Sun...

I don't consider it my realm to write about music, but recently I have found myself unable to escape from the most inspiring music I have heard in an awfully long time. About a month ago I heard a song on my favourite Melbourne radio station RRR and waited, listening attentively to hear which artist it was by... None other than Chan Marshall who performs and records under the name Cat Power.

Cat Power by Wendy Lynch 2003

Every single studio album released by Cat Power has found itself into my playlists and I must admit hearing the track Ruin on the radio sent me fossicking through my cds in storage for her last release, titled Jukebox it is one of my personal favourite albums containing the track Silver Stallion to which I will always want to listen to.

This month (finally) saw the new album Sun released and this is the music I mentioned above, it has been a while between releases for this artist and while everyone loves to speculate about the behaviour of this particular performer, this recording needs no sordid tales of temperamental artists to accompany it, just listen. This album manages to sound lucid and powerful while still retaining the quality which escapes definition and is found in all her other recordings. Usually when I add a Listened To... post to this space I note a couple of stand out tracks - I have noted four, make that five, tracks that demand to be listened to and listened to and on...Ruin, Silent Machine, Cherokee, 3,6,9 and Manhattan

Cat Power for Chanel

A very hectic couple of months in the studio had left the creative stores a little tired and this music is quite simply the most beautiful fuel, perfectly timed...

The fruits of this recent labour are several new Jack of Diamonds designs which sauntered down a catwalk at the recent Collection 3056 fashion week event - more on that next time - and finally back into the studio where I have collected myself and a potential new stockist...

Yep, the sun is back in Melbourne town and I have found a new muse and soundtrack - stay tuned...

Spring in my step...

Of late the weather has sent a few lovely sunny mornings Melbourne's way and I thought a brief update on the goings on at Jack of Diamonds studio were in order...

Jack of Diamonds has been invited to show a debut Spring Summer range at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week in September (just a breath away!) - so, on the edge of winter I thought I would share some of what is inspiring this new season collection of garments and accessories.

The two photographs of dancers are from an ad campaign for The Netherlands Dance Theatre titled 'We Fight, We Dance' - these images by the extraordinary Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf.

I couldn't go past these photos when I first came upon them while checking up on one of my favourite photographers. They show the beauty, grit and power of dancers - I constantly find dance and movement as a theme in my design work. I hope to translate some of this relaxed strength into my new designs...

The swatches of yarn and fabric are the preliminary textile 'ideas' for this, as yet, unnamed collection. Stay tuned for further developments.

Stylish Sustainability

Great design is not necessarily rocket science, and while I love a clever machine my inner Luddite rejoices whenever I encounter lo-tech brilliance. Enter Wolplamuur by Heleen Klopper, Dutch designer. Wolplamuur translates to Woolfiller and is the name of a repair kit for all your woollen garments which have fallen prey to the dreaded cupboard moths.

Like I said, it is not rocket science, these kits use one of the oldest textile techniques know to man - felting. What is brilliant about it is the eye for detail in designing the repair patches and the simplicity of the kit which makes it accessible for those who don't know their fleece from their foot.

Beanies off to Heleen Klopper who was awarded a prize at Doen Materiaalprijs for this project!

Miss Match Meets MisMatch

I don't mind admitting that I have a tendency toward the safe when it comes to colour palette and design. I enjoy the harmony in matching and it seems to be my reflex choice. Recently I was coaxed out of this rather predictable pattern when I found myself inspired by the wonderful style at Pop Craft and last week a chance opportunity to have a garment paired with a new design by The Maker's Journal found me out of the comfort zone again and rather liking it...

The Maker's Journal design beautiful cut & sew patterns in their Melbourne studio and a quick browse through their website shows a talent for making the mis-matched match. The new design, shown here with The Maker's very cute Olympic Bloomers, is a reworking of my old favourite The Doublet. I have added a new contrasting collar, shortened and fitted the sleeve and played with some different yarn... 

This version is dubbed The Doublet Redux. A limited edition lambswool version of The Doublet Redux and other designs are available from PopCraft and patterns for the Bloomers and other designs are available through The Maker's Journal store...

