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.
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.
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.
1. It's going to be a labour of love - don't quit your day job just yet.
2. They're are a lot of people out there who are truly amazing and better than you at what they do - get them on board.
3. Have a clear concept and try not to sway too far from it.
4. When mistakes occur don't fret too much - it's all vital learnings.
5. Don't get too lost in the 'research' stage.
6. Trust your judgement. You'll get a lot of advice and a lot of it will be super beneficial but at the end of the day it's your call. Trust yo self.
7. Allow time for error and don't get sloppy under pressure. Even if they are teeny tiny mistakes they all count and matter.
8. A friend of mine Freddie who helped Xaiver at Dawn Press do the printing said to me when I was having moment of stressin', "Pressure makes diamonds," and it kinda became my mantra that I creepily recited to myself out loud from then on.
Major issues hmm… I think once I came to realise that I couldn't solely do everything myself and designated tasks to gals that not only were my friends but also amazing up and coming talented ladies it all fell into place.
For textile and fashion inspiration - stylebubble.co.uk
For personal steeze I love - lizzysmart.tumblr.com
Not sure if they count as blogs but I always love trawling though Broadsheet to see wassup in melb and Dazed Digital for the UK.
Definitely a Edition 2 sometime this year.
Thanks Savannah Anand-Sobti, your a legend and we can't wait for edition 2!
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