THAT special dress...

If you're in the market for THAT very special dress...a couture number that makes you feel like royalty, or a rocked-up frock that makes you feel like a million bucks, there is just one lady you need to call - Vicky Kidd-Gallichan, creative genius behind local label Rockstars and Royalty.

Rockstars and Royalty has become synonymous with big and bold since its introduction to our capital city in 2007. Most people would find it hard to forget the gorgeous gold and teal gown that hit the runway at FASHFEST in 2013, and made front page of the Canberra Times to promote the inaugural Hustle&Scout in September. That is the effect Vicky's designs have on people - they are front-page material. Each carefully hand-crafted piece makes you stop, gulp, and leaves you tingling from the after-effects of its visual extravagance.

Vicky does not just limit her designs to gowns, she also creates jewellery and accessories such as birdcage veils, sashes and fascinators. She will be bringing all of this, and some, to the upcoming Hustle&Scout (just 2 weeks away!), and will also be hitting the runway at Fashfest 2014 on Wednesday 30 April at the Canberra Airport.



Photographer - Loriana Fotographia

Gown and accessories - Rockstars and Royalty

Hair - Guerilla Hair

Makeup - Lauren Cataldo

Assistant - Sarah Herne

Model - Andjela Timani

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

I love the atmosphere, the venue and being surrounded by other amazing creative people. I love that it’s not just about the stall holders but about bringing lots of creativity together to turn a market into an event with a great vibe where you want to hang out.

What do you love about working with fashion? What keeps you creatively motivated?

I love that I get to do something different every day. No client is the same and I don’t make any of my designs more than once. I get bored very easily so this definitely keeps me interested and motivated. Then I also have my jewellery and accessory range that I can work on in between sewing so that helps keep me interested too.

 Tell us a bit about your new Fashfest collection, 'La Mothe-Chandeniers'.

My collection is inspired by my favourite French chateau – La Mothe-Chandeniers. It’s near where my Mum lives in France and when I’m visiting her I always go and gaze longingly at it. It’s private so unfortunately you can only look from the road but I’ve found some amazing photos of it online, including some from the late 1860s. There was a big fire there in 1932 that led to it being abandoned and since then nature has reclaimed it. My Fashfest collection is partly about nature taking over and I’ve also taken inspiration from the 1930s as that’s when the fire was. I also like to daydream and imagine that there’s abandoned treasure hidden inside this beautiful ruin, so there’s inspiration from that idea too. Each dress will have a name and a little story or poem to go with it. Some I’m writing and some are lyrics from songs that I’ve been listening to while I’m sewing. Part of my collection will be the big gowns that I’m known for and parts will be something a little different from what I usually do. I’ll be using a lot of corsetry still and I’ll also be creating some of the most elaborate head pieces I’ve ever done! I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me to get it all done in time. You’ll have to come along to Fashfest to see how it all comes together!

 

 

What other exciting design projects do you have planned for 2014?

I already have wedding dresses booked in for the rest of the year and for early 2015, so after Fashfest it will be time to start working on those.

 

What can punters expect to find at the upcoming autumn market?

I’ll have my usual range of jewellery and hair pieces with me at Hustle&Scout and I’ll also bring some dresses to display and maybe a little taster of what you can expect to see from me at Fashfest.

Photographer - Vitaly Sidorenko

Gown and accessories - Rockstars and Royalty

Hair and makeup - Cassandra Lee

Model - Andjela Timani

 

Jewellery that stirs the imagination.

This April, we will be featuring a range of new designers, many of which are coming from interstate to try out the Hustle&Scout market experience. Honeybee is one of these new design labels, headed our way all the way from Newcastle with trunks of beautiful silver and stainless steel jewellery.

 

The first thing that strikes you about Honeybee jewellery is how incredibly delicate each piece is. These feminine and whimsical designs are as light as a feather. Sometimes, beauty can be pain, but not in the case of Honeybee. Embellish yourself in these charming pieces and you actually forget you are wearing them - that is how light they are. Although a great deal of effort goes into handcrafting each individual piece, when wearing them, they feel absolutely effortless. For me, each pair of earrings hints at tells a story or sparks a vivid memory. The earrings below may as well be a visual blueprint from the old kaleidoscope I once gazed into at my grandparents' beach house, and the Alice in Wonderland lock and key earrings evoke a curious sense of mystery that pulls me straight back to my fantastical childhood storybooks.  

