Meet Tara Whalley

Have you always wanted to be a fashion designer?

I have been drawing from a young age, I used to draw a lot of clothing ideas.  I would staple pages of recycled paper together like a little book, and draw lots of outfits. An outfit I remember drawing as a child were these flared pants with flames around the base- who knows - maybe I'll make them a reality one day!  I also had an interest in illustrating books, and I think creating prints for clothing is a fun way to overlap those interests.  I remember going to interviews to a lot of different creative courses after highschool, but as soon as I walked into the Textile Design interview, I knew it was for me - I love how you can apply prints to so many different things.

Where do you draw inspiration? 

All my prints are tied to memories and personal experiences.  I'll often take photos of flowers on walks or hikes, or start noticing colour combinations I am drawn to.  Collections are often reflections on time away, or studies of ornaments that are significant to me.

What does a standard day look like for you?

I spend most days painting and creating textile prints, some days for my label, other days for my Freelance Textile Design clients.  I really love it because I use lots of different materials and techniques and really paint up a storm. I'll have days when I visit my Melbourne makers and suppliers and pick up stock, which is really fun and nice being able to visit suppliers really easily.  I also spend a lot of evenings tagging and preparing orders to send.  I love ending the day hanging out with my husband Andrew or having a dance with friends.

When are you at your happiest?
Painting, dancing, having a laugh with friends/family. Also when a new batch of work is out in the world and people are enjoying it, responding to it and having their own adventures in it.  That brings me so much joy.

The Jumbled Quickie