2015 ACCELERATE - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

2015 ACCELERATE - EXTENDED WEEK IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA

After another 8 long hours we finally arrive in Australia! We just arrived back in Sydney at 6am on Monday of 7 December but in my head I am 11 hours behind but now I have gained half a day? I don't know.

Here is a birds eye view flying over Sydney

After 1 hour transfer through customs and baggage, I catch caught a taxi to my family house in Kingsford. When I finally arrived at her apartment I was greeted with love + fresh coffee from my sissy Josie. Feeling so extremely happy to be home in Australia and I am happy I extended my stay in Sydney for an extra week before heading home to Perth WA.

I was very proud of myself to keep going til 11pm so I could deal with the time difference. Hopefully help me not crash too hard  with jet lag because I had back to back meetings all week.

MEETING WITH KIT WILLOW FROM KITX

KITX BY KIT WILLOW 
FOUNDER KIT WILLOW CONTINUES TO PURSUE HER LOVE OF CREATION IN HARMONY WITH HER PASSION FOR NATURE WITH THE BIRTH OF KITX. LAUNCHED IN STORE AUGUST 2015. KIT LEFT THE BRAND SHE FOUNDED, WILLOW, AT THE END OF 2013.

KITX STRIVES TO BE A PIONEER IN DESIGN-LED, SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL FASHION. “WE CREATE PRODUCT LOVE WITH HIGH FREQUENCY WEAR, SUPERIOR QUALITY AND CREATIVE DESIGN WHILE CONSCIOUSLY SOURCING MATERIALS THAT MINIMISE HARM TO OUR PLANET’S PRECIOUS RESOURCES.” KIT WILLOW

I was e-introduced to Kit by Orsola De Castro while in UK. Kit immediately followed up with an email, which so surprized I immediately tried to organise a time for catch up while I was in Sydney. After a couple of emails I was able to secure a meeting with her in Sydney at least one week prior to leaving London.

I was invited to come to her private studio, where we went into her office and had chat about local manufacturing, sustainable trims, fabric supply chains, discussion for AARLI to approach + do future collaborations, advice on designs, Australian industry customers + clients, discussing the need for awareness of sustainability the cause and effect on the environment. She gave me some links and information to research.

I have since our meeting followed up with an email and I hope to stay in contact with Kit and continue to keep her updated with my progress.

MEETING WITH ANNETTE DUFFIELD FROM OCC APPRAREL
The main reason for extending my stay in Sydney, was to source a new fabric supplier for next collection.

I introduced myself through email initially to approach OCC Apparel if they had any reject fabrics. Then introduced the idea of partnership with deadstock fabrics and offcuts of fabrics. I was immediately followed up with an email from Annette who seemed very interested in partnership, which I was so surprized that I immediately called her and tried to organise a time for catch up while I was in Sydney.


I was lucky enough to organise a time to come into the OCC Apparel Sydney warehouse. Annette invited me into the meeting room to discuss the potential of deadstock partnership and approaching the owners with a package would be the best approach. But she would be backing me 100% and pushing this concept + business partnership to them.

She then guided me around the stock showroom and manufacturing warehouse, showing me around and giving me access to stock availability and information. It was a great meeting and look forward to keeping you all posted for with all our new developments with OCC Apparel in 2016!


MEETING WITH FASHION REVOLUTION
Melinda Tually from Fashion Revolution Australia/NZ Advisory Committee

Having previously owned one of Sydney’s most well known retailers of ethical and sustainable goods, Melinda now consults to brands and retailers, large and small, on responsible strategy, sourcing and partnerships as well as facilitating industry events.

Melinda is deputy chair of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand, the body responsible for advocacy of the Fair Trade movement. In 2010, her retail business, I Ran The Wrong Way: A Trader of Good Finds, was a finalist in the City of Sydney Business Awards in the Fair Trade category and the Lord Mayor’s Sustainable Business Award.



I was e-introduced to Melinda by Orsola De Castro while in UK. Melinda was busy and followed up with an email while I was in Sydney. I was very lucky as I was running out of time so I immediately tried to organise a time for catch up for coffee. After a couple of emails I was able to secure a meeting with her in Sydney the morning I was flying back to Perth in afternoon.

I was invited to meet for a coffee near the Harbour bridge right in the city centre. We caught up for a coffee and had chat about Fashion Revolution Art Speaker Tour in UK and how can we bring this to Australian universities? Working with local manufacturers and industry professionals, links to local fabric supply chains, links to potential stockist, links to potential deadstock denim partners, collaborations + future projects. With the potential to come on board as WA representative for Fashion Revolution.

