STITCH APPAREL (Debut designer)

Tell us a bit about Stitch Apparel and how it all began...

Stitch Apparel is about 3 mates/next door neighbours feeling like they could be doing something more with their lives, something that requires them to take a risk and, above all, do something they really enjoy.

Stitch was started by me (Davey Barber) and long-time friend Chris Thorley. After I was diagnosed with epilepsy 6 years ago, I suffered 3 separate seizures while I was driving and crashed into 3 light-poles... at least I’m consistent right?! The latest one was fairly serious and super scary, which prompted me to think I might be running out of chances. About a week later I approached Chris and asked if he’ would like to start a clothing label with me. He responded with, “Yep!”.

So, we started Stitch Apparel with absolutely zero experience in screen printing, contacts, sewing, design, marketing, money or business - just a simple love of streetwear. Now, one year later, we’ve added Chris’ brother Tim to the crew and we’re looking to make a huge statement in 2015.

 

 

What are your long-term goals for Stitch Apparel?

I guess a big one for Chris and I would be to be able to quit our day jobs and work full time with Stitch. Possibly open a store. We’re not 100% sure where this label will take us but if we can have a laugh along the way that'll do, pig, that’ll do.

What brings you the most joy from your creative practice?

EVERYTHING! Working alongside your best mates, when you see someone wearing a shirt you made is pretty cool and also meeting new people that we otherwise wouldn’t have met.

 

What can market-folk expect to find at the April event?

A few strapping young lads! Oh and lots and lots of clothing. At least 12 different T-shirt styles, socks, hats, beanies! They will most likely be the first to get their hands on our first ever winter range.

 

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to be a stallholder?

Our photographer extraordinaire Vic Tawagi from VRTCL told us about the event and we thought it would be a great way to meet other legendary Canberrans that share our love of all things fashion.

But honestly, we just thought it looked cool ;)

 

MY FAVE THINGS

Guilty pleasure: Shoes, hats and shit tatts for Chris. Beer for all three of us, and we’ll find just about any reason to buy some new clothes.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Chris & Tim: NRL Player. Davey: Comedian

First song on your ultimate mixtape: Thundamentals – Move it up.

Fav place to chill out Canberra: Chris’ roof. We chucked two couches on the roof for beers and lovely sunsets/sunrises.

Your role model/s: Mitch Hedberg or Steven Wright for me. For Tim it’s Nelson Mandela.

KERRI-ANNE ANDERSON (Debut Designer)

Tell us a bit about your practice and how you got into making bags.

 

I started sewing when I finished high school. I was looking for a course to pursue and chose clothing and production as I wanted to learn how to sew and make patterns. I studied for three years, ending with an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design and learnt all the skills to turn a sketch into a product. While my course focused on clothing, I much preferred making bags. When I finished study I struggled to find full time work. My evening part time job left me lots of free time and this is when I decided to start my label, Kerri-Anne Anderson, just for fun. I started attending local markets and joined Etsy a year later. I make all my products from scratch, beginning with my own designs and patterns and finishing with the cutting and sewing.

 

What inspires your designs?

I'm inspired by lots of people - my favourite handbag designers and also handmade designers I've met at markets and online. Fabric shopping is another, the bright colours and fun patterns always get inspiration flowing.

What are your long-terms goals for your label?

Develop a following across my social media platforms and find the perfect market for my items to sell at. I focus a lot on my online Etsy store too, working to maintain regular sales.

 

What can market-folk expect to find at the April event?

Quality handmade items and one of a kind pieces. I sell a range of bags including unisex messenger bags, cross body bags, tote bags plus accessories like women's wallets, clutches and handbag hooks. I add a new style to my shop every month so there will always be something new beyond April too.

 

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to be a stallholder?

 

The fantastic fashion atmosphere and great food surrounded by talented stallholders.

 

 

MY FAVE THINGS

Guilty pleasure:

 

Anything with chocolate!

 

 

What you wanted to be when you grew up?

 

I love creative writing as a kid and wanted to be a author.

 

Fav fashion piece you own:

Skinny jeans - I have lots of different coloured pairs and love how they can mixed and matched with anything.

 

Place to unwind in Canberra:

Any of the festivals and events on in Canberra and of course my sewing room!