 

But that's just me...try for yourself on April 12 and see what stirs your imagination.  

 



 

Why did you apply to be a stall holder at Hustle&Scout?

 

We had heard about Hustle&Scout from a friend and then coincidentally met Tegan and she asked if we might be interested in applying. It’s such a beautiful venue and we like the idea of a boutique event like this, so we jumped at the chance.

 

How did you get into designing jewellery?

We actually started selling Wyan’s Ceramic artworks at Paddington Markets about 15 years ago, which expanded into Ceramic jewellery, timber veneer wall clocks, Resin jewellery and then finally our Stainless Steel and Sterling Silver jewellery that we are showing at  Hustle&Scout.

 

Tell us a bit about your label and your design aesthetic.

We are a very small label selling at markets and online; which is how we like it. It’s really nice getting to talk to all our customers and finding out what they like and don’t like.

 

What is your creative workspace like? How are you inspired by your surrounds?

 

We work from home and have a beautiful light filled studio set up high so we look out into the trees. It’s a fantastic late 60’s house designed by a well-known local architect when he was still studying at Uni. Apparently it was featured in House and Garden at the time but we’ve never found a copy...

 

 

 

 

What is your absolute favourite thing you have made, and why?

We’d have to say our children. They bring us happiness and joy everyday and always keep us grounded. Jewellery wise, at the moment we really like our new “Fawn” earrings, but it changes all the time as we create new designs.

 

What can punters expect to find at the upcoming autumn Hustle&Scout?

 

This year we’ve increased our $29 earring range. We’ve made a pair of cute little Alice and Wonderland Lock and Key earrings. The key actually fits into the lock.

 

 

 
What's in store for Honeybee in 2014?

Strangely enough we’re back into ceramics and are currently designing a range featuring some stunning 70’s inspired glazes.

 

The velvet, cashmere and tweed affair.

To all you vintage lovers out there, fear no more, we have Librarian Chic returning to our market stocked with lots of fresh, pre-loved goodies to get your hands on! Armed with her new Autumn/Winter collection of cherished pieces, collector and stylist Mel O'Brian will be ready and waiting to help you find that special something because, let's face it, everyone needs at LEAST one amazing vintage piece in their wardrobe. A fur stole? Tweed jacket? Velvet dress? Cashmere cardigan? If you like the sound of any of these items then save your pennies and meet us at the Nishi on April 12 to scout for something spectacular.

Photo: Martin Ollman

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you re-apply to be stallholder?

I love Canberra and I love the fact H&S is a night market that offered a little bit more to people who could not find something to buy. This is a real opportunity to contribute to Canberra’s diversity in retail. I would dearly miss engaging with people that come along to the event to literally hustle and scout about.
 

What advice would you give to shoppers who have never bought ‘vintage’?

It needs to be timeless and classified. No one wants to look like they are going to a fancy dress party. A stellar piece of advice is to consider the “price per wear index” and how will you interpret it into your lifestyle.  Remember vintage does not mean overinflated prices it should not break a budget. You also have to be committed to the extra care and laundering that comes with an aged item. Much the same as buying a second hand car you may need to keep up with some of the maintenance yourself.
 

 

Photo: Red Photography

 

Where do you source your unique pieces from?

I love to buy no longer needed or cherished items from people’s wardrobes. It feels like I am keeping the cycle of recycling local and breathing new life into something that was a risk of landfill. Australian vintage resonates with me more than some overseas designers so I am always on the hunt for iconic Australian vintage pieces.
 

What do you love about working with fashion?  What keeps you creatively motivated?

What’s not to love about finding and sharing beautiful pieces of clothing? Timeless catalogued fashion from Librarian Chic is affordable and enables people to individualise their lifestyles and imbue personalities. It’s a real treat to realise that something you found, cleaned and perhaps accessorised is now being worn and loved by someone who perfectly suits it. Collaborations between other local stallholders and fashion lovers keeps me focussed and engaged, that’s pretty motivating as well.
 

What is in store for Librarian Chic for 2014?

I am always looking for new vintage and iconic designer pieces. At the Hustle&Scout market we will be launching our Autumn/Winter range that has a particular focus on colour, lush woollens, French velvet, swing skirts, boleros, capes, fur caps, cashmere twin sets, angora cardigans, plaid dresses and an abundance of fletcher jones tartan and tweed. 

