elephant+bird

 elephant+bird was created in January 2012 by uber-trendy, travel enthusiasts, Matt and Jo. The Auckland-based couple, looking for a creative outlet and something to do with their spare time, decided to develop a screenprinting company focusing on sustainable and organic materials.

I absolutely adore elephant+bird apparel, because it is so comfortable and easy to wear. For everyday basics like tee’s and singlets this brand is your perfect go to if your looking for something a little more unique. The thoughtful, artistic and exquisite prints will set your simple tee apart from the crowd.

                     

“We are driven by travel, creativity and culture”, says the duo. elephant+bird products are developed from the couples unique designs and illustrations and screenprinted onto cotton apparel for men, women and children. The brand has also branched into homewares and accessories.

Using high-quality apparel, elephant+bird’s designs have the modern adventurer in mind. The well-travelled team, are big believers in experiencing life all over the planet and of the notion that individuals have the power to create their own destiny.

“We support disadvantaged communities around the world and this influences our choices in everyday life, work and play.” Says Matt and Jo.

Check them out at elephantandbird.com, on facebook and instagram.

SFJ x

THE BRALETTE TREND

The bralette is a variation on the traditional bra, often wireless, padding free and no longer hidden away under clothing. It’s now about highlighting the elusive rather than the obvious and making a conscious effort to feature what was once concealed. With bright colours, fun prints, cage details and a variety of textures, bralettes can complete any outfit and create a feminine, edgy and carefree look.

Here’s how to wear a bralette 3 different ways and fit this on-trend summer staple into your everyday wardrobe and social calendar.

1. The music festival bralette

The bralette is a fabulous choice for a music festival.  It is comfortable, stylish, a tad racy and something you can rock all day without the hassle of discomfort or constant adjustment. Opt for a cage-style bralette with a pair of high-waisted distressed denim shorts. If you’re feeling adventurous you could try wearing an elastic bralette over the top of a fitted singlet.

   One Teaspoon - Pretty Daggers Bralette

2. The Sunday brunch bralette

For a relaxed vibe, wear your bralette underneath a low cut free-flowing maxi dress or oversized, low-back singlet. This way, onlookers will get a subtle glimpse at your gorgeous undergarments without you looking too exposed. Lace looks ultra feminine, but if very transparent can be risky. You don't want to give bystanders a peep show of a different kind.

                                                   Sass & Bide - Don't Forget Bralette

                                                        

3.The weekend party bralette

For a classy, evening look, wear a shimmering bralette underneath a simple, black dress or playsuit with a severely plunging, neckline.  A caged bralette can also look super stunning with an elegant, high-waisted maxi or midi skirt and a pair of killer heels. It’s all about showing off what’s underneath, so get creative and have fun with the bralette!

                                            

                                                     One Teaspoon - Eagle Shadows top

SFJ x

SELF-STYLING 101

 SFJ shows us how to have fun with different garments found in our wardrobes, reintroducing the fun and games into dressing up!

When you open your wardrobe and ask yourself “what am I going to wear?”, there is a lot to consider and it can be an onerous task. Trying to mix and match different colours, patterns and fabrics can be tricky and often time-consuming. But the only way to discover what outfits work best is to experiment.

Experiment with colours

Colours are magnificent! I am a huge fan of mixing bright, block colours and pastel shades with a basic black or white. I also love to experiment with mixing and matching different hues. Colour also plays a major part in seasonal fashion, and I like to embrace colours that compliment the time of year. The old saying “blue and green should never be seen” has become somewhat redundant in today’s ‘anything goes’ fashion culture.

Patterns & Prints

It has always been assumed, that when donning a bold pattern or printed item of clothing you need to balance the look with a block colour. However, times have changed and we are seeing more and more experimentation with mixing different patterns and clashing prints. It is no longer taboo - rather quite fashion-forward, to mix a floral skirt and a flannelette-style shirt for a chic, grunge look. I like to wear a simple flannelette shirt with monochrome printed shorts.

 

Fabrics & Textures

I love playing with textures. Whether it’s chiffon, leather, denim, lace, velvet, silk or anything in between, garment textures play a huge role in how we can style clothing. Three of my faves at the moment are denim, leather and lace or any combination of just two. I like to mix these by wearing a pair of distressed denim shorts or boyfriend jeans, with my favourite asymmetrical peplum top or lace high neck midriff. The denim is relaxed and the lace or leather creates a feminine, edgy look.

 Finding a balance

If it’s summer and I am going all-out with colour, I might keep the textures simple. But if I want the fabric to be the ‘hero’ of the outfit I like to keep the colour palette basic. Work out what the ‘statement’ piece of your outfit is, and style around it to compliment your starring garment/accessory. I like to mix my black leather shorts, with a simple flannelette shirt and denim jacket, topped off with a floppy-brim felt fedora for that ultra-relaxed boho vibe.

 I encourage you to be bold and adventurous with your choices, but like anything, there are limits. Don’t try to do too much with one look and remember, simple is always in style.

