Vancouver's Actress, Lindsey Angell

1. Lindsey, can you share who you are and what it is you do? 

Lindsey Angell. I'm an actress/creator/collaborator, currently working within the Canadian Theatre community. Specifically Vancouver, Canada!

2. How did you become a professional actress? 

I became and continue to grow into the role of "professional actress" by taking risks and by attempting to say no to nothing. I started in my hometown community theatre, from there I attended a performing arts high school and have two separate diplomas from college's in BC and Alberta.

3. You recently presented medals at the Vancouver Winter Olympics! Can you tell us about your experience?

The Olympics was an epic experience and I'm so proud to have volunteered my time and energy. I met incredible athletes from all over the world as well as volunteers and Olympic staff who, like me, were simply looking to share in something that was truly remarkable. At the women's gold medal hockey game I stood off-ice holding seven medals. I couldn't take my eyes off of them...yes, they were beautiful but more than that, they represent greatness and the weight of their meaning will far outlast the pain in my forearms once the tray was empty. I also volunteered as a medal presenter for the Paralympics where the athletes are not only excelling in their sport but are doing so with against the challenges of disabilities. I can't explain the sound of the stadium when the Canadian pairs skating team won the gold medal or when Charles Hamelin took his final lap in short track speed skating but I can say that I will never ever forget the power and emotion I witnessed throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.
 

4. Who/what is inspiring you at the moment? Do you have a favourite actress that influences you?
 At the moment, I'm inspired by ordinary people. I'm all about witnessing great moments in real life. Whether its someone devouring a sandwich on the bus, or a couple having a loud fight in the mall. I'm inspired by how reckless and vulnerable and funny people are and how there is a character around ever corner if I just open my eyes. I love watching Kate Winslet, she seems to wear her heart outside of her skin and you can see every beat. I love that.

5. What advice would you give to women pursuing acting as a career? 

Well...I'll just give you the advice I give myself...often. Be brave, keep your head up and love every minute.

Thanks Lindsey and good luck with your creative career as an actress in Canada! Arielle

Jessica Lambert of Je Ne Sais Quoi, Brisbane's fashion entrepreneur, photographer and creative.

"je ne sais quoi"- meaning an inexplicable quality; a certain something…. The ‘X- factor’.

JE NE SAIS QUOI is a unique, collaborative fashion exhibition, bringing some of Queensland’s most innovative and inspiring emerging artists together to explore the concept of 'fashion as art'. Through photographic works, film, installation and illustration the artists interpret the craft of hair styling, make-up, fashion design, and styling.

Founded by Brisbane fashion creative, Jessica Lambert, the Je Ne Sais Quoi exhibition was held on Friday night the 12th of February, 2010, at Studio Thirteen in West End. I made sure to be there on the exhibition night and went with a group of friends who are also interested in the creative industries and fashion design. The turn out was fantastic with the entrance resembling a dream-like catwalk. As you entered Studio Thirteen you felt as though you had finally discovered an underground melting pot of local designers, fashionistas, musicians and artists all in one big room. There was a buzz in the air and a sense of anticipation as the models prepared to parade through the crowds, stopping at various artworks to model their unique outfits and hair styles. If you weren't able to make the event be sure to keep an eye out for the future and check out the website.

 Team JNSQ: Ruwan De Silva, AJ Jones, Jessica Lambert, Jessica Hutt, Romesh De Silva

1. Jessica, as the founder of Brisbane's fashion exhibition, Je Ne Sais Quoi, can you share with Gloss Posse who you are and what it is you do?

I’m a fashion photographer, stylist and a dabbler in design. I’m always surprising myself and others with my continuous, ever evolving, whacky ideas.

2. How did you come up with the concept of Je Ne Sais Quoi?

I wanted to really push myself and those in the emerging fashion creative industry in Queensland, to show what we are capable of. The talent behind the scenes are often lost so I wanted to uncover these artists and bring them to the forefront. Brisbane is over-flowing with fresh talent, I wanted to do something to help showcase part of a growing industry.

3.What is your vision for Je Ne Sais Quoi?

You’ll have to wait and see....!

 

4. Who/what is inspiring you at the moment?

The world wide web and its bloggers are always inspiring to me. I take my hat off to those who have a passion and want to show it to the world. Even if it is completely self-indulgent....thanks for sharing...it was entertaining! I don’t really have a favourite designer. There are many creatives past and present who I am in awe of. I strongly believe that creatives make the world go around.
 

5. What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in the fashion industry?

If you’re not going to be 100% committed, have a backup plan. You’ll work, what seems, harder than most for less. You won’t get your break in the first 6 months, year, 18 months or even 2 years. Although the people and clothes are pretty, the work is not. It’s a lot of hard work and at times you will feel as though you can’t give it any more.