 

Urbanwear with a vintage twist.

Emerging designer, Leigh Kanara, will make her Hustle&Scout debut on 12 April with her womenswear label KANARA. Fresh out of design school, Leigh has been designing and producing new garments that she best describes as 'on-trend feminine urbanwear with a tip-of-the-hat to vintage styles'. You will find fitting peg skirts, tiered skirts, wool jackets, merino tops, and additional versions of these pieces featuring prints and extra embellishments. KANARA's diverse range aims to appeal to the 'tween' market through to the 25-40 demographic. All handmade here in Canberra, KANARA pieces use quality materials to ensure a durability, which we love, as there's nothing worse than investing in a garment that falls to bits within months and ends up in landfill. Sustainable, unique, good quality and locally-made - can't get much better than that!

 

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

As a brand new resident to Canberra, I was actively seeking a quality venue to introduce my label to Canberra. I spoke to a number of local designers, and retailers in town. Many of them encouraged me to get involved in the April Hustle&Scout Markets.  A bit of a nosey at H&S web clips and pics told me this was a great opportunity to show and sell my label in Canberra.

 

 

Tell us about your label, Kanara.

Flattering features will play with trends, but will always come home to naïve prints, surprising details and clever combinations of new and sustainably-sourced fabrics. Kanara seeks to be the favourite; the garment with sentimental value, and with ‘glory box’ durability.

 

Where do you draw your inspiration from for your designs?

Currently, my designs are inspired by iconic theories of sustenance, and contemplations of time: the shapes and rhythms of the technological front, Stuart Brand’s journey of future generations, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and the black masses of the undiscovered. Tomas Saraceno’s Time/Space and Cloud City installations also sheds light on a multi-verse of aesthetic possibilities for me. 

 

 

What sustainable approaches do you apply to your designs?

Sustainable practices are utilised consistently in the production of this collection. Up-cycled linings, sourced end-of-roll fabric, and salvaged off-cut virgin fabrications all play a role in my range.  Yet through quality features normally associated with high-end garments, this collection will challenge current notions of exclusivity; not only are pieces made in small quantities with quality fabrics, but they are also ethically produced here in Australia. To add to the sustainable aspect of my  garments, durability is also an important characteristic of the collection. To achieve this durability, quality fabrics are selected, designs pay homage to classically flattering silhouettes, and removable components mean the consumer can combine these components with existing garments in their wardrobe and create new looks.  This ‘investment garment’ approach to fashion seeks to slow down the rate of consumption in our industry.

 

 

What can punters expect to find at the upcoming autumn market?

Customers can expect to be delighted by surprising and idiosyncratic details within each of my garments. They will also find pieces made in high quality fabrics to keep them warm and comfortable in the coming winter.

 

What design projects do you have planned for your label for 2014?

For Spring/Summer 2014, I look forward to producing a small range of print designs. These prints will be destined for classically feminine daywear: flattering styles with the essential, unexpected twist.

 

 

 

E4, paying it forward.





Rohan Thomas has been immersed in the design world in one way or another for many years. The Canberra-based designer graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Industrial Design. Since gradating, Rohan has worked as an Interior Designer, started his label 'e4', and founded  a clothing and signage printing business, Rojo Designs, AND a product and interior design company, D.V. ant Designs. Next April, Rohan will be focussing his energy on e4 when he returns to Hustle&Scout with his latest range for guys and girls, featuring tees, shorts, dresses, hoodies and more.

 

 

The charming thing about Rohan is that he is passionate about collaborating with the greater design community to share his knowledge and promote other designers. Rohan has been working with young and emerging designers and artists around Canberra, giving them the opportunity to have their designs printed on e4 garments. Rohan looks for new designs each month, and pays a commission to artists when their designs sell. We think this is a pretty neat initiative and represents a wonderful cycle where local designers mentor and support young designers, giving them the confidence and motivation to keep creating and to hopefully one day pay this gesture forward to future generations of designers. This sort of comradery is vital in a close-knit town like Canberra, and is vital to ensure our local design ecosystem is fed and nurtured.

 

Here's a little more from Rohan on his design journey...

 



 

 

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

Apart from the amazing amount of people that came through and help support all the local talent I mostly enjoyed the atmosphere that was created at the market.

