'Country Paradise' featuring Elyse Anne Design + Interview with the Designer

Source / Garments: Elyse Anne Design

Model: Jelena Jelinek

Photographer: Stuart Steenbergen Photography

Hair & Make Up: Elyse Telfer

Jewellery: Polli Design, Byron Bay

A showcase of a new Australian label set against the beautiful Australian bush is our kind of thing. The good news is that we just know you're going to love this post too, as it features the brilliant garments of Elyse Anne Design - plus an interview with the talented Elyse herself!

'Country Paradise' is Elyse's very first Summer campaign as previously she has worked in wedding couture, but now finds herself wanting to concentrate on Ready to Wear garments.

"All of the garments are 100% Australian Made, in Sydney and I made the decision to only use natural fabrics; Linens, cottons, silks and bamboo. I believe in designing simple garments, of great quality, that can be introduced into any existing wardrobe and last a long time," Elyse says.

This brilliant campaign was shot in Young, NSW, and this location remains close to the designer's heart. She explains: "Last February my fiancé and I moved from the beautiful coast, to the dry hot country. Since moving here I have built my own company in fashion design and couture, drawing inspiration from my new surroundings."

Whim was recently lucky enough to interview Elyse about her latest collection, this photoshoot and her dreams for the future of her business. We hope you find her answers as inspiring as we did!

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Q: When did your love of fashion design first bloom?A: Since I was very young I have explored the world of design. I took every art class imaginable and tried every type of creative medium available. The sewing machine was a constant presence during my childhood, but it wasn’t until my early teens, during middle school, that I combined my artistic skills with fashion design.Studying textiles as an elective from year 9 through to my HSC was when I found my passion for fabric and design, and wanted to further explore this passion by enrolling in Design school and majoring in Fashion Design. This desire took me to Raffles College of Design and Commerce, completing a Bachelor of Design.

Q: How would you describe your brand in just three words?A: Chic, Feminine and Effortless

Q: When it comes to your fashion designs, what inspires your creativity the most?A: Two very different things, art and fabric inspire my designs. Take me to a museum or a fabric store and I have entered Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, I go nuts!The artistic movement that I am inspired by most is the Impressionist movement. It’s the vibrant colours and short brush strokes that create movement on the canvas and the urgency from the artist to capture that one beautiful moment, is what I love.As for fabric, I can’t get enough of touching and matching all the fabrics I come across. In some circumstances it’s the fabric that inspires me to design a certain garment. The amount of fabric swatches I have is rather crazy and ridiculous.

Q: What does an average day in the life of Elyse involve?A: Since moving out to the country my average day has become simpler. I love food, so my day always starts of with a big breakfast and tea. Most days I take my dog for a walk around town drawing inspiration from the beautiful cottage gardens, fragrant roses and quaint country cottages along the way. After I come home I head straight for my little home office.Lists are what keep my days going, so I always structure my day this way. This time of year I am focusing on the next collection, meaning lots of research and sketches start to consume my day. In between the research I send out orders, check stock levels, update social media, and organize photo shoots, contact pattern makers and my production manager. Not to mention have lunch somewhere amongst all that.I like to keep my afternoons quiet and relaxing. Out here I have come to balance work, me time and family.

Q: Please tell us a little about the experience you had whilst working on this series of images, 'Country Paradise'?A: I came into this shoot rather nervous. It has been a few years since my last shoot, so I was refreshing myself on the process.I wanted to capture my new hometown and bring the Australian country to my coastal friends and family. A friend kindly suggested using their farm and I happily accepted. The farm had many beautiful qualities that captured the life out here: wheat crops, canola fields, cattle, rolling rocky hills and a lovely old shearers shed made from stone. The scene was perfectly set. Along with the photographer we discussed the style of photos I wanted to capture, resulting in myself writing a very detailed list of each look and location I wanted to feature on the day.The afternoon ran so smoothing. We started off at the shearers shed taking detailed shots of each garment from every angle you can imagine. We then moved to a variety of locations changing outfits as we went. The only moment I felt worried or stressed on the day was when the model and myself came across a brown snake. Fortunately for us it was heading in the opposite direction!

Q: Lastly, what do you hope to achieve with your fashion label in the not-too-distant future; Do you have any exciting upcoming plans that you would like to share with us?A: Elyse Anne Design is a new boutique and there is so much more I’d like to achieve. Our official online store will be up and running for Christmas purchasing and our winter 2015 collection is well on its way. In the short term we have some great photo shoots coming up over the next few months, featuring our very own customers. Not to mention some great Christmas giveaways and sales in the next couple of months.My dream for the long term is to continue designing timeless garments that women of all ages and sizes can feel comfortable and feminine in. I believe in listening to my customer on what they’d like to wear, then creating quality clothing that will reflect their ideas, merging them with the current fashion trends.

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You can find out more about Elyse Anne Design by following the label on Facebook, Instagram (@elyse_anne_design) or Pinterest. Enjoy!