Meow I get it...

I love my cat. His name is Vinnie (Vincent). I like the idea of calling pets by human names - none of this 'fluffy','mittens' or 'snowball' guff. Let's keep it real eh? I hear there's another cool cat on the street, and his name is (respectfully), Stuart. He is the proud companion of none other than Dr Lisa Jose, silversmith and archaeologist.

'Stuart the Cat Designs' is a Canberra-based studio that creates handmade, unique silver jewellery. The brand, which was developed by Lisa in 2005, pays homage to her beautiful feline and is inspired by modern, ancient and natural designs. This inspiration, as described by Lisa, is drawn from various life experiences and day-to-day observations, be it 'the shape of a pebble from the bed of the Euphrates River, the striking modernity of an ancient earring, the colours of the birds that visit her Canberra garden and unexpected moments of industrial elegance'. 

What I love about Lisa's work is the elegant simplicity of her designs. Each piece, which is handcrafted from recylced silver, takes on a different form. When you look at each creation you can see those uneven pebbles from excavation sites and rivers in Syria, the eye of Lisa's beloved cat, the bright colours of her neighbourly birds and the cubic lines of industrial structures. The aesthetic is one that has developed from life experience and simple pleasures. 

 

(Stuart)

You will find Lisa and her one-of-a-kind creations at Hustle&Scout on 21 September. Whilst I am busy shopping up a storm that night, there's no doubt Stuart will be sleeping through the action, as well as this lil guy...

(Vinnie)

http://www.stcdesigns.com.au/

Off-cuts are off charts.

I continue to be in absolute AWE of our local designers. One which caught my eye early on was Suzan Dlouhy and her label, SZN, which showcased at FashFest in May. Suzan graduated from a Bachelor of Design (Fashion) from CIT in 2012 and, similarly to many of her CIT comrades, has developed a distinct look for her brand.

SZN garments are all one-offs, and it blows my mind. Suzan creates ALL her garments (for gals and guys) from post consumer waste. This is just one of the ways in which Suzan transforms perceptions of conventional fashion design. To be more specific, Suzan constructs her garments from negative space. This is achieved by collecting high-quality off-cuts from other designers and using the shapes of these pieces to inspire her design. Typically you would imagine the design process to be the reverse (ie. starting with conventional pattern-making), but this approach allows Suzan to make the best use of a piece of scrap material and thus follow-through with zero-waste design.

Some of Suzan's garments are also constructed from positive space. This means they have been upcycled from an existing garment. Today I wore one of the SZN's jackets in a Canberra Times shoot which had been reappropriated from a woolen skirt and over coat that Suzan found at Vinnie's. I also wore a dress made from negative space which consisted of lycra and polyster scraps from local designer, 4 Minutes 33 - innovation and sustainable fashion at it's BEST.

The result of this skilled and somewhat 'go-with-the-flow' approach to design is edgy pieces mixing structural elements, fluid lines and a range of beautiful textures.

Suzan not only shares my love of reggae music, but also shares my passion for creating a fashion-conscious culture within Canberra. Whether this involves buying garments off local designers, such as herself, or visiting vintage and second-hand stores who recycle fashion - the choices we make as consumers will inevitably have an impact in some way on the environment. Luckily, sustainable design is becoming more integrated within institutions' training courses and we are seeing more designers, like Suzan, finish school equipped with the skills and motivation to continue producing eco-driven collections.    

When I visited Suzan's studio recently, I got a sneak-peek at some of her current projects. Ever seen a dress repurposed from car seat covers? Neither had I, until this week. I won't give too much away, but Suzan has created some ridiculously innovative pieces from the spare parts of an old beetle car she found at the wreckers.  These incredible pieces will be worn by a burlesque performer for this upcoming Centenary event:

http://www.canberra100.com.au/calendar/view/1114/spin-saturday/ 

I daresay we have only seen the beginning of what promises to be a bright future for Suzan Dlouhy. She was recently awarded Young Designer of the Year from the Celebration of African Australians Inc. ('Celebrate'), which comes as no surprise when you take a good look at Suzan's inventive collection. This Saturday will be your chance to feel, try and buy SZN attire - don't miss out, it won't disappoint! 

http://www.szn.com.au

Thrifting 101: Pop some tags, fill those bags.

