The Good Wife and Co.

Tell us about your label, The Good Wife and Co., and what the name means?

Those words - TGW & CO says it all! Adversity in my life nurtured the incubation of this name to "its" profoundness. I am immensely proud of what this name eludes to (and yes Alicia Florrick from the television show is one of my favourite characters!). Strong women with values that have carried them through life and their success achieved in whatever form that may be career, family or all of this.

What do you love about working with silk and cashmere?

I always maintained - as I personally went looking for - beautiful organic fabrics at an affordable price provides inspiration. Just to think our 100% cashmere bathrobe in blush pink is manufactured from the fur of the Kasmiri goat and our 100% silk chemises, the silk comes from the worm!

What do you enjoy about selling online and being able to do markets as well?

I love the diversity these two platforms provide. Online sales during the past 4 years - men have surpassed women in sales.. Face to face selling - so far have only been to women (although many times it is the man who stops to look at my stand with their female partner)!

Describe The Good Wife and Co. design aesthetic...

We love simplicity and we love allowing the woven fabrics used to be the highlight. We construct our garments with the minimal amount of hardware - our chemises have adjustable straps which are metallic rather than plastic which breaks easily. Our cashmere products have no adornment other than belts and ties. There is no buttons, sequence or other embellishments other than what is necessary. Our silks have only lace or none at all - our colours speak for themselves.

What can market-folk expect to find at the September 12 event?

Vibrant colours, well constructed garments and products that are not easy to find at this price point. If you want silk and cashmere sleepwear - we happily provide.

MY FAVE THINGS

Fave item you have made: 100% Cashmere Travel set - designed by me - born from travel experience whereby I was always carrying Pashminas in my carry on to drape over my daughter and myself for warmth during the flight.

Item in your studio/office: I hang all my silk chemises on my wall and everyday I am amazed at the colours.

Your role model/s: My mother and grandmother - industrious and hardworking women. My grandmother could not read or write but still owned and ran a grocery store - never turning anyone away who didn't have money but needed bread.

Fave fashion piece you own: the one piece that started it all for me - a 100% silk slip with lace by the bust area and hem - purchased from my first part time job when I was 20 years old studying at university. I still have it.

Country you have visited: Recently, India - looking for cotton fabric suppliers - for designs I am working on for summer sleepwear.

The Mister Brand.

Tell us about your business, The Mister Brand, and how you got involved in male grooming products?

A woman in a mans world? I am asked this a lot! Just like the amalgamation of ingredients to make The Mister Brand products so too is the combination of having a background in design, living on a remote, self sufficient farm (NZ), a huge appreciation of all things natural and an enormous love for my husband with sensitive skin…shhhh, don’t tell anyone. It is all these ingredients in my life that when combined gave rise to The Mister Brand in 2013.

What do you hope to achieve over the coming year for your business?

My goal over the coming year is to increase the awareness of The Mister Brand without compromising the quality and integrity, which to me would defeat the purpose of what we are about. I feel very strongly about the ingredients that are used and the processes involved in the manufacturing The Mister Brand’s products. One of the things that I love about making and selling men’s grooming products is the education, or re education with guys and their grooming regime.

How do you source the high quality ingredients used in your products?

This has been a challenging aspect that I have had to learn through trial and error but I have found my sources for ingredients and the companies that I deal with are open, stand by their products, how and where they are harvested. I choose not to work with some ingredients based on my own ethics such as palm oil and stay well clear of synthetic ingredients.

What does your typical day involve?

I start my day off with COFFEE!! Sit at my computer and get through as many emails as I possibly can before 10am. Head to my studio, between manufacturing products I am balancing the tasks of social media, packing orders, ordering ingredients and packaging, working on future product concepts. I find that it is a mad rush up until 3pm which is when I try to get home so I can greet my kids after school, have a cup of tea and chat to see how their day has been, check emails, and crack back into it by hitting the post office to mail out orders, grab from my studio what I might need over night for packaging, head home, make dinner, make sure the kids are up to date with their homework, find some programme to have on while sitting around packaging up products…strangely relaxing!

What can market-folk expect to find at the September 12 event?

