Bowerbird is back! Here are four talented Australian creators to watch this November at Adelaide’s leading design event.
TEA TOWEL CO
For mum and daughter, Beryl and Marchelle Matthew, it wasn’t a question of whether to throw in the towel, but if they should throw it out. While clearing out her grandmother’s house nearly a decade ago, Beryl dusted off some beautiful old Australian linen tea towels and couldn’t bring herself to throw them away. Re-purposing them into cushions sparked an idea and, in 2015, along with daughter Marchelle, Beryl officially launched Tea Towel Co.
Selling unique vintage and modern tea towels, the pair have since progressed to designing their own tea towels using Marchelle’s designs.
They will showcase their favourite and latest product range at this year’s Bowerbird. Contrary to the name, Tea Towel Co’s quirky illustrations – many of which feature quintessential South Aussie icons (think Balfours Frog Cakes and Farmers Union Iced Coffee) – are printed on jewellery, prints, cushions, and more.
ISABEL LOPES
Portuguese-born artist, Isabel Lopes, describes her work as “playful and inspired by nature and fairy tales”. That’s why she considers South Australia’s spectacular, storybook scenery as her muse.
Now based on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Isabel’s designs feature everything from handpainted ceramic cats and cuddly koala plant holders to Australiana-inspired teasets and dishes.
Tick a few Christmas gifts off your list! Choose from a range of Isabel’s creations at November’s Bowerbird – you might even find a cute addition for your coffee table!
isabellopesartist.com
@isabel_lopes_artist
Bahru
Australian-designed luxe leather brand, Bahru, is perfectly imperfect. The subtle imperfections found in its collection of leather bags and accessories is what makes each piece unique – the look, feel and even smell of pure leather.
Bahru is the brainchild of Fliss Brophy, who launched the brand online in Singapore in 2007 before returning to Australia. Just last year, Fliss passed the brand to her friend of 40 years, and Bahru customer, Michaela Hales. Despite calling Western Australia home, Michaela is keen to travel the world with her family, searching for inspiration for Bahru’s next design. In fact, each piece in the range is named after a city or town from around the world.
Next on the itinerary is Adelaide where lovers of leather can browse the gorgeous Bahru range in person at Bowerbird.
Threefold Distilling
“Three friends walk into a bar…” The story of how Threefold Distilling came to be might sound like the start of a joke, but it was over a few casual drinks in 2019 that three bartender mates got serious about creating their own gin.
Today, the Glenelg East distillers, who have more than 45 years of hospitality experience between them, describe themselves as “three bartenders who appreciate quality hospitality and, of course, love a good gin and tonic”.
From gin infused with summer raspberries and blood orange to purple grape Shiraz gin, Threefold is known for bottling beautiful botanicals and fresh seasonal produce sourced from local South Australian farmers. Plus, their signature bottles add the perfect splash of colour to the home bar.
Meet the trio behind Threefold at Bowerbird where they’ll officially add a new gin to their collection!
threefolddistilling.com.au
@threefolddistilling
Find these designers and creators and more at Bowerbird at Adelaide Showground from November 17–19.
Bowerbird
bowerbird.net.au
@bowerbird.au
South Australian Style Magazine 