designer megan park

Sometimes it's not easy to appreciate what you've achieved until you take a moment and look back. After studying fashion design and working as a textile designer in Melbourne, Megan Park moved to London. She designed textiles for an agency that created products for Givenchy, Dries van Noten and Kenzo. If that wasn't an achievement in itself, when Megan launched her eponymous collection of bags and scarves in 1997 it was quickly picked up by the world's leading department stores. She has since returned to Melbourne and launched a homewares as well as a girl clothing line.

Which five words best describe you? Passionate, determined, loyal, forgetful, compassionate.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? This could be a long, long story... but I will try and make it quick. I graduated from RMIT fashion before getting my one and only fulltime job as a designer for the bridal house of Mariana Hardwick. Working with her was a fabulous experience as I was given the complete freedom to create without any real limitations and also it allowed me to travel the world for inspiration. Having worked with her for 2 years I set off on my travels which took me to London (a childhood dream) – I stayed for 13 years. In London I started working with an Indian company as a textiles design consultant - a life of 6 months in India developing the collections which I would then spend 6 months in Europe showing to the design houses. I look back on this now and am amazed at who I met and worked with during this time. Gaining 7 years of experience in India and working with the most talented embroiderers I decided to venture out on my own and the rest is history. What began as a small accessories collection developed season upon season into something much bigger, but always evolving at its own natural pace. I have been encouraged by some amazing people who have believed in my collection and that has given me the conviction needed in this sometimes tough industry. I was fortunate enough to sell my first collection to Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Joyce, Harvey Nichols and Liberty. I think I was in the right place at the right time, but their stamp of approval set me off on the right path from the beginning.
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? To listen to your heart, as then you can never go wrong.
What's your proudest career achievement? Dressing the editor of British Vogue Alexandra Shulman to meet The Queen of England on International Women’s Day. I am not a royalist but this was a pretty cool thing to read: she wrote an article for The Independent newspaper in England about getting dressed to meet the Queen as being watched and commented upon by her young son, and summed it up by writing that she eventually chose to wear Megan Park teamed up with Prada.
What's been your best decision? To have children with my beautiful partner Anthony.
Who inspires you? So many people inspire me. I support an NGO in India called Tomorrow’s Foundation run by very good friends of mine that work to educate the street children of Calcutta. They are truly inspirational and I always feel so humbled and energized to give more when I see what they do. I am also an Ambassador for The Australian Childhood Foundation – again the work that they do makes the fashion industry seem quite facile sometimes! My mother inspires me to better mother – she is totally selfless when it comes to her children and is also open and accepting of everyone. In my years of work and travel I have met some amazingly inspiring people, including even the Dalai Lama. I love meeting new people that I can learn from in some way, whether they be creatives or people that are doing something that is beyond the norm.
What are you passionate about? Sunday morning’s in bed with my family, India, Melbourne cafes, antique textiles, vintage markets, a good cup of tea.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Oh, this is a hard one. I could be lofty and spiritual, but then again I could just be honest: David Bowie!
What dream do you still want to fulfill? I am actually quite content with where I am. I have lived a very lucky life. I do work quite hard and whilst I love my work and the places that my travels take me I do look forward to a little less of this so as to be spending more with my children and partner. They are the most important things in the world yet the world of fashion can be a hungry beast that requires a lot of feeding at times.
What are you reading? Snugglepot and Cuddlepie and many other bedtime stories. Alas, grown up novels have been a thing of the past for the past 3 ½ years. Even the Sunday papers are an achievement.

images courtesy of megan park; portrait vogue australia

fashion designer jamie blakey

A little while back I met fashion designer Jamie Blakey from One Teaspoon and got chatting about her plans. She was about to design and decorate two shops in Sydney - one in Surry Hills, the other in the new Westfield in the city - and both had to open before Christmas. It was a huge task. And I can see all the work that has gone into her projects. But I had no doubt that Jamie was going to get it all done. She's a do-er. After all, she left Queensland on a bus to head to Sydney before she'd turned 18 with plans to become a fashion designer. Not only did she do that, but she's created an international brand that's just celebrated its 10th birthday.