Who doesn't love a good thrift-shop? For me, thrifting is a fun challenge. It is one of those things I have nearly worked to a fine art. 

Thrifting is somewhat of a skill - a hobby that requires a heightening of the senses, if you will. For me, it usually involves meandering past racks of pre-loved garments, eyes darting ahead calculating colour, pattern and fabric combinations whilst one hand simultaneously slides along the clothing confirming quick judgments. All the while, I must monitor my surrounds, ensuring other keen thrifters are not hot on my trail. The process is undoubtedly driven by awareness, efficiency and quality control. It's game-on, every time. 

Now, I know for a fact that I am not the only one that shares a love for thrifting around our nation's capital. Canberra is home to some killer thrift shops, and by 'killer' I mean some op-shops go overkill on the their pricing strategies whereas some 'kill it' by hitting the price mark perfectly every time. It's knowing where to find the latter that is the real key to any thrifting experience. I know one gal who has this key tucked firmly down the pocket of her black, ripped skinny jeans.

Meet Fiona Harris. Childcare worker and avid thrifter by day, social media guru by night, and managing Founder of Opshoppers all day and night. I first became aware of Opshoppers at the recent Help from the Underground fashion fundraiser show, where a bunch of Canberra fashion bloggers and collectors joined forces to present a massive pop-up shop of their best thrifted finds. I finally met Fi when I visited her house (or 'Opshoppers HQ') to chat about Hustle&Scout (and to also pick-up a burgundy cape that I had spotted on her website: www.opshoppers.com.au). My heart skipped a beat when I saw the racks and racks of garments she had stowed away in her pad. Fi has everything from vintage garments, to sun glasses, bags, shoes, streetwear and jewellery, but also kitschy items such as retro books and other quirky bits and bobs.

Fi started seriously thrifting about 10 years ago. Her urge to thrift is the result of what appears to be an innate appreciation of beautiful things and a compulsion to collect things which she knows are worth more than they are priced. What I find the most fascinating about all of this is that Fi rarely wears any of the garments she buys. Fi is the kinda girl who could happily live in her black jeans, black cons and a grungy tee any day of the week. 

Although Fi has largely collected beautiful, feminine vintage womenswear, the Opshoppers brand will be moving to a new phase of growth in the coming months. In a way, it seems Fi is keen to bring more of her personal aesthetic to her product by drawing the focus to urban/streetwear. For example, a recent collaboration with local street artist, Abyss.607, has resulted in a new method of upcylcing vintage threads (such as the leather jacket below). It is very exciting to see the Opshoppers business diversifying and to see Fi collaborating with so many Canberra creatives on her inspired-visions. 

Look out for Opshoppers at Hustle&Scout on 21 September. Fi will be bringing all of her very best garments, accessories and jewellery, and of course, her big smile. 

Connected to Rancho.

In 2009, Michelle Smith launched her new label - Rancho Designs. While the label initially started with mixed media artworks and glass jewellery, it quickly evolved to include accessories and resin, timber and silver jewellery. 

Inspired by Michelle's Scandinavian heritage, Scandinavian design and urban trends, Rancho pieces are distinguished by their simplicity, soft colour palette and eco-tones. All pieces are produced in Michelle's studio nestled in the beautiful Mulbring, rural New South Wales. Knowing this, it comes as no surprise to see all of the trees, flowers and birds referenced in her work. 

Having dappled in paper, paint, clay, fabric and photography throughout her creative journey, it is no wonder Michelle has broadened her product range over the years. Recently, Rancho launched new accessories such as ipad covers and iphone covers. Considering these devices are practically an extension of our bodies, why wouldn't you want to embellish your technology with a colourful print or a laser-cut wood artwork? It is these sorts of products that will really set Rancho apart at the Hustle&Scout market. The thing I personally love about Rancho is the integration of a cool colour palette with bold and funky patterns to evoke a soothing and modern interpretation of the bush, sky and water. Michelle's artworks also remind me of the beautiful pictures in a Scandinavian storybook my Mother used to read to me as a child. Because of this strong visual connection, I see magical stories being told in each of the Rancho creations. 

