Year 5 Student Saving our Seas

Eleven-year-old student Lumi has teamed up with sustainable fashion pioneer Kit Willow to launch her ‘Save Our Seas’ campaign, aimed at combating plastic pollution in our oceans.

Together they’ve created a limited edition KITX x Save Our Seas T-shirt, with 100% of profits going to Melbourne Zoo’s Marine Response Unit and Take 3 for the Sea. Made from 100% organic cotton, each T-shirt sold features an illustration by Carolyn Quan.

‘Save Our Seas’ was born of Lumi’s desperation when learning of the devastating effects of plastic waste on marine life after watching David Attenborough’s documentary series ‘Blue Planet 2’.

“I got really sad when watching the documentary. What upset me was hearing about all the plastic going into our oceans, and the sea birds eating plastic on the beaches filled with rubbish. And what got me really, REALLY sad was the whale calf dying because of the mother’s milk being contaminated with microplastics. I was crying and couldn’t sleep because I was wondering what one 11-year-old could do about this massive problem.”

“So, then the next morning I talked to my mum about it and we came up with a small solution. My mum knows a friend called Kit Willow who is an Australian sustainable fashion designer that makes T-shirts helping people understand endangered animals and how they can help. So, I thought we could make a t-shirt about plastic pollution!”

“We have now designed a t-shirt called ‘Save Our Seas’ with information at the back about how you can make ocean friendly choices every day. At the front there is a dolphin because dolphins are like ice-cream – everyone loves them!”

Earlier this month, Lumi also spoke at an IMPACT! conference to 150 ASX100 company executives interested in sustainable procurement – a great audience to inspire decision-makers about plastic pollution!

Lumi has raised over $10,000 for Melbourne Zoo’s Marine Response Unit and Take 3 for the Sea. Her passion project has been featured in Harpers Bazaar, Russh and many fashion and sustainability influencers’ socials.

“There is no stronger and more compelling voice for change than our future generations,” said Kit Willow.

Support Lumi’s campaign and grab yourself a great Christmas present with purpose through:

Zoos Victoria online store: Adults / Kids

Take 3 for the Sea online store: Adults / Kids

Image Courtesy of KITX