Which five words best describe you? Happy, tired, energetic, kooky, psyched.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I worked a bunch of different jobs within the fashion industry before deciding to do my own thing. I started One Teaspoon on the floor of a crummy little apartment near the beach I was sharing with my husband to be. Having my own label has been hard work but so rewarding. My career has allowed me to travel the world and meet so many nice people.
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? Every problem has a solution.
What's your proudest career achievement? One Teaspoon recently turned 10, that was pretty huge.
What's been your best decision? Not to give up when things got tough.
Who inspires you? My team at work inspire me. I love them. Going to work when you have good people is an absolute pleasure. I also get inspiration from my little boy, my husband, my family and friends. I'm also really inspired by travel too.
What are you passionate about? I've always been passionate about fashion but lately I've fallen pretty hard for interior design and homewares. I can't get enough.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I've always been a bit of an Elvis fan so I'd love to meet the king.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I want to open the doors of a One Teaspoon concept store. We're working on two now that will be open before Christmas. One is in Surry Hills and the other is in the new Pitt Street Westfield. Can't wait!
What are you reading? My mother-in-law gave me book called A Fraction Of The Whole by Steve Toltz. It takes me a while to get through books because they always put me to sleep but I've enjoyed it so far.

images courtesy of one teaspoon

fashion designer alexia gnecchi ruscone

There is a little piece of the Mediterranean on Edgecliff Road, Woollahra. It's in the shop Eclettica, which sells women's clothes and accessories designed by Alexia Gnecchi Ruscone. She has lived one of those fantastical international lives - growing up in The Bahamas, Uruguay, England and Paraguay. Studying - and modelling - in Paris. Living in Milan, before moving to Australia. And returning there again so her children could experience Italian life before returning once more to Australia. Her husband, Paolo, owns Junktique.

Which five words best describe you? Who knows, difficult to look at oneself, no? Nomadic-soul, embracer of life, determined, maker of things, tall! My husband might add stubborn!

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I've been designing and making "things" since I was a child. My mother has been a huge influence, she's very creative and can whip up anything from a train shaped birthday cake with 10 individual wagons to 150 flower arrangements for charity dinners!

I remember making my first beach bag while we were living in Nassau, I was 11, I lined it in plastic to make it waterproof ... functionality has always been important to me!

I had a fantastic, colourful childhood living in Uruguay, England, The Bahamas and Paraguay. The colours, the music, the food and the interesting people we met along the way are all part of who I am today.

While studying in Paris I stumbled into modelling. I was fortunate enough to work with some of the best photographers in the world such as Jeanloup Sieff, Sarah Moon and Fabrizio Ferri but more importantly, although I wasn't aware of it at the time, I got to work closely with Miuccia Prada, Giorgio Armani and many other super designers. I got an inside view into the fashion world and took it all in: the fabrics, the stitching, the fashion-show mayhem. I was hooked.

My husband Paolo and I moved to Sydney from Milan and I launched Eclettica in 1997 with a very small collection. We were fortunate enough to be picked up by some of the most discerning boutiques in Australia such as Belinda and Robby Ingham.

But nothing goes to plan, and in 2000, just as Eclettica was on a roll, Paolo and I moved back to Milan. It was a bit difficult to let go of something I had worked so hard on but it was fab to give our children the chance to live in Milan and get to know the Italian side of the family.

While in Milan I became involved in production and design with several accessories designers and all of a sudden I was playing with leathers and buckles again; it felt so familiar as I had been a keen horse rider.

By 2004 we were in Sydney again! Happy to be back in the sunshine. I re-launched Eclettica in late 2004 with a mini collection of two handbag styles and it's just grown from there. The accessories collection now includes beautiful Mediterranean-style sandals which are made exclusively for us in Florence and our fashion range of timeless dresses and separates, understated chic, very trans-seasonal. Easy elegance.

We now are delighted to have two Eclettica shops as well as working with some of the best boutiques in the country. We'll be launching our online store shortly.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Always follow your gut instinct. When in doubt, sleep on it. Take risks. Is that more than one lesson?

What’s your proudest career achievement? Every time I see someone wearing one of our Eclettica designs, it's always a thrill.

What’s been your best decision? Working from home until my children were into their teens.

Who inspires you? So many people for different reasons. My beautiful, talented and supportive girlfriends; I would be lost without them! My husband Paolo, he can see through the chaos!

What are you passionate about? Gracious living: my family, travel, great food, laughing, preferably all at the same time!

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Bill Clinton, Sonia Delaunay, Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel, Bono and Gandhi. Now that would be an interesting dinner.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I'd love to learn how to fly.

What are you reading? A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor and The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad.

images courtesy of eclettica, portrait prue ruscoe

photographer harold david

Harold David was born in America and studied acting at the respected Lee Strasberg school in New York, but he has made his name as a photographer in Australia. His work is regularly showcased in magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, Grazia, Vogue and Marie Claire, and he has shot campaigns for General Pants, Sportsgirl and Levis. Harold's non-commercial work has been exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW and one of his most recent collection's has travelled to Japan. His portrait, above, was taken at Harold's holiday home in the Blue Mountains, and featured in the latest issue of Inside Out magazine. [To see more pics of his weekender, visit taiKa.]

