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province tabitha emma dinalie daberera momoko hatano just another agency
spring 12
MEET THE TEAM
EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jessica Bartholomew jessica@fawnmag.com DEPUTY EDITOR Gaia Gardiner gaia@fawnmag.com CONTRIBUTORS Lilli Rosenberg, Marryam Lum, Thi Samet Trieu, Abbey-Leigh Hood, Sarah Fountain, Dayna Jeffrey, Gabrielle Harland, Holly-Elizabeth Kur. SPECIAL THANKS Momoko Hatano, Dinalie Dabarera, Ben Hong, Sara Toby, Melika Davies, Anne-Louise Dadak, Laura Pike, Tabitha Emma Bray, Cake Marketing, Jeff Krigstein, Begitta, Blossom. ADVERTISE WITH FAWN jessica@fawnmag.com GENERAL ENQUIRIES & SUBMISSIONS info@fawnmag.com FAWN MAGAZINE 12/16 Boronia Street, Kensington Sydney, NSW, 2033 fawnmag.com
MEET THE TEAM / 003
CONTENTS
ON THE COVER photographer: sarah fountain hair and mua: holly-elizabeth kur styling: abbey-leigh hood model: dayna jeffrey model wears: begitta dress
fawn bits 006 spring edit fawn loves 009 spring edit
034 fawn style lilly in the field
fawn features 012 electric vs real
042 fawn style floral kisses
fawn features 018 simply just talented
004Â /Â CONTENTS
030 fawn talks momoko hatano
fawn illustration 024 dinalie dabarera
050 fawn studios we are province 056 fawn jobs tabitha emma
WE MADE IT! I’m happy to say that Fawn Magazine now has another issue under its belt. It’s been quite a busy few months for the Fawn team, juggling our day jobs with the creation of this latest issue. I’m not going to lie; there were moments along the way where I was questioning my sanity for taking on so much work. In saying that, I never could have imagined the response we would get from our first issue. The feedback from you, our readers, has been phenomenal. It really is this amazing feedback that keeps us going during those difficult moments of uncertainty. Knowing that we are creating a magazine that our readers adore just as much as we do gives us such a great feeling of fulfilment. Our second issue is jam packed with the latest creative talent from across Australia. So as you flip through the pages, we hope it inspires a little creativity of your own. I’d like to thank all of you for coming back for the second installment. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed making it for you! xx
Jess
FAWN BITS
SEPTEMBER
LOVE VINTAGE SHOW & SALE h
14-16 SEP 2012
Vintage lovers rejoice, yes it’s another vintage exhibition and shopping opportunity, but by golly, what’s wrong with that? The love is spreading through Sydney very soon, with stunning vintage and original couture fashion from the past century. Be entertained on the day with best-dressed parades, mini makeovers, burlesque presentations, vintage wedding exhibitions, how to discover your perfect vintage look, live make-up and hair masterclasses, and shows on how to start your own vintage journey. Come by on a Friday afternoon with the girls, or drop by anytime over the weekend. Tickets on the door from $14. lovevintage.com.au
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30 DAYS OF FASHION & BEAUTY h
30 AUG - 30 SEP 2012
If your life isn’t already fashioned and beautied up enough, 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty is here ladies, and it’s bigger and badder than ever. Industry secrets will be revealed, fashion shows will dazzle and the hottest looks and most stylish trends are let out of the bag this September for the annual fash-fest. With events in Town Hall, Sydney and a one-off exclusive Priceline Sister Clubhouse Tour in Packenham, Victoria, 30 Days will bring you the slickest fashion advice thanks to Grazia, the most perfected make-up hints from Revlon, how-to steps for glistening summer skin thanks to Bioglan and some jewelled inspiration presented by Swarovski. 30daysoffashionandbeauty.com.au
POSITIVE POSTERS COMPETITION h
30 SEP 2012
How often do we hear about international poster competitions? Not enough! Positive Posters is back in 2012 with a looming submission deadline, and it’s a fulfilling project no matter how you look at it. Designers worldwide are asked to choose a global issue which could benefit from more attention and awareness, allowing students to take a well-deserved break from their workload and feel like they’re making a difference. Entry is free and open to all designers, individuals and collectives. The winner will have copies of their poster printed and pasted up around Melbourne. Submissions are accepted until 30th September. positive-posters.com
FAWN BITS
OCTOBER
SCULPTURE BY THE SEA h
18 OCT - 4 NOV 2012
The insanely lush Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk will be developed into a 2km long sculpture park featuring over 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the world for Sculpture By The Sea. If you’re in Perth, interstate and international artists will dazzle Cottesloe Beach with a sculpture park overlooking the Indian Ocean and the most beautiful sunset. Do you think you have what it takes to weather your artworks in the salty air of Bondi or Cottesloe Beach for next year? Then don’t be afraid to fill out an online application now! sculpturebythesea.com
ART & ABOUT h
21 SEP - 21 OCT 2012
You really don’t have an excuse to be bored this Spring. Thanks to Art & About, the kind of fun you’ll be having is in a house that rains on the inside, on an urban jungle cube, and in a free vintage bus ride. Be amused by the works of international and Australian artists, curators, and the public. If you’ve yet to attend, it’s as if the city is high: Modular is opening the party with Friday Night Live in Martin Place and keep an eye out for secret lunchtime gigs. George Street will transform into an outdoor celebration with music, films and the culinary delights of the City. artandabout.com.au
JURASSIC LOUNGE h
28 AUG - 30 OCT 2012
What is Jurassic Lounge? Are there dinosaurs? Well yes, but it’s more of a party than that. Parties and dinosaurs. What more could you want? Every Tuesday night this Winter and Spring, the Australian Museum in the heart of Sydney, will open its doors for after-hours sessions. Things that don’t belong in a museum will be there, like bars and live music, performances, interactive games, expert talks (for those who want to learn something), hands-on workshops, film screenings, live art and more - all set against a backdrop of irresistable taxidermy and sexy science specimens. Just $14 at the door, every Tuesday. jurassiclounge.com
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FAWN BITS
NOVEMBER
FESTIVAL OF PLAY h
APRIL- DEC 2012
LEGO! Did I get your attention? If I didn’t, sorry but there is something seriously wrong with you. And a festival which celebrates 50 years of Lego in Australia? Yes please. As part of a big kids game, 8 billion plots of land are in the ‘Build’ world where each plot has a capacity of 1000 Lego bricks. Builders can stake their claim on their favourite pieces of real estate in Aus and NZ. From unicorns in Uluru, spaceships in Sydney, boats in Brisbane, monsters in Melbourne or robots in Raglan – and let your imagination run wild as you build your own world. Festival of Play is currently on until December. A must-see. legofestival.com.au
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ART AFTER HOURS h
