Imagine you’re standing in front of the mirror, slipping into a dress that hugs your waist just right—no pinching, no awkward pulling, no need to layer or hide. For the first time in a long time, you’re not adjusting your clothes—you’re adjusting your posture, standing taller. You catch your own smile. Not because the outfit is trendy, but because it feels like it was made for you. That’s the quiet confidence Pear Collections is designed to spark—where fashion meets emotional wellbeing.

At Pear Collections, fashion isn’t just about what you wear—it’s about how you feel in what you wear. Behind the seams of every stitch, thread, and silhouette lies a deeper purpose: to celebrate, empower, and support the emotional well-being of women, especially those with pear-shaped and curvy bodies.

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re taking a moment to reflect on why Pear Collections goes beyond fashion, and how we’re integrating mental wellness into our brand values, our clothing designs, and our community. Because for us, loving your curves means more than body confidence—it’s about mental resilience, kindness to self, and finding joy in your own skin.

A Brand Born from the Heart

Pear Collections was born out of a lived experience. Our founder and lead designer, Angie Martin, created the brand as a love letter to women like herself—women whose curves, proportions, and body types were rarely seen in mainstream fashion. It wasn’t just about offering inclusive sizes; it was about creating clothing that fits and flatters bodies that are often overlooked by traditional design houses.

But the story didn’t stop at body inclusivity. In September 2022, Angie experienced a life-changing accident that left her managing chronic pain every day while still running her businesses. This personal journey reshaped her perspective—not only as a business owner but as a woman. Navigating pain management while leading a purpose-driven brand required immense mental strength. It also revealed the importance of nurturing mental health in everyday life, including how we dress, speak to ourselves, and show up for our community.

As Angie recently shared in an interview with the CEO Wisdom Podcast, her recovery has been as much about emotional resilience as physical strength. “My life has changed drastically, but I refuse to let pain define me or stop me from helping women love themselves. Pear isn’t just a clothing label—it’s a community, a movement, and my passion,” she said.

Why Mental Health Belongs in Fashion

Fashion has long been considered a visual medium, but it’s deeply emotional too. We’ve all had that moment—pulling on jeans that hug us in all the wrong places, a shirt that gapes or pulls, a dress that fits nowhere. For pear-shaped and curvy women, this is often a daily frustration. When clothing constantly reminds you that your body “doesn’t fit the mould,” it chips away at your self-worth.

At Pear Collections, we believe fashion should lift you up, not bring you down. We want women to look in the mirror and smile—not just because they look good, but because they feel seen. Our mission is to turn the dressing room from a place of insecurity into a place of empowerment.

This belief has shaped everything we do—from designing our capsule range to creating mental wellness tools like our Love Your Curves Affirmation Card Pack.

The Power of Positive Affirmations

Launched in 2024, the Love Your Curves Affirmation Card Pack was created to offer women something more than just styling advice—it’s a toolkit for emotional wellbeing. Each of the 52 cards in the pack is designed to remind women of their worth, beauty, and strength.

With affirmations like “I am worthy, just as I am” and “My curves are not flaws, they are features”, these cards help to rewrite the internal dialogue that so many women battle each day. They’re easy to incorporate into your morning routine, workplace desk, wardrobe mirror, or bedside table—quiet, daily reminders that loving your body is a journey worth taking.

You can explore the full pack here: Love Your Curves Affirmation Card Pack

Angie explains, “I wanted to create something tangible that women could hold onto on the hard days. Fashion can do a lot, but sometimes you need that little emotional nudge. Affirmations have helped me so much in my own healing, and I knew they could help others too.”

Our Partnership with Mind Your Fashion

In 2024, Pear Collections proudly partnered with Mind Your Fashion, a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting mental health in the fashion, creative, and design industries. It’s an organisation close to our hearts and perfectly aligned with our mission to create safe, empowering spaces for women to thrive.

Together, we’re working to raise awareness about mental health in fashion—breaking the silence, challenging toxic beauty standards, and nurturing kindness within our community. From charity events like Labels of Love to open conversations online, we’re committed to showing that mental wellbeing isn’t just a trend—it’s a priority.

Our fashion shows, including The Flower Show for the Queensland Arts and Fashion Festival, now feature more than new styles—they shine a light on our values. They are a celebration of not just what women wear, but how they feel wearing it.

Dressing for Confidence and Mental Clarity

So, what does dressing for your mental health actually look like? At Pear, we’ve seen it first-hand.

It looks like a woman who hasn’t worn jeans in years because she’s never found a pair that fits—slipping into our Joy Curve Jeans and finally feeling like herself again.

It looks like layering a Turtleneck Jumper that fits your upper body beautifully, letting you step into the world with confidence, without hiding behind oversized or ill-fitting clothes.

It looks like curating a capsule wardrobe that works for you, with pieces that spark joy instead of stress.

We believe that when clothes honour your body, they give you the mental space to focus on what matters—whether that’s chasing dreams, healing from trauma, parenting, running a business, or just making it through a tough day.

How the Pear Community Supports Mental Health

We are incredibly proud of the community that’s formed around Pear. Our customers don’t just buy clothes—they join a movement. Through social media engagement, personal styling advice, and sharing real stories, our community reminds women daily that they are not alone.

You’ll see women of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds tagging us in their #LoveYourCurves and #PearCommunity posts, showing how they wear their Pear pieces with pride and confidence.

You’ll hear from women who’ve walked similar journeys—whether that’s battling body image issues, overcoming health setbacks, or finding their way back to self-love. Their stories inspire us daily.

We encourage all members of our Pear Community to connect, share, and uplift each other—because the journey to loving your curves doesn’t have to be walked alone.

Practical Tips: Mental Wellness Through Style

Here are a few ways you can integrate positive mental health practices into your everyday style:

• Start your day with an affirmation: Choose one card from your Love Your Curves Pack each morning and say it aloud in the mirror.
• Dress for joy, not just function: Pick outfits that make you feel good emotionally—not just what “works.”
• Declutter your wardrobe: Let go of pieces that no longer serve you. Only keep items that support your self-worth and comfort.
• Wear colour: Studies show colour impacts mood. Don’t be afraid to add a pop of colour that lifts your spirits.
• Check in with yourself: When you try something on, ask “How does this make me feel?” rather than “Do I look thin?”

Looking Ahead: Our Vision for Fashion and Mental Health

Pear Collections will continue to lead the conversation around mental health and fashion. We plan to expand our affirmation series, build more resources into our community, and deepen our work with Mind Your Fashion.

We believe the fashion industry is responsible for doing better—for the women it serves and the people behind the scenes. That means designing with empathy, showcasing diverse bodies, and celebrating the emotional stories behind every garment.

And for our part? We’ll keep showing up for your curves, for your confidence, and for your well-being.

Final Thoughts

Mental health and fashion are not mutually exclusive—they are intrinsically connected. At Pear Collections, we’re proud to champion clothing that doesn’t just fit your body—it fits your life. And with tools like our Love Your Curves Affirmation Card Pack, we’re here to support your emotional well-being, too.

You deserve to feel amazing in your own skin. 

You deserve clothes that honour your body. 

And you deserve a community that celebrates you.

 

So go ahead. Wear the jeans. Say the affirmation. Join the Pear Community.

Because you are worthy—just as you are.

👉 Explore the Affirmation Pack

👉 Join the Pear Community