Which five words best describe you? Left, solid, forward, observant, cuddly.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? When I was over my acting stint David Bonney really encouraged me to do something about my love for photography and led me to the ACP 17 years ago to start taking classes and I did. My first exhibition, "Surface", was about Bondi skate culture, curated by Victoria Harbutt as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival. That show was seen Brett Chamberlain who was doing a lot of work for Studio Magazines and got me on board there. This lead to my love of shooting portraits and fashion editorials as well as exhibiting my personal work. Soon after Mari Vendrame became my agent and mentor. So with the support and love of David Bonney, Victoria Harbutt, Brett Chamberlain and Mari Vendrame I was able to realise my passion for taking photographs. I am still on this path with some of these people and still creating images and collaborating with many more along the way.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? That we are not alone.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Photographing Japanese workers in their uniforms.
What’s been your best decision? To leave home at 18 and follow my curiosity.
Who inspires you? Anna Madrigal.
What are you passionate about? Observing people and pancakes.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Tolstoy.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To be a dad.
What are you reading? Essays in Love by Alain de Botton.

images courtesy of harold david and inside out (portrait)

COSTUME DESIGNER CHRISTIAN JOY

The world of Christian Joy is reminiscent of old school New York in many ways. She creates costumes with a wink to how the punk movement attacked their clothes: with scissors and safety pins, even glue and paint, rather than a needle and thread. Christian also has the same underground vibe to her work. She revels in creating fanastical costumes that aren't about finding a market but rather embracing the here and now. This is most evident with her greatest output of work - for Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They met in 2001, shortly after Christian moved to Brooklyn, and since then the costume designer has had her creations exhibited in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and collaborated with Top Shop on three limited-edition collections. More recently she’s released a range of art prints and ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. A keen collaborator, Christian created the series of images above with fellow New Yorkers, photographers ioulex.

Which five words best describe you? Obsessive, optimistic, funny, creative, curious.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I began making clothes about a year after I moved to NY. I was inspired by the NY punk scene and how everyone created art and music without really knowing how. I decided to follow the same methods and began to teach myself fashion design. I began by chopping up tees and then prom dresses. Along the way I met Karen O and it just all took off from there. 

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Not to take yourself too seriously. Go with the flow.  

What’s your proudest career achievement? I'd say having my costumes in an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and also creating Karen's gown for the Oscars. The gown was funny though because it's not the greatest representation of my work. Still it was so exciting and my family were so proud and just over the moon. 

What’s been your best decision? To follow my instinct.  

Who inspires you? A whole cast of nutty characters. Lately I've been so excited about John Cameron Mitchell. I saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway and was so thrilled to see this amazing character he created become so huge. The filmmaker, John Waters. I adore him. The artist Sonya Delaunay. I love her vibrant prints. My crazy husband. My mom. 

What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about trying to create new works and ideas. It makes me almost no money but I can't imagine being happy without it.  

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I think Sonya Delaunay. I've been fortunate to meet a lot of people that I really admire so I'll have to say her. 

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I really want to be in the MOMA here in NY.  

What are you reading? The prisoner of heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafron. I just read two of his other books as well and I'm obsessed.

images courtesy of christian joy and ioulex

frontliners: pip edwards at home

When photographer Kata Varga and I went to the home of Pip Edwards for Frontliners one Sunday at the end of last year, we got to see many sides of the fashion accessory designer's life. While we were chatting and taking photos outside her Paddington terrace a neighbour walked past. "Saw you in today's paper, Pip. Lookin' good!" Pip laughed. She was used to regular inclusion on the social pages. But Pip was very relaxed about it, happy to chat and joke to neighbours about what she was wearing. Her son Justice played outside with a couple of girls from across the street and Pip told us about how she'd gone from a commerce/law degree at Sydney Uni, to a corporate job at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and then into the world of fashion. She is most known for her time at Ksubi and launching her own label Notion of Legacy. Most recently Pip has been working at Sass & Bide, as senior creative and accessories designer. The feature of her home in Paddington is now live on Frontliners.