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Established in 1874, the Art Gallery of NSW is a mainstay in our country’s artistic DNA, consistently presenting the finest international and Australian art in one of the most beautiful art museums in the world. Experience your favourite art and be inspired by talks, music, performances and films by renowned Australian artists. Find some extra goodies on your trip such as free painting plum blossom workshops, saxophone and percussion performances in the Art Bar, discussions with students from the University of Sydney and a guided tour of the Biennale of Sydney and contemporary collection highlights. artgallery.nsw.gov.au
THE SCIENCE OF STYLING h
24 NOV 2012
The fascination our generations have had with styling spans from the home with interiors, to our own bodies with exteriors; and the obsession we have with making everything beautiful and functional continues with Megan Morton, who believes in a visual science which leads everything that a stylist does. What is the key to styling? Is it something that you can learn? Yes, and Megan wants to show your how. A perfect course for those wanting to spruce up their home or style a new one, to current Australian styling standards. A mere $450 for the extensive master class, and lunch is provided. theschool.com.au
FAWN LOVES THE LITTLE PRINTER Newspapers. Informative, but bulky. Very bulky. Fancy carrying the news you need for the day in cute little newspapers you can stuff in your wallet? The Little Printer by design consultancy firm BERG magically collates and prints (on thermal paper, therefore no ink is needed) a personalised, tactile update, however many times a day you’d like it. And you only use the paper you need - so the environment doesn’t have to die at the hand of our constant need to know how the stock market is going...don’t lie, we all do it. With the immediacy and the convenience of Twitter, the miniature printing press is just cute. The Little Printer will be released later this year. bergcloud.com/littleprinter
THREAD DEN This is ingenious. A sewing lounge with the chance to hone your threaded skills, and it doesn’t even matter if you can put a needle through a piece of fabric or not - the Thread Den team will be there for you. In 2007 a group of very clever ladies had the light bulb idea to create a communal space for lovers of all things fashion, enter Australia’s first combined sewing lounge and retail store where you can browse, buy or sew. They even host hen’s parties...you won’t regret a visit to their website. threadden.com
SIGNED AND NUMBERED Known as ‘the little gallery that could’, Signed & Numbered is the creation of 28 year old Melbournian Jacqui Vidal. On her travels across the Marais district in Paris, Jacqui came across a shop selling touristy pictures of the Louvre and Seine. She wasn’t so much drawn to the artworks themselves, but the shop itself was a tiny hole in the wall - she was hooked. The bustling informal atmosphere with works in hard-backed sleeves that allowed customers to flick through the prints for sale. The Australian version is S&N - a concept space that will challenge your perception of how an art gallery can be. signedandnumbered.com.au
SHWOOD SUNGLASSES Shwood is an endeavour to make something that encompasses the individuality and uniqueness that can only be found in natural surroundings - and boy is it good to get back to your roots. Born from the limb of the Madrone tree, a rusty pair of cabinet hinges, and lenses from the corner store, Shwood is free from the shackles of passing trends, aiming to create a timeless art form. All sunglass models are 100% UVA/ UVB protected, feature Carl Zeiss lenses imported from Italy, with the option of polarised lenses. Fresh from their Oregonbased workshop, wood manipulation is kept to a minimum in order to showcase the medium’s natural splendour. shwoodshop.com
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FAWN LOVES
AMERICAN APPAREL NAIL POLISH Am App are pure heaven but sometimes you just want a slice of heaven when all you have is the contents of your coin purse. Made in the US, obviously, these little babies cash in at just $14. And the nasties in regular nail varnishes don’t exist in the Am App world of wonderment and pure, bare style - they’re cruelty free, DBP, toluene and formaldehyde free. Warning: the hardest task you may ever encounter is choosing a shade. There’s festive glitter, original (in about a billion colours), heavy duty metallics, popping neons and seductive sheers. americanapparel.net
IZZIYANA SUHAIMI ART God bless Singaporeans, their noodles are a culinary miracle, and their artwork isn’t bad either. In all honesty, once you see Singaporean Izziyana Suhaimi’s work, you’ll know what it’s like to fall in deep and beautiful love thanks to the heady simplicity of her creations. This is why we’ve fallen in love: after hand-drawing and filling her portraits in with watercolours, she picks up her thread and needle, and embroiders details like a beanie or a tapestry-covered cardigan, and the longer it takes, the more she enjoys it. Colours are bold and vivid against classic pencil tones, giving her collections a tactile, romantic quality, and just like that, you’ve fallen. my-bones.tumblr.com
YELLOWTRACE BLOG Found: a darling woman who happens to be an award-winning interior designer, by the name of Dana. Busy lady. Yellowtrace started in 2010 as an online celebration of her unwavering love for great design and clever people, and a space to share her thoughts, insights, and design sensibilities. Little did she know back then that she was embarking on a life-changer of an experience. The blog offers a mecca of design and fashion news. Anybody can have their work published on the Yellowtrace blog, and there is even a stunning Yellowtrace design studio which can be hired out for any brief under the sun. Amazing. yellowtrace.com.au
JEFFREY CAMPBELL X BLACK MILK These are just must-haves. Jeffrey Campbell has established himself as a pioneer in trending heels and despite all the hype, these are actually incredible shoes for any girl to own. Inspired by the late Alexander McQueen, you might recognise the black and white artwork from the Skeleton Hugs swimsuit collection by JC. And what better retailer to bring us these darlings than Black Milk, the hub of all things plain gorgeous, eg. catsuits. The surprisingly comfortable heel boots will have you nostalgic over teenage dreams of ridiculously fun times. There really is nothing left to say but get them...now, if only just for kicks. blackmilkclothing.com
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FAWN LOVES
DANIEL EMMA DESK RANGE Is it just us, or is it somehow easier to do your work when you have beautiful things around you - and although resin, aluminium, cork and brass sound a bit questionable - the end result is impressive...and practical! We love that. Daniel To and Emma Aiston use their industrial background and pretigious stance in the design industry to visually engage with sleek geometric shapes and bold colour selections made from such materials, for your desk, shelf or a lonely space which needs some design-based TLC. A magnetic pine tower clings to paperclips like a bad girlfriend, and a cork cone provides endless hours of procrastination. daniel-emma.com
