September 2021

Hi There Caddyshackers,

Welcome to Throwback Thursday, following on from a few of the throwbacks to our previous history, surfboards, slogans & designs we have featured in this year’s blogs already.

Condom Couture

Today’s shining star is “Condom Couture”

Over a decade ago we came up with the idea of making an outfit using condoms.

How did we come up with that?

This idea sprung from the international fashion scene, where models sashayed down the catwalk in condom couture. If it’s good enough for fashion shows in Milan and Paris, then it is good enough for sexual health promotion in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven!

How does it work?

We have seen Connie condom dress, Connor condom suits and have now moved towards the more inclusive Condom Couture to encourage creative freedom to the designers.

After an Expression of Interest is sent out by us, the ‘winning’ service in the Illawarra Shoalhaven are provided with a mannequin, a $100 Spotlight voucher and condoms. Staples and hot glue guns feature heavily in the making!

We always love seeing how young people come up with the design and construction. It take’s some creativity, innovation & patience.

Check out this video of an amazing creation by Northern Illawarra Youth Project at Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre in the Illawarra, NSW, Australia. This clip has received over 5k views on our YouTube channel!

STRIKE A POSE

Take a stroll down memory lane and see all of the wonderful designs and concepts over the years.

Everything ranging from ball gowns to wedding dresses and several with reference to the Indigenous culture and heritage on the South Coast.

But really, why condoms?

The idea behind Condom Couture is to allow young people a creative space to work and become familiar with condoms.

They get used to opening condom packets, seeing what they feel like, how stretchy and versatile they can be, while engaging in a relaxed, informal conversation around sexual health at the same time.

We describe this as condom literacy.

Does anyone even notice?

The Condom Couture project has not been without controversy, making media headlines across the globe and once even getting offside with a Local Government councillor (though the then Mayor at the time fully supported us).

As the saying goes “All media is good media” and the positive comments, oohs and ahs when people finally discover what the outfits are made out of and the thousands of photos taken, all outweigh the few naysayers we have had over the years.

What’s happening now?

This year, Vincentia High School were the successful recipients of our condom couture package. A small group of Year 9 students have received a sexual health education session from Naomi and Kaitlyn and design work has begun. We look forward to seeing the final product. Keep an eye on our Condom Couture page!

What we are loving right now

Right now we are loving Twenty10.

Their vision aligns with Caddyshack Project.

A world where people of all sexualities, genders and intersex status are equal, affirmed, secured, connected, experience positive health outcome and live in a society without discrimination, oppression or violence.

Twenty10 recently had a large contribution to a trauma informed resource which is being developed.

We are honoured to be exploring the nature of trauma informed care, particularly in the Out Of Home Care (OOHC) setting with our upcoming webinar.

Date: Thursday 14th of October

Time: 10am - 11am

Cost: FREE

You can find out more & register now!

Until next time,

Peace, Love & Protection

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