I look forward to staying in contact with Mel and continue to keep her updated with AARLI's progress and come on board the Fashion revolution!

ARRIVAL BACK HOME

That afternoon, I was on a plane After 5 hours we finally arrive in Australia! We just arrived back in Perth at 7pm. Where I was greeted by my delicious man who picked me up from the airport!

Here is a birds eye view flying over Perth WA

POST ACCELERATE
Since returning from UK + Sydney, its been wonderful to have the time to be able to reground myself and enjoy some family time. UK was an eye opener with confronting advice and major reflection on myself, my business and fashion structure.

Now I have to let go and move on with new adventures and major projects...What will be - will be! I have planted the seeds, lets see where all these meetings and introduction take me and my business. The universe has sent me this journey for a reason. I am going to remain positive + optimistic to seeing where this all will lead and what new adventures + opportunities will develop in the future. 

I will continue to maintain all my new UK + Australian relationships that will lead to potential national + international projects in the future. 

SPECIAL MENTION

This once in a life time opportunity wouldn't have been possible without the financial and developmental support from the British Council Australia.

Stay tuned for all AARLI's new development news to be posted in 2016... Keep working hard, believing in yourself + never stop dreaming!

TJ xo

Wishing everyone a wonderful + festive Christmas 

and health, wealth + good fortune for 2016!

2015 ACCELERATE - LONDON UK FINAL WEEK

2015 ACCELERATE - LONDON UK - FINAL WEEK

MEETING WITH MERRYN LESLIE FROM 69B

MERRYN LESLIE
Once fashion editor and stylist, Merryn Leslie, the founder of 69b Boutique, has worked for numerous publications, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Exit and i-D. As Merryn climbed the career ladder she found herself increasingly disheartened by the industry, feeling that it lacked moral integrity and transparency. After a period of research, Merryn felt driven to work within the industry in a sustainable and conscious manner, and from here 69b was born.

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I had the pleasure of meeting Merryn from 69b and she invited me into her boutique.

She sat me down and looked at my collection, gave me advice on buyers/retailers perspective and information if I wanted to get into international market. This perspective and advice was priceless. She also gave a great e-connection to Rosie Batt from People Tree.

I hope to continue to stay in contact with Merrryn and keep her updated with AARLI's progress with our next collection.

MEETING WITH RUBY HOETTE
GOLDSMITH UNIVERSITY

Ruby works independently as a designer/curator/researcher exploring fashion in context through the intersection of theory and practice. Her projects reveal patterns of use and often investigate the construction of value and meaning in fashion. She works as a collector. These collections take the form of photographic series, publications, clothing and interactive projects. Her work proposes alternate modes of accessing and engaging with fashion. It frames the garment as a unique artefact carrying traces of social and cultural interactions and transactions.

Ruby sometimes collaborates with Elisa van Joolen as they have a common interest in projects that celebrate the playfulness of fashion and imagine ways for it to be pushed beyond accepted forms of production and presentation. Ruby is also a Lecturer in Design (Fashion and Textiles) and convenor of the MA Fashion at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK.

I was lucky enough on my final week in London to have a meeting at Goldsmith university with Ruby Hoette. After quick invitation into Design studio where I got experience her working with her students. We went to student cafe to have a coffee and chat about who we are and our fashion backgrounds. Then she wanted to listened to my story and future projects. Next minute our time is over as she has to go back to tutorial. There is never enough time in a day!

MEETING WITH MARK WRIGHT

My second meeting with business mentor - Mark Wright from People Create UK. We meet each other at the South Bank Centre again, where we had a access to members areas and had great space to connect and discuss with each other.

As Founder of People Create, Mark has a background in creativity and leadership development in the UK arts sector. Mark continues to be as passionate about his work and clients now as he was when he started and he continues to blend his creativity and realistic business experience with psychometric insight tools.

Mark is continuing to help me to confront and figure out exactly who I am, where I want to take this leadership development, what does it mean to me, where I want to take my business, what I don't want to be doing, what I shouldn't be doing, what not to be doing in this current fashion industry.

MEETING WITH AMY CONGDON

As a designer Amy is interested in exploring the crossovers between design and science, through a highly experimental and research driven practice. Using speculative design work she investigates the implications of engaging with new technologies, such as biotechnology. Employing her work as a vehicle to provoke debate, and discussion, into the potential ramifications of using living materials to create our future products.