ALEX & EMMA JEWELLERY Every now and again you uncover the most beautiful talents and you think how are they not famous? Know what we mean? Well, Alex & Emma Label are one of those talents. Alex George and Emma Jane Stevens combine their industry experience to craft the natural gemstones of this world - in the most stunningly incredible manner. Hailing from the land of creation, Melbourne, the hues and quality of their pieces are all breathtaking. Minty light blue, rich and sparkled black, chunky and metallic charcoal and decadent, special bronze stones offset the solid bright silvers used as a commonthreaded base throughout the collections. facebook. com/alex.and.emma.x
JURLIQUE ROSE HAND CREAM We can’t deny it, the Jurlique rose scent is one of the most exquisite scents going around today. With such a trusted brand you know the likelihood of a discontinuation of the range is highly unlikely. It’s the added ingredients that make Jurlique so special - not just Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to soothe dryness and soften the skin, but Safflower Seed Oil, Macadamia Oil and Carrot Root Extract is the magic touch to prevent further moisture loss and serve you a little hint of luxury. Natural antioxidant protection will give you peace of mind in this rich, protective hand cream. jurlique.com
GORMAN 50% off knitwear - who doesn’t love that! Yes our beloved Australian label Gorman brings the same charm and quirk we simply adore, and its even better when its on sale. Lisa Gorman has stamped her name on the Australian fashion landscape with the kind of pared-back basics and pops of colour and love that make us weak at the knees. Shop online and discover endless supplies of hearty jackets, psychadelic pants, romantic dresses, everyday heels, delightful skirts, luscious knit beanies, beautiful bags and the cutest statement jewellry you can get your mittens on. The best part is they’re all pieces you can seamlessly work into your current wardrobe - so work it girl! gormanshop.com.au FAWN LOVES / 011
FAW N F E AT U R E S
ELECTRIC VS REAL Remember the days of fashion being a humble exchange of clothing for pennies? Well those humble simplistic times are dying quicker than online stores, blogs and instagram accounts are being uploaded to the world wide web. The evolution (or degeneration) of fashion in our modern world is forever changing, always on the run from its original plan to be there for the consumer, or is it? Take a moment to contemplate the shifting ebbs and flows of the retail sector, online shopping, convenience vs substance and the people who are taken on this rollercoaster ride. The consumer. And do we really need all the bells and whistles in shopping, or have we just grown into them out of laziness and pure ignorance for a better shopping experience?
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FAW N F E AT U R E S
The Grand Social online shopping website.
Let’s face it, in one way or another we all like to shop, whether your fancy is the latest Dungeons and Dragons (its a video game...right?) or the latest Louboutin’s. During the past year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that Australian businesses have taken $143 billion worth of Internet orders, an increase of 15% over the previous year. The writing would seem to be on the wall for bookshops, make-up stores, boutiques, jewellers, chemists and electrical retailers among others, with department stores constantly reducing floor space and becoming extremely vulnerable to inroads from online devils. That being said, what if the average Joe’s lifestyle is conducive to shopping online - what if it works out easier, or cheaper, depending on their circumstances surrounding work, schedule, family and spare time? To buy online, you’ll need a credit card, PayPal account, checking account or some sort of online financing option. And if you’re entirely impatient, like myself, you won’t like waiting a few days for your purchase to make it to your doorstep. Visiting a store is a sure-fire way to receive something on the spot if you have the money. All you need is a way to get there, and a means to take your item home. Too easy. However online, every make and model is at your fingertips without having to drive miles to find it. Don’t see your dress at this store? Surf to another. The only drawback is you can’t test the product beforehand unless you find it at a retail store near you. But you can read product reviews, user opinions, and manufacturer specs at a glance. An absolute luxury for the time-poor. Retail stores were once the only place where customers could get their hands on the latest products, now however retail stores are fighting for attention. In order to encourage customers back in-store, retailers are attaching themselves to the latest technology in a desperate and lofty bid to revolutionise the physical shopping world. For all of you retail workers out there, we all know that the standard
“In order to encourage customers back in-store, retailers are attaching themselves to the latest technology in a desperate and lofty bid to revolutionise the physical shopping world.”
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FAW N F E AT U R E S
“Are you happy browsing?” line is not enough to ensure that customers will return. Retailers need to lift their game online and most importantly bring customers back in their store. For retailers to remain functional they need to essentially discourage people from spending online - it’s a less than ideal case of Catch 22. Customers shop online because they are under the impression that products online are less expensive and are more accessible. However, when given the chance to shop in an actual store, most people overlook the heavily discounted stock and make a beeline for the new arrivals and latest trends. Along with the technology revolution that rocked humanity all those years ago, the negative stigma of impersonality is hard to ignore. Especially for sites like eBay and Gumtree, you only have the testimonials of others and your wits about you to make the call and surrender your digits to the Internet lords. In more cases than not, customer service departments can be hard to contact, and there’s usually no storefront to voice a grievance in person. With a receipt, stores are
The Grand Social Store, 214 Crown Street Darlinghurst.
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easy to deal with when returning, exchanging or using the warranty. When it comes to online purchases, a lot of people still believe your credit information is there for the grabbing, but it’s just not true anymore. Most online retailers use some sort of 128-bit encryption - in other words, it’s secure as banking sites with no more risk than buying in a store. The pressure is well and truly on, and in such a competitive industry, retail sales assistants are solely responsible for inspiring customers, and innovative, fresh ideas are what will set them apart from the next store. Not only is greeting customers expected (shop girl’s why do you ignore us?!) but training in styling and how to piece together an outfit is a basic trait of a sales assistant. Imagine this: you walk into a store, you are greeted with a smile, you are allowed some time to browse after which a sales assistant styles three complete outfits to your taste from the products in the store. Instead of having to trawl through the hundreds of products and styles yourself, the sales assistant has crafted a
The Josh Goot brand wouldn’t be the same without its vital online presence.
FAW N F E AT U R E S
Online shopping mecca, Net-a-porter.com.
