Meet the artist
Kate Victoria
Bundaberg artist, kids art teacher, and the creative behind Blinky Chill. Kate's work is shaped by the coast she grew up on: the turtles, the whales, the coral, the pandanus-lined shore. She cold-emailed TradeMutt not expecting to hear back. Six months later, Blinky Chill sold out. Vitamin Sea is what happened next.
About the design
Feels like home
Almost every element in this print is from Kate's backyard. Turtles, because Bundaberg is one of Australia's most significant nesting areas. Humpback whales, because you don't grow up on that coast without learning to look out to sea. A Coral Sea shipwreck and pandanus trees.
"When I do my art, I zone out completely. Time just passes."
All of it hand-drawn. There's a lot to find in there.
The shirt on your back funds the call that changes someone's life
VITAMIN SEA
This is how your shirt makes a change
TradeMutt's Theory of Change is a five-step process backed by our own research — showing exactly how a shirt becomes a conversation, becomes a check-in, and eventually becomes someone getting help before it's too late.
Step One
Shirts start conversations
How it Works
A funky TradeMutt work shirt turns heads, leading people to ask “What’s that all about?”
Why it matters:
Sparked curiosity leads to casual conversations about mental health.
90% of TradeMutters share the mental health message behind the shirt
Step two
Mental Health becomes visible
How it Works
Visual recognition of TradeMutt shirts lead to more regular conversations which become informal check-in’s
Why it matters:
Regular check-in’s build connection and encourage open communication.
98% of TradeMutters are checking in on their mates
Step three
The community grows
How it Works
TradeMutt is easy for blue collar workers to jump on board. Wearing TradeMutt signals that you are part of a crew with shared values. The loud prints make it easy to spot other Mutters in the wild.
Why it matters:
Feeling a sense of belonging and connection to a community with shared values boost’s self confidence - a superpower that everyone deserves.
86% of TradeMutters say that those they encounter are more confident to talk about mental health
Step four
Changing Workplace Culture
Key actions
Work crews jump on board Funky Shirt Fridays. Having a set day where teams all wear TradeMutt creates a ritual built on connection and conversation.
Why it matters:
The weekly ritual of wearing TradeMutt builds connection and instantly removes barriers around mental health. A well connected workplace empowers individuals to speak up and seek support when they need it.
91% of TradeMutters say mental health conversations become more accepted at work.
Step five
Behaviours Change
How it Works
By making it easy for blue collar workers to embrace the topic of mental health and wellbeing, a generational shift in both attitude and help seeking behaviour happens.
Why it matters:
Because that is the entire goal. Blue collar workers are talking about mental health and seeking support rather than suffering in silence.
67% have referred someone to TIACS while wearing TradeMutt
Every shirt helps fund real support
Fifty percent of profits from every TradeMutt shirt are donated to TIACS. A confidential counselling service for farmers, tradies, truckies and their families for free.
If you’ve got the means, chucking in an extra donation helps them keep it free for other legends who need a yarn.