HOWEVER the hard work does pay off and the money will come in. People will pay top dollar for good creatives. CREATE everyday and don’t let your ‘day-job’ get in the way of your ‘dream-job’. The fashion industry is very competitive so prepare yourself. If you’re scared someone will steal your idea, they will! Just make yours better! Go where the work is- it’s giving yourself the best chance to grow.

 

Thank you Jessica for having the vision to create Je Ne Sais Quoi and support emerging artists. Keep us up to date with what happens next with Je Ne Sais Quoi and your photography! You can contact Jessica by email or visit the website.

Arielle

Stockholm Furniture Fair 2010, by designer Rae Underhill

 This ex-QLD girl/interior designer, Rae Underhill, got her first taste of an international design fair, braving crazily cold and snowy conditions to visit the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Things were bright and warm inside with both exhibitors and visitors saying it was the best fair in years. There was a real sense of optimism, belief in the future and the economic turn around which was exciting after 12 months of pure GFC gloom living in London.

The following is Rae's personal experiences and review of the Stockholm Furniture Fair.

"Lighting was the stand out with Northern Lighting leading the way introducing cool and quirky pieces that made me laugh, like this favourite the "Moo" light. 

Hot lighting trend spotted at both Gubi and House of Light - grandeur in repetition. Simple shades, lots of shades, scattered or arranged into giant rectilinear pendants or table lamps on simple benches. Very simple scandinavian styling.

Swedish flooring company Bolon was completely ubiquitous at the show. Launching their gorgeous new Bolon GREEN Botanicals range with a killer stand complete with man eating style flora, and the sexy herringbone at their newest designer friend Paul Smith's whimsical lounge exhibit, they were a major presence. I counted almost 20 stands using in unthinkable imaginative ways, and that many creatives cant be wrong! 
My favourites are the newly recoloured metallics. 

Not afraid to mix intellect with their fluoro string, Moroso's heated spidersweb wins the award for best stand by a leading international furniture exhibitor. The highlight, FRONT's Moment Collection of sofas, the Soft Wood Sofa, Cushion Sofa and Draped Sofa, are a confusing but fabulous feast for the eyes. A specialised textile allows the use of photographic images to create an illusion of movement on the surface of the products. If you get the chance to view the pieces in person you wont be disappointed. 

And finally Greenhouse, the area allocated to student and up-and-coming designers was an impressive aside from the main hall. Designed by Jens Fager, star student designer of the minute, the simple looking response originated from the geometric theories of Vitruvius allowed the work exhibited within to remain the focus." Rae Underhill

welcome to NorthernLighting :: Moodmakers

www.northernlighting.no

northernlighting

Thank you so much Rae for sharing your inspiring experience at the 2010 Stockholm Furniture Fair in Sweden! Keep us up to date with the design world via London! Arielle, Gloss Posse x

Brisbane fashion photographer, Shaelah Ariotti...

Gloss Posse Feature//

1. Shaelah, can you share with Gloss Posse who you are and what it is you do?

I'm currently a photographer focusing in the areas of fashion, beauty & portraiture, but at the end of this year I hope to also add visual communication designer, illustrator & artist to that list! 

2. What is it about fashion that you want to portray as a photographer? What makes your work unique? 

I aim to never shoot without narrative - my work always needs to have a story behind it or I am not satisfied. I want to make work that speaks to people. I aim to always approach clients and projects with the utmost integrity, regardless of whether it will lose me a job or money; I will not do anything ethically wrong, and I do my best to look after those I work with. 

What I am to achieve is to have enough influence - to be sufficiently well known - that I can use the medium of fashion to change paradigms, to change minds... for change of all kinds. The battle is one of the mind - the people behind the media are the ones that drive what we want, we think, we desire, we dislike.... I think fashion is really an untapped resource in that nobody really expects anything other than the superficial; so when fashion has something to say it really has great impact! 

3. Your photography is very artistic and really tells a story. How do you go about creating these stories and scenes? 

Well I always map out at the very least what I want to say/what the client wants to say, but more often we map out a specific story we want to tell. Sometimes it's as in depth as, 'There's this character who lives in this house and she does this,' and we find locations for each scene or we make up scenes for each location; sometimes it's as simple as, 'The character is this, this and this.' Having said that, I let the shoot evolve on the day to be what it will be. Rather than over directing my models, I prefer to let them/help them fall into character, really feel what's going on with who they are in that moment and adjust as necessary, which is I think why my work feels largely less forced and more natural. 

Also I did minors in Art photography and in nude/experimental/portrait photography while I was studying, which brings a slightly different perspective into my work. 

4. Who/what is inspiring you at the moment?

I am always inspired. To begin with, Georges Antoni (always,) Baldovino Barani, Steven Chee, Richard Bailey, Bec Parsons, Benny Horne, Greg Kadel... The list is endless, I could go into those inspiring me for illustration (to start with Kat MacLeod & Ortolan studio, Catherine Campbell) and design, specifically type but I'd be writing forever. Mostly I just link them down the side of my blog you'll see what I mean when you see how many are there.