“If the in-store experience is enjoyable, customers will have no hesitation in returning.”
series of looks that are ready to wear. If the in-store experience is enjoyable, customers will have no hesitation in returning. After all, it is this service and engagement that is not available online. If customers want to make use of a personal stylist, they will return. Even if you just want someone to talk to, a lot of people enjoy the experience of having a good yarn to a sales assistant. But to cut the Internet some slack, in terms of the money spent, buying online is generally cheaper because they don’t pay rent, have high electricity bills or have to pay staff. And don’t you just love those websites where you enter a code to get a discount or free shipping aka free petrol? But the beauty of competition is that the retail world is slashing prices to imitate cheap websites, and sometimes rival them. And as a bonus, many retail outlets resell returned items for even lower prices. But what about that personal shopping touch? The human interaction which you can’t buy online - well as a distraction you have the latest technology at your fingertips, pulling your purse strings. Android and iPhones are synonymous with the tech age, and the recent web development of m-Retailing or the ‘electronic wallet’ encourages you to use smartphones to research the market and compare pricing. In Australia, it is claimed that nearly half the adult population have browsed or researched products on their mobile this way. Sydney designer Josh Goot is similarly focused on online sales and recalls when he relaunched his online store. “We’re essentially a small business, so even if the site started to trade slowly and gradually, it would still have an impact on our revenue and in this climate that can only be good for us, or any brand, for that matter.” As Goot notes, the technical and logistical side of running an online business can be daunting and time-consuming. “So much organisation goes on behind the scenes and often brands have trouble making money from it because time and technology get away from them,” explains Nick Gower, digital strategist and founder and director of
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FAW N F E AT U R E S The Grand Social experiences worldwide recognition, such as this boutique in Dublin, Ireland.
the pair so, in addition to building and powering the retail component of designers’ own websites, they set up The Grand Social as an online department store. “That’s when it really started to take off for the brands,” says Gower, “because we’d effectively created a destination for Australian fashion online, which until that point hadn’t existed.” For every product that a designer sells on their own site, The Grand Social typically sells two, with close to a quarter of its traffic derived from outside Australia. The site typically sells more than 600 items a week, each sale often a mix of several brands. “There isn’t one standout performer on the site because it’s changing every day, every week, every season.” The reason for The Grand Social’s attractiveness to emerging designers lies in its business model: the site offers twice-weekly pick-up services to collect product from designers; holds the stock in its own warehouse and picks, packs and ships each purchase; creates weekly newsletters, each time promoting one designer’s profile, and sometimes a special offer, to over 30,000 subscribers; and, perhaps most importantly, pays brands every 30 days for the sales made in that month. “When brands are trying to get a foot in the door, we can sometimes be that few thousand dollars a month that gets them through while they’re waiting for traditional retailers
The Grand Social, perhaps the leading online store of Australian fashion with more than 8000 products from approximately 90 designers. The Grand Social was established in 2008 by Gower and Jean-Claude Abouchar to alleviate this new pressure. “We were working with a few Australian brands to build their online presence with digital stores, because it’s really important for brands, particularly younger ones, to present their full range, otherwise they just become known as a T-shirt brand, or whatever, because retail stores order so conservatively,” says Gower. The thirst for Australian fashion seemed obvious to
“We’d effectively created a destination for Australian fashion online, which until that point hadn’t existed.” Goot recalls a time when retail was purely a physical experience.
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FAW N F E AT U R E S Josh Goot’s retail store located in the stylish Sydney suburb of Paddinton. Limedrop’s 3 week pop-up store held at The Grand Social in Sydney.
“If the designers are successful, we’re successful, so we really try to work with them.” to pay, which can often take up to six months, and we take a small percentage (25% of retail price),” says Gower. “We see ourselves as partners and are really passionate about Australian fashion. If the designers are successful, we’re successful, so we really try to work with them.” David Jones also operates an online store though the product offering is limited, the technology and presentation clunky when compared with the international likes of Net-a-Porter. Besides which, the business seems firmly focused on physical retail. Online retail appears to be a double-edged sword in Australia, potentially increasing a designer’s orders and sales output, yet simultaneously having an effect on traditional retail spaces, the orders from which seem
to contract by the season. Australia relishes shopping online - coming in third globally on ASOS website’s global network - and several Australian designers, Lee included, feature on international sites such as Net-a-Porter. To believe that online shopping will not eventually take over physical retail would seem naive, but the balance between the two has reached a peak where the need for both has made it irresistible for customers to actually choose one over the other. Families rely on a retail business to be up and running, and similarly, online retailers base their livelihoods and income on the success of one site. We need both, there’s no way around it, and the sooner we start to embrace that fact and live harmoniously in both worlds, the sooner we can go shopping. Hey, just saying.
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S FAW N F E AT U R E S
imply Just Talented
Mural by Just Another Artist Does Sniders Lane Project 2011.
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Just Another Agency is a go-to mecca of street and fine artists, illustrators and multimedia designers - these are the ones that can get easily lost in the sea that is the creative industry. Luckily for them, JA comes to the rescue and aids these people to flourish in their field. It also supports graphic designers, contemporary artists, exhibitionists and so much more. It’s no wonder so many put their artistic lives in JA hands. With impressive portfolios and profiles online a lot like a dating website, this virtually irresistible site offers to find you the perfect match to make your wildest artistic dreams come to fruition. For the ones who are seeking that perfect business partner, they romanticise with their euphoric pieces and charm with their versatility - and then suddenly it’s clear Just Another Agency is not just another agency.
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Toby & Melika at Just Another HQ.
“Art is like music in the way it can make you feel, relate to you and evoke memories.” Just Another Project Space located 153 Greville St, Prahran, Melbourne.
Melbourne based Just Another Agency are Sara Toby and Melika Davies, more affectionately known as Toby and Melika or T & M. They have been active participants in the industry of the arts and all things creative for several years, helping and supporting artists - it’s in their blood. They’re the ones in this world who stand up for the underdogs, and educate the public on ‘approachable art’, which is less about Picasso and more about everyday artistic miracles anyone can experience. “Art is like music in the way it can make you feel, relate to you and evoke memories...more people need to surround themselves with unique and beautiful things and more to the point they need to know they can. So we developed Just Another starting with the agency as an avenue to support, encourage, nurture and provide opportunities for some of the industry’s best creative talent” the duo says. Currently representing artists like Alex Lehours, Bec Winnel, Caitlin Rigby, Dvate, Eleven, Jack Douglas, Kaitlin Beckett, Kirpy, Kitty Horton, Luke Ryan, Nom Kinnear-King and Sirum One and many more, it all began when the dynamos fell into what would be an insultingly good partnership in 2002. They met studying Visual Arts at TAFE in Perth. Melika lent her drawing skills to Toby as they began to learn of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and in 2006 they made the big move to Melbourne. It would seem a home would be the first thing to acquire, but it was actually 696, the gallery space lent to artists, which they ran for three years before JA began. 696 was a low commission-based, free rental space, shop/indoor/outdoor gallerybased in the heart of Melbourne, Brunswick. With a packed window, it offered everything from prints and original artworks to artist-produced clothing, spray paint, books and magazines. Branching off the shopfront, 696 had an intimate second room that hosted fortnightly shows throughout the seasons and an organic outdoor gallery space for one night only events and exhibitionst.