SFJ x

Warrior luxe

Today's vibe

Leonie McRae Jewellery - Interview

 I recently interviewed the gorgeous Sydney-based jewellery designer Leonie McRae, about her jewellery and experiences as an emerging Australian designer. I absolutely love her work. Her pieces are simple, classic and beautifully designed for individual customers and made to order. Check out her facebook and instagram Leonie McRae Jewellery to view more of her stunning pieces.

SFJ: Where did your journey of jewellery making begin?

LMJ: It began back in High school. I went to a small school on the South Coast and ended up having to do metal work.This was my first introduction to metal. I was the only girl in the class of 15. I learnt to turn metal on a lathe, weld and rivet. I made 'useful' items such as tool boxes and G clamps. My art teacher helped me transition from making large scale metal items into making smaller wearable pieces. 

After high school I travelled the world for a few years. On return I came back and applied to ANU art school to study gold and silver smithing- but was rejected. I needed a better portfolio. I enrolled to do an advanced diploma in Visual arts and Design at CIT in Canberra, and graduated after 2 years. I reapplied for an ANU gold and silver smithing course and also applied for Enmore Design Centers Contemporary Jewellery and Object design course. I was selected to enrol in both. I chose to further my study at Enmore and couldn't be happier. The knowledge and skills I learnt at that school have been invaluable.

SFJ: Describe the style of your jewellery.

LMJ: I like using stainless steel and do a lot of braising (which is like welding just not using a welder). I get a lot of commissions for engagement rings and wedding jewellery. I am a big believer that an engagement ring is forever. Get her something she will love forever and is her style- every piece can be tailored to the individual. I like coloured stones and different coloured diamonds although a good white diamond is hard to beat. I used to be all about chunky, bold jewellery but now I am partial to delicate, fine pieces. I am a massive brooch fan, for men and women. 

SFJ: How important is social media to getting your label ‘out there’? 

LMJ: Social media is the best source of advertising for someone like me.  I am terrible with computers and have allocated all social media responsibilities to my sister Kaitlyn. We are currently on Facebook Leonie McRae Jewellery and Instagram Leoniemcraejewellery. Social media is a free way for people to see my work. I get a lot of people asking me for things just because they have seen a piece of mine on either facebook or instagram. I also like looking at what other people in the industry are doing and what they are making. For small designers like myself it's one if the best marketing tools and enables us to get our brands and work out to a larger and broader audience.

SFJ: Can you explain the design and production process of your jewellery?

LMJ: Depending on what I am making depends on the design process. Each piece is individual and there are different processes for depending on the piece. If I am making an engagement ring, I like to have some input from the client whether that be the boyfriend or the girlfriend receiving it. Some clients like to have more of an input in the design process than others.

Sometimes items are designed and made to display how you have understood a certain brief. I am expected to come up with a concept and starting from there create my work. I also just make things.... just because. I enjoy this, as there is no need to have a developed idea, it just happens. 

SFJ: How do you go about sourcing materials?

LMJ: Metals are pretty easy to source. There are a few metal merchants in Sydney. I tend to use A&E metals, not for any reason other then it was close to campus when I was studying and easy to get to. I've just continued using them. Stones, depending on what they are, I get from different places - coloured stones usually come from O'neil's. Sourcing stones can be a little tricky- its a bit of a secret world, and usually you have to be introduced to a supplier by a pre-existing customer or are a student at one of the art or design schools. Some stone setters will source certain stones for you. 

SFJ: Where do you get inspiration for your pieces?

LMJ: Inspiration for me comes from everything and anything. It will not always be jewellery that inspires me. It actually rarely is, it’s usually a fashion editorial or an ad campaign. It can be anything from buildings, sculptures or the ocean. It comes from my past experiences and future hopes. It's hard to say exactly what inspires me, I feel like that is a question that you get asked a lot and is hard to answer. For me it’s everything. 

SFJ: What are your goals for your brand for the future?

LMJ: I would love to be able to make jewellery full time, that would be a major goal for me! At the moment I have a little studio in my garage, work full time and make pieces on my days off and in the evening. I'm heading to New York to study for 6 months in May- this has always been a major goal for me, which I am so close to fulfilling! My ultimate dream would be to have a small store or "gallery" that stocks only up and coming Australian designers, not only jewelers, but fashion designers, shoe designers, interior design products. I feel as a designer myself I should support others in my position.

SFJ: What advice would you give to other young designers wanting to start their own label?

LMJ: My Advice to any other emerging designer is to learn as much as you can, where ever you can, however you can. Be persistent and ask for help. I was lucky enough to be offered an internship at a gallery (GAFFA) whilst I was studying. This experience was so valuable to my career, giving me insight into how to market a brand, put on exhibitions and how to approach suppliers. I was always surrounded by other encouraging emerging artist. Never turn down an opportunity that may help you gain more knowledge in your field, no matter how shit the job may be! Never take your self too seriously!   

SFJ x