While I relish an opportunity to step outside my well trodden design aesthetic I couldn't help but knit one up in my favourite earthy, muted palette!

Stitching & Hatching...

This week has seen the opening of a new collaborative exhibition at Tinning St gallery in Brunswick with my dear friend Colleen Burke. But as they say there is no rest for the wicked when next week sees Jack of Diamonds in a market debut at Craft Hatch! 


Craft Hatch is Craft Victoria's quarterly incubator market showcasing the work of student and emerging designers and experimental work from more established designers. It is a privilege to be included in this wonderful line-up of makers preparing for the June edition of this market at 1000 £ Bend.

If you're in the city on Saturday 16 June between 11am and 4pm pop in to 361 Little Lonsdale Street and browse some of the finer wares made by Melbourne folk...

Jack of Diamonds Knits the Doublet at Pop Craft...

Calling all aspiring knitters and curious textile types - Jack of Diamonds will be knitting The Doublet this Sunday the 3rd of June...

Pop Goes the Colour...

Since the studio has been finished I have been putting my machines to work to produce some knitwear for the wonderful Pop Craft pop-up shop at Harvest Textiles in Brunswick East. Pop Craft stocks some wonderful local designers who create jewellery, accessories, home wares and garments - behind the eye catching window display you can find crafted pieces by Ilka White, Stella Jones, Melanie Boermans, Kayo Tanaguchi and Anna Varendorff.

The window displays have also become something of a talking point too - the talents of Isabel Knowles and Cat Rabbit (Owl Know How) and the crafted humour of Tai Snaith have been entertaining passers by for the last couple of weeks.

Pop Craft is also running knitting workshops in conjunction with their clever range of knitting kits - you can make a pair of wrist warmers, a beautiful braided scarf or a bag which doubles as a cushion. I have to mention the beautiful range of yarns including pieces from Marta's Yarns, Dairing and Avril. In fact, I found the love of colour a little infectious and couldn't resist adding a little bright to my typically muted garments!

The lovely light space full of colour is the perfect antidote to the winter blues on the grey, grey Melbourne days - so if you knit or would love to learn pop on in to 512 Lygon St Brunswick East between the hours of 11-5.30 from Wednesday to Sunday...

If you would like to know more about the lady behind Pop Craft you can read my interview with her for the Creative Women's Circle ...

Voilà!

Off the radar for some time now... I have been busily preparing my new studio space. Here is a little sneak peek of the new home of Jack of Diamonds Knits situated in a bustling Brunswick warehouse of studios which is home to many creative folk including the very wonderful Sunday Morning Designs and Copy Boy.

The abridged tour starts here at the blackboard wall and Doublet...

...just across the other side you will find bobbins and bougainvillea atop a rather archaic filing system...

...and the already full pinboard here showing the work of the talented Joceline Lee and Ernesto Caivano...

...some sample swatches and recent acquisitions...

... shift your gaze westward and sneak a peek at some of the yarn collection and while you are here I'll let you in on the next pattern I plan to release this month...

...meet the Perseus Tunic, cap sleeved, wide roll neck and super stretchy thick fabric - all done in one piece on a single bed punchcard knitting machine...Voilà!

Tattoos Are Art...

I was involved in a recent discussion on the topic of tattoos. I was a little surprised to hear several women voice their dismay at young women choosing to permanently ink themselves. I live in Melbourne after all and this fair city is fast becoming the home of the sleeve tattoo... Given that I am working on a new tattoo for myself  and am an avid admirer of the craft of tattooing I though I might share the work of an extraordinary tattooist who lifts this trade into the realm of fine art.

Whip Shade 3 - tattoo on leather

Whip Shade 5 - tattoo on leather

The woman responsible for these four works is Amanda Wachob. She resides in New York and her practice includes not just tattoos but also some extraordinary experimental works on leather and fruit (yes, fruit!). No matter what her canvas, she clearly wields the tattoo gun as an artist's implement.