Melbourne

While I was in Melbourne, I was determined to visit the LIFE inSTYLE trade fair. I've heard so much about it from so many different people & really wanted to see it for myself as I'm planning to exhibit at the next Sydney fair in February (with my label, Non-Fiction). After an unbelievably hectic Thursday July 31st, I drove into Flemington Racecourse at about 8.15pm & had just 45 minutes to devour four floors of design! Both the organisers & the designers had done an incredible job - each & every stand looked stunning & this fair certainly showcases the best in gifts, homewares & things for littlies. Unfortunately I didn't have time to stop & chat to many of the labels we've featured on indie art & design, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to revisit some of our favourites & show you what they've been up to recently! First cab off the rank is Melbourne jewellery designer Natalie Cirillo of A Skulk Of Foxes.

Since we first featured A Skulk Of Foxes a year ago, Natalie has introduced a series of intricate acrylic brooches to her original handcrafted silver jewellery lineup. Both designs above have been created with a solid base layer of ivory acrylic bonded to a carefully cut & contrasting dark design layer. I really love the swirling floral design in Bergen (top, AUD $39). I'd like to imagine myself in Horse & Rider (above, AUD $39) but my other half has stubbornly maintained a "no horseriding" policy for way too long!

The brand new & super-sweet "Forest Scene" (above) is a glass mirror framed by an acrylic mount - which is available in either black or red. It measures 30cm x 30cm and sells for AUD $136. Also available are mirrors featuring incredibly beautiful Wisteria and Creeping Cherry designs.

Natalie has also continued to add to her range of gorgeous animal silhouettes which she handcuts into silver. I adore "Birds on a Wire" (above, AUD $138).
I love wearing short necklaces & chokers, and it's such a clever idea to use the cable as part of the design. Cute "Birdy" pendant below (AUD $79) & the galloping "Horse" brooch (bottom, AUD $127) are more stunning new designs.

The LIFE inSTYLE trade fair was a big success for A Skulk Of Foxes - not surprisingly, Natalie's designs have found many new homes and will be appearing very soon in shops all over (from Australia & New Zealand to the UK)! For more info & to see the entire catalogue of designs, visit www.askulkoffoxes.com.au. I'm looking forward to seeing Natalie again in Sydney in February!

Check back soon for the next report from the Melbourne LIFE inSTYLE trade fair! If you attended as either an exhibitor or a visitor like me, we'd love to hear from you!

P.S. Grace Bonney from Design*Sponge is also currently featuring some of our finest from Melbourne - she's halfway through a four-part feature at http://www.designspongeonline.com.

Guess what? We're currently visiting Melbourne with new season samples for our own label, Non-Fiction! In addition to printed womens tees & greeting cards, we've released our first range of mens tees, totes & archival prints. I love travelling around to so many of my favourite boutiques - especially since I don't get to see the Melbourne ones all that often, but it's definitely torture resisting temptation at each stop!

We're so excited about the new prints - we'd love to hear what you think & photos should appear on our web site (www.non-fiction.com.au) within a couple of weeks... Pictured above, clockwise from top left are: "Family Portrait II" womens t-shirt, "Bowerbird" tote, "Satellite" mens t-shirt & "Inka" greeting card (from the Family Portrait series). Hope you like them!

P.S. If there are retailers who stock Australian designers reading, we'd love to hear from you, wherever you are!

"Drape It In Sound" is a one night exhibition celebrating the rich textile culture of Brunswick (Melbourne). It will be held tomorrow night (Wednesday, 31.7.2008) and will showcase a diverse collection of local artists who have created works using many different materials & techniques - costumes, felting, screen printig, embroidery, silk painting, photography & installation. indie art & design fave Nicole Tattersall will be exhibiting works based on new illustrations & made from 95% recycled materials. (Nicole also launched her blog not too long ago at http://nicoletattersall.blogspot.com)

If you'd like to see a variety of creative approaches to using textiles in art, make your way to The Spot, 133 Sydney St, Brunswick, from 7pm - 10pm. (There will be a glass of bubbly waiting for you at the door...)
ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Throughout July, Melbourne's Husk boutiques are celebrating the beginning of the new season with a SPRING BUNNY EXHIBITION! 30 curious critters have been specially "dressed up" by friends of Husk including Willow, Kate Cebrano, Easton Pearson, Bouvier and Michi Girl. (I first spotted Michi Bunny dressed up to the nines in one of Michi Girl's afternoon emails. Michi Bunny is a vision in pink ruffles, complimented by pearl earrings.)