I like to think that The Mister Brand caters for everyone, be it bearded or shaven, we even have plenty of women that love our products. Using beard oil for their hair, the moisturiser is rocking it for both men and women as too is our charcoal facial soaps. We have handsomely handcrafted razors and brushes matched up with our handcrafted soaps and brews if you are into shaving like your Grandpa! But if your Grandpa happened to be bearded and you want to take after him, we’ll look after you with our Beard Primer, beard oils or balm.

MY FAVE THINGS

Guilty Pleasure I have a borderline healthy love of good wine and good company…but give me a chainsaw and point me in the direction of some wood that needs clearing up…oh yeah, now that is what I’m talking about!!

Your role model/s: If I was to think of someone I admired not just for the fashion legacy but also for the elegance and eloquence, it would be Coco Chanel. “My life didn’t please me, so I created my life”, I love this quote as it is a reminder that we are ultimately in charge of our lives.

Meal to have cooked for you: Boeuf Bourguignon, slow cooked, falling apart, a good hearty winter feast!

Country you have visited: Just like the T-shirts say…I love New York! and can’t wait to get to New Orleans!

Fave product you have made: I think that the Beard Primer would have to be my favourite product at the moment and we get so much good feedback from happy customers. It is one of those products that you really need to try to see the benefits, and you realise what a huge difference it makes to cleansing the face and beard area, and then by following up with a beard oil… magic!

Cup of Curiosity.

Tell us about your label, Cup of Curiosity, and what inspires your designs?

It's hard to describe Cup of Curiosity with only a few words. Bohemian yet urban, old-worldly yet contemporary, darkly witchy yet beachy and quirky. Cup of Curiosity’s design is gender blurred, organic and raw. I’ve always been fascinated by symbols, mysticism and natural history. I have been going to the museums every year for my birth day since an early age. I would consider myself a wonderer, my mind is constantly observing, wondering and reflecting. I express a sense of wonder and curiosity in each piece of jewellery I create.  I want Cup of Curiosity jewellery to be more than just pretty things, all of my creations are full of meaning and magical properties. I have never been a fan of people with only pretty faces, especially considering that’s what the mainstream pop culture is feeding us these days. I like people with depth, and people who are full of personalities and characters. People are drawn to my jewellery because they are intrigued by the meanings behind the pieces, and they identify that sense of wonder and curiosity in themselves.

How did you get into jewellery design?

I see fashion as a way of self expression, and jewellery especially in a more subtle and delicate manner. I have had such a big collection of beautiful jewellery before I started doing silversmithing, but over time all the jewellery started looking the same to me, and it was very natural that I decided to make my own collection. 

What is it about markets that keeps you coming back for more?

I love the fact that you meet so many people at markets. Everyone is so different, and everyone has something interesting to share. I’m a very social person, I love talking and chatting to people. With the advancement of technology, almost everyone around us owns a smart phone these days. People are so absorbed in their tiny screens all the time. I feel that human interaction has become less and less in our modern society, especially with strangers and passer-by’s. Doing markets is a great way for connecting and getting feedback.

What do you hope to achieve over the coming year for your label?

I have some very exciting new designs that I will be releasing in the coming year. At the moment you can find Cup of Curiosity in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. In the coming year I’d like Cup of Curiosity to go global.

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

Hustle&Scout’s strong emphasis on design and quality align with my values.

MY FAVE THINGS

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Psychologist or architect. I love studying people and human nature, how and why we act and behave the way we do. I like to go deep into human nature. As being an architect, I always loved beautiful places and decorating my space!

Piece of jewellery you have made: Soooo many! My favourite ones are the gold rings with sapphires for my graduation exhibition.

Item in your studio: Favourite items are my crystals and salt lamp.

Song on your ultimate mix tape: Maya Jane Coles, Bonobo and Massive Attack, I never get tired of their music! “I would fly” “Easier to ride” “Come home” by Maya Jane Coles. “Cirrus” “Kota”by Bonobo, “Teardrop” “Angel” “Paradise Circus” “Black Milk” “I Against I” by Massive Attack.

Fave place to unwind: Coogee Beach

Edwoods.

Tell us about your label, EDWOODS, and how you started making wooden bow ties and accessories?