Alongside her speculative work Amy continues to work within laboratories with existing life science technologies, such as tissue culture, to further her research and understanding of the current capabilities of these technologies. One of the most influential periods of time spent working within a lab was during a residency at SymbioticA "the world's first artistic laboratory dedicated to the research, learning, critique and hands-on engagement with the life sciences". [SYMBIOTICA is located in Perth, Western Australia.]

Amy has worked on projects for companies including Microsoft, Nissan, WGSN, Future Filter and Central Saint Martins, and has exhibited and spoken at numerous design events in the UK and abroad. Since early 2014 Amy has been Senior Design Researcher (freelance) at Biocouture, the world's first bio creative consultancy.

My final meeting in London was with the amazing Amy Condon. We meet at UAL - Central Saint Martins and the meeting was incredible - she is one amazing woman!

The time goes so fast when your having fun! Enjoying a coffee and chat about who we are and our fashion backgrounds and next minute our time is over as she has to go to another meeting. There is never enough time in a day!

FINAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
The next day, we all headed to the end of the train tracks again back Nicola's house in High Barnett to visit Nicola + Mark for our final Leadership Development workshop with Mark Wright from People Create Ltd.

Here's a great behind the scenes shot below taken during our session with Mark.
Photograph includes Marcus Corona, Angela Flynn, Mark Wright ,Carly Sheppard and Emma Loban (L-R).

Here's another great behind the scenes shot taken at final accelerate family lunch. Photograph: Carly Sheppard, Emma Logan, Mark Wright, Nicola Turner, Erica McCalman Angela Flynn and Marcus Corowa  and Teagan Cowlishaw (L-R).

GOODBYE LONDON

Next day we are going back home to Australia! As I was broke and feeling exhausted, I decided to have an early night in my last night in London. I could relax all morning and pack my bags and go out for lunch prior to getting on a 13 hours flight to Singapore.

TRAVEL ITINERARY

15:30                      Check out of Hotel
17:30 - 19:00          Catch taxi to airport                             
19:00 - 19:30          Check in + bag drop at British Airways
19:30 - 20:30          Customs and Security checks
21:30                      Go to gate
21:45                      Scheduled to depart for Singapore
21:45                      Departure for Singapore (8 hours)
17:45                      Arrival in Singapore + Depart for Australia (13 hours)

18:00 - 5:50           Arrival in Sydney Australia (- 8 hours behind = lose 1 day) arrive 6:30am

SINAGPORE - STOP OFF

Arrived at Singapore Changi Airport around 6pm. We had time for a quick stretch of legs and toilet then back into customs and security checks within 30mins.

Here is a birds eye view flying over Singapore!

Stay tuned for more behind the scenes of 2015 British Council - ACCELERATE program for my final week in Sydney NSW!

Keep working hard, believing in yourself + never stop dreaming!

TJ xo

WEEKEND TWO - AMSTERDAM

WEEKEND TWO - AMSTERDAM

I have just had an incredible meeting with Orsola, that I keep pinching myself to see if this is real. I have arrived in Amsterdam within 30 mins of the plane taking off. I depart at 8:45pm and arrive at 11:05pm (Amsterdam 1 hour ahead of London). Flights take only 30mins from London (Gatwick) to Amsterdam (Schiphol).

I needed to wait for my transfer back to Hotel at meeting point. 1hr 20mins later, my driver arrives at the Sheriden meeting point across the street.

NEVER USE THE TRANSFER SERVICE HOLIDAY TAXIS AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER SERVICE!

1) AIRPORT TRANSFER = 1 HR 20MINS LATE TO PICK ME UP FROM AIRPORT

I checked into my hotel around 12:30am. I stayed at the Hampshire Hotel, Plantage Middenlaan 48 Amsterdam.

Stayed in a beautiful room

Gorgeous view from my room

24 HOURS IN AMSTERDAM

My first stop of the day was Museum of Bags + Purses. If your love vintage, bags, fashion, history this is the place for you! Entry costs = $12.50€ for 5 levels of vintage heaven and fashion history. 

ABOVE: These are the artist tools + utensils they used to create these one of a kind handmade masterpieces

RED LIGHT DISTRICT EXHIBTION SHOWCASE
EMERGING DESIGNER FASHION EXHIBITON + POP UP STORES

Next stop the Emerging Fashion Designer Exhibition showcase held within the Red Light District. (See below - Map of locations)

The Amsterdam Government has linked up Red Light District with Emerging Fashion Designers/ Brands to create a fashion initiative called Redlight Fashion Amsterdam. Giving a different approach and new fashion platform for emerging brands.

Redlight Fashion Amsterdam offers the top dutch fashion talent to display their work and themselves to the public.

 

* I was trying to be sneaky and make sure no ladies were working and on display otherwise I would get told off for taking photos.

