Looking mint - Wesley youths show off t-shirt line

Mint Urban Apparel: T-shirts designed and produced by nine Wesley youths, recently hit the streets of Auckland.

From City Scene, published on 25 October, 2009.

Mint Urban Apparel - the brainchild of nine Wesley youths - hit the streets recently, with a range of t-shirts they had personally designed and produced.

The initiative is part of a community arts project, which was created in conjunction with Auckland City Council and Ministry of Youth Development, to support local youths and give them a pathway for their future.

"This is an example of where we can work together to empower a group of young people to work towards their own goals and make something happen," says Councillor Paul Goldsmith, chairperson of the Community Services Committee.

"The project has been a real success for the kids and the community."

Throughout the project the youths were mentored by designer/visual artists Terry Klavenes and Naomi Rogers. The youngsters are now working with Steve Hodge from Illicit Clothing on a business and marketing plan to distribute their current range (as modelled below by the young designers).

The first line of t-shirts can be bought from Illicit on K Road and the Wesley Community Centre. The centre is open from 8.30am to 4pm for cash/cheque purchases.