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‘Just Another Group Show’ 2011 located at 1000 Pound Bend.
“There are also a lot of different, incredible illustrative agencies out there. We didn’t feel like we needed to be another one.”
The resource of space alone was invaluable to network and build strong working relationships with industry professionals as well as other humans like themselves. But all good things must come to an end, and in December 2009, Toby & Melika made the hard decision to close 696. It was like a practice for running JA, and as a result became one of the hugest learning curves they’ve ever been witness to: “It gave us the knowledge and ability to believe in ourselves.” It was representative of the immense growth in their field - to the point where they outgrew the space 6 months deep. “We had plans for bigger and better things so when the lease option came up we decided to close, allowing us to take all the better aspects and things
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we loved about 696 and create the agency” says Toby. There was always that reassurance that came with having a king’s ransom worth of contacts, artists, collectors and the general public throughout the succession of 696, but the response and feedback regarding the agency has been ‘out of control!’ according to Toby, as today the duo welcome a new breed of peeps to the JA family along with their new gallery the Just Another Project Space and first publication the Just Another Book. Eliminating the hype and swag that accompanies most other creative agencies, they do things differently at Just Another. Recreating their own brand of cool, they have single-handedly made their hands-on approach a renowned precedent in the industry.
Whether it be commercial or noncommercial, there is no project too big to manage and to interpret your ideas into a reality. Bringing in new talent is one thing, but providing variety and freedom of choice for their clients is something JA prides themselves on. The mix is overflowing of people with high personal standards, otherwise known as perfectionists - which is actually a blessing in their field, where creativity blossoms and explodes in bursts of unbridled inspiration and control, which can be easily forgotten and left behind. At Fawn we’re learning that, put simply, talented artists are going to do what they do anyway, they just need the exposure and the right minds to give them a little boost to continue doing it, which ultimately
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‘Just Another Group Show’ 2011 located at 1000 Pound Bend.
comes down to success. And the Just collective are just that: allowing everyone to be involved and enabling rising exposure with a group of like-minded peers. In an environment like this which extends its philosophy to its artists, and subsequently its customers, pure creation is valued and it thrives. The only limits which can really occur is when agencies niche it up, making it a more complex route to represent as many clients as possible and have no focus. “There are also a lot of different, incredible illustrative agencies out there. We didn’t feel like we needed to be another one” Toby explains. And at the same time, their talents are all-inclusive somehow, and any company, brief and aesthetic you can imagine has a place with JA. Sometimes challenging briefs, especially on how to market a brand, are encouraged by the team, even if only because they are fans of the branding in the first place. As the saying goes, ‘Love your work and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Couple that with the accessibility of the world wide web and social media, the couple praise their promotional strategies as highlights of the job. This is all well and good for a modern business, but what about a good old exhibition to spark some interest? Toby and Melika were involved in the notoriously international Semi-Permanent showdown as fans, but over the last 3 years they continued their love affair with the event by showcasing the diversity of their plethora of artists with a side event titled the ‘Just Another Group Show’. “We really wanted to showcase what we have available so it involves all our represented artists...we are really excited about the talent we have on board.” And Melika is even more elated, she could be a stalker, but let’s call her a loyal follower of Semi Permanent, attending every year for the past six years. Not only does it remind them they’re not the only ones experiencing issues (which are relatively small), but it’s always insightful to hear the process involved from some of the people they love and respect. “Over the last two years we had the absolute priviledge of meeting and hanging out with Ron English, Tara McPherson, Jeff Soto, representative from Wired and Wallpaper magazine along with many others, who we are MASSIVE fans of, and it was really refreshing seeing the other side of them and getting to know them” Melika points out.
“We are really excited about the talent we have on board.”
‘Just Another Group Show’ 2010 located at 1000 Pound Bend.
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‘Board’ Exhibition 2011 located at NGV Studio.
“We have some real talent here in Australia. Melbourne really is one of the world’s art hubs, full of hidden and incredible people.”
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Moving their inspiration into a public forum, in conjunction with NGV Studio, Just Another Agency has selected over 50 of Australia’s best established and emerging artists to take part in a group show ‘Board’. Coinciding with the display of Tony Hallams’ personal skateboard paraphernalia which comprises over 800 decks as well as assorted skate history and memorabilia including magazines, chucks, wheels and more. Juxtaposing the old with the new, each artist has donated their time to produce an original work of art using a
skate deck as their canvas. The decks were sold to help raise much needed funds for the innovative 360 project. And more recently the duo was involved in the crazy good Sniders Lane Project, which brought together a few of the world’s best graffiti artists to create some well-needed street beautification on the walls of Sniders Lane in the Melbourne’s CBD. Featuring original members of the Just Another Agency team, Cam Scale, Sirum, Kirpy, Sear, Dvatre, Does, Deb, Itch and more, the very gorgeous Sister Bella bar witnessed some serious art-making amongst undeniably seasoned professionals, and the night was an absolute success. A bit of mentoring never goes astray, and JA are professionals to the very last artist. So avoiding stifling their clients was something that honed their professional and intuitive skills. And while they know fully well that artistic types really don’t need pushing or help with sculpting their careers, being a Just Another Artist means being recognised as one of the industry’s finest in your field. But what does that means for the agency itself? “The work load is tough...and we are always working, always on call. It’s like having thirty five kids, thirty five amazingly talented, unique kids” they endearingly mention. The hands-on approach is taken to another level as support, advice and feedback are all up for grabs. They’re like counsellors, instead
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of bosses, and it’s turned out to be the best inspiration for a productive worker. “Basically we try and create an environment for each of our artists that allows them to do what they are best at and focus their energies in...creating.” Toby and Melika believe they’ve created a family, and that’s what drives their success. “We have some real talent here in Australia. Melbourne really is one of the world’s art hubs, full of hidden and incredible people. There are definitely a few artists that are going to blow up and go really far.” Toby says.
So what’s on the cards the next time around for JA? As expected they will have their fingers dipped in a lot of delicious pies, Semi-Permanent aims to be the most memorable for the crew though. Whether you can easily hop on down to Melbourne to witness a moment in history or not, take these nuggets of wisdom with you, the words straight from the mouths of talented babes. “Life doesn’t consist of how many breaths you take but by how many moments take your breath away...our lives can always do with more beauty...invest in art.”
