Melbourne, make room in your weekend: the Colour Code Pop-Up is hitting Neon Parlour, Thornbury from May 16–18, bringing together bold handmade goods, joyful art, and a whole lot of colour. Featuring: maker and mineral, Eleonora Arosio, Benna Co., Tor, Kolom, Pebble Gems, Pali, Clingy and Lucky Things.
We caught up with organisers and featured artists Samantha Ives of maker and mineral, a slow-fashion designer whose love of textiles is stitched into every made-to-order piece, and Eleonora Arosio, the illustrator known for her witty takes on everyday life (she’ll also be drawing 3-minute portraits at the event!).
From sewing as meditation to sketching la dolce vita, they shared what inspires their work, how they stay grounded creatively, and why colour is always worth celebrating.
Opening night party: Friday 6–8pm with drinks by @tina.drinks
Hours: Fri 1–8pm / Sat & Sun 11–6pm
Your illustrations often depict everyday life with a touch of irony. How do you decide which moments to capture, and what message do you hope to convey through them?
Sometimes it’s just a simple gesture or a cool person walking down the street that catches my attention, and sometimes that’s all it is, a bit of eye-candy. Other times, those small moments mix with something I’ve been thinking about and turn into more meaningful illustrations. It really depends, but I like that balance between lightness and depth.
Having lived and worked in both Melbourne and Milan, how have these different cultural environments influenced your artistic style and themes?
Melbourne has such a strong Italian presence, which I love. I often include elements of my culture in my illustrations: it’s a way to stay connected to my roots and also make new connections with others who share an Italian background. I think a lot of people have a soft spot for Italian culture and la dolce vita too, so it feels like a welcoming theme that can include everyone.
You’ve collaborated with various brands and publications. How do you maintain your unique artistic voice while meeting the objectives of diverse clients?
I remember when I first started, I mostly drew naked ladies, and a client once told me that I needed to show more clothing in my portfolio because that wouldn’t fly with a lot of clients – and they were right! In the beginning, I was very focused on what I would or wouldn’t draw and I boxed myself in a bit. But now I see every project as an opportunity. Each one pushes and stretches my style in new ways, and I find that really exciting. It keeps evolving.
What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators who are looking to develop a distinctive style and make their mark in the industry?
Keep going! If I showed you all the styles I went through over the years, you’d be surprised. But eventually, things start to settle and you’ll find your way. You just have to keep drawing and trust the process. And don’t wait – reach out to people! You have to be proactive, contact new clients, and get your name out there.
Your garments often feature bold color-blocking and patchwork designs. What draws you to these aesthetics, and how do they reflect your personal or cultural influences?
I can be a pretty obsessive person, and COLOUR and TEXTILES are two of my earliest obsessions… so, while I can’t say that I know where my love of colour-blocking and patchwork comes from specifically, it makes a lot of sense! I grew up in San Francisco, CA, which is a notoriously colorful place to parents who were briefly hippies (hello colourful patchwork!) so I think I must have been influenced by the colourful world around me! I was also lucky to have a grandmother who taught me to hand sew, knit, and latch hook before I can even remember. Her father had been a dress-maker in New York after immigrating to the US in the Early 1900s. So textiles and colour were just a part of my world as a young person, and now they are fundamental to who I am!
Maker & Mineral emphasizes sustainability and inclusivity. How do you balance these values with the practical challenges of running a solo, made-to-order clothing business?
Oof, it isn’t always easy!! Sustainability is at the core of this business, when I first started Maker & Mineral, I was only using secondhand fabrics and making one-of-a-kind pieces with the fabrics I could find, but that was hard to maintain 10 years ago when I was figuring out what my customers wanted. So, I chose the custom made-to-order model that I have now, which utilizes an eco-friendly fibre – linen, minimises waste by using my scraps for patchwork pieces, and allows me to make pieces that can fit any body. But, the balance is a challenge, and I am always running close to my margins. And as things have gotten more expensive these past few years, it is getting definitely harder to keep this solo/ made-to-order business afloat!
You’ve mentioned that sewing has been a meditative practice for you, especially during challenging times. Could you elaborate on how this creative process supports your well-being?
I was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety at the age of 14 and creativity was my main emotional outlet when I felt overwhelmed. I was one of those kids that hung out in the art room during lunch! When I was 16, my mom asked her friend to teach me how to use a sewing machine (shout out to Sonia Lewis whose quilts are the stuff of dreams). And since then I have never really looked back, I feel powerful and nimble when sitting at a sewing machine. Focusing on stitching lines, curves, and corners calms my overwhelmed brain. I also definitely notice that when I am away from my machines for too long because I crave the meditative focus that sewing requires.
Considering your background in studio art and media studies, how have your academic experiences influenced your approach to fashion design and storytelling through textiles?
Studying media theory made me think a lot about HOW we all communicate with each other, and textiles are often how we ‘mediate’ OURSELVES to others! Clothing can be how humans first communicate who we are in the public, before we can vocalise or express our own stories. Our clothing tells people around us how we want to express ourselves out in the world (ie. am I colourful, am I playful, am I modern, am I dark and brooding, am I prioritising comfort…) And I love that! I love that clothes can assist us in being OURSELVES out in the scary world. Textiles are also one of the earliest media for storytelling, so this ancient method of communicating is still alive and well in our everyday life, which is so cool! I am such a nerd for textiles!!!