I have come to realise that one of the main reasons I love buying unique, handmade pieces is the connection I am able to make with them. Whether it is Rancho's artwork that takes me back to a time where a storybook set no limits to my imagination; or a vintage 1920s hat that I like to think was once worn by a woman who lived through World Wars and danced the charleston during Prohibition; or an upcycled necklace that was once someone's post-consumer trash and is now my treasure - vintage, handmade and locally designed fashion gives me an opportunity to express different aspects of who I am, what I value and how I want to tell my story.   

It is from this realisation that I come to appreciate Rancho on a new level, because it is not just beautiful things that Michelle is creating, they are a storybook of her heritage and her life. 

http://www.ranchodesigns.com.au/

A great hat speaks for itself.

'...A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, and to make all others seem jealous over. A piece of magic is a hat.' 

At FashFest 2013, there is no denying one label turned heads and brought a little piece of magic to the catwalk - SOVATA. This colourful racewear and millinery label plays with beautiful quality blends of silk, leather, cotton and felt to produce distinctive looks for the modern woman. The hats...well...the hats are just something else - they are beautifully constructed pieces of sculptural art.

Jade Sargent, 2012 CIT Fashion graduate, is the mastermind behind SOVATA. A firm believer of bringing hats back 'in' and encouraging people to be more confident in adorning statement pieces, Jade has worked hard to develop a wearable, glamorous and feminine collection that employs a zero-waste principle.

This principle involves using environmentally-friendly materials, pre-consumer waste materials and a particular pattern-making method of wrapping fabric around 3D patterns to create garments. In addition to using a mixture of soft and stiff fabrics, I hear Jade also dyes horse hairs gathered from local vets to embellish her pieces - if that's not innovation then, frankly, I don't know what is. 

I hear Jade is currently busy making and getting her business up and running from her home studio in Canberra. We are very happy to be interrupting this process briefly on 21 September, when Jade will pack up all of her creations and bring them to the NewActon Nishi for us all to try and buy. 

Ps: Here's a fun fact - 'S' is for 'Sargent' and 'OVATA' is the botanical name for 'Jade'. On that note, I would also like to add that SOVATA puts:


- the 's' in sophistication
- the 'O' in opulant
- the 'V' in vibrant
- the 'A' in artful
- the 'T' in taste
- the 'A' in ALL I want to do now is put on a hat. 

Recycle + reinvent!

Does the rubber tube off a bicycle have 9 lives? Trudy Pihelgas, designer of jewellery label ‘9 Lives Re-Creation’ thinks so. ‘Sustainable design’ and ‘ethical fashion’ are two trends that have inspired designers, such as Pihelgas, to use environmentally-friendly materials and employ socially responsible methods of production. In May 2007, Vogue claimed that sustainable fashion would not be a short-term trend, but one that ‘could last multiple seasons’. Well, Vogue was right - going green has never been more fashionable. For Pihelgas, these trends have informed her jewellery-making practice, which consists of recycling discarded materials and turning them into beautiful quality, one-of-a-kind pieces.

The mission behind 9 Lives Re-Creation is ‘To see the beauty and potential of all things, and the possibilities that a different point of view can create. It may be rubber tubing, electrical wires or broken china. Whatever the material or the original purpose, it can be transformed into something new and unexpected with a new and viable reason for existing’. This concept really excites me because purchasing this sort of jewellery not only ticks the ‘conscious consumer’ box, but it also allows people to access completely unique pieces that have a story connected to them. I actually own some of Pihelgas’ stunning creations, including her recycled black rubber necklace (which can be worn long or twice around for a chunkier piece) and one of her bow-tie brooches.


Whether it’s vintage china earrings, black and gold statement zipper necklaces, soft latte leather knot bracelets or red velvet bow-ties – 9 Lives Re-Creation has a treasure trove of exquisite pieces that are more than enough to make any outfit pop. Pihelgas is one of the three interstate designers showcasing at Hustle&Scout and we are very lucky to have her involved – this label is one to watch out for.

She's got that feminine charm.

The blossoms are out and there's that long-anticipated smell of spring in the air. Pastels are re-emerging in shop windows and that spring wind has started ruffling our hair-dos and flapping our dresses into a dance of seasonal submission. 

