Thousand Dancers

How/Where did it all begin?

I began my design life as a graphic designer in Brisbane, Australia before my obsession with lingerie and textiles saw me relocate to Melbourne to design for boutique lingerie label, Sabi Lingerie followed by a second relocation to Sydney to design for underwear giant Bonds Underwear, Pacific Brands.

My experience with one of the biggest and one of the smallest players in the industry set me up perfectly for going out on my own.

I simultaneously completed a MA in textile design and launch Thousand Dancers Lingerie in 2009.

I share my love equally between textiles and lingerie. I love the freedom of expression that intimates allow; they’re like the wearer’s little secret.  You can experiment so much more with colour and prints in intimates and not be swayed by fashion trends.

How would you describe your Style?

Vintage-inspired cuts are given a playful updating with pretty prints on sensual silk and classic cotton. Flirty ties, fetching ruffles and gathers galore pair with high-waisted briefs, ruffled soft-cup under wire bras and button up unstructured bras for frivolous fun under your favourite party frock or for mooching around the house with serious style.

Although still fresh on the market, Thousand Dancers is steadily growing a dedicated following due to it’s unique style and unreserved use of colour and print.

Do you have a Muse?

The brand was inspired by Patti Smith and the independent spirit of the 1970s. The 70s was a time for such monumental change, there was so much love and hope for the future. Patti was such in instrumental figure in changing the way women saw themselves within society.

To honour this each of my prints are named after an inspirational woman. Season two, It’s Only Rock n’ Roll featured Lennox (Annie Lennox from the Eurythmics) and Chrissy (Chrissie Amplette from the Divinyls)

What Fabrics do you use and why?

The range is designed for the Australian climate concentrating on natural fibres like silk and cotton printed in Australia. All prints are digitally printed to compliment the lightweight fibres.

Travels-where have you been, where would you like to go and why?

My family are born travellers; at the moment we all live in the same city for the first time in 6 or so years. My last trip was a month in Japan, which was absolutely glorious. Kyoto is an incredibly inspiring city for all things textile.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I love sitting in an empty gallery or bar with a journal and oversized headphones and seeing what hits me. I usually pick one musician per season - like Bob Dylan for season one, The Rolling Stones for season two – and play them on repeat for an entire month.

Home Town-what you miss about it if you do not live there anymore.  What is the best thing about it if you do?

I have recently moved back to my hometown of Brisbane, Australia. What I missed most was the Sunshine Coast – my home away from home. I love nothing more than heading up the coast with laptop and a surfboard; it never feels like work when you’re at the beach.

And finally, we want to know a bit more about you, so would really appreciate some honest answers the following questions:

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

When I lived in Sydney I used to visit artist Brett Whiteley’s (1939-1992) studio as much as I could. On one of his walls he’d scribbled different quotes from songs or pieces of advice he’d been given. The one that stuck with me most was one of the most simple “If it’s done, stop. If it’s not, keep going”.

What is your quirkiest habit and how long have you had it?

I think my worse habit is that I can never focus on just one thing. I have 3 different journals at a time and tend to work on 2 or 3 projects at once. While writing this I was also working on a birthday invite for my nephew’s first birthday (and listening to Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell on oversized headphones).

What is your happiest memory?

My happiest memories were birthdays by the beach, sunshine, presents and ice-cream cakes. I’m still my happiest there.