MAKER UPDATE
As you know, the look and feel of Threadbound was recently updated. This change cooincided with Threadbound’s two year anniversary, so contacting all of the people profiled so far seemed like the perfect way to celebrate.
This post celebrates some of highlights, milestones and new work they have collectively covered since we last spoke. From hand-painted stools to experiments with natural dye, they have each developed their ranges and learnt more about themselves and their customers in the process. New ways of working and new ways of thinking are a common thread, perhaps suggesting the reason for each label’s continued success.
Lara Cameron and Caitlin Klooger have continued to develop their lines by introducing new colourways that include printing on dyed cloth. Based in their Kensington studio, this dynamic duo print all of their work by hand in house, a space they share with other well known makers.
“We've been working on some gorgeous overprint artworks and are excited to launch them very soon,” says Cailtin. “In the meantime we've added to our range of cushions with the introduction of new designs and colours, in particular a gorgeous Indigo Blue and our Kookaburra, which is fast becoming a favourite in our range.”
In 2015 Umbrella Prints produced its largest collection to date. Offering ten designs of organic quilter's cotton, the label distributed 10 000 metres of their product worldwide.
“The Flowers collection was a defining moment for us as a self-publishing independent textile house, and it was a retail success, but we felt lost” says Amy Prior, who created the brand with Carly Schwerdt over 10 years ago. "Exhausted from administrative tasks, marketing and the sheer size of the job, we both decided it wasn't enough spiritually. In July last year we started quietly making in the studio, enjoying the process of publishing artwork anonymously and the freedom to create without an audience.”
‘Hey Ladies’, their new hand dyed organic cotton print, will be available in the next few weeks, along with larger scale artworks informed by their time in the studio.
Partners Anastasia Phillips and Tim Rouse have not stopped since they were the very first Threadbound post. After relocating their Sydney showroom to a studio to enable them to focus on growing their trade client base, Rouse Phillips expanded into the US market, with reps now based in New York, Los Angeles, Austin and Chicago.
“This expansion has made us aware of the difference between our US and Australian clients,” explains Anastasia, “especially regarding drapery and soft furnishing choices. We are working on expanding our range of base cloths, as well as introducing a range of wallpaper that will incorporate existing and new designs especially for walls.”
“We are about to launch a few new designs, as well as some new colour ways of our existing designs like ‘Four Leaves’ and ‘Cochin’. Our new collection will include smaller scale designs, as well as a few statement pieces that we have become known for,” she says.
Based in Tasmania, Yolanda Zarins’ beautiful botanical inspired prints have been so well received by her community since her post. “This year, I really got to get stuck into learning about what direction the business is likely to take,” says Yolanda. “What I need to keep doing and what I can do less of. Being quite a small studio, I have been fortunate to talk directly to customers and other people in the industry. It's amazing how many new people I have met in the past year doing markets, being in a dedicated studio space and taking my textiles to the big city for the 2016 Decor + Design trade show.
“The recurring theme which and pops up again and again when talking to people is the attraction towards the specialty hand printed and dyed fabrics in my collection,” Yolanda continues. “This makes me incredibly happy, as when I started producing textiles, I wanted to primarily focus on small batch, one of a kind high quality pieces, but I wasn't sure if there would be a demand for this kind of work or if it would get any response at all! Having this support means that I can keep doing what I'm doing, which is awesome.”
Making a concerted effort to “be less 'busy”, this clever and capable young woman has continued to add some creative strings to her bow, including collaborations with other creatives. Enjoying taking on the work at her own pace and dabbling in various projects, Annie has also continued painting commissions for clients and developing her own range of products.
“A highlight for me this year has been showcasing a body of original paintings in the Fenton & Fenton Winter Group show, alongside Jai Vasicek, Laelie Berzon and Tara Pearce, which was a huge undertaking for me professionally and creatively, as I've only been selling my work for less than two years now,” Annie reflects.
“A collaboration I really enjoyed recently was creating two hand painted high bar stools for Melbourne furniture design company Industria X. I really respect Emma as a fellow artist and creative within my industry, so it meant a lot to me to have been approached by herself and her husband Mark to create something for them for their first 'artist series' of products.”
The curious and playful work of Shuh Lee has continued to shape thanks to a recent collaboration with Gorman. Alongside the well known label’s covetable new spring prints, currently being launched, you’ll see the unique handmade pieces by this Melbourne creative. Devoted to dabbling in a non stop variety of forms and mediums, the collaboration is an exciting and well deserved next step.
Shuh explains, “the collection includes 6 pieces of earrings and necklaces and is inspired by Gorman's 2016 Spring palette and prints. The collaboration took 6 months to complete and all the work is done in my home studio. I am currently working on a couple of artworks for an upcoming group exhibition with Dearest Projects, and also taking pottery classes, hoping to learn new skills and discover new materials for my work.”
Since their post, Husband and wife duo, Jason Cesani and Nadia Husiak have continued to
print the work of clients as well as develop their own range of hand printed homewares, accessories and children’s clothing for their own label, Tinker. “We’re staying strong on keeping all our products Australian made,” says Jason, “even though the price point has to sit as a higher end, which sometimes makes it difficult to sell in the current retail climate.”
“We just launched our new Spring/Summer at Life Instyle, Melbourne. We’ve added new prints to the range – ‘Lace and Paradise’ to the Tinker homewares/lifestyle range, as well as a ‘Textured Lace’ and the ‘Cocky’ print to Tinker Kids. We revamped our existing apron and made it a bit more ‘hip’ by adding leather detailing to the neck piece and a detailed pocket, which has been well received. For the kids, we added a jersey dress... all very cute.”
Nestled into arguably one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, Carla Dawes shifted studio in 2015 to make room to host a variety of craft and making workshops. Named Creative Base, the new workshop continues to draw many eager makers from Northern New South Wales and beyond, catering to children, adults and a wide variety of skill levels.
She quickly rebranded her textile label as Ink Object (formerly Bubbles at the Head), and has continued to draw from her travels, art and love of making for inspiration. Currently, this takes the form of paper cuts, which Carla cuts out of black paper before exposing them to screens on site, often including some of the trademark ink marks that are part of her namesake.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Courtesy of Ink and Spindle, Umbrella Prints, Printink Studio & Ink Object
Rouse Phillips by Nick De Lorenzo
Annie Everingham Design Co. by Sophie Tyler Photography
Shuh by Ben Glezer, with hair & make up by Christine Gaunt and styling by Lisa Gorman