Fashions seem to change with the seasons, but there is one designer whose pieces have an air of spring about them all year long - introducing...Gabrielle Everitt. 

Canberra-based designer, Gabrielle Everitt, describes her label as 'women's fashion with a rustic charm'. Everitt's pastel colour palette, teamed with her blend of quality fabrics, feminine trims and vintage/nautical references, create a timeless collection that appeals to women of all ages.  

Everitt graduated from the Gold Coast Academy of Design in 2009, and it was not long before she won first place in the ‘wearable item category’ at the Australian Wool Awards and was a finalist in the ‘women’s collection’ of the Lincraft Awards. Everitt was also one of the lucky local designers given the opportunity to showcase her pieces at FashFest earlier this year. 

Photo courtesy of FashFest

What I personally love about Everitt's label are the small details that give it that unique twist. The trims, the bottons and that signature rope belt make all the difference. 

 

You will find Everitt at Hustle&Scout on 21 September.

Neither here, nor there, but she's everywhere.

There are some of those faces around Canberra that you just know.

Netti, owner of April's Caravan, is one of those faces...and a lovely one at that. April's Caravan has become a bit of an institution in Canberra - a pop-up vintage and retro shop inhabiting all sorts of urban spaces in the most glamorous of ways. When I lived in Lyneham, I used to love riding my bike past her front yard festivities on Wattle Street where beautiful, vintage clothes floated above faux grass, music infiltrated the streets and attractive sorts sat under retro umbrellas in the sun or on veranda-laden vintage couches laughing and loving life.

Then, April's Caravan packed up shop and - like any gypsy in a caravan would - moved on to inhabit another space and start a fresh. The Front Art Gallery & Cafe was next, followed by another Lyneham shopfront. April's Caravan (there IS an actual caravan, and her name is Miss Mae) has visited Art, Not Apart, Bus Depot Markets, Fash N Treasure and Lonsdale St to name a few cultural hotspots. Recently, however, April's Caravan has parked-up at the humble Smiths Alternative Bookshop - a fitting venue for an alternative gal. I sense Netti may have pressed pause on the gypsy lifestyle for now, but that doesn't mean April's Caravan can't continue to hustle about town. Do you sense where I'm going with this?  

I caught up with Netti in NewActon on the weekend to chat about her involvement in Hustle&Scout (yay!). Netti will be (sans Miss Mae) making her mark on the Nishi Foyer in ways I can't even fully understand just yet. Watching her stand in the space and proceed to 'hmmm' and 'huumm' with finger pressed to painted red lip, I grabbed a sneak-peek into what her creative brain is capable of. I won't give too much away, because you'll need to come and check it out for yourself, but April's Caravan will be decking out the grand Nishi staircase with an interactive display of retro delights! (Most importantly - there WILL be a couch, and I'm very happy about that because I plan to take a few moments of respite on it during the night).

'What about the clothes?!', I hear you ask. Well, you will also have a chance to access some of April's Caravan's finest vintage threads at the market. There will be pieces for guys and gals, ranging from the 40s to the 80s, so hold off on your vintage shopping until 21 September, Netti will sort you out ;)

Market traders ANNOUNCED!

Talent upon talent. 


The shortlisting of applications was no easy task, but here we have it, 25 designers, collectors and makers of high quality fashion pieces with a unique edge. 

The majority of stall holders will be locals, however, we have a few featured inter-state designers coming along. These few traders were selected based on their product quality and their appeal to different demographics. 

We are proud to be supporting 11 of the designers whose beautiful and innovative looks graced the catwalk at FashFest earlier this year. I hear the next FashFest is going to be bigger and better next year - I can't wait to see some new collections and local designers!

FashFest

SZN

Andie Meredith

Perpetually Five

Pure Pod

Gabrielle Everitt

Wnd.Lnd

Assemblage Project (4 Minutes 33 & RenLee)

Sovata

Rockstars & Royalty

Corr Blimey

Vintage (all local)

April’s Caravan

Librarian Chic

Material Pleasures

Opshoppers

Jewellery/Accessories

Stuart the Cat 

Jade Stone 

Nastia Zaric 

Wink Jewellery 

Jodie Cunningham 

Rustic Treasures 

9 Lives Re-creation 

Rancho 

Other clothing

Harper&Edie 

Character 

To salute a great performance on  Australia's Got Talent tonight by local gal, Jade Le Flay-Schrooder, here is a pic from her Jade Stone handbag collection to be featured at Hustle&Scout...

