We chat with Donna Schneider, designer and owner of Ouch.

Please tell us a little bit about Ouch.
Being a small business it never stops and I am very hands on. You will see me in the warehouse on the forklift some time to ranging the next minute. As the label and business has grown it has obviously enabled me to concentrate on what I'm good at, but I still love jumping in a container and helping unloading it and seeing the end product.

And we’d love to know a little bit about you…
Quiet time is what I am trying to find at the moment and when I can just sit and give me a bit of me time, but I don't stop and my mind is always ticking over on the next print to add on a tee or colour to use. My favourite time is spending time with Richard and my friends for a chat and a glass of red.

What inspires your designs?
Everything, people watching is one of my favourite pastimes and with this you get great ideas, travelling, art – street, galleries, the list is endless.

What's been your most exciting/fulfilling/wonderful moment since launching Ouch?
Just seeing Ouch grow and get recognised as a product people want. Each season the amount of editorial we get is fantastic and that turns into brand recognition, but nothing beats my niece calling me and telling me what she is wearing of Ouch today.

Are Ouch products available elsewhere in the world?
New Zealand, UK, Dubai, Spain

Do you have a favourite product?
Love playing with what animal we are going to do next in our pj's and toys but a favourite is hard to pinpoint because there are certain elements in each story that I think is my favorite until I work on the next one!



How would you describe your own personal style?
Heels are a must (not sure why, seeing as I'm tall anyway), loving finding something a bit different and not everywhere is a must and you will most likely see me in black, mind you I'm doing a bit of slate at the moment.

Favourite travel destination?
Just love Antwerp, I always find something new there. I have been trying to get to Croatia for the last 2 years, but this year isn’t over yet. Parts of China are a must as well, I have my destinations I hang out for when doing placement trips and have found an art quarter down Taikang Road, Shanghai that has lots of little laneways with galleries, bars, restaurants and shops. You feel like you're wandering around laneways in Europe, it's just unbelievable.

What’s your favourite find right now?
I love old wares and Arafat's and have just found a new shop in a random area in the North Shore called Sainsbury Honigsberg… Just need a new house to refurbish.

What are your top 5 desert island must haves?
My partner Richard, sunglasses, a good book, a glass of wine and pathetic, but my runners for a bit of a slow jog as the sun goes down.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronaut so I could jump in the clouds – I always thought they looked like cotton wool, or a cloud watcher so I could make pictures of all of the shapes. I still love watching clouds... And they still look like cotton wool.

What movie have you recently seen and loved, what book have you recently read and enjoyed and what food can you not get enough of right now?
Mash potatoes and a glass of red wine... Besides that heading down to Victoria St in Richmond to Pacific House. Looks like a canteen, food comes in 2 seconds and I feel like I'm in downtown China.

We chat with Sally Dunn, designer and owner of Annabel Trends

Please tell us a little bit about Annabel Trends...
We are gift and homeware business that was started by my mother 43 years ago…we specialise in fun bright gift products across a broad range of categories – BABY of course, as well as kitchen, garden, travel, bathroom, decorator…even a bit of jewellery.

And we’d love to know a little bit about you...
I started off as a Home Economics teacher – so my love for textiles and making things has always been strong. I joined the business in 1995 and learnt from the bottom up…sales, packing, product assembly…the lot! Now I run the business from the Gold coast, whilst Annie my mum still contributes to the business in a big way via product development.

What inspires your designs?
Colour, fun and practicality….everyday objects made with fun. Staying observant and paying attention to whats around in our world gives us ideas.

What's been your most exciting/fulfilling/wonderful moment since launching Annabel Trends?
Everyday is exciting at Annabel Trends – we are working on new product constantly and we are so thrilled that others love our product enough to support us.

Are Annabel Trends products available elsewhere in the world?
Yes, we sell to New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines



Do you have a favourite product?
I love our macro mirror… it goes with me everywhere… your eyebrows best friend! It’s a 10 times magnifying mirror.

How would you describe your own personal style?
Casual and colourful – im a Queenslander!

Favourite travel destination?
Hong Kong… it has it all… fabulous food, interesting fashion, amazing city scape and its easy to navigate

What’s your favourite find right now?
Our super soft pom pom slippers for women…they are so so comfortable and winter winner.

What are your Top 5 desert island must haves?
My new Kindle loaded with lots of good books, my iphone, electricity, my husband and my 2 dogs.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The fifth member of ABBA

What movie have you recently seen and loved, what book have you recently read and enjoyed and what food can you not get enough of right now?
Movie: Avatar…not normally my cup of tea, but really amazing
Book: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series
Food: Prawn dumplings with chilli sauce

We chat with Rebekah, one of the designers and owners of Love Mae Fabric Wall Stickers.

