I had some new artworks that I was sneakily trying out at Finders Keepers Melbourne – thanks to all those browsers who put up with my questions (do you like this size? what about the frame? colours?) With a bit more finessing they’ll be hitting the website soon.

And then…

Photo shoot!

On a quiet Saturday we took over the Boyd building for a photo shoot of my upcoming summer clothing. These days are exciting for designers because we 1. get to see the clothes on a person and can be assured that they look alright and won’t immediately fall to pieces and 2. have them worn and shot by professionals who make them look AMAZING. We’re there to look after the clothes and sort out the styling, but personally I feel like I spent most of my time jumping up and down in corners and doing excited hand-claps. YAY.

Photographer extraordinaire: Rebekah Halls
Fabulous model: Aurelia Bode
Wonderul hair & makeup: Hailey Ryan

The new clothes will be released gradually starting with some silky shiny slippery silk scarves and moving up to the real summery stuff when the weather starts getting warm again. Keep an eye out…

First up is an old favourite, and probably the market with the best food of all time. It’s Bowerbird! 3-5 May at the Adelaide Showgrounds.

And then we’re back in Melbs for another delightful cracker of a market – the cryptically named Markit. Though it’s now called Markit @Fed Square, which is at least very clear regarding location. One day only, Sunday 26 May, 10am-5pm. With fingers crossed I’ll be debuting a SECRET NEW PRODUCT at Markit so make sure you come visit…

AND THEN we make our triumphant return to Sydney-town for the always-excellent Finders Keepers. It’s been a couple of years between visits for this lovely market so we’re very much looking forward to the road trip adventure up the Hume. And it’s at a new, bigger location! 31 May and 1 June.
*In a slight twist on the coffee discount, people who bring me anything from Big Boy Thai get some kind of giant percentage off. I’ll take anything that doesn’t have capsicum in it.

And these ones from her 2006 series Homelands. Argh, amazing!

Magdalena’s work reminds me a little of NGV’s recent Thomas Demand exhibition (which I hope all you Victorians went along to!) Ash the lovely intern and I went along not knowing much about Demand’s work and were, if we’re honest, quite gobsmacked by the exhibition. Let me give you an example… look at this pic.

And now think about the fact that it was all made from paper. Every leaf. By hand. And then meticulously lit and photographed. Sigh…………. here’s a couple extra.

Yep, more paper.

Paper, paper, paper. So much lovely, so little time to see it all.

Friday 21 December 4-8pm
Studio 7, Level 1, Boyd Studios
207 City Road, Southbank

*at no time will Christmas carols be played

For those unfamiliar with the labyrinthine corridors of the Boyd Building, I’m upstairs and in the east wing. Don’t fret, there will be signs. If you panic and end up in the haunted tower upstairs, give me a buzz on 0400 030 481.

And for those who can’t make it to the Open Studio *with wine, a mega big thank you and virtual email hug for your support this year. Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and most excellent new year.

As a celebration of these momentous December events, I’m planning one last December event, a special Christmas Open Studio. For last-minute presents, presents for oneself (you need a couple at least), saying hello, stickybeaking at the studio and generally being merry. THERE WILL BE WINE. Also a smattering of beers, some awesome nibbly things, giveaways, music and lovely people. And of course, the full spread of Gently Unfurling Sneak products, including old stock and associated bargains.

Friday 21 December 4-8pm
Studio 7, Level 1, Boyd Studios
207 City Road, Southbank

All are welcome! See you there.

Where are these markets, I hear you ask? Well here you go.

Northcote Town Hall Kris Kringle Market
Thursday nights 5.30-10pm
6-20 December
And after that we have the doozy, the huge-mongous, excitement-inducing Big Design Market
Royal Exhibition Buildings (Carlton, not the one near the casino)
December 7, 8, 9

There’s also an Open Studio or two coming up which’ll have things that I can never fit into my market stalls like previous season stock, seconds and samples, big breakable things and little things that get lost… stay tuned for that one. (Best to join the email list for all the updates)

So the details…
Saturday 22 September, 11am to 5pm
Studio 7, Level 1, Boyd Studios (I’m upstairs)
207 City Road, Southbank

Messy studio today

Be warned, I don’t have a proper changeroom, but there is a nice roomy bathroom and a good mirror. EFTPOS and credit card will be available for those wanting to buy goodies, and I’ll also have my artworks, cards etc around.

For those who find Southbank a little perplexing (and you’re not alone there) the 55 tram stops mere metres from Boyd, and the 112 on Clarendon St is a 5-min walk down City Road. And if it’s a nice day the walk from Flinders St is lovely – about 10 or 15 minutes. OR there is a ton of free parking at the back of the block – just drive through the gates off Kavanagh St.