 

What do you love about working with fashion?  What keeps you creatively motivated?

I really enjoy the process of thinking up a design, evolving that thought and creating it into a wearable garment. There is no better feeling than walking down the street and seeing someone wearing something that I have created.

 

Do you feel your label is evolving? If so, why and how?

 

My label has evolved quite dramatically over the last few months. I have started working with some local artists and designers on my new ranges. Not only does this give them the opportunity to see their designs on garments but it has got me so excited about all the new avenues that I can take my label.

 

What exciting, design projects do you have in stall for 2014?

 

I plan to work with more up and coming designers and artists and plan on running some clothing design programs in schools.

 

What can punters expect to find at the upcoming autumn market?

I will have some more colour this time in regards to t-shirts, there will be my geometrical style designs, some prints from a couple of other local artists and for the ladies I have some new fun prints on dresses.

 

 

To live and breathe fashion...

Janette Lenk. Designer, stylist, beauty writer, blogger and new stallholder at our upcoming Hustle&Scout Autumn market. When she is not designing pieces for her womenswear label, T-Heinrich, Janette immerses herself in all things fashion. So much so, in fact, that Janette is in Melbourne at this very minute reporting on the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Week. It's fair to say, Janette lives and breathes fashion and has truly found her creative calling in Canberra and beyond. It is wonderful to have designers such as Janette involved in Hustle&Scout who, through wearing many hats in the fashion world, share our mission of connecting our creative community across a range of platforms. 

We are really looking forward to seeing what fresh T-Heinrich designs are due to hit the Nishi building next month. Expect a colourful assortment of prints and textures, and a mix of vintage and exotic fabrics from around the world. Get a few more hints at what new T-Heinrich pieces you will find at the market as we take 5 with the lovely Janette...

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

I’m insanely excited about my Autumn/Winter 2014 collection and I think Canberra will be too! I have a great combination of prints in one garment and really can’t wait to show them off!

There are so few opportunities in Canberra to showcase our work on a professional platform, and this is a great way to reach a wide cross-section of the community. Hustle&Scout is a creative, accessible environment. Designers can gain exposure which will assist to promote our brands and gain momentum.

How and why did you start your own label?

My mum was the most stylish woman – and still is. I fell in love with clothes the way she did, it was passed down to me. When she dressed me growing up, I soon learnt that I loved fabrics. When I was old enough to hand sew at about 8, I dismantled my first piece of 80’s clothing to recreate my own piece. And it went from there - in college I was at the top of my class and kept on creating pieces. Pieces for friends for summer festival and events then in 2009 I decided to launch my label. My own passion and success was the driver to keep creating and when I wholesaled to a store on Melrose Ave in Los Angeles, I knew I was on to something.

  

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

My appreciation for fashion comes from within, the way a design makes you feel, the way it complements you as person and the way you can express yourself.

Where do you draw your inspiration from for your designs?

I am influenced by life, I love to examine how things are made and what they are made of and if they can be made by stitching fabric together! I love flowers, prints and plain things too. I love to reuse fabric when I can but I also like to source them from all over the world. To say that I don’t get inspiration by magazines would be a complete lie, I love to use them to get lost in my own mind and learn from designs.

What ethical approaches do you apply to your design?

My brand is unique; my Autumn/Winter 2014 collection has all been made here in Canberra, some by me. Some fabrics have been reused and some vintage from all over the world.

What can punters expect to find at the upcoming autumn market?

Fresh Autumn/Winter wears for 2014! I have really planned for the chic Canberra woman to be well equipped for the winter. This includes hood scarfs, faux fur hand warmers and midi ponchos! These items will keep you elegantly chic and warm in the winter.

What design projects do you have planned for you and your label for 2014?

I have a few great projects in the works. I am now officially the beauty and fashion writer for Biscuit Magazine. I will be video reviewing a bunch of products and continuing with my ‘what I wore segment' – featuring some of my new collection. In March I will also be heading to Virgin Australia’s Melbourne Fashion week, reporting back on it and checking out the street style. Westfield has its first ever personal styling tours which I will host in March so it will be a fantastic start to the year.

You can follow Janette on Facebook here.

Rancho returns.

