THE NONSENSE MAKER

Instagram sure has its benefits. Its subtler advantage is how you can connect with old friends! Through browsing and a lot of likes, I regained contact with my friend Emily, whom I met three years ago working at a fashion show. Since then, Emily who runs the account The Nonsense Maker, has graduated, traveled and started her own business with her illustrations. Here she mentions how her little business came to be and what her future entails with the décor world.

CollegeDormista: When did you graduate fashion design? And what are you studying now?

Emily Ziccone: I graduated with a diploma in fashion design in 2011 from Kangan Institute and I’ve been studying the Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne since this March.

CD: After graduating, you decided to travel. Where did you go and what did you do?

EZ: After graduating from my diploma, I based myself in London and spent the last two years exploring an extraordinary city and all the exciting places Europe has to offer. In September last year, I started working at a café in Islington (just out of central London) and was lucky enough to have met the incredible designer Jonathan Saunders, as he was one of my regular customers. He took me on board and I was able to intern in the studio for three weeks learning the ins and outs of how a fashion garment is made (whilst eyeing lots of lovely clothes at the same time).

CD: How did The Nonsense maker come to be?

EZ: When I moved back home from London, it was time for a new challenge. Since I spend all my free time either sewing or drawing, it seemed like a natural progression to start selling my creations.

CD: Why illustrations? Can you explain your transition from fashion to illustrations?

EZ: I have always loved to draw. It takes me to my own little world where reality never seems to interfere. But at the same time I love the challenge that comes with design and the problem solving aspect of working to a brief. So I guess I wanted a job where I can have both controlled and uncontrollable creativity. Rather than it being a transition from fashion to illustration, I see the brand more of a platform where I can combine the two.

CD: You will soon expand your products to décor. Tell us about that.

EZ: With its small beginnings, I’m hoping to see my little brand grow. Since the other love of my life is sewing, I want to be able to combine my skills to create whimsical and fun little pieces for around the home. To start off, I have a series of pillow designs I have worked on which will possibly be incorporated with vintage fabrics. From there, I would like to play with my own illustrations and work them into fun and quirky little fabric prints.

CD: Do you have an interest with interiors and décor?

EZ: I love interior and décor. I love a space that has a certain feel to it. A space that isn’t just four walls, a window and a door but has an atmosphere as well. It is the interior décor that creates it.

CD: Have you always known you wanted to get in the design field?

EZ: I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to be in the design field although as a child, I actually wanted to be a doctor. I gave up on that quite early though as I can’t really deal with the sight of blood. As a kid however, I was always drawing, sewing or creating in some way. Those are things that have always made me really me happy.

CD: Where do you find inspiration?

EZ: It’s hard to pin point where my inspiration comes from because it can come from anywhere, really! To be honest, I sometimes surprise myself at where an idea emerges. Often it comes from little games I play in my head when I am walking or waiting somewhere and I just try to picture the same scenario if I was to take out all the logic. Other times though, it starts from a theme or an idea that really means something to me and I want to develop or explore it deeper.

CD: Do you think your illustrations and personal style are similar?

EZ: I think so. I put a lot of myself into my illustrations and I express myself a lot with my style. So I think they naturally end up reflecting each other.

CD: Onto Instagram – why do you like it?

EZ: I like Instagram because I constantly stumble onto new illustrators and designers. You click from one link to another and you find yourself in this little creative world.

CD: How do you use the social media app?

EZ: The social media side is a great way to connect with my followers. It allows me to show them what projects I have in the works or update them when my new items are available in the store. I can also show them the other aspects of my life outside the brand.

CD: Are there any people you religiously follow on Instagram?

EZ: I follow a lot of other illustrators and designers on Instagram. A couple of my favorites are rachelcastleandthings, birdyandme, juliatrybala and tanxuantongxue.

CD: Are there any favorite illustrations you have posted?

EZ: I post nearly all my illustrations on Instagram so it’s pretty hard to pick a favourite. I posted one recently though of my first framed print, which was also the first picture I drew for the Nonsense Maker. I think this one is probably my favorite because I love the story it tells.

CD: Why do you think it’s important to display illustrations in a space?

EZ: I think if you display something creative in a room, it helps it become a creative place. All these things coming together help build an atmosphere.

NATASHA BORDIZZO

I am not going to deny it: I am an Instagram addict. Besides posting pictures myself, my other favourite thing to do on the social media app is browse other accounts. There are so many profiles I inspire to. One is Natasha Bordizzo, co-owner of the online vintage store Elle Tassy and Instagrammer behind @tashkeys. Not only does she take beautiful shots of her travels and cool outfit posts, she has a distinct eye for anything interior and décor. I swear, everything she posts I fall in love with! This week, I interview Tash where she explains her love for the décor fan fare.

