How one artist curates her wardrobe with second-hand pieces
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, Georgie Gordon chats to artist and Quandamooka woman Elisa Jane Carmichael.
Elisa Jane Carmichael loves the 70s textiles, hand-woven fabrics and paisley materials. Credit:Louis Lim and Onespace Gallery
How would you describe your style?
I love clashing colours and patterns and I buy a lot of second-hand clothes â" op-shopping is one of my favourite things to do. I like to mix my finds with Australian designers and products from Indigenous-owned businesses.
Whatâs the oldest thing in your wardrobe?
A pair of vintage â70s orange and white striped overalls I bought when I was 18. Iâm 34 now.
And the most recent addition?
A big hot-pink and red crochet jumper that I bought from a local maker in Brisbane. Itâs like a blanket.
What would you wearââ¦
â¦âon a first date? An arts centre T-shirt tucked in to a high-waisted shibori skirt with glittery jelly shoes and big woven earrings.
â¦âon a plane? An oversized cotton floral dress and Teva sandals.
â¦âon the red carpet? A special maxi dress with flared sleeves in blue and green tones that Iâve been saving for an opening later in the year.
Elisa adores everything about Frida Kahloâs look, from her hair to her embroidered dresses.Credit:Getty Images
Whatâs your favourite fashion era?
I love 1970s bohemian style â" the amazing textiles, hand-woven fabrics and paisley materials.
Who are your favourite designers?
I love Grace Lillian Leeâs beautiful weave adornments. Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, in one of the Alice Springs town camps, hand-paint all their fabrics and make amazing collections for the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair â" beautiful maxi skirts, long-sleeve loose tops with high necks. I also like Magpie Goose â" I do a bit of work for them now that they are Aboriginal-owned â" and Brisbane-based designer Nico.
Whereâs your favourite place to shop?
My favourite op shop is over on Minjerribah [North Stradbroke Island]. I also work in a shop called Open House Collective, which stocks vintage clothes, ethically and locally made clothing, and Indigenous and First Nations products curated by BlakLash Projects.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe?
I love a good arts centre T-shirt â" nice soft cotton with a screen-printed drawing or digital print. Vintage cotton dresses â" a Mexican dress with beautiful floral embroidery is a favourite. Usually it would be pants but Iâm pregnant and I canât even think about wearing jeans! So, my third choice would be a maxi skirt.
Can you remember a favourite item of clothing you wore when you were a child?
Floral bike pants.
And your first fashion moment?
When I got my driverâs licence Iâd drive the hour or so from Wellington Point up into West End in Brisbane after school to go to a store called Box Vintage. Thatâs when my obsession with second-hand shopping began! I still have a few treasures from then.
Can you remember your worst fashion mistake?
Nothing specific. Sometimes I do look at myself in the mirror halfway through the day and think, what am I wearing?
Whatâs at the top of your fashion wish list?
Iâll keep an eye on whatâs coming out of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and the Cairns Indigenous Art Fairâs fashion shows â" I love the wearable art. Iâm also excited to see Northâs collection â" they collaborate with Indigenous artists and do amazing designs on beautiful linen. I have a few of their stunning pieces.
Is there anything youâd never wear?
Tight clothes, such as a fitted dress. I donât wear much black. And I canât do polyester any more.
What shoes do wear most often?
Teva sandals or â70s leather flatforms.
Whoâs your favourite fashion icon?
I love everything about Frida Kahloâs style â" her hair, the flowers, earrings, the long skirts tucked into blouses and kaftan tops, all the beautiful textiles, embroideries and embellishments.
What do you wear on a casual Sunday?
I weave for a few hours, so something comfortable. Maybe a loose African dress from the op shop.
Elisa is a finalist in the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards; natsiaa.com.au.
This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale August 22. To read more from Sunday Life, visit The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
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