Our latest “Cause Cup” has landed. This time we’ve partnered with renowned Australian illustrator Brolga to create a limited-edition collection in support of Mission Australia. $2 from every cup sold will be donated to help raise both awareness and tangible support for Australians experiencing homelessness.
At its core, the Fressko Cause Cups exist to raise funds for organisations that bring more optimism into the world. To support causes that lift people up, spark connection and create positive forward momentum. This Fressko x Brolga collaboration carries that spirit forward from our iconic Boobie Cup, created in support of Mother’s Day Classic and is a celebration of creativity with purpose, using art as a vehicle for impact and hope.
Brolga has built a global reputation for his bold, character-driven visual language. From expansive murals across New York to collaborations with the likes of Nike, Apple, The Met and LEGO, his work exists at the intersection of street culture and refined design. His expressive figures and fluid compositions feel alive with movement, playful yet deliberate, nostalgic yet distinctly contemporary.
It was this balance of energy and intention that made a Fressko x Brolga collaboration feel instinctive. Brolga’s world translated onto our signature reusable cups and drink bottles is a natural extension of our philosophy.
The custom design features a set of original Brolga characters exclusive to Fressko, designed for people who move with purpose. The design also includes many firsts, yet often requested - custom colour lids, ceramic interior, custom alternative latch and handles.
Tom: In my late twenties, I was on the tail end of a two-year backpacking trip around the world. I had lived in Japan for a year and backpacked around Europe and Central America. Prior to leaving, I had taught myself graphic design, and I was basically travelling and living off little freelance design gigs. The final destination before moving home - and back to reality - was New York. I was there for three months and, purely for something to do (and to keep myself out of trouble), I enrolled in some casual illustration classes a few times a week in midtown Manhattan.
Up until that point, I’d had a fraught relationship with turning my creativity into a career. I’d always been a solid drawer growing up, and my life had revolved around making art and music, but I couldn’t connect the dots to turning that into something that resembled a real career. But in that classroom in Manhattan, I instantly felt right at home. It was almost a sigh of relief - I knew it was exactly where I needed to be. With that instinct, I went all in.
I returned to Australia, worked my butt off, and then moved back to New York to study illustration full-time. And honestly, at the age I was, it felt like my last real chance to give my life’s dream a proper crack. It was a pivotal moment in my life, and I now thank the heavens that I did it. If I hadn’t, I’d probably be a graphic designer - which would have been a creative outlet at least - but it wouldn’t have filled the hole that being an illustrator does. I truly love it.
Where are you at creatively right now? What’s been taking up space in your head lately, and/or what have you been noticing in the world that’s feeding into your work?
I became a dad a few years ago. I’m on bedtime duty most nights, and I read countless children’s books every week. Being primarily a character artist, I’ve always wanted to create a character and build an entire world around it, and my son being born finally acted as the catalyst for that. Since then, I’ve been working on a character called Tomki - a little dog who lives in a lush village surrounded by forest (very similar to where I live here in the Northern Rivers of NSW). A lot of my creative energy lately has gone into bringing Tomki’s world to life. I’m currently working on the first picture book, which should be released in late 2027.
Can you walk us through the recent Fressko collaboration? What was the first idea, what you wanted it to feel like, and what inspired the final design?
The Fressko team approached me about being the collaborative artist for their upcoming “Cause Cup” - something they’d had great success with previously, with proceeds from the Mother’s Day Classic Cause Cup going toward the fight against breast cancer. I was thrilled to be involved for both reasons: supporting a cause with real impact, and creating artwork to sit on their beautifully designed products. These are items that are stylish, sustainable, and built for real life. After chatting with the team, it was clear their products and ethos are all about moving forward - feeling confident and free. With that in mind, I started sketching characters that embodied that energy and verve.
With proceeds going to Mission Australia, did this partnership hold any personal meaning for you, or was there something about their work that felt important to support through this project?
We chose the charity Mission Australia - a powerhouse organisation that does incredible work reducing homelessness, supporting mental health, and helping families and vulnerable children, among many other essential services. It’s hard not to notice that homelessness is increasing across the country. Charities like Mission Australia are addressing the deeper causes behind it - offering mental health services, creating pathways back to employment, and supporting long-term wellbeing. Being able to contribute in even a small way felt meaningful.
When you look at your work today, murals, street pieces, prints, collaborations, what do you feel is the core thing you’re still chasing? Any weird, wacky aspirations for the next 5 years?
That is a great question. To be honest, I’m just enjoying riding a wave that I once thought would never happen for me. Having that perspective makes everyday life as an artist feel pretty magical. You’re really only limited by your own ideas and what you think is possible, and I love playing my own art director - dreaming things up and figuring out how to bring them to life.
The Fressko x Brolga Limited Edition collection is now live. Shop the full range online, with $2 from every cup sold donated to Mission Australia.