PEONY N PEARL (Debut designer)

Tell us about your label, Peony N Pearl, and how it all began:

My label used to be called Fenon and I have just recently changed my business name to Peony N Pearl.

I began making jewellery in 2008 mainly as a stress-relief. I was living in Jakarta at the time working in a job that clearly wasn’t for me. It took an hour to commute to work and then another 2 hours of traffic to get home. Even though I only have about 3-4 hours gap between sleep and going back to work again, the first thing that I do when I arrive home is making jewellery. I also took floristry lessons over the weekend. The experience made me realize that life is too short to be miserable all the time - so 2 years later, I married the man of my dreams, moved to Australia and started my own label for jewellery and worked in a flower shop. In March 2014, I quit my job in the florist and started my own label, Peony N Pearl as a rooftop for both my floristry and jewellery.

 

 

What inspires your designs?

Making wire work jewellery is very technical and I am entirely self-taught. I learnt by looking at other wire work jeweller and design- not to copy a design but to learn from a technical perspective. Once I discover the know-how and practice the techniques over and over, ideas can come from a few different sources. For example, thinking from a business perspective - why would customers buy my jewellery? Do they need it for a casual , or dressy or even a wedding? From a creative perspective, ideas can emerge from the raw materials itself- from beautiful pearls or interesting cut of gemstones. Coming from a musical background, images can sometime form in my head from listening to music- and I get to name my jewellery with song titles, which is super handy. As I get better at what I do, these ideas can then evolve and I can create my own technique that will then produce new designs.

What item in your studio could you not live without?

My pliers - one day they disappeared for a few hours and I went completely nuts! I’d panic less if I have lost my phone!

What can market-folk expect to find at the April event?

I am really hoping to release a few new fancy wire work jewellery designs by then. I will also have a few selection of fine and simple gemstone jewellery which I’m really into at the moment.  

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to be a stallholder?

Great hosts, atmosphere and fashion stallholders!

 

MY FAVE THINGS

 

Guilty pleasure:  None- I feel like I deserve every pleasure I get to ever feel guilty about it :p

 

What you wanted to be when you grew up:  air hostess (now I’m afraid of heights), professional soccer player (now I hate team sports), piano teacher, comic book illustrator, jazz musician.

 

Fave place to unwind in Canberra: Gold Creek Village – which is especially beautiful in spring and autumn!

 

Fave fashion piece you own:  The very first pearl necklace I bought with the money I earn from working my first Valentines Day rush in a busy florist. Also a wire work necklace made by a master jeweller from UK, Emily Gray that I got just recently for my birthday.

 

Your role model/s: My floristry teacher back in Jakarta, Andy Djati Utomo – a man who is not just a master at what he does, but is also very generous with his knowledge and by doing that had set an example for me to not ever be insecure about my work and to also keep being generous to other artists.

 

 

Lights, camera, action: the making of a Hustle&Scout TVC

We’ve introduced them many times before, these mysterious forces of fashion who share incredible adventures together.

Hustle the stag and Scout the fox are ‘manimals’—half human, half animal. They rarely come to life, but when you see them, things happen … beyond your control. The Hustle&Scout tvcs have starred a safari hunter, a nun, an elderly cleaner and now the latest adventure is inspired by Huckleberry Finn - a rambunctious boy adventurer who escapes his humdrum world by running away from home and floating down the mighty Mississippi River on a small raft.
 

 

In the tvc for the upcoming Hustle&Scout Twilight Fashion Market, good old’ Huck, with his ragged straw hat, dirty folded up pants, worn-out suspenders, and bare feet, is floating on his beloved raft searching for the enigmatic manimals. When he notices something moving in the distance, he quickly grabs his telescope and gazes into the distance, only to see the stag and fox slowly approaching with swagger and attitude. Scout, the fox, is holding a giant balloon, only enhancing the couple’s fantastical aura. A smile creeps on to Huck’s face, ‘I’ve finally found them’.
But where are they going? To Hustle&Scout’s April markets, of course.

Founder of Hustle&Scout, Tegan McAuley, says it’s always a delight to pull together a short tvc for each market featuring the manimals wearing their now-famous masks. The creative team varies with each tvc, but so far all of them have been directed and shot by a good and talented friend of Tegan’s, Scott Holgate. Scott holds a Bachelor of Communication and Media Production from the University of Canberra and has been in a Tropfest finalist in Canberra (2010, 2012) and New York (2013).

