Urban Couture 2013 Expression of Interest

Urban Couture is a month long program of events that provide a platform for Western Australian fashion creatives and beyond. Urban Couture is about transforming unconventional spaces into popular fashion happenings. Now in its third year, Urban Couture is a key feature of the Joondalup Festival. 

The City is looking for fashion designers, textile artists, fashion photographers, runway models, hair and makeup stylists and backstage stylists to join forces in the 2013 event. The scope encompasses a month long program of satellite events with a finale over the Joondalup Festival weekend, 23 – 24 March 2013 Participants are invited to get involved in the following:

• Aperture & Lace combined wearable art and fashion photography exhibition 
• Pop up Runways transforming unconventional spaces into guerrilla catwalks
• Restyle Marketplace chic open air shopping precinct featuring boutique designers

If you are interested in being part of the event, please download the Urban Couture 2013 Expression of Interest Pack and follow the links to the online expression of interest forms.

Expressions of interest including support materials must be received by 30 November 2012 and places are limited. For further information please contact the City on 9400 4926 or via email.

Stallholder Profile: Spotlight on "Little L"

Made on the Left first came across Lauren Mills at the KickstART Youth Markets in April of this year. We were so impressed with her display, we awarded her Best Stall Display with the prize being a free spot at the July Made on the Left market. Here we get the scoop on Lauren, her inspirations, creative processes and market tips!  

Lauren with her prize winning display at the KickstART Youth Markets

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Lauren Mills; I am 23 years old and currently finishing my final year of Interior Design at university. I started up my small business Little L at the beginning of this year and have loved every moment of it since.

What inspires you to create?

The materials I use are my main inspiration. I love repurposing old materials and giving them a new life, for example: my stamp collection from my childhood has now turned into necklace pendants and brooches, old books from the top shelf of a second hand store are now a myriad of ornaments and artwork, paper dress patterns are now mini and large bouquets of flowers.

Turning trash into treasure and just making beautiful things is what inspires me to keep on going.

What materials do you use?

As said above I like to reuse old items and repurpose used materials. Books, dress patterns, postage stamps, sheet music, lace, buttons, dominos and scrabble letters make up to main collection of my materials. I also use all recycled pieces of furniture for my market displays, all found at bulk rubbish collections or at second hand markets.

Little L at the Made on the Left July 2012 market

What steps do you take to prepare for a market?

A lot of preparation goes into the week prior to a market, usually I clear out a space in the house like the living room or garage and layout my whole display with all my furniture and pieces so I can get it just right. I get my whole family involved getting feedback and help with planning so everything runs smoothly on the day.

What’s your number one market tip?

Be prepared! I always pack a toolbox with everything I might need from masking tape to blue tack to safety pins to my pliers. You never know what might happen. For outdoors markets tarps are always a good idea especially in winter, and for indoor markets materials to fix your signage and displays with are a must.

Lauren's workspace

What is your favourite part of the creative process?

The best part of the creative process is that moment in the middle when you can finally see your ideas taking shape and coming to life. That point where whatever you’re working on starts to resemble the finished product you have pictured in your head. That’s such a rewarding moment to know you’ve overcome the difficulties of creating and things are finally turning out right!

What’s been your most popular item or line to date?

My most popular item has definitely been the handmade paper flowers from recycled dress patterns. They have consistently sold out and I can’t seem to make enough of them fast enough!

What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your designs through markets?

The interactions with all the other market organisers, stallholders and potential stockholders. The contacts and networking that can come from just one market is so inspirational it really keeps me eager to continue my hard work and keep pursuing this dream.

What advice would you give someone who wants to sell their crafts?

I think the best thing to do from the beginning is to research. Research the market, the product, the people you want to sell to and where you will be selling. The market scene in Perth is booming at the moment so now is definitely a good time to get involved, so have confidence in your products and take the chance. It’s a fantastic experience and the people in the Perth market scene are just lovely J

What goals do you have in store for the future?