Please tell us a little bit about Love Mae...
Mae has been a wonderful journey for the three of us. We were very lucky to find the adhesive fabric that we use for our decals and have had great satisfaction in all the environmental decisions we've made along the way, from keeping our product not just onshore but supplied from local small businesses. Mae is truly a joy for us.

And we’d love to know a little bit about you...
Oh my... whatever would you like to know? I suppose I'll give you the basics... I am 21, I live with my fiance and two cats in a tiny little house surrounded by trees. We are a creative and messy bunch. There is nothing in the world I'd rather be doing right now. Though it would be great to be doing everything I am doing, but in Japan. Yes, that would be nice.

What inspires your designs?
Mmmm.. I would love the answer to that too, as I'm currently at the designers version of writer's block. The things that inspired my first range... vintage wallpapers, children's illustrated books, fabric, photographs.

What's been your most exciting/fulfilling/wonderful moment since launching Mae?
Oh wow. There have been so many! It would have to be during and just after the first trade show we did, Melbourne Kids In Style last year. It was a truly great feeling to know that people liked my designs, and I got to quit my last job! I've got to say, working for myself is the most satisfying thing.

Are Mae products available elsewhere in the world?
Yes, we have stockist in a few different countries, a distributor in France and are currently working on distributorships in other countries. We are working on world domination!

Do you have a favourite product?
It changes all the time. I really love Makin' Monsters, which is actually Emily's (the other designer) work. They are so cool! I also love Here Birdy and the Girly Alphabet.

How would you describe your own personal style?
Pretty, girly and vintage inspired.

Favourite travel destination?
I have not been enough places to say, I plan to see the world. I love everywhere I've been. I do love Japan though, so much that I am going back for my honeymoon. I can't wait!

What’s your favourite find right now?
This wallposter that I've just bought for the wall behind my bed: http://www.ewmoore.co.uk/images/C211.jpg I also bought a similar one for my lounge room. At the moment those two walls are a horrible electric blue. I am very excited to never see that particular shade of blue again.

What are your Top 5 desert island must haves?
Sam (my fiance), my cats (they count as one thing right?), water, an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables and a treehouse.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A scientist. Oh, and my one big thing was that I didn't want anything to do with computers, as my parents are super computer nerds and got to the stage of emailing each other from across the house. My stepmum would say "can you send your dad an email to let him know dinner's ready". And me, being the lazy mess that I am, would do just that, even though it would be faster to walk to him. Perhaps it's not so funny then that I ended up here, my entire life based around a computer... and I love it!

What movie have you recently seen and loved, what book have you recently read and enjoyed and what food can you not get enough of right now?
I'm so fussy with movies and can't think of a standout I've seen recently. I'm reading "The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer at the moment, it's really sweet. As for food... potato. I love potato. Oh, and peanut butter chocolate pie! Vegan, of course. YUM!

We chat with Mel Grant, designer and owner of Snugglebum.

Please tell us a little bit about Snugglebum...
We make beautifully designed Children’s Sleepwear in 100% cotton in prints that are fun for children. We take pride in our designs that allow children to be children and comfy at the same time. We supply to over 150 boutiques across Australia and New Zealand.

And we’d love to know a little bit about you...
I’m a 42 year old mother of 3 children who started the business after the birth of our first child when I became aware of a complete gap in the market for all cotton children’s sleepwear. Mel’s background was in marketing and communications.

What inspires your designs?
Colours and images that my children find interesting and attractive.

What's been your most exciting/fulfilling/wonderful moment since launching Snugglebum.
Seeing our product develop from planning to seeing our sleepwear in stores, which was a great moment. And every time a parent or child tells us how much they love our sleepwear is invaluable.

Are Snugglebum products available elsewhere in the world?
Yes, in Europe and New Zealand.

Do you have a favourite product?
The footed sleepers – they are so cosy for Winter and my children have grown up in them.

How would you describe your own personal style?
I like relaxed styles but also appreciate innovative and contemporary design.

Favourite travel destination?
Lombok in Indonesia ( a distant memory from our honeymoon) or more recently camping at Inverloch.

What’s your favourite find right now?
asos.com for great UK brands.

What are your Top 5 desert island must haves?
1. Husband
2. A good book
3. Zimmermann togs
4. fresh seafood
5. Zimmermann kaftan

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Nurse

What movie have you recently seen and loved, what book have you recently read and enjoyed and what food can you not get enough of right now?
Movie – How to tame a dragon
Book – the Twilight Series
Sushi

We chat with Kelly & Heidi designers and co-owners of Heavenly Creatures.