The making of the tvc ran across two days and was shot at a carefully scouted location—Point Hut Crossing. Camera assistants found themselves waist-deep in the cold river, holding the wooden palette raft (handmade by Scott) in between shots, while trying to avoid snakes spotted in nearby bush. Each detail in the short clip was carefully thought out, from the dirty shirt worn by 13 year-old actor, Chris Curran, to the repaired rip in the corner of the tattered sail.

Emily Tokic wearing Karen Lee & Lukas Savic wearing Corr Blimey with Silver Atom neckpiece. Image: Eva Schroeder

This time the models who play the always fashionable stag and the fox are from the line-up who will walk the red-carpet at Fashfest 2015, an official sponsor of the April Twilight Markets. Designers who will showcase new collections at Fashfest are also featured, including Karen Lee, of Assemblage Project, and Louisa de Smet and Steven Wright of Corr Blimey.

Fashfest model Emily Tokic looked striking in a concept piece Karen Lee launched on the runway last year—a gorgeous black jacket with a fitted top featuring cut-outs down the arm and a billowy skirt with oodles of tulle underneath.

Not to be outdone, Lukas Savic wore Corr Blimey’s black drop crotch trousers, made out of a waffle stretch knit (the fabric is actually called Mr Ripley) and a black long walk shirt, made out of a winter weight spandex-cotton blend both from the label’s Berlin collection. His bare chest was adorned with a beautiful piece of jewellery by Silver Atom, who collaborated with Corr Blimey at Fashfest last year and will again this year.

The Huckleberry Finn tvc is now up on the silver screen at Palace Electric.

 

Crew L-R: Director, Scott Holgate; Camera Assistant, Casey Mitchell; Hustle&Scout Founder, Tegan McAuley; Fashfest model, Lukas Savic wearing Corr Blimey and Silver Atom neck piece; Fashfest model, Emily Tokic wearing Karen Lee; Fashfest Co-Producer, Nick Ellis. Image: Eva Shroeder

 

 

 Watch other Hustle&Scout TVCs here: http://hustleandscout.com.au/tvcs

 

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To celebrate the release of DIOR AND I, Palace Cinemas are giving you and a friend a chance to WIN the ultimate fashion night out at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. The fashionable prize package includes front row tickets to a runway show, an exclusive backstage tour, return flights and 5 star accomodation in Sydney. Simply purchase your ticket to see DIOR AND I at Palace Electric Cinemas then click above to enter!

 

PICADILLY DESIGNS (Debut designer)

Tell us a bit about Picadilly Designs.

After years of sewing and making things for people I looked for something more creative and different. A friend asked me if I could make her a necklace so I gave it a go and became addicted. I was a stay at home mum with three young boys and began experimenting and creating new designs that, to my surprise, sold very well. I began selling at local markets and then travelled to the Henty Field Days where my stall became a regular for ladies wanting to get away from tractors and husbands. Two years ago I took a different direction and began wholesaling my Handmade Wooden Jewellery to businesses all around NSW. Currently we sell to businesses in Young, Cootamundra, Forbes, Orange, Husskison and Griffith.

What inspires your designs?

Girly things, as my home has a serious lack of oestrogen with an extra four males in my household. I need an outlet and jewellery fills that while utilising my creative side.

What has brought you the most joy from your creative practice and why?

Nothing beats going to another town and seeing someone wearing one of my designs. Even better when one of my boys say out loud - "Mum! That lady is wearing one of your necklaces!". Embarrassing, but nice.

What can market folk expect to find at our April event?

A great range of my latest designs in the seasons Pantone colour range made from carefully sourced dyed wooden beads.

 

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to be a stallholder?

The unique atmosphere combined with other great designers whose products will compliment my range of jewellery.

 

MY FAVE THINGS

Guilty pleasure: Chocolate - do I really need to explain?

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Fashion Designer - when I was under ten I hand stitched a wedding dress for my barbie doll while at my Nan's home. At 13, I designed and made a wedding dress out of calico with hand made ribbon lace just because I wanted to. I have always enjoyed designing and making thinks that people love to wear.

Fashion item you own: Country Girl cowboy boots. I live in the country. They go with a dress as well as jeans. Every country girl should own a pair.