CollegeDormista: Your Instagram showcases a lot of beautiful images. Why do you like Instagram and photography in general?

Natasha Bordizzo: Thank yah! Well I like how simplistic Instagram is. The focus is on the picture and its composition, rather than the caption or comments, which play a secondary role. It also puts everyone on an even playing field, where you can communicate with anyone and we all get an even exposure on the newsfeed. As for photography in general, I can’t really say. But it’s definitely something that developed, unlike with a lot of people who’ve been interested in photography since they were very little. For me, it was after I started playing with Photoshop and a Nikon V1 given to me as a Christmas present, that I really saw the possibilities of what you can create. From there, I just wanted to create more and more, and develop skills that allow me to give a picture the exact feel that I want it to have. There’s nothing like it.

CD: You like to post up pictures of interior spaces/décor pieces like cafés, skulls and drawings you’re going to put up on your wall. Do you have a certain interest with décor and interior?

NB: Well life’s just a little more interesting when you’ve added a few cool new touches to your room/house. So I’m always on the hunt for cool pieces to take home and add character or change the feel of my interiors. Decor never stops being exciting because there are endless possibilities as far as creating the space you come home to everyday.

CD: With your décor collections, do you decorate any of them in your own bedroom? Or into the Elle Tassy office?

NB: Mostly my room! I’m lucky enough to have a pretty big room, so there’s lots more space for further decor additions. I just run the risk of having a cluttered sort of room because I love hoarding things! To solve this, I store old decor away until I feel like putting it out again. My decor is essentially on rotation (laughs)

CD: You have travelled a lot and following your blog; you have stayed in a lot of apartments while in the US! Which apartment/house had the best interior?

NB: In LA, our Encino house was overwhelming. The pictures don’t do it justice! It’s not how I would design the interiors of my own home but it was a gem to live in. You can check it out here.

CD: For those travelling, any places you recommend that stock the best décor pieces to take home?

NB: In the USA, I loved Melrose Trading Post in LA and Williamsburg Markets in NY. San Francisco was great for decor, and we included a few places from Cortland Ave, Bernal Heights in our post here.

CD: Where do you shop for your décor accessories?

NB: I recently discovered Holy Kitsch on Crown Street, Surry Hills. It stocks all things Mexican, and is where I recently bought prints. Aside from that, I buy a lot at markets such as Glebe, Rozelle and Bondi.

CD: Onto fashion- what influences your personal fashion style? Any style icons?

NB: Rumi Neely, Kiko Mizuhara, and Vanessa Hudgens to name a few. I think Vanessa in particular is really under-rated as far as personal style – she’s incredible.

CD: Do you find after your travels, your personal style has changed? Even to the décor pieces you choose to decorate your living space with?

NB: Actually yes, I’m the type to be heavily influenced by my surroundings, and the people I meet while travelling. I also develop my personal style constantly (and usually unintentionally) just because I love change.

CD: What are your favorite pieces in your home/studio?

NB: At home, it’s just all the things I’ve collected from my travels – so lots of little (often vintage) items which I display on my jewelry table, desk and vanity table. I recently bought an ancient old brandy bottle that I think is beautiful (maybe I’m crazy) and now use it as a vase. That makes the favourites list for sure.

CD: Lastly, will Elle Tassy stock accessories for the home in the future?

NB: Probably not, as we are focusing on fashion, but I can’t say never!

NINA MARLENA

One of the things I love about Instagram is finding, connecting and networking with other like-minded people. I can’t remember exactly how I found Nina Oswald, the instagrammer behind @ninamarlena but as soon as I saw her array of hand crafted skulls (perfect to decorate your dorm), I knew I had to interview her. Like me, Nina has an obsession with skulls and colours but in her case she produces them from scratch! As well as running her business Nina Marlena, Nina still aspires to become a set designer and visual merchandiser. Here she explains how she became obsessed with skulls, it’s evolution to home decor and the current projects she is working on.

CollegeDormista: Where did you go to university? What was your major and what are doing now?

Nina Marlena: I studied at Curtin University and just graduated this month with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Architecture. I am currently using the spare time I now have to pursue other artistic ideas such as expanding on my skull work and saving up for a trip to America.

CD: Have you always wanted to get into the art and design field?

NM: I always knew I wanted to do something creative. Interior Architecture/Design has been an interest of mine from a young age. Through school, I always enjoyed creating with my hands; doing TEE art, sewing classes and personal craft projects. It is amazing how many connections can be made between all artistic disciplines which offer new perspectives within projects. I want to learn as much as I can within art and design.