I do think it's important to make sure that you find the balance between immersing yourself in the wealth of visual culture we have access to, but retaining your own voice and vision. And remember that whether we realise it or not, we all learn by imitation to some degree!

5. What advice would you give to women pursuing fashion photography as a career?

Be prepared to do a lot of work for free, but know when you can afford to do that no longer & stand your ground. Keep testing & doing free work throughout your career but be really selective about it. 

Be prepared for a long hard road to get to where you can function professionally and not be living on 2 minute noodles just to survive. Long days and sore eyes will be your constant companions. 

Remember that (this sounds corny but it's so true) that in taking the long road to get where you want to be, you learn things that people who take the short route just don't have the opportunity to learn, so you're actually more likely to last the distance!

Take every opportunity you get that will actually assist your career, don't do stuff that's just a waste of time. Get out there and make contacts; expose your work to as many people as possible - make a blog, get a website, use sites like carbon made, behance, deviantart, the loop... 

Remember why you do what you do, and LOVE it.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with Gloss Posse Shaelah! We look forward to seeing more of your work and keep us up to date with where your art work takes you. You can contact Shaelah by email, read her blog and see her website.

Checkout Shaelah's online portfolios at:

http://goldenhair.deviantart.com
www.theloop.com.au/shaelah_ariotti
www.shaelahariotti.carbonmade.com
www.behance.net/shaelahariotti

Arielle

Brisbane Interior Designer Arielle Spratt

(Interview by Hannah Suraez, Brisbane Creative Industries)

In your own words - who are you and what do you do?

I'm an emerging designer specialising in interior design, external concept design, visual merchandising and styling! I recently started up my own studio, Innovante Design, in 2009 and am working on a number of projects at the moment as well as studying Architecture at QUT University. I'm also a songwriter and guitarist, although my original music has taken a backseat while I get my design business established. I have also started an online networking group and blog called Gloss Posse in 2009 which is a dynamic group for emerging female designers & entrepreneurs.

As someone who has recently moved to Brisbane (from the Gold Coast), what is your concept of space like in terms of creative and cultural space? What would you like to do in  the Brisbane space? What about in other spaces?

Living at Mermaid beach on the Gold Coast was beautiful and there was always that feeling of open space right on my doorstep. I was really lucky to live so close to the ocean and it influenced me creatively as I love to be around nature. As a designer I draw a lot of influence from nature as well as my surroundings.

Moving to Brisbane was quite a big change from the coastal lifestyle on the Gold Coast, but I've found it exciting as my experiences with Brisbane's city space around me has opened my mind. I'm constantly being inspired by the city, its architecture and its energy. I would love to be involved in designing a public space within Brisbane that reflects young emerging designers and musicians in some way.

 

Tell us more about your interior design project at Base Backpackers aka Palace Backpackers in Brisbane! Sounds really interesting.

I'm currently working on the interior design fit-out for Base Brisbane Central Backpackers, 308 Edward Street, in the city and it's a very exciting project! The building is heritage listed and turns 100 years old this year so as a designer its a privilege to work on such a historical and iconic building. Backpackers and guests can expect the new interior to feel fresh, fun and compliment the history of the building as well as Brisbane. I really wanted to create a unique experience within the space and have based my concept on sub-tropical Queensland and the natural elements.

As a professional, what is your concept of space in terms of meeting client needs and project briefs?

It's important to listen to my clients as well understand the spatial relationships between the external and internal areas of the project. The quality of space has an impact on people and the environment. As a designer you can alter someone's perception of a space by adding or removing elements and therefore create a new atmosphere and experience. I am always aware that space is affected by chosen materials, sound, colour, lighting and temperature and how one chooses to manipulate it.

A favourite quote of mine:

"Space constantly encompasses our being. Through the volume of space, we move, see forms, hear sounds, feel breezes, smell the fragrances of a flower garden in bloom....Its visual form, its dimension and scale, the quality of its light - all of these qualities..."

Ching, D.K, Francis. (1996, p92). Architecture, form, space & order. New York : Van Nostrand Reinhold

What about your personal concept of space - what makes good space work-able/live-able/beautiful?

I believe that good space is created through the function and harmony of forms and materials. I also think that space is more beautiful when we bring the outside in. By simply bringing some greenery inside, or allowing more natural light and breeze into a room the atmosphere in that space is lifted.

What would be your ideal work space?

My ideal workspace would be a loft style studio apartment with amazing views over Brisbane city. I'd love to have a dynamic and collaborative-style studio working alongside other designers such as graphic artists, industrial designers, architects and even fashion designers with room for a stage to have live original bands perform and space to host special events.

Feel free to contact her via email, her site or Twitter accounts @glossnrock and @glossposse! Also check our her band's MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/arielleband%EF%BB%BF

Hannah