Despite the One Undone creative team pouring souls into their forthcoming winter collection, Daily Labels managed to speak with Graphic Artist and Creative Director Brodie Bannerman of Newcastle about how his label came to be and how his involvement in supporting independent designers is also saving the city.

 

 

 Background Check. Brodie from One Undone

 

Daily Labels Tell us about the creative team behind One Undone?

Brodie @ One Undone I began One Undone and it has since evolved into a collaboration of artists: Jasper Smith, Alanna Fallon, Scott Newman and Reece Wilson. I screen print all the tees, singlets and jumpers and direct the label.

 

Daily Labels What led you to a career in fashion?

Brodie @ One Undone I completed a graphic design diploma last year and had a couple of years of screen printing experience, so that led to creating One Undone. It actually began as a university project but now it's a bit more than that!

 

Daily Labels What's shaking at the label currently?

Brodie @ One Undone A lot at the moment! We recently acquired and fitted out a temporary shop called Nookstore that supports independent Newcastle designers. We’re creating a video clip about what goes on at One Undone. We’re doing our first winter range plus our first cotton pant samples, our first button-up t-shirt samples and our first order of skate decks ... just to name a few things!

 

Daily Labels Inspiration the One Undone creative team looks to when designing?

Brodie @ One Undone A tough question because all the designs are by the artist team at One Undone known as Free Hands. Everyone has a diverse style which contributes to what One Undone is.

 

Daily Labels Your daily uniform?

Brodie @ One Undone Whatever is in the t-shirt and shorts draw goes – no one looks back on their life and remembers the hours spent getting ready!

 

Daily Labels Your saving grace for the long and hard days of slog?

Brodie @ One Undone Triple J.

 

Daily Labels Biggest challenge directing One Undone?

Brodie @ One Undone A lot! Keeping it independent is a major factor. Designing the website. Printing all the t-shirts and singlets plus building the silk screen frames. Establishing a following and being accepted. Plus now, pretty much everything comes out of my garage instead of my bedroom – just to give you a better idea of where One Undone is at.

 

Daily Labels One Undone's biggest achievement?

Brodie @ One Undone Acquiring a shop space through Renew Newcastle [a non-for-profit group that gathers artists, cultural projects and community groups to use and maintain vacant buildings until they become commercially viable or redeveloped.]

 

Daily Labels There's talk on your website about One Undone being more of an idea than a label in the future. Talk us through this statement?

Brodie @ One Undone You never know how long something will last. Everyday I wake up and the first thing on my mind is One Undone and what I can do to improve it. The video clip I mentioned earlier will hopefully be available within the next fortnight, both on our website and Facebook – it tells the One Undone story. If you have three minutes of spare time, take the chance to watch it because hard work has gone into it!

 

 

 

 

 

This week on Background Check, we interview Sydney-based jewellery designer and painter Zoe Sernack, owner of hugely coveted lines ZM925 and Zoemou.

We find out what this water lover thinks the most underrated pieces of jewellery are and how the world’s most well-known international socialite came to ‘borrow’ some of her pieces.

 Background Check. Zoe Sernack

 

 

Daily Labels Zoe, you're the grand daughter of a rag trade veteran so fashion runs in the blood – but tell us more about your creative endeavours?

Zoe Sernack I’m a trained painter with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and I've held many exhibitions in the past. To support myself, I worked in fashion and jewellery stores before starting my own labels. I still paint and will be having a solo exhibition this year. [Visit Zoe's art website].

 

Daily Labels How exactly did your jewellery lines come to be?

Zoe Sernack I worked in fashion stores like Nicola Finetti, Zambelli and Leona Edmiston then worked for a small chain of boutiques and became an accessory buyer. I soon realised I wanted to design my own accessories after finding it hard to purchase items I thought would sell well. From there, I teamed up with a good friend and we started a label. We had huge success at a Sydney fashion week festival where designers asked us to collaborate with them to design jewellery. I eventually decided to go out on my own and have never looked back. I can be creative and work with people who inspire me to design new and different items.

 

Daily Labels Best career advice you've ever received?

Zoe Sernack To stay committed, determined and believe in myself.

 

Daily Labels How did the guys from Kings Of Leon and Benji Madden come to possess your pieces?

Zoe Sernack I started ZM925 with an ex-boyfriend (who I’m still very good friends with) and Kings Of Leon happened to pick some of the pieces we designed together online. We also found out Paris Hilton "borrowed" pieces from Benji Madden (her then boyfriend) after ex-girlfriend Sophie Monk gifted him with some of our pieces. The late DJ AM also wore our label as did Amy Winehouse.

 

Daily Labels Describe your personal style.

