5 Bright and Conscious Clothing Brands We Can’t Get Enough Of
Here at Bowerbird, we hold such a focus on the importance of a strong and ethical ethos. We find it incredibly important to take initiative in the making process where you can. Our small team based in Paddington all carry these values in their work to provide conscious clothing and homewares. After all, our products are our responsibility from start to finish in production! Want to know more about what we do as a business to serve both you and the planet? Check it out here! But needless to say, we don't only pay attention to what we are doing as a business! We are constantly looking around us, and being inspired by different brands with a focus on transparency, sustainability and an ethical approach to fashion. We thought maybe you might want to see these too and so we've compiled a small list of our favourite bold, bright and conscious clothing brands with staples to last you through not only this Autumn, but the next one, and the next! Variety Hour Big, bold and bright! The patterns crafted at Variety Hour are nothing short of attention-grabbing. Perhaps most striking about the ethos at Variety Hour is their belief that prints don't need to change every season, in fact they can be timeless. Their painterly prints are designed to make you happy and they are designed to last. Both are qualities we strongly support at Bowerbird. Founded by textile designer, Cassie Byrnes, Variety Hour is a Melbourne
5 Bright and Conscious Clothing Brands We Can’t Get Enough Of
Here at Bowerbird, we hold such a focus on the importance of a strong and ethical ethos. We find it incredibly important to take initiative in the making process where you can. Our small team based in Paddington all carry these values in their work to provide conscious clothing and homewares. After all, our products are our responsibility from start to finish in production! Want to know more about what we do as a business to serve both you and the planet? Check it out here! But needless to say, we don't only pay attention to what we are doing as a business! We are constantly looking around us, and being inspired by different brands with a focus on transparency, sustainability and an ethical approach to fashion. We thought maybe you might want to see these too and so we've compiled a small list of our favourite bold, bright and conscious clothing brands with staples to last you through not only this Autumn, but the next one, and the next! Variety Hour Big, bold and bright! The patterns crafted at Variety Hour are nothing short of attention-grabbing. Perhaps most striking about the ethos at Variety Hour is their belief that prints don't need to change every season, in fact they can be timeless. Their painterly prints are designed to make you happy and they are designed to last. Both are qualities we strongly support at Bowerbird. Founded by textile designer, Cassie Byrnes, Variety Hour is a Melbourne
Local Makers – From Paintings to Fabric with Bowerbird’s Ellie
At Bowerbird we value making with integrity and the work of local makers. So, the majority of our products are made in-house or sourced locally. Each piece therefore has a story worth telling and has inspired us to share them here with you. Bowerbird Collections is a product of the dynamic duo Peta and Ellie Sweatman. Both are creative souls in their own unique way. Pop into the store and you will see the walls covered with artwork by Ellie, some of which, you might be able to spot as the foundation of our signature fabrics.Today we'll peek into the life and process of Bowerbird's own Ellie Sweatman. Questions with Local Maker Ellie Sweatman Ellie Sweatman, a Brisbane-based painter, decided to turn her artwork into fabrics one day when she realised the potential of her paintings. Every fabric that has come from Ellie's artwork tells a unique story in its creation and we thought it was about time we sat down with her to discuss her practice! Hey Ellie! First off as the co-owner and a key fabric designer at Bowerbird Collections, I'd like to ask you how you describe the aesthetic of the company
Debunking the Pattern Clashing Myth! See How the Gals at Bowerbirds Mix and Match Patterns.
When did we become so afraid of pattern clashing? No matter what style is yours, it's undeniable that everyone has their own soft spot for a particular pattern or print. Whether it's gingham or plaid, vibrant floral or the classic animal print, there is no easier way to liven up your wardrobe or living space. But somewhere along the way someone decided that patterns don't go together. That "it's safest to pair your bold pattern with a safe neutral for ease on the eyes". Here at Bowerbird we aren't interested in playing it safe and pattern clashing for us is the best way to stand out from a crowd. Let your home or outfit express your personality with a bold and dynamic statement! I don't know about you guys but I choose to embrace the endless possibilities of mixing and matching patterns. Still unsure? Start with the basics and follow some of my super simple steps to help you step out of your comfort zone and embrace the bold (and bright) unknown! Choose Your Colour Palette First and foremost is the fun bit - defining your colour palette. If you choose a warm and rosy palette, this doesn't necessarily mean that all of your patterns can only be red, pink or orange. But it does mean that you get to set down the foundation for the general colour scheme you want. Colours speak to us and influence our mood. So, keep that in mind and
Debunking the Pattern Clashing Myth! See How the Gals at Bowerbirds Mix and Match Patterns.
When did we become so afraid of pattern clashing? No matter what style is yours, it's undeniable that everyone has their own soft spot for a particular pattern or print. Whether it's gingham or plaid, vibrant floral or the classic animal print, there is no easier way to liven up your wardrobe or living space. But somewhere along the way someone decided that patterns don't go together. That "it's safest to pair your bold pattern with a safe neutral for ease on the eyes". Here at Bowerbird we aren't interested in playing it safe and pattern clashing for us is the best way to stand out from a crowd. Let your home or outfit express your personality with a bold and dynamic statement! I don't know about you guys but I choose to embrace the endless possibilities of mixing and matching patterns. Still unsure? Start with the basics and follow some of my super simple steps to help you step out of your comfort zone and embrace the bold (and bright) unknown! Choose Your Colour Palette First and foremost is the fun bit - defining your colour palette. If you choose a warm and rosy palette, this doesn't necessarily mean that all of your patterns can only be red, pink or orange. But it does mean that you get to set down the foundation for the general colour scheme you want. Colours speak to us and influence our mood. So, keep that in mind and
Sustainable Brands and Bowerbird: What we are doing to make a difference!
