aussie rules

I spent 3 years in Australia and just loved it...although back then it was a little bit of a design waste ground.

All that has changed. Being isolated seems to have fostered a climate of creativity that looks beyond trends from US and Europe. Goodonya mate!

CLOCKWISE (from top left):
+ "flippod" leather bag, $169AUD + free worldwide shipping, from chenny k
+ wrap necklace / belt / etc, from jane pollard
+ "sun" rug, dinosaur designs
+ "river rock" design, lara cameron
+ te. kuruma belt, $88AUD, te
+ "wolf + hare" necklace, $176AUD, a skulk of foxes
+ platters, mud australia
+ "take the tube" fabric, $11USD per 1/2 metre, metremade

An Australia dollar (AUD) is worth about 81 cents in USD - today. So that's like a 19% discount...woo hoo!

What the WHAT!

Yes, I have finally launched WHAT designers. I am still ironing some kinks....such as why-o-why is the store taking so long!!

Check it out at: www.whatdesigners.com

hell for leather

One of the things that most impresses me about independent designers is the level of quality and craftsmanship. I know this is not always the case.

However, when I hear "indie" design, I get the impression that the product is fun and funky, but not sophisticated or long lasting. I think this is why I shy away from the term "indie" and say "independent" or "emerging" design instead. Yes, it's semantics - but I think it makes a difference to how people see and buy design.

The leather work from these designers is stylish and timeless. I would like to think they would be equally at home in the collection of a Prada wearing executive as well as an artistic individualist.

Clockwise:
+ rini bag, $285, neiko
+ laptop pad, $40, atelier olu
+ portfolio/document case, $95, choochat
+ journal, $25, mja designs

feeling restless

Printed on vintage love letters, envelopes, and book pages - artist Olivia Jeffries works are sweet and surreal. The illustrations are just lovely in the best possible way and wryly retro. But when printed or drawn over old correspondence, the works become infused with a bittersweet soul.

Available through the artist's etsy store.

eye time

There is something delightful about stephani simek's eyelash necklaces. Coy and creepy at the same time. These necklaces are made out of sterling silver and REAL HUMAN HAIR. Now I don't know where that hair comes from or if in the future you will be able to order in "red head" color.

I'd love to see this unusual necklace in person. I'd like to see if the hair is trimmed, or if Stephanie has a collection her own fallen eyelashes. Mostly, I just want to feel how soft the hair is!

You can't order online right now ordering right now, but you can contact Stephanie through her website and also though the WHAT designers shop when the site finally launches.