Our lovely friends at Rancho will be back to Hustle&Scout on April 12 with a range of new jewellery for the ladies and...wait for it...accessories for the gents! Designer, Michelle, operates out of her workshop on her property in the bush, and is constantly inspired by colours and forms in nature. The signature Rancho birds and flowers feature in many of her pieces, as well as raw wooden and lolly-like beads. Make sure you go and check out these gorgeous handmade treasures straight from the Ranch, there's always something at the Rancho stall for everyone!

 



 

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

I love the atmosphere and the creative mix of ‘wares’ and people.  It’s like all these cool things suddenly emerge at this great venue. 

Ah and the venue…I discover something fantastic every time.  A design feast.

 

What do you love about working with fashion? What keeps you creatively motivated?

I love to trace the origins of a new fashion style or trend.  I like to make links between fashion, art and objects and see where it fits into our past styles.  There are very few totally ‘new’ styles these days but lots of clever variations of classic movements. 

 



 

Do you feel your label is evolving? If so, why and how?

Rancho is really interested in pushing into the accessories area of fashion.  There are so many prints and mixes I would like to try with digital fabric printing and so many bag, tote and phone case styles I would like play with. 

I never worry about the jewellery range – it evolves itself.  There is always a beautiful shaped bead, or raw material waiting to be discovered and worked into my existing (very static!) colour palette.  

 

What exciting, design projects do you have in stall for 2014?

Playing with bags and totes.  Colour printing on wood plates (for iphone cases). And developing a ‘finer’ range of jewellery.

 

What can punters expect to find at the upcoming autumn market?

Some treats for the boys!  Wood engraved iPhone cases for men WITHOUT flowers and birds!

 



A purpose for re-purpose.

If there was ever a label name that truly reflected the essence and belief-system that inspires its work, it's 9 Lives Co. This jewellery label, based in Sydney, is all about re-purposing and recycling used materials to give them a new life, and to create beautiful pieces that make a statement. Designer, Trudy Pihelgas, is probably better known for her signature zip necklaces and bracelets, as well as her use of recycled rubber tubing. Her use of discarded materials, however, does not stop there. Right now, for example, I am wearing a pair of 9 Lives earrings that were made from plastic knives that were left-over at a friends party and which Trudy obviously saw potential in. Each part of the plastic knife has been carefully curled into a flower-bud shape, enclosing a beautiful blue jewel. How cool is that? I'll never look at plastic cutlery the same again.

 

One of the super exciting things about 9 Lives returning to Hustle&Scout this April is that a new collection of jewellery and accessories will be on show! Read below for all the juicy details, but I just have to say, I am a little bit excited about the men's accessories...keep an eye out gents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

I love the fact that Hustle&Scout is young and different from many other markets currently around. The venue is beautiful and modern and Tegan does great job organising the music and fashion shows around the theme. Crowds that visits the market are a mix between older and younger - customers love to get to know the stallholders and their stories. It is easy and very enjoyable to meet your customers that will follow your journey on Facebook and stay in contact with you and your work. 

 

And what kind of market offers you delicious cocktails?! Hustle&Scout is the one and only young and innovative market around that people should come and check out:) Love coming down from Sydney and spending a weekend in creative Canberra!

 

 

How did you get into designing jewellery?

 

I think my interest came from home. My mum was always very good with making dresses and little bread necklaces. I loved the fact that she was always really happy and exited to show me how she made these things, and offered for me to try and create something myself as well. As I got older, and it was time to choose a university to go, I was dreaming about studying design, but unfortunately my dad wasn't that keen on that idea and I ended up studying Political Sciences. I loved it, but I always kept on designing my own clothes and jewellery and dreamt about starting my own business. When I came to Australia 4 years ago, I saw an opportunity here and thought giving my ideas a go. I am so happy that I could start 9 Lives in Sydney where I have received such a nice warm welcome.

 

 

Tell us a bit about your label?

 

There is beauty and usefulness in all things. So much energy, design and creativity is invested in all the materials that we use in our day to day lives. I’ve always used scraps and odds and ends to create my personal work, the whole process of transforming discarded materials into jewellery has always struck me as magical and gratifying. And over the years, that magical process has sent me on a journey of discovery.  This work frees my imagination and provides many opportunities for happy accidents and ideas that influence the finished product.

If this work has a mission, it is this: To see the beauty and potential of all things, and the possibilities that a different point of view can create. It may be an 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.