CD: How did Nina Marlena come to be? Why skulls?

NM: My middle name is Marlena. My name was already “ninamarlena” on Instagram before I started making the skulls. I remember not wanting to make a name for myself that was purely about skulls. I didn’t want to be locked into a category so I just went with my name: boring! Even though I have made a name for myself as “the skull girl” I’m hoping I will eventually shake that as I move onto other things in the future. In terms of the skulls, I had a fascination with skulls prior to creating them myself and I wanted to make one for a fun personal assignment. Through Instagram and word of mouth my little craft project erupted into a business, something I had never initially intended for. The response has been incredible.

CD: How do you make these skulls? How do you paint/decorate them?

NM: The skulls are created with plaster through the technique of casting to form a base shape. Once hardened, the skull is removed from the mold and left to completely dry out. Then I give them an undercoat and apply paint, glitter, confetti pieces or patterned fabric strips.

CD: Do you have a certain interest with interiors and décor? Did the skulls have a décor purpose from the beginning or did it evolve over the years?

NM: I’m certainly interested with interiors and more so the connection between interiors and art. I have a soft spot for installation and the way elements come together to define a space. Décor has the power to transform a space entirely and it’s exciting that my skulls play a role in that transformation in such a variety of spaces from homes to offices. I feel there was always a décor purpose from the beginning of the skull project and that has now evolved into something more. My solo exhibition last year was also a part of my thesis and explored manipulations to the skull object in terms of destruction and extension, resulting in contextual transformation. The skull as a décor item was challenged and used in bizarre installations branching from surrealism ideology. My work is not only about creating a home wares product but also exploring art, techniques, meaning and redefining the possibility of the object.

CD: Do you decorate your own space with the skulls you make?

NM: I’m not sure if “decorate” is the right term but there are skulls everywhere in my house! However, there is one skull I have kept for myself and it lives on my bedside table away from the others. It is a unique splatter paint skull that was involved in an interactive installation from my exhibition.

CD: Why do you think skulls are becoming such a popular décor trend?

NM: I think there will always been a certain fascination with the skull as it is applicable to all of humanity and presents an everlasting conversation about life and death. There is something beautiful yet haunting about the object and it encases a multitude of meaning and varied interpretation, hence its popularity.

CD: Where do you get your inspiration?

NM: I find inspiration browsing through art and design blogs and creative Instagram feeds. If an image inspires me, even in a distantly related field, I enjoy trying to apply an element of the concept or aesthetic to my own work. Often working on one project will inspire ideas for further exploration. Using fabric as a finish has opened many doors for me and I am currently working on a couple of collaborative skull series incorporating the work of Jarrad Seng and Justin Davies. We are creating custom fabric from photographic images to apply to the skulls. I find collaborating with other creative people incredibly rewarding and inspiring. The ideology behind the Surrealism art period also serves as inspiration to me.

CD: Your Instagram features so many inspirational and creative images and the current projects you’re working on. Why do you like Instagram?

NM: I use Instagram to bookmark other artists/projects I discover as well documenting my own artistic adventures in my processes, products and other pretty stuff along the way. I like Instagram because it is a visual representation of my brain and my experiences. I have made some incredible connections with other creative like-minded people all over the world. It is a great platform for exchange of inspiration as well as the promotion of my art.

CD: Your Instagram is also very colourful! Why do you like playing with colours?

NM: I love visual vibrancy and intensity, whether it’s represented in colour, pattern or texture. Colourful things are striking and energetic. I feel that colour provides a jolt of revitalisation to the senses. It is a powerful communication tool and prevalent throughout my work.

CD: Does your personal style ever mirror the skulls you create? Or vice versa?

NM: There are days where I will wear colourful or heavily patterned items, which is reflective of my work to an extent for sure. I enjoy matching garments but also clashing prints and then there are days I’ll colour block or wear all black. My outfits depend on my mood, just as my ideas for new skulls are evoked from particular emotions. I did a really cool collaboration with a local fashion label, Kawaii Girls, where matching garments (crops and skirts) were created in conjunction with skulls using the same print. The shoots were always really exciting. I think an overdose of pattern or camouflage within art, fashion and interiors expresses a “wow” factor element.

CD: Lastly, will Nina Marlena expand to other products in the future?

NM: I want to do a few more decor pieces with the skulls involving semi three-dimensional wall hanging art. I am also attempting to create a plaster pineapple as another home wares product. However, my heart is in set/scenic design, styling, event design and visual merchandising rather than product design. I hope to combine my knowledge of space and my crafting abilities to work on installations that blend interiors and art. In the future I would love to work on elaborate shop window displays, extravagant scenes for fashion photography and incredible event environments.