Sustainable brands are currently a popular talking point, and rightly so (thank you Greta Thunberg!) Yet it seems to me like all businesses are happy to jump on the bandwagon, even if their qualifications are lacking. The question is: are we at Bowerbird Collections sustainable? And how can you as a consumer identify what sets apart a business as a sustainable brand? The key to answering this question is transparency. To help your process here are all of the ways that we are currently doing our best at Bowerbird to provide a truly sustainable brand. What do sustainable brands look like? To identify this, let's first take a look at what is not sustainable. The fast fashion model foundation is cheap manufacture to sell vast quantities of low cost profits to make a profit. In order to encourage consumer consumption, the companies convince the customer that they need the latest product. That their life will be improved by acquiring the latest product. That in order to be trendy/happy, the perpetual buying of low value, fast-moving products is a necessary commitment. At Bowerbird, we believe that sustainability means integrity, quality, true cost, and a dedication to natural components and fibres. We sell what we make for the true cost. The products we supply are not based on trends that leave you questioning why you spent money. They are an investment, built to last and built to inspire in your home without an expiration date. Check out this ceramic Ancient Greek jug
Decluttering Your Home with the KonMari Method: 2 years later, did it stick and was tidying up really life changing?
The tidy gene is kicking in for thousands of people around the globe thanks to Marie Kondo and her fabulous books. But is it worth the hype and what does life look like after your decluttering journey has finished? Here is my home 2 years after reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy. Decluttering with the KonMari Method: Key Concepts If you’re not familiar with the KonMari method I’ll summarise. Instead of decluttering by room, Marie Kondo suggests decluttering by category and in a specific order: clothes, books, paper, miscellaneous and finally mementos and photos. Split each category into manageable portions based on how much time you have to dedicate to the task. For instance, instead of starting with all clothing you could choose t-shirts. Gather every t-shirt you own in a pile on the floor and go through them one at a time, holding each item in your hands. Keep only the t-shirts that 'spark joy' and release the rest. When organising the KonMari Method recommends folding as much as possible and storing things vertically, as opposed to stacking. Items from each subcategory are stored together and in their logical 'home'. Did I Follow the KonMari Rules? 2 years ago I inhaled The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I was champing at the bit to get started. The promise of letting go of clutter was tantalising and spurred me on to be ruthless! If it didn’t resonate it didn’t stay. I re-homed at least
What Makes a Home Inviting? 6 universal tips to create a more inviting home
Our tastes may vary, but what everyone wants is an inviting home. Here are the 6 universal issues to be addressed when you're working towards a more engaging interior, no matter the style. Throws and candles are nice but they are band-aids compared to the core design concepts addressed here. So, lets dive straight in! Bring Nature into Your Home Lush greenery is incredibly soothing when brought into our homes because it offers smooth lined irregularity to our hard-lined, boxy interiors. However, plants are only enriching when they are happy and healthy, so it’s important to choose wisely. A wilted, dying plant will have the opposite effect on you and your guests. Even if you don’t have a green thumb there are ways to enjoy the breath of fresh air that indoor plants provide. Stay tuned for our our upcoming post which has helpful tips on easy care indoor plant species. What plant speaks to you is a matter of personal taste. I gravitate towards rounder leaved specimens and ferns as opposed to the pointy or spikey varieties. Any plant that makes you instinctively think “ouch, that would hurt if I touched it” is better left outside in my opinion. Consider the scale of the plant in relationship to the room size. The same presence can be achieved with either a collection of small plants or one large plant. A tall plant, I’m talking above head height, has the wow factor. By drawing your eye up to the ceiling they make the whole space feel cosier
Eclectic Interior Design Done Right: 8 tips on how to create your own symphony of texture and colour AND avoid a hodgepodge mess.
Eclectic home décor can be daunting but well worth the risk and if you like our store – chances are you like the eclectic look. These are my tips to get you started. How to Avoid Eclectic Home Styling Mistakes There are two mistakes generally made when shooting for eclectic home styling. Firstly, the term eclectic is mistaken as a free pass to mix and match everything and anything. This is not the case. Even an eclectic scheme needs a thread to tie it together. So, start with picking a theme or a colour palette. If you are trying to combine traditional, Victorian opulence with modern, clean lined minimalism under the guise of ‘it’s eclectic’ it will never fly because the themes are so very different. If you don’t know what theme you like - do some research! Houzz is a great place to start digging. Decide what ‘feel’ you wish to accomplish (fresh/ luxurious/ cozy/ traditional…) and search for examples to inspire you. An Eclectic interior is one that takes it ten steps further which means you’ve got to get comfortable with trying new and sometimes unusual combinations. This is where people generally fall into the second mistake: They stop too soon! If you want the symphony of texture, pattern and interest then you need to be brave and take some risks. An eclectic living room can have twelve or more different patterns. This level of complexity transcends the normal, “matchy-matchy”, safe schemes that