Fav thing about Canberra: Its variety, yet all located close together.

Your role model/s: My late Nan. I thank her for my creative side. I'm sure she is proud that I've continued to be creative.

 

 

 

KAREN LEE (FASHFEST Designer feature)

When Karen Lee puts her mind to designing a garment, she doesn’t think about current trends or standard body sizes. She thinks about the way fabric drapes and moves and concentrates on simple, sophisticated lines and contemporary shapes.

 

So it’s no wonder that her label ‘Karen Lee’ has fast gained a reputation for quality fashion that is refreshingly different—garments that allow women to feel comfortable and move comfortably.

While it’s easier said than done to design this way, the end result is garments that are both interesting and timeless … garments that transcend body shape and culture.

Karen sells her fashion at Assemblage Project, a retail shop she owns in Braddon, and is a regular stallholder at Hustle&Scout.  

Talking direct to customers is important to Karen. ‘It’s rewarding to chat about what they like and to have the opportunity to advise customers direct on style and fit,’ she says. ‘There’s often an element of surprise when some customers try on a Karen Lee piece for the first time, which is rewarding to see.’

Aside from being elegant, Karen Lee’s garments easily accommodate changing forms and changing shapes, making them highly cost-effective per wear. And many pieces are easy to dress up or down. ‘It’s entirely up to wearers to create their own style,’ says Karen.

All of Karen’s garments are designed and cut in Canberra. Manufacturing takes place in the capital, as well as in Melbourne and Albury, with tight quality control.

 

 

With the recent move to a new and expanded retail space at the ORI Building on Lonsdale Street, Assemblage Project now also stocks other interesting local fashion designers, many of whom have also appeared at Hustle&Scout, including Andie Meredith, PurePod, 4minutes33 and Jodie Cunningham.

Karen is also putting full-on effort into her next collection, which she’ll launch on the catwalk at FASHFEST 2015. ‘A Journey’—an inspirational and memorable collection—is inspired by the transition from one space to another.

 

 

VICTORIA CHU (Debut designer)

Tell us about your label and how the shoe-making adventure began...

After graduating from a gruelling Social Science/ Law degree in 2001 I went in search of something more fulfilling than books and rules.  On my travels I met an English man, fell in love and moved my life to London, setting up home in a small flat with wonky doors and a nomad cat.

I worked hard, saved my pennies and dreamt of creating something more for myself and it was in London that I embarked on a path that would eventually culminate into the fulfilment of a lifelong dream... To make shoes... lots of them.

11 years on and I'm still making shoes: for brides, fashion designers, fashion editors, other shoe makers and many, many, people that share my love for quality, unique footwear.



You see, I feel that a shoe tells a story about a person, it's more than just a fashion item and by making shoes, well, I get to be part of that story.

 

Where do you draw your inspiration from when designing your shoes?

I don't know! Everywhere... and nowhere... I like colour and form.  I guess I start with my last (shoe form) and I work the pattern around what compliments the curvature and intent. From here I play with the colour and try to find a balance between something that is a little out there yet wearable. Shoes are right down low so they need to be speaking up a bit.

How long does it take you to make one pair of shoes?

Ages...seriously, a really long time. It really depends on the shoe. Anywhere from a two days to several weeks.

 

What can market-folk expect to find at the April event?

Two silly people (husband and myself) tinkering away with some shoe making tools, crafting some lovely shoes.

 

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to be a stallholder?

I guess the groundroots, handmade, creative, community kind of vibe. Artisans need to stick together and share ideas, move as a group and grow stronger, a bit like tadpoles.
 

MY FAVE THINGS

Guilty pleasure: Having a nicer car than my Husband.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Police officer, not fashion police, real police - Oscar Bravo Delta, over.

Fave item you own: My super retro orange coffee cups that bring in the new day with a warm glowy smile.

Fav place to visit when in Canberra: Asian Noodle House, Dickson. 

 

Want more? Check out www.victoriachu.com.au and watch this awesome vid of shoe-making in action! https://vimeo.com/108740456

WARRIOR ROAD (Debut designer)

Tell us a bit about Warrior Road Apparel & Accessories.

Warrior Road is about being different. It’s about being the square peg in the round hole. It represents both the liberation and loneliness of being an outsider and it channels the strength that individuals like this must develop in order to survive in the big, bad world. Everyone has fought a battle of some sort and walked the road.