Zoe Sernack It really depends on the way I’m feeling. Some days it’s all about colour, then other days I’ll wear comfort clothes – boots and oversized long cardigans. I guess it’s a relaxed edgy look ... bit of urban gypsy I guess. And of course, I love my jewels!

 

Daily Labels Your most cherished piece of jewellery?

Zoe Sernack Ohhh ... that’s a hard question! I have a few. Once I design a new range, there are always certain pieces that become my favourites. I also started designing charms because when I was a young child, my grandmother gave me her childhood charm bracelet. I saw it as an heirloom being passed down and I wanted to do a modern take on it. I love the sentimental value of jewellery and how it can possess the personality of the wearer.

 

Daily Labels Favourite place to shop?

Zoe Sernack A few places in Sydney actually: The Iconic, The Candy Store and I love My Catwalk. And I love flea markets and vintage stores, especially overseas.

 

Daily Labels Most stylish city in Australia?

Zoe Sernack I’m guilty of only going to a few of the states in Australia but I would have to say Melbourne. People there have a style that is their own. They seem more inspired to be themselves rather than conforming to the latest trends.

 

Daily Labels Favourite source of design inspiration?

Zoe Sernack I find inspiration in so many places. From graffiti to travelling to libraries and the internet. Sub-cultures, art movements and people-watching all around the world is the best inspiration of all!

 

Daily Labels How do you spend your weekends?

Zoe Sernack My boyfriend and I are pretty active. We love having our friends over as much as possible and having a barbeque or drinks. I also just got hooked (literally) on fishing but anything by the water does it for me – paddle-boarding, walking, swimming or going up north to visit mum and kayak and sail near her place.

 

Daily Labels Which jewellery designers do you admire?

Zoe Sernack The late Alexander McQueen is an inspiration. His designs were unique and striking. There are so many creative people out there and we now have the technology to find them on online so easily. There’s no reason why we can't be inspired by someone or something everyday!

 

Daily Labels What is the most underrated jewellery item?

Zoe Sernack Cuffs and guy rings are the most underrated items. There is nothing hotter than a guy wearing jewellery. I have a few guy friends that layer their jewels and rings up. That and a plain white t-shirt and jeans for me is such a turn on, gives them a Johnny Depp vibe yet a strong sense of personal style. I also love when girls have interesting rings in different sizes and stories on their fingers. Lastly, I have some incredible cuffs from Afghanistan and Nepal that are such statement pieces ... they can transform an outfit.

 

Daily Labels Who would you most love to collaborate with for a collection?

Zoe Sernack When I collaborate, I really get excited to work with someone that has a different outlook and style to my own. I love a challenge, whether it’s working with a different material or a whole new way of designing. There are some incredible fashion-forward people but graphic illustrators and artists are people I love and want to collaborate more with. I can see that some of their work would translate amazingly into pendants. I would also love to work with some top tattoo artists from around the world as well as graffiti artists.

 

Daily Labels What industry demands do you face now as opposed to when you started out?

Zoe Sernack The retail world is so different today. Boutiques didn't have an online presence before but now, most are online and their reach is worldwide. I now need to make sure I’m more actively involved in what the world is doing rather than what is happening in Australia and New Zealand only. It also means things are a whole lot more competitive so I need to always keep the creative thinking hat on. Also, being copied is a whole lot more easier.

 

Daily Labels What's planned for 2012?

Zoe Sernack I have relaunched my other label Zoemou having just completed an entire campaign (which I’m really excited to push at the moment). I’m also looking to do more collaborations for ZM925 and doing more graphic pieces.

 

Daily Labels Your favourite collection that you’ve worked on?

Zoe Sernack The new Zoemou range. Nomadic Sun has been a great experience that I’m really happy and proud of. My most recent ZM925 collection of New Charms has also been a great success. I’m doing larger pieces and the reception to this has been awesome. I will be carrying this on and releasing new designs very soon.

Keep up to date with Zoe's ranges and inspirations through Facebook where you can even purchase her pieces.

ZM925

Zoemou

 

 

Welcome to Background Check. What the hell is that you ask? Fine. We'll tell you.

Background Check is a series of interviews with our most popular labels. We thought that without any background, our treasured labels are faceless, so it would be kinda cool to give you some stock on what's actually happening behind the scenes plus discuss their design principles.

 

Looking forward, we'd truly love any feedback and suggestions on the labels that interest you. We'll do our best to get a Background Check on them and feature any burning questions you may have. Email us on info@dailylabels.com.au

This week, we launch our interview series with Aprils Chance, a streetwear label that features regularly at Daily Labels. We hope you enjoy it.

 

Background Check Aprils Chance

 

NOVEMBER 2011: SUMMER SHOOT BEHIND THE SCENES. A BIG TURNOUT TO A FUN NIGHT.

