcome them.”

Cornish continues to work with non-profits like Mates4Mates, established in 2013 by RSLL Queensland and offers national and regional support programs for ADF members who are wounded, injured or ill as a result of their service.

Defence Sporting Apparel, another startup he built in 2015 to produce high-quality sporting uniforms for the Army and other Defence units, is currently designing a shirt for Mates4Mates and forging not-for-profit partnerships with similar entities across the country.

Through streetwear clothing that reminds soldiers of their life-long friendships, Cornish seeks to inspire suffering ADF personnel and contribute to the national dialogue on mental health in their ranks.

“Blood makes us related; it’s loyalty that makes us family,” as Cornish keeps telling his #MadeFamily, the thriving online movement of Made Status friends and customers around the world.