Start planning your February 2012 Sydney Life Instyle/Kids Instyle visit now by pre-registering here.
For assistance with organising your travel and accommodation, click here.
Opening Night
You’re invited to Sydney Life Instyle’s opening night champagne evening,Thursday 23 February,6pm-9pm. Pre-register now to network with industry professionals or simply continue to browse our wonderful exhibitors.
We look forward to seeing you there.
The Life Instyle team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
With 2012 just around the corner, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of our events. As a token of our appreciation we’ve created a printable Life Instyle 2012 Calendar for you to use throughout the year as a helpful little reminder. Simply print out and spread the holiday cheer by passing it along to a friend!
Holiday Hours
The Life Instyle office will be closed from 19 December to 3 January. If we can assist you before that time please contact us, otherwise we wish you a happy and healthy New Year!
and the little dog laughed is designer Kylie Platt’s homage to her favourite childhood nursery rhyme. Her brand specialises in clothing using super soft, stretch fabrics for the under five set, as well as 100% cotton hand knitted toys.
While her designs may not feature running spoons or jumping cows, Kylie explains “I attempt to keep the range as whimsical and fun as I can. All our hand knitted animals and blankets are ‘just like grandma used to make’ and have become a favourite for their sense of nostalgia. With the clothing range I try to use stretch cottons so that they look great but are fun to wear. I also love to use a combination of knits and fabrics, stretch and floral cottons, adding different layers to a piece that would otherwise be one dimensional.”
The new 2012 clothing range will be released in Kids Instyle in Sydney, and evokes a ‘touch of fantasy’ to and the little dog laughed’s nostalgic designs.
Tees, rompers and bibs featuring Sydney artist Meredith Gaston, a gorgeous range of summer and winter dresses, new stretch denim bloomers and our tu tu rompers. Attention to detail is paramount throughout the range with crochet flowers and pockets, fabric covered button trims and corduroy for boys. All tees, long sleeve pullovers, rompers and bloomers come packaged in a zip bag that can be reused to carry all baby essentials.
How did you end up where you are today?
I have always had an interest in design and started a small range that was sold in Hong Kong and Singapore initially (I currently live in Hong Kong). Being in Hong Kong I initially exhibited at Bubble in London and then New York. The year after that I started at Kids Instyle and had a fantastic response. Each year it has continued to grow which is a great feeling.
What’s the best thing about what you do?
I love the freedom to design what inspires me, and seeing new designs eventuate from a mere thought to the finished product hanging in a store.. I also get a buzz out of seeing my clothing or blankets worn by babies around the place.
When did you start exhibiting at Kids Instyle?
I first exhibited in Sydney in 2009.
Why do you exhibit at Kids Instyle?
I love the atmosphere and the design focus of Kids Instyle. It also attracts great retailers who also value good design.
What has been your Kids Instyle highlight?
Meeting so many other great designers and hearing their stories- it is great for networking! I also love meeting my regular retailers each year and talking to them as to how the range is going. It is great getting feedback from them.
What can we expect from you at the next show?
I am currently finishing off the new range that will be released in Sydney. We have some more great illustrations from guest Sydney based illustrator Meredith Gaston on our tees, more dresses with crochet flowers and some new knitted animals. Are also continuing with our hand crochet blankets. The colour palate next year for boys is a charcoal grey and cream and for girls is ruby pink and grey.
Right now I’m:
Eating… 85% dark chocolate….it’s good for you isn’t it??
Drinking… a shiraz with my husband…the children are finally in bed and it is ‘me’ time
Reading… Ingrid Betancourt’s biography
Hearing… my new puppy sleeping at my feet
Planning… my Christmas holidays…we are off home to Australia
Buying… I also have a store in Hong Kong called Mirth- so get my shopping fix buying for the store!
Enjoying… the madness in the lead up to the holidays!
For more information visit: www.andthelittledoglaughed.com
Eucalypt Homewares by Melanie Sharpham are beautifully handcrafted ceramic works inspired by Australian forest landscapes. These striking objects embody the spirit and romance of the Australian bush. Collections include exquisite, slip-cast coloured porcelain Eucalypt tableware and two-tone tissue transfer Floralware that delicately evoke flowering gum blossoms and dusty landscapes. Eucalypt also has a range of hand-crafted porcelain Floralware trinket boxes, herb labels, brooches, rings and Christmas decorations.
But these are not just objects to be admired. As Melanie explains “Eucalypt Homewares products are versatile, playful and multifunctional. They are designed to be treasured, adored and used – everyday! For discerning collectors or those who just appreciate nice things, these unique pieces are meant to be collected, gifted, loved and used.”