LENA FASHION LIBRARY

LENA is a fashion library exclusively created for women's clothing, ranging from tops, skirts, dresses, shorts, purses. LENA is  based in Amsterdam. 

This library gives you have access to a high quality collection of the finest vintage, upcoming designers and eco labels, which you can swap whenever you like. They've put together an amazing collection with care, from which you can buy as well as borrow everything.

MEETING WITH SABRINA KRAS LOPEZ
Next stop on the agenda was my meeting with Co-Founder + Fashion designer - Sabrina Kraus Lopez from Ode to A.

Sabrina Kraus López is a designer specialising in research and development for the textile industry. Following her fashion design BA in milan she recently graduated from an MA in Material Futures at Central Saint Martins school of art and design. This multidisciplinary course taught her research driven design that lead to observing and analysing social, political and economic trends to inform future, sustainable design applications.

Fascinated by craft sabrina has worked with a remote peruvian weaving community for her final MA project before undertaking the Common Thread residency for the British Council.

We met at De Plantage - beautiful place to meet for coffee. After initial small chat, we began to  listening to each others backgrounds and stories next minute we were talking for hours til sun went down. It was amazing to hear her community background and her business and what her next steps for the future.

I was so impressed by her integrity and passion. I hope to work with her in the future towards establishing this new relationships that will hopefully lead to working with my community in Australia.

LAST MINUTE EXPLORE AROUND AMSTERDAM

I went back to my hotel to refresh myself after amazing meeting, thought I would go check out the city for my final night in Amsterdam.

I went and got myself some souvenirs and presents for family, then went and purchased a beer and some traditional pomme fries + mayo and walked to the streets of Amsterdam.

I had to get a taxi back to the hotel because uber service is non-existent in Amsterdam.

TIPS FOR AMSTERDAM

PLEASE SHARE AROUND - NEVER EVER USE HOLIDAY TAXIS AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS SERVICE
THEY PROVIDE THE WORST CNUTY CUSTOMER SERVICES - HUNG UP ON ME 3 TIMES! WHEN ASKING QUESTION ABOUT TRANSFERS
BOOKING - TO BE PICKED UP AT 930AM - WILL ONLY PICK ME UP AT 630AM

NEVER USE THIS PIECE OF CRAP SERVICE!


GOODBYE AMSTERDAM

I had to go to bed by midnight, as I checked out at 6:00am of Hampshire Hotel. (not at 9am) I pre-packed and ordered a taxi to be picked up at 9:30am.

Instead the hotel transfer arrived at the hotel at 6:30am so I arrived at the airport at 7:30am and my flight wasn't scheduled until 12:15pm. I had five hours to kills so I found myself a nice corner of the airport near a phone charger and went to sleep for 4 hours.

After quick 30 mins flight back to London, 1 hour  train ride transfer back to apartment - I was happy to be back at the London apartment to say the least. After re-grouping myself, now I needed to make sure I was ready  and prepared for meetings next week.

Stay tuned for more behind the scenes of 2015 British Council - ACCELERATE program for final weeks!

Keep working hard, believing in yourself + never stop dreaming!

TJ xo

2015 ACCELERATE - LONDON UK, WEEK 3

2015 ACCELERATE - LONDON, UK WEEK 3

MEETING WITH KIEREN JONES - UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS, LONDON
CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS

I had a professional development meeting with Kieren Jones. He is the Jewellery and Textiles Programme; Course Coordinator and Senior Tutor, MA Material Futures.

Kieren Jones is an award-winning designer, maker and artist based in London, producing small-scale architecture and design interventions in response to the built environment. Through his work, Kie...ren is particularly interested in exploring the notions of amateurism, industry, production and the position of craft in the 21st Century.

Kieren was lovely enough to invite me into his world... I met him at the front of the buiding, then on the way stop off at cafe to pick up a quick coffee on the way to tutorial - MA Material Futures. This is his 2nd Year student, he has invited me to come listen to their individual project concepts.

MA - MATERIAL FUTURES
MA Material Futures explores the intersection of craft, science and technology encouraging students to look beyond existing boundaries to anticipate future needs, desires, and challenges. Taking materiality as the starting point of the design process we integrate high and low technological materials and processes, pursuing relevant applications across fashion, architecture, product design, and communication & critical design.
Observing and analysing how we live today allows us to consider how we can live better tomorrow. Considering the current and future context of design decisions is core to our ethos, combining social, political and economic inquiry to inform future, sustainable design applications.

MEETING WITH MARK WRIGHT

Meeting with business mentor - Mark Wright from People Create UK.

