ZILPAH TART (FASHFEST Designer feature)

What is it about Zilpah Tart’s logo that arouses a sense of curiosity?

 

Designer Yumi Morrisey shares the story…

‘During a trip to Perth to go through my grandmother’s belongings after she passed away, I found a 1940s brooch of a Penny Farthing, which she had kept as a memory,’ says Yumi. ‘I thought it would form a fabulous logo.’

Zilpah Tart is a label representing feminine, bright, bold, beautiful clothing that makes the wearer stand out in the crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

At Hustle&Scout you get to meet the designer and chat to Yumi direct about how she creates her limited designs, including the highly popular full circle t-shirt dress. ‘It’s made of extremely comfortable jersey and works well on every body shape,’ says Yumi. ‘All of my garments are designed around using feminine silhouettes to flatter the female form.’

This is Yumi’s third Twilight Market and she loves meeting new and existing customers. ‘Because Hustle&Scout focuses on fashion and features mainly local and independent designers, it’s a perfect fit for my personality and my product,’ says the designer.

Yumi hand cuts and hand makes all of garments sold under Zilpah Tart, often using Japanese prints for an additional level of intrigue. Her handbags are made from beautiful prints and colour combinations, which also make them statement pieces. She always carts along a wide range of her handbags to the Twilight Market, which she makes in a range of shapes and styles, primarily out of Japanese cotton. And this time she’ll have on hand clothing from her autumn/winter range.

Women keen to invest in clothing that lasts over many years, as opposed to ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ trendy pieces, are attracted to Zilpah Tart. ‘I design for women aged 25 to 40 years of age,’ says Yumi. ‘Women who are professional, confident and faithful to Australian-made products.’

In-between getting it together for the April market, Yumi is spending every spare second working on her next full collection, which she’ll launch at Fashfest 2015 (13 to 16 May). This will be Yumi’s second year showcasing her designs on the catwalk at the event. This collection is called ‘Warrior’. ‘I looked at traditional armour from warriors and took aesthetics from that,’ says the designer. ‘I’ve also taken photos from around Canberra, turned the imagery into patterns and had my own fabrics printed.’

After completing her Bachelor of Design at the Canberra Institute of Technology in 2007 and living on the Central Cost for a couple of years, Yumi returned home to the capital to pursue fashion design full-time.

 

CANVAS AUSTRALIA (Debut Designer)

Tell us about Canvas Australia and how it all began.

I started Canvas Australia after receiving one too many pairs of skimpy pink pyjamas! I looked around and only found designs that were either ultra girly (think lots of pink and cartoon sheep), lacy negligee or very old fashioned. That was when I decided to create Australian made, beautiful, comfortable and contemporary sleepwear for women like me who appreciate good design.

 

 

Why sleepwear?

Most designers focus on what you wear from 9-5, but what about the other hours of your day? Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you don’t deserve high quality, beautiful, comfortable garments to enhance your day-to-day. Canvas Australia was created to fulfil this need and help you look great in and out of bed.

 

Where do your prints come from?

My mother is an artist and her knowledge and love of art was a great influence when establishing Canvas Australia. With each collection I collaborate with a different Australian Artist to produce fabric prints which showcase the wonderful work being produced by contemporary artists in our country.

 

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

Beautiful pyjamas and loungewear! I will have two ranges at Hustle & Scout. The first is the Harbour Collection featuring the art of local Sydney artist Jane Eagger and incorporating Sydney Harbour inspired prints into every style in the range.

The second limited edition Dreamer range is a collaboration with Sydney creative Cecilia Humphrey, the founder of Ceci N’est Pas Creative - an amazing multi-talented graphic and interior designer, photographer, illustrator and painter. Symbolic of the nature of sleep, the designs reflect the poetic conflict between calm and dynamic, creative flow states and are perfect for dreaming in.

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

I love that Hustle&Scout is a place where people can support local unique and innovative fashion and meet others who share a similar view while enjoying a great night out.

MY FAV THINGS

Guilty pleasure: Sunday morning sleep-ins and breakfast in bed, because the rest of my week is so busy!

What you wanted to be when you grew up: My mum’s family is from country Victoria and when I was little I wanted to be a farmer so I could live close to my grandparents.

Fav fashion piece you own: A vintage kimono- I love the colours and the pattern, and how it makes me relax as soon as I put it on.

Place to visit in Canberra: The National Gallery, I can’t wait to check out the James Turrell exhibition as he is one of my favourite artists.

Your role model/s: Miuccia Prada and Louise Bourgeois because their creative practise is constantly evolving, innovative and unique.