EDWOODS came about as a result of my wedding in June last year. On a shoestring budget, we wanted to collect and make items to help give the wedding a touch of us. I already had a bit of practise in timber crafts, so my wife and I thought it would be a fun idea to incorporate wood into the wedding somehow. Sourcing some timber offcuts from local building sites, I crafted the first EDWOODS bowties for the male guests and smaller wooden broach bowties for the females. They were a hit, and we quickly realised there was an opportunity to share these wonderful accessories with the public.

What do you enjoy most about being a part of the creative scene in Canberra?

Canberra is a mixing pot of wonderful and exciting people and cultures. The creative scene is vibrant and always evolving, from the popup shops that litter various small corners of the city, to the art galleries and various weekend markets that showcase the best of Canberra's creativity. Just being a part of such an eclectic range of people and products, learning from them to grow as a business and individual is what I enjoy most.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun?

I rarely have down time outside of EDWOODS. As a graphic designer by day, and craftsman on weekends and a husband and father around clock, my days are very full. When I can find a free moment, I will unwind with a cruise on my motorcycle if just for a short while to tune out.

Tell us about some of the sustainable aspects of your design…

As I wasn't sure initially how my bowties would be received by the public, I wanted to try and keep my overheads low. From what I discovered when making the first batch of bow ties for my wedding, Canberra has many avenues for sourcing recycled and reclaimed materials. As such, all of my timber is reclaimed off cuts and scraps that would otherwise be tossed. The fabrics I use are old and damaged neck ties, also sourced locally from recyclers and the occasional donation by avid fans of my work.

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

Having been operating now for over a year, and participating in various markets around Canberra, it became quite clear that Hustle&Scout is a premier showcase of Canberra's best. Stories told by others who have attended or had stalls, of the fantastic atmosphere and participation that Hustle&Scout brings to Canberra, was enough to make me know I wanted to take part.

MY FAVE THINGS

Item in your studio: My headphone, because music helps drive my creativity

Fave place to unwind: On my motorcycle: just me and the road

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A teacher, to share and influence creativity

Your role model/s: My father who taught me to live with my eyes open to the world, to be inquisitive and to always do my best

Song on your ultimate mix tape: Ray LaMontagne's "Trouble"

Mother of Millions.

Tell us about your label, Mother of Millions, and what the name means?

Actually Mother of Millions is a plant. It’s a beautiful looking succulent. You see it a lot along roadsides and in nanna’s gardens. It is, unfortunately, also a noxious weed. One day I drove past a sign that said “now spraying Mother of Millions” and I thought it was such a cool name, it makes me think of how our mother earth has harboured such a mind-boggling amount of life. So that’s what I named my label. Turns out there’s also a Greek metal band named Mother of Millions, they contacted me on Facebook. They are really friendly guys and their music is pretty cool too you should check it out!

What inspires you creatively and keeps you motivated?

Clothing is a very easy thing to be creative about because if you can imagine it, you can probably make it. There’s a much more concrete end goal than more abstract art forms like music or painting. Although the other day I went to make a bikini and instead made a new item of clothing I called a Tuxedo Kimono. That’s the kind of thing that happens when you don’t have another designer telling you what to do! I stay motivated with lots of tea and cookies. I set aside large blocks of time to work and I will completely zone into it for hours and people get annoyed because I won’t answer my phone…

Tell us about your workspace?

I work from home, drafting patterns on my dining table, usually with kids and pets (and husband) all vying for my attention! It can get distracting at times, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. In the past, when I had a separate studio I’d get lonely and drag all my stuff out to the dining table to be near people and food.

Describe the Mother of Millions design aesthetic...

With my first range of clothing I just wanted to make cute dresses and outfits that were stylish and really easy to wear. Also easy to dance in! Because dancing is fun! In the future I will be focusing on edgier pieces, as I’ve become more into graphic design I want to do more prints but also focus a lot on texture. I’m always torn between a very natural earthy toned aesthetic, and totally mod, in your face look!

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

I am really excited to be a stallholder at Hustle&Scout. It looks like there will be an exceptionally high calibre of talent and creativity at this event, I’m very impressed by the line-up and I am thrilled to be a part of it!