As founding Director, Mark Wright formed People Create in Spring 2007 with the intention of creating credible and inspiring learning for a wide range of organisations and cultures.

We meet each other at the South Bank Centre, where we had a access to members areas and had great space to connect and discuss with each other.

Mark helping me to confront and figure out exactly who I am, where I want to take this leadership development, what does it mean to me, where I want to take my business, what I don't want to be doing, what I shouldn't be doing, what not to be doing in this current fashion industry.

Check out this great views at South bank

2015 FASHION REVOLUTION - UK ART SPEAKER TOUR
MANCHESTER, UK



The Arts and Speaker Tour will focus on different thematic areas impacting the fashion supply chain in the global south at each event. Topics will include inequality and human rights; the role of women and girls in the fashion supply chain; climate change, including water, chemicals, carbon footprint; decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods. New research has been carried out specifically for the tour to give valuable new insight each theme.
 The programme will include an overview of the European Year of Development’s 2015 programme, which will inform the panel discussions, ideas about how to get involved in Fashion Revolution, and ways to inspire young people to become part of the solution.

GUEST SPEAKER: CARREY SOMERS

After the screening there was a panel discussion. So I waited patiently in line to meet the Founder of Fashion Revolution Ms Carrey Somers. I introduced myself and told her about myself and meeting with Orsola in London.

Around 630pm, as I headed back to train station to go back to London from Manchester and Ive got a 2 hours train ride, then 40 mins tube ride back to my apartment...

MEETING WITH ORSOLA DE CASTRO

I had the absolute honour to have meet Orsola De Castro while I was in the UK.

After meeting at Fashion Revolution Art Speaker Tour in Nottingham Trent University I was invited into her private studio in London for an epic one on one session with my upcycling idol.

Not only did she give me 2 hours of her time for free but gave me some new connections too while I was in London.

After our meeting she sent e-connection to both Kit Willow from KITX and Melinda Tully from Fashion Revolution Australia. So I extended my stay in Sydney for a week and I set up extra meetings with both of them before I returned back to Perth WA.

I hope to stay in contact with Orsola and continue to keep her up to date with my progress.

After our intense meeting, I walked to Peckham train station, caught train to London bridge and then overground train to Gatwick airport to catch 9pm flight from London to Amsterdam.

Stay tuned for more behind the scenes of 2015 British Council - ACCELERATE program for next 2 weeks!

Keep working hard, believing in yourself + never stop dreaming!

TJ xo

2015 FASHION RESEARCH +DEVELOPMENT

2015 FASHION RESEARCH +DEVELOPMENT

FROCK ME VINTAGE FAIR

Frock Me! is the original London vintage fashion fair with a huge cult following, held at Chelsea Old Town Hall. It had over 50 stalls of the finest vintage clothing, textiles, accessories and haberdashery.

I was lucky to be able to visit one of London famous vintage fashion fairs -  OMG I was dreaming and wishing that I had more room in my suitcases!! Yes I would have purchased two wardrobes worth of goodies! I was in vintage heaven :D

LIBERTY IN FASHION EXHIBITION - LONDON FASHION + TEXTILE MUSEUM

Liberty in Fashion - This exhibition explores Liberty’s impact on British fashion, from Orientalism and Aesthetic dress in the 19th century, through Art Nouveau and Art Deco in the early 20th century, and the revival of these styles since the 1950s.  Liberty has been at the cutting edge of design and the decorative arts since 1875. Liberty in Fashion celebrates the 140th anniversary of the company.

VICTORIA + ALBERT MUSEUM - FASHION EXHIBITION
Fashion exhibition - spanning four centuries, the V&A’s Fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dress in the world. Key items in the collection include rare 17th-century gowns, 18th-century ‘mantua’ dresses, 1930s eveningwear, 1960s daywear and post-war couture. Plus a growing number of pieces from 21st-century designers.

SHOES - PLEASURE OR PAIN EXHIBITION

Shoes: Pleasure + Pain exhibition held at the V &A Museum.
This exhibition looks at the extremes of footwear from around the globe, presenting around 200 pairs of shoes ranging from a sandal decorated in pure gold leaf originating from ancient Egypt to the most elaborate designs by contemporary makers. It considers the cultural significance and transform...ative capacity of shoes and examines the latest developments in footwear technology creating the possibility of ever higher heels and dramatic shapes. Examples from famous shoe wearers and collectors are shown alongside a dazzling range of historic shoes, many of which have not been displayed before.

* NO CAMERAS ALLOWED - I was sneaky enough to take shot of these beauties!