Please tell us a little bit about Heavenly Creatures...
Heavenly Creatures is in a snapshot, 'whimsical play clothes for modern children'. There is alot that goes on in the background to bring each seasons collection to life. Mainly juggling of childer beasts, reno's, home life, and that thing called work (although seems mostly like fun, and so, not right to call it as such)

And we’d love to know a little bit about you...
Kelly - My background is in visual merchandising, however I have strong retail background in all areas from selling on the shop floor to buying and everything in between. Moving on to develop and launch Heavenly Creatures seemed a natural progression after having my first son.

Heidi - I’m a kiwi, we moved to Melbourne 10 years ago. Prior to that we were working in London and seeing the world. I have had a varied career background – mainly working in the financial services industry. So it is so refreshing to be finally using the right side of my brain for a change.

What inspires your designs?
Kelly - My inspirations are many however we do anchor each season with a theme, this coming summer for instance our inspiration was drawing on memories of Peter Pan story books as we remember them from our childhood. My children are a constant source of inspiration, funny little things that they are. And my incredibly talented grandmother who taught me to sew aged 3yrs, is always in my consciousness when designing any collection, especially when sifting through our mountain of vintage fabrics.

Heidi - Our designs have a nostalgic feel to them and are very much influenced by our childhood, what we wore, memories, stories, fabrics. We love the 70’s aesthetic – bit of hippy, bit of folk with a touch of whimsy thrown in. My kids also influence and inspire me. I’m always motivated to design things I cannot find for my children.

What's been your most exciting/fulfilling/wonderful moment since launching Heavenly Creatures?
Heidi and I take delight in the smallest and grandest of things, from seeing a child (we don't know) out and wearing a piece of our clothing. To being featured in a magazine, so there are far too many to mention one as the best. No doubt we will be high fiving ourselves when we read this profile on Baby's Got Style.

Are Heavenly Creatures products available elsewhere in the world?
We are so proud that Heavenly Creatures pieces can now be bought is as far flung places as, New Zealand (OK not so far flung), Singapore, Japan, USA, Kuwait, and soon to be in Hong Kong.

Do you have a favourite product?
Kelly - My favourite Heavenly Creatures Product is any of our grandpa tee's from any range - I love, love, love, this style for boys and girls, just so gorgeous on.

Heidi - Each season we do a fabulous tutu, this is usually right up there with my favourite pieces. Although having 2 boys I love our boys range. Our signature patch tees are also a favourite of mine.

How would you describe your own personal style?
Kelly - My own personal style is a fusion of classic vintage and hippy meets high street casual.

Heidi - My style is forever changing. At the moments it’s an eclectic mix of op shop chic meets designer meets high street grunge. I am a frock freak, I’m always hunting for the perfect frock, be it a vintage treasure, sunfrock or something fancy. You can never have too many.

Favourite travel destination?
Kelly - Too hard to name one but if I must, Thailand. My husband and I eloped on a small island in Thailand so its magic place for me, but it has every perfect little thing you could want for a true holiday, amazing food, beautiful beaches, happy locals, gorgeous weather, you get the picture.

Heidi - Yes that’s a hard one – I have so many. Pre kids I would have said a snowboarding trip to the Swiss Alps or Wanaka , NZ. Now after having baby number 3 I just want to go somewhere and chill out. I wouldn’t mind going back to Placencia, Belize. A quite beach town with the best quaint little beachside bar. Four o’clock happy hour, two huge g ‘n’ t’s for $1, sitting round the bar on a beautiful beach having a laugh with the locals... bliss!

What’s your favourite find right now ?
Kelly - My eldest sons new jeans by new Aussie label 'Little Rivet Jeans', cool personified in denim.

Heidi - Monteiths cider... deeeelicious!

What are your Top 5 desert island must haves?
Kelly - In no particular order, cold fizzy water, tweezers, a hammock, my family, a genie in a lantern

Heidi - Sunscreen, yes definitely tweezers, my hubby (aka MacGyver , he can make and fix anything!) & kids, a good book and some cold coronas.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Kelly - Amongst other things funnily enough a fashion designer, how bout that?

Heidi - Me too! Great minds...

What movie have you recently seen and loved, what book have you recently read and enjoyed and what food can you not get enough of right now?
Kelly - Not enough hours in the day for me to read novels these days I do however squeeze in reading articles from my favourite NZ magazine Idealog, a great inspiring read about amazing entrepreneurs and there worlds, reading it makes me feel like i am keeping up with some of this fast paced world we live in. Movies, who has time to go the movies? I am starting to wear out my Devil Wears Prada DVD though, hmmm. I cannot get enough of any type of asian food, give me spice and chilli and I am in heaven.

Heidi - I watched 500 days of summer a couple of weeks ago, cute and quirky with a great soundtrack. It’s such a luxury curling up with a good book and these days it’s a struggle to find the time. However my husband and I are currently pouring over the Vietnam Lonely Planet trying to organise our family Christmas holiday. I can never get enough chocolate – I think with every pregnancy my tooth seems to get a little more sweeter.