Ideally I would like to open my own store selling refurbished furniture, and more of my handmade wares. I love what I am doing and love the creative process, but I also love the thought of the people of Perth wearing my wares and having them in their homes. For now I am just happy to get out there and keep holding stalls and enjoying every moment of it. 

Thanks Lauren!
xx MOTL Team

Not your typical walk in the woods...

It’s show time again and applications for the November 4^th 2012 Made on the Left market are now open. Our November market is going to be our biggest yet. Keep reading for a few teasers and application hints:

• We have an amazing woodland theme which we’ll be using throughout the whole market in advertising, promotion and graphics.
• This market will be held inside the State Theatre Centre in the Underground Theatre as well as outside in the Courtyard.
• We’re doubling our advertising/pr budget so we can reach an even bigger audience and attract more customers to see and buy your amazing products.
• The committee will again be voting for the best stall display and the winner will receive a free stall at the following market as well as input into where they’d like to be positioned and a blog post interview.
• We have a new application form with new sections so you can really tell us about your products and why they are so special. One section allows you to list shops you feel your product is suited to who we’ll then personally invite to the market. There is also the ability to upload more pictures as they are so important in the application process.

APPLICATION HINTS

1. Send in the best pictures you have, not only do we want to see what you make but we’re also looking for pictures which show: previous market displays, your branding/tags/packaging, how the product is used/worn/displayed and personal shots of you with your product or in your workroom (this is important later for when we’re seeking promotion ideas and images to send to publications).
2. We’re looking for applicants who fit the market theme and/or our target market and we are always looking for new undiscovered designers who make amazing products who want to get them out into the market scene. Our market customers are incredibly varied, ranging from the young to the young at heart and it is our goal that every one of them find something they love at each market.
3. Please don't send images that are too big (over 2MB) or too small (under 50KB) and make sure they are in focus and not too dark.
4. Read the FAQ section on the application page for more on the day information.

We’re so excited about the upcoming market and hope you are too. Pass this webpage address on to anyone you know who might be interested, even if they’ve never done a market before. Big designer markets like Made on the Left can be scary but our philosophy is “bite off more than you can chew”. Join us in one of the most exciting markets in Western Australia and show Perth just how talented we are.

Applications are open until 14th September 2012. Click here to apply.

The Artful Business Conference

Are you a micro business owner, entrepreneur, artist, writer, designer?
Are you incredibly creative and desperate to make a successful business out of your passion, or grow your already booming business?

Spend the 5th & 6th September learning, connecting and sharing experiences to take that next step in your business.

The Artful Business Conference is bringing together six superstar speakers to offer you skills and tools to build your business - Russell Allert (Baked Social Media), Jess Van Den (Epheriell, *bespoke* zine), Lisa Walsh (The Market Mill, Cookie Dough Biscuits), Megan Auman (Designing an MBA), Tara Gentile (Scoutie Girl), Jennifer Lee (coach, author, and artist).

They will cover topics such as social media, branding, pricing, profit and more. They will discuss, in detail, ways to get comfortable with making money from your art, what creative types need to have in their business plan and even how to set up your online shop.

The conference is being held in Brisbane but you can buy a virtual pass and watch it all live online!

See the program, buy tickets or visit the website for more information.

ECU weekly markets

As part of making ECU an even more vibrant place to study and work there will now be weekly market stalls on the Joondalup campus every Monday during semester between 10:00am-2:00pm. There is a new area specifically created for the markets next to a busy walkway. Stall holders are invited to hire out some FREE space! If you are interested or would like more information contact k.proos@ecu.edu.au

Let Them Eat Zines is the Perth Zine Collective’s very first zine fair. It will be held at Paper Mountain (267 William St, Northbridge) on Saturday 24th November, 10am - 6pm. It will feature stalls, competitions, sideshows & live music.
If you are a zine maker, you can apply for your very own stall here before Sunday 30th September. You may also sell other wares (e.g. crafts, artwork) as long as 51% of your table comprises zines.