Sydney-based clothing brand Boody has won in the fashion category at the Visionary Awards held last night at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, aimed at championing sustainable brands across various sectors.
The brand was founded in 2012 by entrepreneurs Neil Midalia and David Greenblo (pictured below, left), pushing its organic bamboo underwear, loungewear and socks at chemists. Today, Boody is sold through an owned eCommerce site, in online marketplaces such as The Iconic, and through over 2,000 stockists across Australia and New Zealand, and more across Asia, Africa, Europe and America.
The brand is also the first B Corporation certified underwear brand in Australia and New Zealand.
Boody co-MD Shaun Greenblo accepted the award, citing its use of bamboo across its range as a catalyst for the business.
"When we discovered bamboo, we learned about all the incredible water saving qualities that that would have over some other conventional materials," Greenblo said. "When we discovered how beautifully comfortable and soft it is, there was no turning back from that. So now it's integrated into every one of our products.
"We've kind of gone beyond that in our materials innovation, to ensure that we continue pushing the boundaries and what we're doing."
The Visionary Awards are a peer-nominated ceremony presented by Polestar, a Swedish electric performance car brand, in collaboration with T: The New York Times Style Magazine Australia.
Florist-turned-zero-waste-activist Joost Bakker took home the top award titled ‘2023 Disruptor of the Year’, with six other brands winning in various sectors, including Food & Beverage, Travel, Technology, Arts & Culture, Beauty, and Design & Architecture (see full list below).
“I am humbled to receive this award, especially at this time – one of the most creative and dynamic times in human history,” Bakker said. “One hundred years from now, humanity will look back in awe at how we shifted towards a truly sustainable society, where all life on earth thrives.”
The ceremony hosted by comedian, presenter, and design enthusiast Tim Ross.
The awards were judged by a panel of industry leaders including Polestar MD Samantha Johnson; Upparel founder and CEO Michael Elias; Emma Lewisham Skincare founder Emma Lewisham; Unyoked creative lead Jonno Seidler; actor-turned-regenerative meat farmer Matilda Brown; Proud Gamilaraay man and RMIT researcher Beau De Belle; Climate Council founder and CEO Amanda McKenzie; T Australia digital content director Victoria Pearson; and T Australia publisher and editor-in-chief Katarina Kroslakova.
Polestar Australia MD Samanatha Johnson welcomed the collaboration with T Australia, and congratulated the shortlisted entrants and the winners on the night.
“The Visionary Awards is a great initiative to highlight Australian creators dedicated to shaping a better future for all Australians through their unwavering commitment to sustainable business practices.”
The full list of winners:
- Food & Beverage: Veggie Saver (Peita Pini)
- Travel: July (Athan Didaskalou and Richard Li)
- Technology: Mineral Carbonation International (MCi)
- Arts & Culture: Damon Gameau, filmmaker and actor
- Beauty: Biode (Vanessa Gray Lyndon)
- Fashion: Boody (David Greenblo, Neil Midalia, Shaun Greenblo, Elliot Midalia)
- Design & Architecture: Revival (Robbie Neville)
- Disruptor of the Year: Joost Bakker