Your garments feature different, quirky prints and illustrations – where do these come from?

I had been designing my own tees for around ten years – just things that I thought were cute, clever or funny. I never really considered that they might appeal to anybody else but after I was stopped a few times in the street and asked about what I was wearing I realised that maybe there was a market to be tapped – and that maybe others shared my quirky sense! Not everyone gets it but those that do are totally on the same page. I just do what appeals to me and cross my fingers that others embrace it!

 

What are your long term goals for Warrior Road?
Of course like anyone else I would love to be making a fortune from doing my dream job – but not at the expense of control or by compromising the vision of the brand. I love pop-up retail because it allows me to connect with my customers, to meet them and find out their story and to reintegrate that into the brand. We are still such a young label that there’s plenty of work to be done experimenting with different items, trialling new locations and expanding our reach. 

What can market folk expect to find at our April event?

We are launching our Autumn / Winter collection at the April event which means brand new designs, a new spin on some faves from our last collection and the expansion of the range into pants as well as tees – with a Warrior Road twist of course. This collection is a lot more structured than previous which allows more of a central theme to present itself. I love the colours of Autumn – the reds, oranges - and will be bringing them, along with comfort and layering to the market.

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to be a stallholder?

The chance to showcase Warrior Road for an audience that is specifically looking for new and unique fashions is one that I couldn’t pass up! It’s a great opportunity to seize the spotlight - even for a moment - alongside some talented and driven people. Men’s fashion tends to be a bit niche and it’s more of a challenge to get guys excited about fashion so the Hustle&Scout audience is perfect for us!

MY FAVE THINGS

Guilty pleasure:

Trashy TV. From melodramatic soaps to sci-fi to reality series scrag fights. It’s a sickness. I need help.

What you wanted to be when you grew up:

I trained as an actor and always intended to follow that path but have distractedly wandered off the path and gotten lost in other creative pursuits along the way.

First song on your ultimate mixtape:

Something I can dance to with reckless abandon.

Fav thing about visiting Canberra:

Canberra surprises me every time.

Your role model/s:

My dog, Darby. He never looked back on the years of abuse and neglect he had endured before he came to live with us. Even when
diagnosed with terminal cancer he fought bravely and lived every
day to the fullest – with courage and love.

APPLEYE JEWELLERY (Debut Designer)

Tell us about Appleye Jewellery and what inspires your designs.

All our designs are handmade in our South Coast studio, which ensures we can keep a careful eye on quality control, as well as offering our fans original designs that are both inspired by nature and ethically produced.  We Take great pride in the sourcing of ethical raw materials.  As a result we only use Australian suppliers that support our eco ethos, by providing eco recycled, refined fine metals.  In our designing process we create designs that are for the every day jewellery wearer, whilst offering quality, beautiful unique jewellery, for beautifully unique people.

How did you get into making jewellery?

Appleye began out of the need to be available for family, whilst having a creative outlet working with my hands, that could also provide an extra income to help support the family.  I always been very crafty and able to use my hands to create all kinds of things over the years. Metals have long intrigued me and I really love texture.  Much of what I produce is self taught, along with a few courses to fill the gaps. I had considered getting my trade cert in Jewellery making. But when talking to trade friends, they strongly encouraged me to just keep doing what I was doing. They said that the techniques that I use they were never taught during their training. So I took their advice and Appleye is the result.

What brings you the most joy from your creative practice?

Having a full day in the studio with the music cranking, producing new pieces that I get to take to Markets. There is nothing quite so thrilling as someone who appreciates what you make, and is willing to invest in it. It’s both humbling and rewarding.

 

 

What can market-folk expect to find at the April event?

We have many new designs. Some of our popular textures we have expanded across our range, as well as some organic shapes. We have also added some gorgeous copper pieces to our collection.

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to be a stallholder?

A love for fashion and food! Not much else to say really!

MY FAV THINGS

Guilty pleasure:  A good merlot

What you wanted to be when you grew up: An Artist -Musical Theatre

Fav fashion piece you own: Hard to pick just one! Usually though they are pieces that have been handmade by Aussie designers

Fav place to visit in Canberra: SoJo Girl (I’m a foodie)

Your role model/s: No one famous, just real people that I know well and that know me well. People who have invested in me and believed in me.