With a distinctly coastal and tropical aesthetic, YOU ARE BRAVE is a Sydney based textile label known for its hand screen printed range of fabrics and table linens.

Using natural and sustainable fibres + eco-friendly Australian made inks, YOU ARE BRAVE Textiles offers the unique, subtleties of fabrics that are screen printed by the hands of the designer herself. The print designs are lush, and colours are lively. They express a connection with the natural world that embodies a relaxed, uniquely Australian style.

YOU ARE BRAVE is the meaningful work of textile designer + screen printer, Michelle Kistima-Menser. She grew up in Cape Town, South Africa where she was immersed in the ocean and climbing the mountains with her family. Now based in Sydney Australia, Michelle still finds her inspiration while exploring remote beaches and tropical forests and gardens. Wherever plant and animal life are found, is where she draws her design aesthetic from. Line, colour and pattern in nature is a particular interest for her which is evident in her designs.

Michelle produces her YOU ARE BRAVE textile range from her Marrickville studio located in Sydney’s inner west. She invites you to subscribe to her monthly newsletter to keep up-to-date with new print releases, the screen printing classes she runs, markets + craft fairs she trades at and open studio days.

Sign up below or read on about how the YOU ARE BRAVE name came into being.

The Name

Many people ask about the origins of the YOU ARE BRAVE name … It certainly is an affirmation but also is aspirational to Michelle, who was ‘given’ the phrase by someone with a unique place in Michelle’s life, at a time when she really needed it … Click to read more