A week to think, learn and listen.

Hey friends. Gee, it's been a while since I've immersed myself into the online world. I guess that's what happens when you are without reception and surrounded by big, beautiful rock formations like this ol'gal...

Siiigh. Now THAT is a beautiful thing. 

I've spent the last week in our beautiful red desert, sleeping in a swag under the stars, eating damper, riding camels, hiking through canyons and meeting new people from all over the world. I learnt so many interesting things about the land and about Aboriginal Creation stories - it really reinforced to me how important it is to explore this country, and to take time off to really clear your mind. Life can get a little crazy, but you only start to go a little crazy yourself if you don't take the time to put things into perspective and take a BREATH. 

While I was away, Hustle&Scout was growing without me. Applications continued to roll in, two masks were being made in Los Angeles for the Hustle&Scout characters (stay tuned), and City News published a little number about the event too, nice. 

http://issuu.com/citynews/docs/130808_citynews/8?e=1141122/4325980

I saw two shooting stars one night and knew it was a sign that good things are to come. When I got home I caught up with the lovely Sarah from Palace Electric in the NewActon Nishi. Now, put two and two together and it's clear to see that Palace and Hustle&Scout are going to be neighbours four times a year. In our mutual desires to bring more buzz to our 'hood' and think outside the box, we kick-started the beginnings of what will be a supportive and exciting relationship. All I can say right now is that if you want to come to the H&S street party on 21 September, you're going to want to get to know your other neighbours.

Palace is an exciting addition to Canberra, a hidden gem. We are similar, in a way, as we're both in the arts game for quality and innovation, and we both share a love for all that is classic vintage (see the Vintage Electric program - Gone with the Wind AND Breakfast at Tiffany's are screening around the time of the inaugural market). BEST. Watch this space for more exciting updates on this new collaboration :)

PS: APPLICATIONS CLOSE TOMORROW NIGHT (SUNDAY 11TH!)

Keeping it real.

I have had a very humbling week. 

It all came to a crux after my catch-up with Maddy last night. Maddy is the lovely, down-to-earth gal behind the Mummawoosha blog, contributor to HerCanberra, full-time Mama, adoring wife and 4-day-a-week worker. 'How do you have time to do it all?', I asked in our first 5 minutes together. For Maddy, it's all about her kids and her hubby first, but she is one of those Mums who is very aware of not losing sight of her 'my time', if you will. A blog, for Maddy, is a sort of self-therapy - I love this concept because I feel the same in that I don't really think about what I write before I write these posts...I just BLAH. Maddy recently co-ordinated the Lifeline Vintage Glam shoot for HerCanberra, and said that although she still feels like she is recovering, she had an absolute blast. Maddy admitted she's no stylist, she's not riding the 'buzz', and she's definitely not a 'fashion blogger'. The 'blast' is generated through tapping into a creative side, cherishing the people you meet along the way and exchanging stories via online ditterings and social get-arounds. 

I have to say, it was really reassuring to meet yet ANOTHER genuine, warm and supportive Canberran who really enjoys living in this city and who is keen to get amongst it, when time permits. For me, it's not about the buzz. It's not about fabricating an online image/persona (because I am no stylist or fashion expert - just a gal with a keen appreciation of fashion, art and design aesthetics, and a compulsive need to be BUSY). I don't want to feel pressured to post every day, I would prefer to post when I feel inspired and thus have a moment with myself to connect and reflect with meaning. Ultimately, I want my endeavours to bring about meaningful change.

At the end of the day, we are only as good as those we surround ourselves with. I am grateful to have met some beautiful people, like Maddy, along this journey and I will most definitely be dragging them along with me because we all share a common vision. This vision is not necessarily just about harnessing the talent that Canberra possesses and putting on awesome events, it's about keeping it real and not losing sight of what really matters.