Bunnies all dressed up by Jasmin Wall of Husk (left), Michi Girl (centre) and artist Matt Eddelbuttel (right).

I don't know how you'd choose from so many personalities! However, artist Matt Eddelbuttel's creation (pictured above) certainly caught my attention. I just love his little hat!

EP Bunny by designers Easton Pearson - available through silent auction at Husk.

The bunnies are on display throughout July in the three Husk boutiques - located in Melbourne City, Toorak & Albert Park. They are availble to purchase through a silent auction - so you'll have to visit your bunny regularly to make sure he/she will be coming home with you!

Konnichi Wa Husk Bunny by designer Brigid McLaughlin - available through silent auction at Husk.

Look! Konnichi Wa Bunny by designer Brigid McLaughlin has her very own wooden Japanese sandals... too cute! I wonder how she can hop in those?

Driving Miss Bunny by artist David Bromely - available through silent auction at Husk.

The Spring Bunny exhibition is being held in support of the Cup Half Full charity which helps young people in need. Proceeds from the sale of the 30 fashionable friends will assist Husk in placing 30 kids through the Cup Half Full program which provides an accredited barista training course and follow up work experience. So when you bid on your favourite bunny, you are also supporting a very worthy cause!

So hop to it & bounce into Husk to admire these one-of-a-kind creations & maybe choose one to be your own! Husk is located at:
Melbourne - 176 Collins St, ph. 03 9663 0655
Toorak - 557 Malvern Rd, ph. 03 9663 0655
Albert Park - 123 Dundas Pl, ph. 03 9690 6994
ONLINE - www.husk.com.au

Love Tattoo Bunny made by Stacey, friend of Husk - available through silent auction at Husk.

"DESIGN DEMYSTIFIED: Inspiration Uncovered" is a window installation which can now be seen at Kids in Berlin (North Melbourne). The installation is part of PROJEKTA 57, a "mini festival" of PopUps involving five independent Melbourne galleries/shops in Victoria St. PROJEKTA 57 is a part of the Melbourne International Design Festival, and the other PopUps are at Bamakko, Famous When Dead, Lumbi, and designloop.

For DESIGN DEMYSTIFIED: Inspiration Uncovered, four Melbourne designers have created elements of their workspace within the Kids in Berlin window, accompanied by Matt Solomon's photographic exhibition of the designers' studios. The installation features some of our indie faves: Angela White (Sew Your Own), Liz Jones (Betty Jo Designs), Anna Blandford (Anna Laura), and Madeleine Beatty (Madz has Runaway). Peep into the KIB window to catch a snapshot of each designer's studio - their tools of trade, favourite materials and the miscellaneous articles they surround themselves with to inspire and influence their creative journey.

You can even meet Liz, Anna, Madeleine & Angela in person at in store "Meet the Designer" demos! Details are as follows:

• Friday 18th July, 3-6pm: Madz has Runaway
• Saturday 19th July, 2-5pm: Betty Jo Designs
• Friday 25th July, 3-6pm: Anna Laura
• Saturday 26th July, 2-5pm: Sew Your Own

I'm a big fan of all four labels, & I think it would be a wonderful opportunity to gain a little more insight into the efforts, techniques, individuality & inspiration behind these indie businesses... So if you're in Melbourne, make sure to get along to Kids in Berlin sometime between now and Sunday 27th July! As many of you probably know, KIB is a fantastic boutique, and is well-known for stocking indie labels. Owner Jenny Sabine says "that the DESIGN DEMYSTIFIED: Inspiration Uncovered window intallation fits beautifully with the aim of Kids in Berlin to promote and support emerging independent designers". Kids in Berlin is located at 472 Victoria St, North Melbourne, 3051.

Special thanks to Liz Jones for sending through the window pics!