LOL (Ladies of Leisure)

How and why did LOL start?

LOL came about because I'm surrounded by girl friends becoming great by doing their thang, but who are still young and figuring things out. I kept hearing a lot of friends around me say "Oh I wish I was doing that or I wish I could do what you're doing." Only for me to keep saying "You can do that or you can do what I'm doing, just make a start." I started to feel like I was repeating myself a lot. I feel that a lot of my friends and peers even if they're studying what they love and are talented buggers, lack the initiative or perhaps confidence to do the side projects outside of uni and their jobs that matter the most. I myself am always looking for a inspiration boost and when I read about someone I admire doing their thang it makes me dream and want to make good shit too. I also think it's incredibly important to support women in creative industries, it’s a big enough pool for everyone to swim in. Rather than being competitive or cliquey we should admire and encourage one another, cha know? I also really wanted to make a tangible, printed publication that you could keep. In a digital age where there's a ever flowing news feed or scroll bar of constant new information, I think printed publications are starting to become a bit under valued by my gen. I stumbled upon some print work I had done in the past when I was moving house last year and just felt it was so valuable because it didn't live within the confines of a hard drive like a lot of my (life) past work.

Who is involved and what do you do aside from LOL?

LOL involves an all female cast of contributors who will vary from edition to edition. LOL wouldn't be what it is if it wasn't for all the ladies involved. A big role in Edition 1 was my friend Zarnie Morcombe, who did all the graphic design. Sally Tabart who not only over saw all the written content but really helped as an all round best advice gal pal. My friend Suzannah Ahern helped me with all the PR kinda stuff and Alice Oehr did the rad cover as well as sharing a lot of pearls of wisdom. (Thanks chicas xoxox!) Teamwork makes the dream work.

Aside from LOL I finished uni last year - I studied Textile Design at RMIT majoring in screen printing. I just got a desk space at Magic Johnson and I'm going to start working on a 2nd bag and jewellery collection for my label Sav Sav.

Your launch party at Magic Johnston was huge!

How did you gain so much interest in the lead up to the event?

Yeah it was a great turn out huh. I think I can thank the great roll call of ladies involved in LOL for that. I think it's also because Magic Johnston is a cool space and I had The Good Copy as hosts. I think I can put it down to a appreciative creative Melbourne community who like going out and supporting local acts with the added bonus of free booze and good tunes.