Just Another Artist Cam Scale as part of the Sniders Lane Project 2011
Just Another Artist Cam Scale as part of the Sniders Lane Project 2011.
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DINALIE DABARERA The quirky yet simplistic designs of Miss Dinalie Dabarera jump off the page at you they are just divine. The inventions of this freelance graphic designer and illustrator is proof in the pudding that you’d be struggling to find a stronger force in the design world, even dabbling in book design, company identity, and poster illustration. Need some design inspiration? Well sit back, relax, and chill out to the tune of Dabarera... LOCATION // Resides Sydney, Australia I live in the friendly little inner city suburb of Glebe, and work from a lovely study surrounded by shelves and books and one small ladder. Somebody once told me it was hipster. I prefer to think of it as a room that old people would love. Old people and cats (and me). FOUNDATION // I always loved drawing and have been scribbling in school workbooks since I was a little kid. There was a long period between forming that love of art as a tiny person and falling back into idea of a creative life towards the end of high school that I entertained ideas of many and varied academic pursuits, all probably more pleasing to my parents than the career I’ve ended up with!
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EDUCATION // I studied for six years (soo long) at the University of Technology, Sydney. I did a joint degree, in Visual Communication and French, during which I lived a year in France and had some really fun times. PRODUCTION // I’ve been really happy lately to get back into using simply pencil and paper to make art. I love this method because not only is it my favourite thing, but it means that sometimes I can just draw from what I’m imagining in my mind, without worrying too much about planning ahead.
I also love working with block colour and patterns. That’s a style I use more often in my client work. INSPIRATION // Just random things really. At the moment I’m working on a series of drawings for an exhibition called ‘A cat among the octopuses’ which is uncomplicatedly about octopuses and cats. Because they’re super cool animals. Other people’s art. My friend Max does some amazing prints concerning the world of badgers. Travel. MISERY. Not really, I like happy movies. www.dinalie.com
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MOMOKO HATANO
Since 2009 this creative dynamo has followed her passion, her extraordinary passion for jewellery-making. And aren’t we glad she did. Her originality and ingenuity with the simplest of materials is a beautiful thing to admire. The Japaneseborn, visual artist/jewellery designer handcrafts her mini masterpieces in her Sydney-based studio. As featured in Frankie, Elle Japan and prestigious galleries such as Object and Studio 2017, this leading lady is avidly involved in practical drawing, curating shows and design projects with local talents. Welcome Momoko Hatano to the Fawn platform. Q: For those who have just discovered you, tell us about your design philosophy and how you translate it into real life? A: Bold, ethical (I try to only use Australian mined or recycled silver), sculptural, unique, I’m not really interested in following trends and I try to be as authentic and truthful to myself as possible; I just design jewellery that I would wear. Q: How easy was it establishing your label in the beginning? What challenges did you face? A: Beginning the label was quite easy, because I have genuine interest in what I do and I already had some experience in the industry. Maintaining it is the difficult part, especially financially supporting it. For example, starting a collection is financially demanding, paying for the studio, tools, the metals and all the labor that goes into the design and production of the jewellery. I think they are the most challenging aspects of being an emerging solo designer.
Momoko’s studio. Located in the creative Sydney suburb of Glebe .
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Hard at work in the studio, Momoko working on her latest range.
An artwork from group exhibition FIVE EIGHT FIVE VOLUME 2.
“I’m not really interested in following trends and I try to be as authentic and truthful to myself as possible.” Q: How does the vision for your label compare to when you started 3 years ago? A: When I began 3 years ago, I was just making jewellery for myself to wear and didn’t really consider taking it any further. However I got such a positive response from simply wearing it around and people from my work wanted to buy them so I started making multiples. It was from then on my work snowballed into an actual label. So I’m still really surprised with all the great feedback I have received, from stores, customers, journalists, universities…I really wasn’t envisioning this kind of response when I started.
Q: There are some bold pieces in your collections, such as your horse rings. Where do you gain the inspiration from? A: My inspiration comes from so many avenues; but music is definitely one of them. I really like hip hop and RnB music so the “bling” aesthetic, in terms of its scale, impact and boldness play a role in shaping my design aesthetic. I am also in love with Bjork and Erykah Badu. I’m always inspired by their music, music videos and general style as artists. Contemporary artists like Ex de Medici who is one of my favourite Australian artists also influence my aesthetic as both a jeweller and artist.
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Clever tools storage. Momoko’s tools double as a wall feature.
She utilises iconic floral and skull motifs in her work, so I’m often exploring symbolism and classic motifs. Q: What knowledge and past experiences did you pull on to build your self-titled label? A: I studied Fine Arts and majored in drawing at University and it is still probably the most useful technical skill I use as a designer. As well as surrounding yourself with creative people and always learning from each other. Q: What other projects do you involve yourself in? A: I’m often involved in collaborating with other designers and artists. For example I designed a jewellery range for an apparel label as well as some illustrations for record labels, bands and recently I’ve been asked to work on some illustrations for a children’s book so that’s exciting. Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? A: “Be authentic, the most powerful asset you have is your individuality; what makes you unique. It’s time to stop listening to others on what you should do.” Not directly given to me but I follow designer Naoki Sakai on Facebook and this was
“Working as a designer, I truly appreciate my colleagues as one of my biggest assets.”
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Bird Dance cocktail rings, featuring in the Dove range.
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An artwork from group exhibition FIVE EIGHT FIVE VOLUME 2.
Solid silver stud earrings, featuring in Momoko’s Dove range.
“Try to surround yourself with as many creative people as you can. Stay proactive.” shared on his wall. I refer back to this advice often. I also remember one of my lecturers from COFA drilling in to me that working alone as an artist is a mistake and it becomes evident in your work. This is so true. Working as a designer, I truly appreciate my colleagues as one of my biggest assets. Q: What words can you pass on to those who are starting out? A: Try to surround yourself with as many creative people as you can. Stay proactive. Always inform yourself about what’s going on in the industry, go to exhibitions/ conferences, see what other designers are doing, what technologies are being developed, what’s going on overseas etc because it’s important to stay relevant. Q: What’s the scope of interest you’ve received overseas? A: Most of my customers are from Sydney and Melbourne but I’ve had interests from Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris and Japan. It’s lovely to know that your work translates and is appreciated overseas. Q: How can we buy from your collections? A: You can buy my products from the “Follow” store on Cleveland St in Surry Hills or online through my website.
