Well this is us... Myself, Kaidee and Husband Bulan and our 3 year old boy Ari Uki
(minus our 6 year old daughter Inca Mitzi, because she is off the kindy these days)
A family team of four finding out feet on our newest venture The Hills Emporium, nestled amongst the Hills of Byron bay in the charming little Village of Federal, Home of the super delicious Doma cafe and on the way to the picturesque Minyon falls.
We recently caught up with Robbie Mcracken from the Byron Bay local lifestyle free magazine. We chatted about our label 'Kultcha collective' for women and our childrens label 'Child of the wild' fashion for eco kids along with our new lifestyel concept store 'The Hills emporium'
So i have shared with you our little feature story Q&A you will find in this weeks issue leading up the Byron Bay Blues festival...
1.You are one part of The Hills Emporium, what inspired you to open this store? Yes, My husband and I started the Hills Emporium together, we opened at the end of December. We have run our Label Kultcha collective for just on 8 years now together, this being an online and wholesale label alone with festivals and markets, we also begun our child line ‘Child of the wild’ just a few years ago. When we saw this amazing building up for lease in Federal village I almost jumped out of my skin with excitement, Not only does it have so much character with its old rustic tin walls and amazing bush poles that reach so high. IT has a huge ceiling with newly re-furbished roof that accentuates the timber beams, the building itself inspired the new shop name “the Hills Emporium”
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How does the Hinterland inspire the community to create? There are just so many creatives in the area. The freedom of space and to create freely without boundaries or obligations that city life might take away from some. The Byron Shire truly is an incubator for artisans and creatives to flourish as it was for us at the beginning of our journey.
We have amazing talent popping in daily to us their wonderful quality of work with arts, fashion, sculpture, furniture, fair-trade and homemade homewares and more. We select artisans that compliment our vision with our clothing and jewellery range Kultcha collective. - Why is it important to showcase a range of local artisans in the one place? Federal has such a wonderful community of people and family and talent. I am so honoured to be able to offer a space for such wonderful talent.
- What fashion trend do you see taking over this year? Natural fibres and ethically sourced/ manufacture is indefinite, So many trends for a diverse community. Kultcha collective produce 90% of our clothing in Australia and some offshore supporting other small business families and artisans abroad. All of our jewellery is made in house at the Emporium, you may just find us firing up the torch as you arrive into the building with the sweet sound of soldering silver and setting stones.
- How does your philosophy about your business impact environmental trends ? We are now living in a world where the contrast of fast fashion/ consumerism are apparent, in this evolving world we have all become more conscious with our standards of minimising the impact on the environment. By purchasing works by local artists, creatives, designers whom you know to be an eco conscious company or brand you are not only supporting the very people you are in community with but you slowly cut out big companies that may impact our mother earth and living beings that are exploited. Every purchase/ conscious choice counts.
- What’s your “unmissable” Byron Bay activity/restaurant/shop/experience? Well this may sound biased… but how could you not love at least one dish at Doma cafe? Japanese Aussy fusion food. I feel so spoilt to have them just a hop and skip away from the store and close to home. Moonshine coffee roasters in Federal sure do know how to roast a bean too.