AmorAmor is a beautiful kids brand from Australia and I was lucky to talk to these 3 creative and happy ladies about their passions, inspiration and friendship that is the basis of it all. Please take a moment to read this beautiful interview, I am sure both the interview and AmorAmor designs will brighten your day and have you smile several times more than you planned today:)
1.
For introduction, could you first tell us a few words about yourselves?
Who are the people behind AmorAmor?
We are 3
Colombian friends (2 sisters and a best friend) who all left there homeland at
different times to follow dreams of building a new life in Australia. We fell
in love with the country and of course the people. The way of life here suits
us and we now can't imagine leaving this amazing place.
The team
comprises of Luisa (graphic designer) Viviana (fashion designer & psychologist)
and Juliana (scientist with a big passion for craft and design).
We all went to same high school but
reunited here in Melbourne in 2004. We all found love here with sexy Australian
men.
2.
How did it all start?
About 2 years ago we revisited a conversation about following our dreams
to start a business, something we had talked about for many years as kids in
High School. We initially thought it would be difficult to start a business
especially in another country where English is not our first language. One of
us had a baby and it gave us the final push to pursue our dreams of starting a children’s
label. It all initially started as a hobby, something where we could get together, sew and create
things and sell at markets. We
wanted to get together to create products which kept us creative and a
label that highlighted to the world some of the positive aspects of our
country, Colombia. Almost immediately we had such a great
response to the designs and products that we gained momentum extremely quickly.
This kept us motivated and inspired to work harder and put in all the late
nights after our full time jobs. A year in now from start up, we’re so happy
with how the dream is coming together. Late nights and busy schedules are still
present but we love every second of it!
3.
How did you choose the name for your brand?
Choosing our name
really wasn’t that hard, we knew that we wanted a name in Spanish that
reflected our Spanish-Colombian cultures. We also wanted a name that
represented the passion and love we put into each piece we create (Amor Amor
means Love Love in Spanish).
4. Do you have kids? How much do they influence your work?
Juliana
is an expectant mum of twins. Viviana
is still currently enjoying her sleep in’s (for now!) and
finally myself, Luisa. I have a 2-year-old girl called Francesca. Francesca
is a great influence on all of us, we test our products with her to make sure
it’s kid proof and that she enjoys them. Another big inspiration with the
monster designs is our own imaginations, we like to travel back in time and
think as kids. We remember what excited us when we were little, the fun we had
with friendly monsters who at the time we had as best friends. I, Luisa used to
spend hours drawing and painting, I got so excited when we released our Little
Monster Artist Kits, it took me back to when I was a kid colouring in and being
creative.
- Which part of the creative process do you like best?
One of the most enjoyable parts of the creative process is when the 3 of
us get together for a business meeting and share ideas. We do various tasks
such as printing, discuss new product ideas, sketch, draw and let
conversations flow. As each of us concentrates in different areas within the
business we all have different interest. This helps the discussions flow into
different areas, sometimes the conversation can even be non business related
and be; gossiping about latest Colombian music or TV shows we have been
watching. We can chat for hours until Luisa reminds the others to get back to
business related topics. During meetings we like to enjoy nice tea & beautiful
desserts that Juliana makes for us (we love nice food), we couldn’t do it
without one or two cocktails in summer as well. We focus on keeping the
friendship strong and enjoying our time together and not forcing the creative
process.
6. Do you have a 5-10-year plan, or do you just do it instinctively?
At
the time we didn’t know we were going to
grow so quickly, and now, just a year into business we really had to
take a moment
to stop and ask ourselves that very question…wow that sounds big
“5-10-year
plan”, I guess we want to keep creating with lots of passion, we want to
see kids wearing our monsters products in the streets, drawing on them,
being creative, using there imaginations and flying with monsters into
imaginary worlds. We believe kids should continue to be super heroes, be
invisible, and get dirty with colours and pencils. I guess that would be
our 5
to 10 year dream. Helping create happy imaginative children who can
create and
inspire others.
7. Could you suggest some other Colombian designers we should pay
attention to?
To name just a few here are some
of designer-illustrators we love
- We love Marcela Restrepo, illustrator
based in Sydney; love her free use of sketch feel lines and bold vibrant
colours
- Catalina Estrada based in
Barcelona, we are passionate of her use of bright colours and based on a
distinctive Latin
American folklore illustrations
-And
we couldn’t pass the maximalist swimwear designs of Agua Bendita (bright colors and traditional Colombia handcrafted embellishments)
8. How about Australian?
- Melbourne based artist Dawn Tan
She always catches our attention with
her watercolour paints, delicate inky outlines and the beautiful work she does
with kids to encourage them to draw.
-We love the illustration from Me & Oli her anthropomorphism features &
creatures placed in garments are magnificent, as she says it is a “whimsical
& wonderful world”
- Monolog, Indie Laden creates
screen-printed multi-
- Paul & Paula,
Kerstin is German and has also chosen Australia as her new home, her kids clothing
is all made by her and here in Melbourne. You can't miss her super cute hoodies;
we actually have a one of them.
- AskAlice,
amazing stationery and super lovely person, we met her at a trade event we did
this year.
Thank you ladies, and keep creating!
If you want to keep updated, follow AmorAmor on facebook.
They have 25% off the whole store now, due to their 1 year anniversary, so go wild while you can (get the code on their page).
(Read other interviews here)
No comments:
Post a Comment