meet lauren crago of solomon street
How and why did Solomon Street come to be? It came from
realising that, as just me, I had limited ways to help others.
If I could create something bigger than me, my reach would
become limitless, and the impact worldwide. What types of
things do you produce? Clothing made from natural fibres
and recycled synthetic fibres. The summer range will focus on
using a linen fabric to create clean lines and ’70s silhouettes.
In support of our slow living values, all pieces are transseasonal,
including a new organic cotton yoga top and matching leggings.
What makes your designs unique? I love food and, having a
background in graphic design, have always found fruit to be
mesmerising in its colours and patterns. Each of my designs is
hand-drawn in pencil – representing the way I see the beauty of
the natural world. Where do you do most of your making? In my
Adelaide home studio, looking out onto the veggie garden where
chickens and rabbits roam around the citrus trees. I’m also a
bit of a coffee fiend, so luckily there are some amazing (and
welcoming!) cafés in my area that I love to go and spend time
in. Talk us through your swimwear range. It’s designed to be
the most comfortable set of togs you’ve ever slid into. The fabric
is made from recycled fishing nets, cut and sewn by an Ethical
Clothing Australia-accredited manufacturer in Adelaide. Where
can we find your goodies? Online at solomonstreet.com. au, or
at Finders Keepers in Melbourne from October 19 to 21. We have
stalls at local markets in Adelaide, too, such as Gilles at the
Grounds and Bowerbird Design Market. Any tips for running a
successful market stall? Get to know your market neighbours!
I’ve made the most amazing friends and support crew by having
a good ol’ yarn with the talented makers around me.
nice catch
Look, we don’t know when the next
International Sock Design Awards
are being held, but when they do pop
up, we daresay these Nice Catch
transparent lovelies by Coucou
Suzette – aka Parisian designer
Juliette Mallet – will sweep up all the
gongs. We’re rather chuffed to have
five pairs to give away (around $24
each), so if you’d quite like to wrap
some (soon-to-be award-winning)
socks around your tootsies, stop by
frankie.com.au/win and wish with all
your might. coucousuzette.com
ipple toters
hese wine carriers sure do take things
p a notch from the classic brown paper
ag wrapped around a bottle of plonk.
ure, they’re technically still paper, but
he kind that’s washable, and won’t result
n any forests being chopped down. Plus,
hey’re stitched by hand in a cottage in
uscany, which is just about as lovely as
an be. Should you fancy dangling one
rom your arm at your next picnic, head
ouashmama.com.auwith $49.
the chill
guild
If you’re the kind of
person who gets about
saying, “No drama!” in
response to any thanks
or request, why not
gather up a bunch of
your equally cordial
buds; find yourselves a
very pleasant clubhouse;
and snap up some of
these No Drama Club
mugs? All you need
then is someone to
politely call your first
session to order, and
you’re set. Around $19,
darlingdistraction.com
in the wings
It’s a bird! It’s a plane!
Oh, no, we were right the
first time, it is a bird – a
wooden one by printmaker
Bridget Farmer, to be
exact. According to Bridget,
she caught the birdy bug
(not to be confused with
the bird flu) while growing
up in Ireland, observing
and sketching the feathery
chums. These days, from
her headquarters in
country Victoria, she
hand-prints on plywood to
make mobiles in the shape
of magpies, swallows,
willie wagtails and more.
See the full flock at
bridgetfarmerprintmaker.
com – each piece will set
you back precisely $38.
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