2015 ACCELERATE - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

2015 ACCELERATE - EXTENDED WEEK IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA

After another 8 long hours we finally arrive in Australia! We just arrived back in Sydney at 6am on Monday of 7 December but in my head I am 11 hours behind but now I have gained half a day? I don't know.

Here is a birds eye view flying over Sydney

After 1 hour transfer through customs and baggage, I catch caught a taxi to my family house in Kingsford. When I finally arrived at her apartment I was greeted with love + fresh coffee from my sissy Josie. Feeling so extremely happy to be home in Australia and I am happy I extended my stay in Sydney for an extra week before heading home to Perth WA.

I was very proud of myself to keep going til 11pm so I could deal with the time difference. Hopefully help me not crash too hard  with jet lag because I had back to back meetings all week.

MEETING WITH KIT WILLOW FROM KITX

KITX BY KIT WILLOW 
FOUNDER KIT WILLOW CONTINUES TO PURSUE HER LOVE OF CREATION IN HARMONY WITH HER PASSION FOR NATURE WITH THE BIRTH OF KITX. LAUNCHED IN STORE AUGUST 2015. KIT LEFT THE BRAND SHE FOUNDED, WILLOW, AT THE END OF 2013.

KITX STRIVES TO BE A PIONEER IN DESIGN-LED, SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL FASHION. “WE CREATE PRODUCT LOVE WITH HIGH FREQUENCY WEAR, SUPERIOR QUALITY AND CREATIVE DESIGN WHILE CONSCIOUSLY SOURCING MATERIALS THAT MINIMISE HARM TO OUR PLANET’S PRECIOUS RESOURCES.” KIT WILLOW

I was e-introduced to Kit by Orsola De Castro while in UK. Kit immediately followed up with an email, which so surprized I immediately tried to organise a time for catch up while I was in Sydney. After a couple of emails I was able to secure a meeting with her in Sydney at least one week prior to leaving London.

I was invited to come to her private studio, where we went into her office and had chat about local manufacturing, sustainable trims, fabric supply chains, discussion for AARLI to approach + do future collaborations, advice on designs, Australian industry customers + clients, discussing the need for awareness of sustainability the cause and effect on the environment. She gave me some links and information to research.

I have since our meeting followed up with an email and I hope to stay in contact with Kit and continue to keep her updated with my progress.

MEETING WITH ANNETTE DUFFIELD FROM OCC APPRAREL
The main reason for extending my stay in Sydney, was to source a new fabric supplier for next collection.

I introduced myself through email initially to approach OCC Apparel if they had any reject fabrics. Then introduced the idea of partnership with deadstock fabrics and offcuts of fabrics. I was immediately followed up with an email from Annette who seemed very interested in partnership, which I was so surprized that I immediately called her and tried to organise a time for catch up while I was in Sydney.


I was lucky enough to organise a time to come into the OCC Apparel Sydney warehouse. Annette invited me into the meeting room to discuss the potential of deadstock partnership and approaching the owners with a package would be the best approach. But she would be backing me 100% and pushing this concept + business partnership to them.

She then guided me around the stock showroom and manufacturing warehouse, showing me around and giving me access to stock availability and information. It was a great meeting and look forward to keeping you all posted for with all our new developments with OCC Apparel in 2016!


MEETING WITH FASHION REVOLUTION
Melinda Tually from Fashion Revolution Australia/NZ Advisory Committee

Having previously owned one of Sydney’s most well known retailers of ethical and sustainable goods, Melinda now consults to brands and retailers, large and small, on responsible strategy, sourcing and partnerships as well as facilitating industry events.

Melinda is deputy chair of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand, the body responsible for advocacy of the Fair Trade movement. In 2010, her retail business, I Ran The Wrong Way: A Trader of Good Finds, was a finalist in the City of Sydney Business Awards in the Fair Trade category and the Lord Mayor’s Sustainable Business Award.



I was e-introduced to Melinda by Orsola De Castro while in UK. Melinda was busy and followed up with an email while I was in Sydney. I was very lucky as I was running out of time so I immediately tried to organise a time for catch up for coffee. After a couple of emails I was able to secure a meeting with her in Sydney the morning I was flying back to Perth in afternoon.

I was invited to meet for a coffee near the Harbour bridge right in the city centre. We caught up for a coffee and had chat about Fashion Revolution Art Speaker Tour in UK and how can we bring this to Australian universities? Working with local manufacturers and industry professionals, links to local fabric supply chains, links to potential stockist, links to potential deadstock denim partners, collaborations + future projects. With the potential to come on board as WA representative for Fashion Revolution.

I look forward to staying in contact with Mel and continue to keep her updated with AARLI's progress and come on board the Fashion revolution!

ARRIVAL BACK HOME

That afternoon, I was on a plane After 5 hours we finally arrive in Australia! We just arrived back in Perth at 7pm. Where I was greeted by my delicious man who picked me up from the airport!

Here is a birds eye view flying over Perth WA

POST ACCELERATE
Since returning from UK + Sydney, its been wonderful to have the time to be able to reground myself and enjoy some family time. UK was an eye opener with confronting advice and major reflection on myself, my business and fashion structure.

Now I have to let go and move on with new adventures and major projects...What will be - will be! I have planted the seeds, lets see where all these meetings and introduction take me and my business. The universe has sent me this journey for a reason. I am going to remain positive + optimistic to seeing where this all will lead and what new adventures + opportunities will develop in the future. 

I will continue to maintain all my new UK + Australian relationships that will lead to potential national + international projects in the future. 

SPECIAL MENTION

This once in a life time opportunity wouldn't have been possible without the financial and developmental support from the British Council Australia.

Stay tuned for all AARLI's new development news to be posted in 2016... Keep working hard, believing in yourself + never stop dreaming!

TJ xo

Wishing everyone a wonderful + festive Christmas 

and health, wealth + good fortune for 2016!