MY FAVE THINGS

Fave piece you have made: This seasons “Serena Dress” in pink! (pictured right) I think it’s romantic and comfortable. You really go from slob to sexy senorita in 10 seconds!

Guilty Pleasure: YogurtLand. Which I only feel guilty about because I’m totally lactose intolerant.

Fave place to unwind: Yougurtland haha

Item in your studio: My Pfaff sewing machine. I expect it will last my entire life. Love that German engineering!

Australian fashion designer: There are so many talented designers here! Romance Was Born has really grown on me with their last few seasons. I love the psychedelic millennial vibe! I also am in major awe of Lover’s new collection it’s incredibly good!

Little Flexi.

Tell us about your label, Little Flexi, and what inspires your designs?

The inspiration for our designs comes from our love of bold, vibrant colours and patterns and what we felt was lacking in kids clothing and swaddle blanket designs. Our design philosophy is to produce unique pieces that tap into an individual's style and personality. Our mantra is to produce bold designs for bold little humans. All of our products are ethically produced and are re-usable, the same can be said for our packaging. One of our favourite artist inspirations is Keith Haring.

What brings you the most joy from your creative process?

Seeing the final products with our designs on them brings loads of joy (particularly after spending so long designing and manufacturing them). We also enjoy the process of coming up with a design, working out the colour way options and considering the application.

When you're not working, what do you like to do for fun?

Spending time with our little family. Anything to do with music, dancing, art and yummy food.

What do you hope to achieve over the coming year for your label?

We hope to develop the brand and get more exposure. We want to get our designs and products more broadly known. Bring out a second collection of designs. Gain more stockists.

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

Having attended previous Hustle and Scout markets we felt these markets had a strong point of difference compared to other local markets. The fashion focus that hustle and scout has is inline with our companies focus on (Not so kidsy) fashion.

MY FAVE THINGS

Fave item you have made: Making our first swaddle blanket design was pretty exciting.

Song on your ultimate mix tape: For me anything by Yoncè for Pete it would be Eye of the Tiger.

Country you have visited: Japan.

Meal to have cooked for you: My Mums home cooked German cuisine – BEST FOOD!

Your role model/s: Too many to choose from. Both of our parents are amazing individuals who we look up to. We also have a number of extremely talented creative friends who have helped us with getting Little Flexi off the ground.

theDEN - Artist & Designer

Tell us about your label, theDEN - Artist and Designer, and what the name means?

After I graduated from my fashion course in 2009, I spent a lot of time trying to come up with a name for my label that felt right and meant something to me personally. One day I came across a designer in a magazine whose label was inspired by her last name, and this got me thinking about my own last name, Crowden, which lead to my final choice - theDEN. I incorporated the symbol of a crow into my logo, so that in a way it reads Crow-Den. I know crows are seen as bad omens or a symbol of death, but I feel they are actually quite beautiful, and over time the crow has become my totem or animal symbol. A den is also a place of warmth and gives the feeling of home. I changed the name to theDEN – Artist & Designer in 2015 when I was unable to register the name theDEN on it’s own.

What inspires you creatively and keeps you motivated?

Nature is a huge influence in my life. Growing up on a 100-acre property, I always had some form of inspiration around me. For a long time I’ve been fascinated with trees of all shapes and sizes, and I particularly love it when the evening sky turns them into silhouettes. I don’t understand why it fascinates me; it is just something I find beautiful! In the last few years I’ve started doing pen illustration, and it was my time studying art at CIT in 2014 that led me on this path of combining my love of art and fashion together by making screen printed clothing with my original designs. For me it’s about taking my artwork and putting it on a moving canvas. In regards to what keeps me motivated, I guess the constant stream of ideas and thoughts that flow from my brain! There are always ideas going on and I just love making so it’s not hard work really!

Tell us about some of the sustainable aspects of your design...

For me, sustainability is a huge part of what I do. When I studied fashion in 2008/2009, they had just introduced sustainability as a compulsory subject, and I was mortified to discover the amount of waste we create, especially in the clothing industry. Growing up on an organic farm and having the luxury of eating our own produce, the idea that measures to reduce our impact need to be taken hit home for me. I never really grasped what sustainability meant until I went to RMIT because it was so seamlessly incorporated into my daily life growing up. After I finished studying it became a priority to only source ethical, sustainable and recycled materials. This is why I chose to work with bamboo fabrics, because at the time it was a new thing and considered more sustainable than cotton. For my printing I use water-based inks that have been approved by the soil association. I know it’s hard to be 100% sustainable, so for me it’s just about doing the best I can with the resources I have. I also want my clothing to be ethically made, which is one of the reasons I make everything myself.