And couldn’t we all use more beauty and objects crafted with love in our everyday lives? We think so.
How did you end up where you are today?
Life is a long story… but I have always loved making things right from a little girl creating dolls clothes and knitting teddy bears. I have a Degree in Primary Education and an Advanced Diploma in Art and Design (Studio Ceramics). Both these qualifications and the skills I have learned through them have helped shaped my adult life. I joined a ceramic exhibiting group (Clay Feet Exhibiting Group Inc.) when I graduated and participated in group exhibitions for six years often in unconventional spaces both in Perth, regional WA and interstate.
Probably the most influential has been being involved in Designing Futures, an initiative of FORM. Through this I developed the beginnings of the products I make today.
I come from a family of four children as does my husband and we have four children of our own. Family is very important to us and I feel blessed that I am able to combine my working and family life with a home based studio (next to the sandpit and under a peppermint gum).
I teach adults, parent my children and create Eucalypt Homewares from my studio. For some people their kitchen is the hub of their house, mine is the studio!
What’s the best thing about what you do?
The diversity. Like any job, mine has its fair share of process and hum drum, but because I’m running a creative business from my home I have periods of making, marketing, bookkeeping, teaching and running around after kids. There are moments of solitude and periods of social interaction. I get to be a complete grot in my studio and then scrub up and wear lippy for a market or fair. But best of all, when people like my work enough to take it home, that gives me a real buzz!
When did you start exhibiting at Life Instyle?
I was invited to exhibit in Platform 2007 after Marc from Life Instyle discovered my work in an exhibition in Milan of a Designboom competition shortlisted.
Why do you exhibit at Life Instyle?
I have taken a few years off Life Instyle after the birth of my fourth child. Family commitments required my business to take a back seat for a while. This has allowed it to grow at a manageable rate, fine tuning my product and testing the local market. As my product grows in popularity in Perth I feel it is time to branch out to the Eastern seaboard. Life Instyle is a perfect platform to showcase my ceramics to new audiences of discerning buyers.
What has been your Life Instyle highlight?
It is very inspiring seeing all the other beautiful products and networking with prospective buyers and other stallholders.
What can we expect from you at the next show?
Eucalypt Homewares will display the full range of products demonstrating how they work together in shop settings and in people’s homes.
Right now I’m:
Eating… a lot more vegetarian food as my 15 year old daughter has recently turned pescitarian.
Drinking… copious cups of tea with my builder
Reading… I’ve just finished “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett
Hearing… the magpies and other birds feeding their babies in the surrounding trees
Planning… a family holiday the week before Christmas
Buying… a renovation in our house; bathroom, kitchen, painting, floorboard restoration….
Enjoying… the prospect of moving back into our house after three months of renovations!!!
For more information visit: www.eucalypthomewares.com.au
There is something incredibly infectious about working in trade events. Being surrounded by energetic, entrepreneurial types has an impact. Georgina Nelson was the Event Manager for experiential retail market event Magnolia Square before identifying a niche and jumping to the other side of the fence. She’s created her own brand of scented botanical skincare called Myrtle & Moss, and we’re proud to have her as an exhibitor at Life Instyle.
How did you end up where you are today?
I was the Event Manager at Magnolia Square and viewed all these fabulous applications from small business owners but no one was doing a range of stylish bathroom products that looked, felt and smelt divine! Myrtle & Moss is a new Australian skincare range. This range of stylish Scented Botanical Skincare has been designed to provide an ‘incidental sensory delight’ as the products not only look, but feel and smell superlative.
What’s the best thing about what you do?
The satisfaction gained from launching a range then chatting to customers (both retail & wholesale) who love it!
When did you start exhibiting at Life Instyle?
February last year at First in Style
Why do you exhibit at Life Instyle?
My product appeals to the more unique designer homeware stores that attend Life Instyle.
What has been your Life Instyle highlight?
Launching in that busy corridor at Sydney.
What can we expect from you at the next show?
New product ranges.
Right now I’m:
Eating… Homemade Pesto with freshly grated Parmagiano Reggiano
Drinking… Gin & Tonics, 3 kids plus a small business!
Reading… You’ll be sorry when I’m dead by Marieka Hardy – she has lived a far fuller life than myself!
Hearing… Kids playing in the pool
Planning… Christmas orders!
Buying… Christmas Berries to decorate my gift boxes
Enjoying… Working on my growing business!
For more information visit www.myrtleandmoss.com.au
