By day, NZ designer Nellie Ryan creates print patterns and other visual elements for some of NZ's best-known fashion labels, and then by evening-and-weekends, creates her own Nellie Ryan range of children's prints. I love their vintage danish vibe and had to find out a bit more about the woman who makes them...
Are you working on Nellie Ryan prints full-time?
No, the prints are my sideline passion, I work full-time as a fashion/ textile designer and try to squeeze as many creative projects into my spare time as possible.
What would you say to others wanting to pursue a career based on passion?
... Start your business as a side project, that way you can test your product while still having a secure income.... be brave and go for it!
Your Facebook Page describes you as a trend forecaster. Love that. What's coming up for 2014?
Ha! Yes previously I freelanced for a London-based trend forecasting company called WGSN, which is a pretty amazing company that's all about forecasting colours, shapes, garments and graphics. This really opened my eyes up to how to how trend intelligence is gathered and where ideas originate from and what influences design and fashion.
Now I focus mainly on seasonal fashion trends for woman's wear. What's coming up for 2014, hmm where to start... the lux sportswear look, painterly prints, clean lines, simplified fashion silhouettes with a nod to the 1990's fashion. With my personal work I want it to have a more timeless aesthetic to it, not necessarily be 'on trend'.
What are you looking forward to?
Summer camping and swimming with friends, making more creative things, and exploring Sri Lanka early next year.
Sketches in progress...
Nellie has created illustrations for Random House, Penguin Books, Harper Collins, Marie Claire and Tatler Magazine and the BBC.
One of the visual inspiration books Nellie has been filling for years.
"I have about 8 of these books jammed with creative inspiration (before Pinterest days).
Everywhere I travel I collect things I love that inspire me, vintage ribbons from India,
pretty Moroccan sugar sachets, vintage photos picked up from markets...."
Painterly pages...
What's on your wishlist?
My big wish would be more creative space, a man cave for my boyfriend and a lady cave for me. At the moment we share our creative space, which he makes music in as well.
What is your most favourite possession in your home?
Probably all my books I love them all alike, I'm always referencing them for inspiration. It's hard to pull out a favourite, though there's one that's particularly great, I brought it in a second hand stall in Hamburg and it's full of beautiful photographs of the Miss World contestants from the 1940's, the styling is beautiful!
Nellie's workspace, shared with her music-making boyfriend.
An original French Lotto poster Nellie brought in Melbourne years ago.
"I love the bold colours and the simplicity of the design, it's my inspiration for my kids prints."
L A T E L Y, I ' M... L O O K I N G A T :
HBO's TV series Girls and the Messy Nessy Chic blog
L I S T E N I N G T O :
Lots of Grace Jones, Bryan Ferry, Nancy Sinatra and Au Revoir Simone
T A S T I N G :
Avocados! And eating at my favourite place Cocos Cantina
S P E N D I N G W E E K E N D S:
Hopefully swimming and picnicking lots!