Gold plated Equestrian Romance ring, a stand out piece from Momoko’s range.
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L illy in the field Photographer: Marryam Lum marryamlum.4ormat.com Stylist, Hair & MUA: Thi Samet Trieu obsessedwithbeauty.com Talent: Lilli Rosenberg @ Pride Models
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Dress: Dotti, sourced from local Salvos
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Dress: Dotti, sourced from local Salvos
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Skirt: Sourced from local Save The Children op shop Top: Sportsgirl, sourced from local Vinnies
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Dress: Forever New, recycled from the team’s own wardrobe
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Shorts and Top: Forever New, sourced from local Salvos
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Shorts and Top: Forever New, sourced from local Salvos
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FLORAL KISSES Photographer: Sarah Fountain grafiklab.com.au Stylist: Abbey-Leigh Hood stylingbyleigh.com Hair & MUA: Holly-Elizabeth Kur theglamourbar.com.au Talent: Dayna Jeffrey @ Dallys & Gabrielle Harland & Tamblyn Models
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Headpiece: Blossom (www.blossomheadpieces.bigcartel.com)
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Dress: Begitta (www.begitta.com)
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Dress: Begitta, Headpiece: Blossom
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Dress: Both Begitta, Headpiece: Both Blossom
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Clothing: Stylist’s own, Heaadpiece: Blossom
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studio501 www.thestudio501.com
for bookings Ph: 0458740116 or email Studio501@photographlive.com Photographic Studio Hire
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WE ARE PROVINCE
For the previous directors of The Paper Mill, Anne-Louise Dadak and Laura Pike, these girls have only moved onwards and upwards since the gallery’s closing - establishing their own creative studio in 2011, Province. Since its inception, Province’s combination of forces have been used for the greater good in art direction, illustration, motion graphics, creative workshop facilitation and more. With a freelance portfolio including Opera Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art and Whitehouse Institute of Design clocked up, it was an absolute pleasure to tour their studio on Darlinghurst’s Oxford Street... The endearing use of colour in the Province studio.
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Collectables and keepsakes make up most of their surroundings.
“Our space is full of all the objects we love, that we have collected over the years and that inspire a lot of what we do.”
Q: What makes Province? A: Province is made up of Anne-Louise Dadak and Laura Pike. We are the directors of the studio, and we work with a variety of freelance creatives for specific projects, but primarily it is the two of us. We are artists and designers- working on a whole range of different projects, from graphic design, illustration, to large scale public art and installations. Basically we really enjoy seeing a variety of creative projects come to life and generally work in the blurry in-between world of art and design, balancing between experimental and commercial work. We had been freelancing separately for several years, and decided to join forces to grow the scale and scope of our work. We knew we had a similar work ethic and shared reactive interests as we previously were two of the seven directors of The Paper Mill gallery in Sydney CBD. Q: Describe your creative space? A: Our space is full of all the objects we love, that we have collected over the years and that inspire a lot of what we do. We have old mechanical and industrial tools and machines - and we really like the traditional and handcrafted nature of these items and we carry these philosophies through into our work. We also have a ridiculous amount of books and art supplies. They make us happy.
One of the many piles of books in the studio.
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Province’s work in progress and ideas wall.
Making lists keeps the Province girls happy.
Q: How long have you been in this space? What special features does it have? We moved into our Oxford Street Studio in January 2012. The most amazing feature is the size - we are spoilt for space, and it really allows and embraces all our creative energy! We have room to play, to collect old typewriters, sewing machines, projectors and scales. Room to make a mess and room to hang lots of artwork. We also have great big windows which let the sun in. Both of these were a major plus for us moving in, and something we had not had the luxury of previously - with our objects and artworks stored in boxes in garages or under beds, we feel very lucky! Q: What kind of workspace did you have during your Paper Mill days? A: The Paper Mill was a gallery - so whilst we spent a lot of time there - we never had our own studio set up there. The Paper Mill was a really great space - there were spaces for workshops, a sine library, artists-in-residence studio and of course, exhibitions. The Paper Mill really worked to increase the accessibility and functionality of the space beyond the traditional gallery, so that people - creative or non-creative, felt welcome to come in and spend time talking to the directors, volunteers or artists.
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“The most amazing feature is the size - we are spoilt for space, and it really allows and embraces all our creative energy!”
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Workspace details.
Our previous studios were a lot smaller, and shared spaces, which restricted the possibilities for how we could use the space. The nature of your studio has a huge impact on how you work, if you like being in a space, if it is calm and personal, the quality of work is a lot higher and you actually want to spend your nights and weekends working away. Q: How valuable is having a studio space to call your own these days? A: It has been invaluable! We feel very lucky to be able to work in the centre of Sydney, and have our own pocket of space to create and develop our work. We spend almost every day in here. It is great to be able to have a space to bring clients and have meetings, and a space to play and experiment with ideas with absolutely no pressure from the outside world. Q: How did you come across your studio? A: Our studio is part of the city of Sydney Oxford Street Creative Spaces project. In September 2011, council invited creatives for expressions of interest for short-term creative spaces. The idea of the studio is to be able to develop your practice, take risks and experiments, without the responsibility of exorbitant Sydney rental rates. The subsided rent on studio spaces has ensured affordable rates for start-ups and artists. We were lucky enough to be one of the fourteen spaces at 66 Oxford Street, and it is really great to be in the same building as other start up creatives working in a whole range of disciplines, such as architecture, film, music and literature. We have been able to collaborate with other studios and share ideas, and it feels exciting as there is a real creative energy in the building and lots happening all the time.
“The nature of your studio has a huge impact on how you work...if it is calm and personal, the quality of work is a lot higher.”
The organised clutter of work stations.
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Space for cutting, mounting and framing.
When inspiration hits, the workspace is wellequipped.
Province’s take on storage systems.
“There is nothing like the feeling of finishing projects that you started and that you are really happy with.”