If you can’t make it on Saturday, appointments can be made if you’d like to drop in during business hours – just email me. Otherwise, my next market is Finders Keepers Melbourne, which should be excellent! 19-20 October at the Exhibition Building.

The fabrics – digitally printed chiffon, soft and wonderful cotton linen, organic cotton – are beautiful and as always my screen printers and sewers have done an incredible job dealing with my weird requests (‘this print should come off the side and spread onto the next one, 2cm under the edge of the armpit but NOT touching the sleeve’).

Third Wave is inspired by the froth and bubble of oceans and clouds, of sun and moon, stars and planets, with some very good-looking buildings and mysterious creatures thrown in for good measure. They are deliciously print-heavy, comfy yet sexy, with a good line and a quality finish. Proudly made in Melbourne! The ante has been upped a little this year, with a plethora of different dress designs (including the intriguing new Folding Dress) AS WELL AS pocketed skirts AND organic cotton printed tops AND the ever-popular mens tees in four new designs.

I suppose you’ll be wanting some pictures…

Burnished chiffon dress, $179

Cumulus folding dress, $299

The print from the Cumulus folding dress

Wave top aqua, $99

Head on grey pocket skirt, $179

Lake Fire chiffon dress, $179

The print from the Lake Fire dress

Moon print tank, $65

Wave pocket skirt black, $179

Palace folding dress, $299

Wave pocket skirt, $179

Burnished folding dress, $299

Planetary chiffon dress, $179

The print from the Planetary chiffon dress

Wave top red, $99

City pocket skirt, $179

The Sea Monster chiffon dress returns! $179

And that’s not even all of them… check out the Shop for all the new pieces. And the mens tees, which I haven’t included photos of here (sorry dudes). The pieces are now available for purchase online, or keep an eye out for which markets I’m doing over the rest of the year. As always if you have any questions send me an email, and if you’re keen to try something on and can’t make it to markets, you can visit me at the studio in Southbank by appointment. Hurrah for summer!

PS These photos were taken by the amazing Rebekah Halls, who is also the model (I know, right) with beautiful makeup by Dana Leviston of LadyDay Hair + Makeup

New intern Ash!

Ever since I was very little I always found myself to show more interest in creating things from old cardboard museli boxes, over playing with toys. Playing Barbie was boring and mundane, but making her prom dress and cooking utensils was always a world of exciting adventure. Since I can remember I created small ‘artworks’ and went door to door hawking them for 5 or 10 cents. I remember telling every one that one day I would be an artist.

In my early High School days, I decided I would become a fashion designer. By the time I began my Advanced Diploma of Fashion Design and Technology at Melbourne School of Fashion in 2009, I was certain that I would spend my career traveling the world with my business mind, and that one day I would be a fashion buyer. It didn’t take long before I saw an ugly side of a world I no longer wanted to be a part of.

Now I have my heart set on creating an ethical and sustainable, fashion and home wares label that is community based and hand made with love and care. Marlow and Grump (the name of my label) will be based around whimsical, organic prints and recycled goods.

I have also recently begun hosting a small craft circle that I call The Grumpy Marlow Bitch n’ Stitch.

Ash hard at work

I first found The Gently Unfurling Sneak when I attended Design.Made.Trade earlier this year and instantly became mesmerised by the ‘Burnished‘ print. I am lucky enough to now be interning here, learning as much as I can from the very talented Anika, picking her brains at every chance I get.

Thank you for reading and please check out my new blog at http://marlowandgrump.blogspot.com.au.

First you got to cut the pieces out

Then you got to get your hi-vis vested husband to help out

The whole thing was printed in four parts and then pasted onto the wall in the same manner as the awesome paste-ups you see around town. For those interested in doing their own, I found the best paste recipe to be Drab Art’s (very easy to make). Apparently the addition of sugar makes it more likely that snails will eat the paper, but I didn’t think that would be a huge problem for me at the trade show.

And eventually all four layers will be happy together

Aside from backdrop fun, Life Instyle was indeed an excellent place to meet new retail folk, and to quickly say hullo and catch up with existing stockists, all of whom were rushing from one stand to the next, pens in hand and pricelists trailing behind them. Thanks to everyone who visited and special thanks to my brand new stockists, whose orders are already on their way. Keep an eye out for the updated Stockists page to find out who near you has jumped on board.

And some pics of the final stall (keeping in mind it’s basically impossible to take a decent photo of a trade stand and even less so when you’re using your crappy phone camera):

PS if any maker-people out there want some extra info on exhibiting at Life Instyle I’m happy to spill some more beans – I know it’s a scary thing the first time round. Email me.