What do you love about working with textiles and more specifically, bamboo?

I love being able to take a 2D drawing, idea or fabric, and turn it into something that can be worn. Fabric is such a versatile medium, and can be transformed in a number of different ways. In the beginning I loved creating one off pieces using different textural effects like pleating, folding, bunching, layering etc. I love working with bamboo because it’s such a lovely fibre. Ever since I got into sustainability, I was all about the natural fibres (unless the fabric was a remnant bought from the op-shop!) and bamboo just has such a lovely feeling on the skin. A lot of people don’t realise that when they wear cheaply made synthetic clothing coloured with harmful chemical dyes, that your body actually absorbs those chemicals through the skin. I want my clothing to feel nice on the skin, and be good for you too.

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

I must admit I’ve only been once, but I loved the vibe I got from the stallholders, and the quality of products people were selling. I know a few people who have had stalls in the past, and they told me it was a great market to be involved in, and the right place for my product. I especially love that community feeling, like you’ve stepped into a little village market where the people are happy, the food is yummy and the evening is clear and warm. There’s just a bit of everything, and I think it’s a great way to spend a spring evening.

MY FAVE THINGS

Song on your ultimate mix tape: First of all, this question is not fair! It’s a toss up between Board the Apartment Up by Seabellies and Close My Eyes by I Know Leopard. The first because that album was a great introduction to independent Aussie music. The second because it’s my favourite song right now.

Item in your studio: My overlocker, for without it there would be no clothes.

Australian Fashion Designer: I fell in love with Michelle Jank in high school because of the way she used texture and contrasting fabrics in her pieces.

Fave place to unwind: On the couch with the pups and a movie…because…why not?!

Fave fashion piece you own: A charm bracelet that belonged to nan, featuring charms from her travels around the world. It’s a window into the adolescent life of a very inspirational woman.

Hana.

Tell us about your label, Hana, and what inspires your designs?

I immigrated from Iran to Australia around one and half years ago and I was exposed to the wonderful nature of Australia. My inspiration comes from Australian nature and I integrated it with my Persian background and that's why I named my collection "Immigration" as it gives my first impression of this country.

You showed your first major collection at this years’ FashFest, how did you like your debut appearance and Canberra’s largest annual fashion event?

Showing my designs at FashFest was a dream fulfillment for me. It was an unforgettable experience. I really enjoyed every minute of it even though I was under a lot of stress and pressure.

What brings you the most joy from your creative process?

I love the process of designing my fabrics as I feel that I can communicate through it with my audiences. Designing garments is very interesting for me too.

What item in your studio could you not live without and why?

Lol! The first thing that came to my mind was my unpicker. The truth is I have a small studio in my house but as I work by myself I felt so isolated so I moved from my studio to our dining room with a TV in it and I used to listen to music or listen to TV program during working. So TV is one essential item for my work.

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

I think Hustle&Scout is the only market in Canberra that focuses specifically on fashion. It is good to see the other designers and their designs plus I love its vibe and ambiance.

MY FAVE THINGS

One of my favourite things to do is riding a bicycle around the Lake Burley-Griffin in Canberra. It is very peaceful and I can be inspired a lot. One of my designs is a black swan from the lake that I photographed once during my ride.

Fave fashion piece you own: I have to fall in love with a fashion piece to buy it so it is a very hard question because I love almost all of my pieces. I have bought a dress from Carl Kapp recently that I love.

Australian Designer: Dion-Lee, romance was born, Carla Zampatti

What you wanted to be when you grew up: I wanted to be a lot of different things in different stages of my life from a politician to a dancer.

Country you have visited: I love travelling and anytime I could I did. I have visited Greece, France, Italy, Turkey, UK, Russia, China, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Germany, India, South Africa, Cyprus, Mauritius, and Philippine, and finally I am in Australia.