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Q: What do you like most about your studio? A: Province is very much driven by collaboration, and our studio allows us to work very closely with one another developing ideas and artwork for different projects - which is one of the key and most exciting aspects about our studio. We also firmly believe in collaborating with other creatives and skill sharing, and it has been great to work with artists, designers and producers, not only in our building but through our other networks. Talking about ideas and their potential really allows for growth, and since moving into our Oxford Street studio we have really seen this work in practice, not just in theory! Q: What wise advice can you give to our avid readers entering the creative industry? A: It sounds cliche, but KEEP GOING! It’s really hard to develop your own practice and takes lots of time and energy, and for the first little while it is not hugely financially rewarding and you feel overshadowed by the big guys. It is worth it though, and you do eventually get there. Try and keep a balance in your work - if you put everything into one job or one idea you burn out - we worked on other jobs for the first 12 months of our business - tutoring design at university. Having a solid part time job that is flexible and allows time for you to work on your own practice is super necessary, and pulled us through when it was tough going, and gave us a break from the huge mountain we were climbing. There is nothing like the feeling of finishing projects that you started and that you are really happy with. It makes it all worthwhile, and the growing momentum that this provides is priceless. It is also super important to believe in what you do - work on projects that you have a genuine interest in, where you like the product or the client or the values of the work - you will want to spend more time on it and this will, without a doubt make your work better, and you will enjoy the process - quality of life!
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RECENT PROJECTS
FLEETWOOD MACCHIATO
GOLDEN COBRA
MURAL 2011
Visual Identity
Illustration
Street Art
We recently created the visual identity for a new cafe in Erskineville - Fleetwood Macchiato. The clients were really open to our ideas and we had the freedom to play with the branding, whilst maintaining a clean and elegant aesthetic. We loved this job because the client let us use letterpress as the print finish for their business cards, so we were able to print with the wonderful folk at The Distillery. The FM team asked us to extend the visual identity through to the cafe interior, so we painted a large mural on the main wall that tied in subtly with the logo aesthetic.
The Golden Cobra is a very amazing Sydney coffee roaster who not only make killer coffee but also commission artists to create four artworks for their packaging. This happens quarterly and is pretty great that a small business goes out of its way to support creatives in other industries. This was a really enjoyable project for us as we were able to pass the artwork back and forth between ourselves, finishing with a really solid aesthetic that combined our two different styles.
We included this project as it was a big one for us, the first large-scale project we worked on together. Commissioned by Marrickville council for a State Government initiative. It’s on the side of the Alfalfa House food cooperative in Enmore (another amazing not for profit business) and about 13m long and 3m high. We gave ourselves 5 days to paint it and smashed it out in four due to rain. We were pretty tired after we finished. Many beers were drunk.
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TABITHA EMMA illustrator & designer
If you’re artistically-inclined in the slightest way, Tabitha Emma is the girl for you. The romanticism she portrays is a thing of beauty to admire, and she thrives in every role she has to play as a freelancer. She effortlessly nails illustration, textiles, fashion, print graphics, digital animation, web design, and thensome. Since 2007 the gem from the Central West, trained by the Whitehouse Institute of Design and Enmore Design Centre, has gone from strength to strength. So grab a cuppa and learn about everything Tabitha Emma.. Q: For those who aren’t familiar with your work, who is Tabitha Emma? A: I am a designer and illustrator. I have studied fashion and graphic design, and mostly do graphic work these days. I design blogs, websites, logos and print media. I also do illustrations for magazines, websites and for art prints. I used to do a lot of sewing, but not so much anymore. Freelance designer Tabitha Emma working in her home office.
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Just a few of the antique pieces populating Tabitha’s office.
“I love vintage things, collectables, textures, typography and paper. I also love to create soft, feminine things.”
Q: How would you describe your designing style? A: Nostalgic, feminine and handmade. I love vintage things, collectables, textures, typography and paper. I also love to create soft, feminine things, using delicate water colour and hand drawn illustration and typography. I love to give these character, and not just look like it’s been churned out by a computer. I love to give designs life and personality. And so I like to combine ‘real’ things with digital things, such as scanning papers, textures and drawings. Q: Which types of projects are your favourite and why? A: I love doing blog re-designs, because it’s like giving someone a makeover, going from drab to fab. There is something about it that is more exciting, than starting on a project from scratch. It makes me feel like I am making the internet more beautiful, one blog at a time (silly I know!). And I love to see that first ‘blog re-design’ post to see people’s comments, and reactions to the look, its a fun form of feedback. Q: How has your education at Whitehouse and Tafe assisted the business? Would you suggest them to those looking to get into your field? A: Both courses taught me valuable things, and I am a better designer because of them. Although a lot of research and teaching myself was
Technology reigns in Tabitha’s world.
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involved too. I think courses like these are best when you have the drive to really put the effort in to get the most out of them, and then take it to the next step and do your own research. What was great about these courses, was that they were hands on, rather than just theory work. We did drawing, painting, sewing, photography, collaging and more. There is also something very beneficial about being around other like-minded students, as they help to spur you on, and help you to make connections in the industry. My teachers, were also really great, as they were able to encourage me, give me tips and help me on my path. Q: In what ways do your personal and professional life overlap? A: I always have my eyes open for inspiration, no matter what I am doing. My husband and I both love vintage and second hand things, so we like looking at old places, shopping in op shops and vintage stores, these trips are often greatly inspiring. I guess also there is an overlap on my blog, as I blog about both work and personal things, so it’s a place were the two mix. In some ways I think my job is just part of who I am as a creative person, so there is no distinct line between the two.
Invitations Tabitha designed for her wedding in May
“In some ways I think my job is just part of who I am as a creative person, so there is no distinct line between the two.”
‘I know it’s there’ artwork for ‘Once Upon’ exhibition. Tabitha’s weddings invitations and map.
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Q: What does a typical day in the office entail for you? A: Answering far too many emails, working on designs, maybe a bit of coding. Drinking tea and listening to music. Q: What is the hardest part of working as a freelancer? A: You can’t just go home at the end of the day and relax, as I know there is always work to be done. If there is nothing planned on the weekend, I will just work. I do take time out to relax, but in the back of my mind I know there is still work to be done. Q: What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry? A: When starting out, work hard to build up your skills, portfolio and getting your name out there. I found one of the best things I did was start a blog, as I was able to get my name out there, get feedback, and connect with
other people who were able to help me on my way. It also got my name into google early on, so that as I built my business up, my name was already out there. Q: Can you recall the first project you ever worked on? A: I have done a lot of personal projects from a young age, including illustrating my own little book at age 8 and creating cartoons, videos, paintings and websites in my teens. But the first real paid job I was commissioned for was an illustration for Peppermint magazine (their first addition). It was a picture of jewellery. It was exciting to get that first proper job, and things kept growing from there onwards. Q: Where to now for you? A: Continue to build up my business and constantly improve my skills. I want my work to get better and better.
Tabitha’s brooch collection.
“I’m not really interested in following trends and I try to be as authentic and truthful.” An avid collector, Tabitha’s vintage findings on display.
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