Which five words best describe you? Very-emotional, hard-working, Passionate, ambitious, high-energy.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I’ve had a few career changes. It started off in the corporate world doing risk management, and corporate restructuring for PwC. I then took a leap of faith into the fashion industry and have never looked back. From fashion PR, to design to styling and now back to designing. I love it, I love every inch of the industry.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Stick to your passion. Work hard. Enjoy what you do.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Everything I have ever made I am proud of. I love making things. There has been so many elements to my career, they all build on each other, I am proud of where I am today and I know I deserve to be here.

What’s been your best decision? Coming to Sass & Bide has been an amazing experience. I have learnt more in the last two years than I have in the last 10 it feels like! I finally get to consolidate my experience and skill and passion of fashion in the one job. I love the girls, I love my team, I love what I do.

Who inspires you? My son, especially, my mother for being everything to me (I don’t know how she does it), my father, my beautiful and very talented and creative friends, my own dreams and my amazing boyfriend. They are all inspiring to me.

What are you passionate about? My son and his approach to life – I am passionate to learn from him as much as he learns from me.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Madonna. Sophia Loren.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I am living one of my dreams. I just want to make more beautiful things. My next dream would be to have a family unit – more children.

What are you reading? Two books: Roald Dahl's short stories in Kiss Kiss, and Maurice Terzini’s Something Italian cookbook – I have just found a passion to want to cook well. I’m most enjoying Maurice's stories.

images courtesy of frontliners and pip edwards

fashion designer fernando frisoni

Many Sydneysiders will at least be familiar with Fernando Frisoni's face and name thanks to his regular "Urban Style" page in the Sun Herald newspaper. For the past eight years he has been photographing street fashion and documenting looks that have caught his eye. To Sydney's well-dressed he's known for his cutting-edge cool fashion. Fernando was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and emigrated to Australia, for many years working as a stylist. In 2008 he launched his own fashion range, with a focus on modern classic tailoring.

Which five words best describe you? Emotional, direct, modern, intense, free.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Starting... I always did what I loved... always took chances for granted... the only path to take is the Ave of hard work, without hard work there are no results.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? When you throw a tennis ball on the wall it comes back to you with the same speed... therefore everything you throw in life comes back.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Is yet to come!

What’s been your best decision? To have the most beautiful relationship with my partner Sam.

Who inspires you? Elegant, honest and crazy people.

What are you passionate about? Life, work, weekends, love luxury, me, people.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? My grandfather, Benjamin Frisoni.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Too many. Also dreams are like secrets.

What are you reading? Lately, quite bad... only reading fashion magazines and blogs.

images courtesy of fernando frisoni

fashion designer sam rush

Handsom is an Australian fashion label founded by Sam Rush and her partner Henry Allum. After being based in Sydney for several years, this British couple are packing their bags and heading to Melbourne. All the while they've been busy designing the Spring Summer 12 collection - there's a sneak peek on their blog.

PS Don't forget the first FREE Daily Imprint workshop at Apple, Bondi is on this Thursday, starting 6.30pm. You'll have the chance to learn everything you ever wanted to know about interior styling. See you there!

Which five words best describe you? Energetic. Enthusiastic. Excitable. Impatient. Stubborn.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Whilst I was studying fashion design in the UK I worked in London as an assistant stylist, and as an assistant designer. Although it kept me very busy, I learnt loads, and it really gave me direction and a goal to work towards throughout my degree. Shortly after graduating I moved to Australia, where I did as much styling and design freelancing as I could, as well as developing my own design ideas. During this time I worked for Akira Isogawa - whom I found to be such an inspiration. In 2009 I set up my brand with my partner Henry, and have been kept very busy by that ever since!

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? If you don't ask, you don't get.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Seeing someone wearing one of our designs! I still get a secret sense of achievement and pride every time see someone wearing Handsom.

What’s been your best decision? We are about to relocate our business (and home!) from Sydney to Melbourne, and I am hoping that that will be my best decision! I think it will...

Who inspires you? It's so hard to narrow it down. I am very fortunate to have so many people around me who inspire and encourage me - I doubt whether I would have had the motivation or guts to set up my own business without them.

What are you passionate about? Food, clothes, and travelling.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Phoebe Philo. I love her style and her designs - so beautifully simple, clean and strong - and really admire what she has done at Celine. I imagine her life must be chaos, but somehow she always appears to take everything in her stride. She's a very inspirational woman.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I hope to continue to build the label up, both here in Australia, and overseas. I would eventually like to see Handsom become a multidisciplinary brand, exploring areas of homewares and furniture design.

What are you reading? Issue 3 of The Gentlewoman - my favourite magazine. If you haven't read it already, you must! I am also half way through Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks - although I'm not sure if it counts as I am technically re-reading it... Such a beautifully written book.

images courtesy of handsom