 

Daily Labels To start with, what’s currently happening behind the scenes at Aprils Chance?
Aprils Chance Currently we’re finishing off high summer 2012 which was released last week. [View via Facebook or their website.] This collection was loads of fun to design and the feedback has been really cool. Our next project is a few pieces and a new shoot for winter 2012.

Daily Labels With all that's out there, where does Aprils Chance find design inspiration?

Aprils Chance Inspiration comes from anything. From cult heroes to world travels and abstract artwork.

 

Daily Labels This is a loaded question but what the heck: do you consider fashion 'art' or is it its own category?

Aprils Chance It is a hard question. A bit of both we feel.

 

Daily Labels Best thing about running your own label?

Aprils Chance We're in a great industry where you meet loads of different characters. Our journey so far has been fun.

 

Daily Labels Most difficult aspect of running your own label?

Aprils Chance There are always obstacles you face when running a streetwear label. In general – time frames and printing mishaps, just to name a few.

 

Daily Labels What do you wish people would understand about working in fashion?

Aprils Chance That we're all here to help each other.

 

 

DARREN FROM APRILS CHANCE ENJOYING SOME ROADSIDE FUN BEFORE A SHOOT.

 

Daily Labels What trends do you see for 2012?

Aprils Chance Older school nineties styles are coming back. We've just released a Biggie Smalls print from the high summer range. It has done super well since he's one of the legendary MCs of that time. Our Kurt 93' design went bananas also.

 

Daily Labels What does Aprils Chance have planned for 2012?

Aprils Chance A lot more work and marketing ahead this year. Stay tuned!

 

Daily Labels If given the choice of all designers in the world to work with ... ?

Aprils Chance We've met a stack of designers and labels in the industry. Guys from Bam Bam, Death By Zero, Ksubi and Small Time Crook. Maybe getting everyone together for a special edition collaboration would be a fun experience.

 

Daily Labels Does Aprils Chance reflect the personal fashion taste of its designers?

Aprils Chance Yeah that does play a big part when we are designing new prints. If we weren't getting 100% behind it or putting effort into it, we wouldn’t bother releasing any prints.

Daily Labels Can you describe the Aprils Chance style?

Aprils Chance We’re a darker style streetwear brand. We try to steer clear of the mainstream stuff where we can.

A RESULT OF FUN. APRILS CHANCE LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN A PISSFART BEHIND CAMPAIGN SHOOTS.

 

 

 

 

 

"After 98 sleepless nights, 71 flashes of inspiration, 67 bad ideas, 54 new stockists, 40 complaints from conservative clowns, 36 chance meetings, 21 group hugs, 19 arguments with suppliers, 13 cases of Reschs, 8 tantrums, 4 years of ridiculously hard work, 3 plans to escape to a desert island and 2 out of body experiences, the time has come to put Eleventh Commandment to bed."

 

It is with feelings of sadness and admiration that we at Daily Labels bid farewell to a label that has built an ardent following nationally and on our website with our subscribers.

 

Founders Henry Holland and Joshua Oldfield announced on their blog a fortnight ago that they’ve decided to close shop on their label Eleventh Commandment to pursue their dreams in new endeavours.

 

With Henry planning to hit the university law books this year and Joshua shifting his focus on his new label Trunks, they both made the trying decision to conclude Eleventh Commandment’s high.

 

These boys lay testament on daring to dream and we wish them both prosperity in their new undertakings.

 

We will forever treasure their early involvement with Daily Labels and thank them for producing some quality garments over the years for our fans. They will be missed.

 

For all the Eleventh Commandment devotees, you’re still able to purchase the last of their garments at their online store. Get in quick.

 

 

 

Oh. Where did the weekend go? Yet another amazing summer weekend has disappeared into thin air and no one knows where it went.

 

Happy Monday Afternoon then.

We’re just getting a little excited about a new label on board this week.

 

 

 Clover Love. 

 

This professional artist is no fool. Amongst frequent gallery gigs and retail store events showcasing her paintings, Kristie Stenning launched her label Clover Love at Sydney’s Bondi Markets only three years ago.

 

Soon after moving her items into boutiques nationally, Kristie found her label travelling as far as London and Los Angeles too. Since then, her delightfully soft and flowing fabrics have not only caught our keen eye but also that of some British press heavyweights at Vogue, Elle and Grazia.

 

If the girl wasn’t busy enough, plans to expand Clover Love into a collection that doubles as an art exhibition are in place. There’s no time to be tired.

 

Clover Love is handmade in Australia and we’re pretty chuffed to have these feminine threads with Daily Labels. So should you. Don’t miss out.