 

 



 

 

What is your creative workplace like?

 

My current workplace is my home in Pyrmont in Sydney, or weekends I work at my mentor's work studio in Alexandria. Pyrmont is a beautiful lovely area around the CBD, it's green and surrounded by water. Most of the time my greatest ideas come when I go for a run or walk around the harbour. 

 

Alexandria is another great little suburb, surrounded by factories and commercial buildings. I have had the pleasure of working with another jewellery designer that owns a studio around that area. This studio has the space and room to play around with different materials and create jewellery that has unique design and 9 Lives signature bold looks.

 

 

 

What is your absolute favourite thing you have made? 

 

I think my current collection that I am working on at the moment is the most exiting one for me. The collection is inspired by royalties and called "Duke and Duchess" - I cannot wait to show it to all my followers and customers around Australia. 

 

I also love creating jewellery from recycled leather and zippers, that currently is probably one of my signature materials that people know me by.

 

 

 

What can punters expect to find at the upcoming autumn market? 

 

They can expect, luxury and lot of gold. My new collection will be shown and displayed in Hustle&Scout in April. :)

 

 

 

What new projects are you working on and where would you like to see your label in the future?

 

I am currently working on opening my own online store. Also I am about to release my latest collection as well. I am happy to say that for the first time ever, 9 Lives is also designing jewellery for gents and I am so exited to see men wearing my pieces. 

 

Future plans?! I would love to sell my jewellery internationally and establish a jewellery label that is unique and has its own signature style that people would recognise. From each collection, I hope everyone finds a piece that they love to own and wear.

 

 

 

Creative over conventional...

This coming Hustle&Scout (1 month away now!) we have 13 new designers on board - we are really happy with this result. One of our fresh faces will be Barbara Mickelson from BM Designs - a local designer who specialises in creative headwear, accessories and clothing for women. As you can see, BM Designs are not your mainstream fashion pieces. They're each totally one-of-a-kind and hand-crafted by Barbara using a range of hand-dyed fabrics, vintage and salvaged materials and trims. Designing and making in her workshop in the bush, Barbara is  constantly inspired by the colours, textures and forms present in nature. All of her collections are seasonal, and we can't wait to see what is in store for Autumn!

If you want to catch BM Designs on the catwalk, make sure you buy your tickets for Fashfest this year. Haven't heard of Fashfest? It is a spectacular red carpet runway event held at the award-winning Canberra Airport. The venue is a huge space, set up especially for Fashfest, with a modern industrial look. In its raw form, this space is a magnificent backdrop to showcase Canberra’s fashion talent. Barbara will be showcasing her collection on Thursday 1st May. Grab your tickets from here.

 

 

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

As a  designer I feel this market is breathing new life into the market scene in Canberra. It has a completely different feel to other markets.

Tell us about your label, BM Designs.

 

My label is all about individuality and difference. My headwear is creative rather than conventional. As I hand-dye silk and other fabric, and use vintage fabric and trims, no two pieces can ever be the same. I use a lot of wirework which gives my pieces form and structure. My clothing ranges use a draping and tucking technique that suits most ages and sizes and can be modified for the individual.

What challenges have you faced starting your own label, and what are some things you love about it?

Until now in Canberra it has been very difficult to market individual fashion as most people haven’t realy considered that Canberra has a fashion and design scene. This is changing with markets such as Hustle&Scout and Handmade market and the very major Fashfest event which I am very proud to be part of this year. I very much enjoy designing and creating for my label and am always thrilled when my designs are appreciated and taken home by my clients.

 

 

Some say green is the new black. How do you address values of sustainability in your designs?

In all my work I am very conscious of the environment and, although I don’t always use a no-waste cutting technique, no piece of cloth or any material is ever wasted. Anything can be used for either a headpiece, trim, accessory or even to make a button. I throw nothing out and find a use for everything eventually. I work with the material I have and only buy new when really necessary.

Can you give us a hint about your Fashfest collection?

My Fashfest collection will be all about form and colour. Expect lots of structure, individually dyed and rusted fabrics and lots of movement. Very unique and very wearable!

What can punters expect to find at the upcoming Autumn market?

I will have a collection of new silk headwear from small pieces to grand statements. My clothing will range from smaller sizes to more voluptuous and commissions can be taken to suit your colours and specifications.