FK chat to Angela Steeden about her new project, Lovebird

Tell us a bit about your new label LoveBird, and what we can expect to discover.
The idea for LoveBird has always been simple; to create statement hand made crochet pieces that are beautiful, well made, feel soft against your skin and evoke the feeling of taking you back to another time. LoveBird is a constant reflection of the relaxed lifestyle that I have living on the Gold Coast in Queensland. With the beautiful weather and the beach on our doorstep, it’s hard to not be influenced by the surroundings. LoveBird is a collection of hand crochet bikinis, tops, singlets dresses and accessories. We also have a collection of printed cotton tops, dresses and capes using limited edition prints that are bought on a small run so once sold they can never be bought again. The collection is designed to be worn over your favourite bikini for day or worn as a stand alone piece for a night out.

This is a new project for you, can you tell us how it came about?
I have always loved creating with my hands and using fabric and sewing has been a big part of my life however I could see a niche that needed to be filled and so crochet became ‘my thing’. Thanks must go out to my Nanna Peggy for teaching me the lost art of crochet. After having children and wanting to find original soft toys that had that ‘ just like Nanna used to make’ look and feel, I decided to create ‘Cutecritters’ in 2009 in memory of my Nanna Peggy. Cutecritters was full of hand crochet soft toys, baby blankets, mobiles, booties as well as a range of embellished singlets and printed cotton bloomers. After finding the Babies and Kids market saturated I decided to re-define my focus and LoveBird was created.

What is your background and how did it lead you to where you are today?
My background has been in the Fashion Industry designing product for a major Surf Label on the Gold Coast. After nearly 12 years and then taking time out to start a family, the time away allowed me to stop and take a breath and think about what could be next on the horizon for me. My time in the Fashion Industry has been invaluable. The creative side seemed natural to me, it was the behind the scenes business side that I learnt the most from. Learning to work to deadlines and be involved in costings and manufacturing and listening to what your customer wanted are all skills I can bring into my business today.

What or who inspires your work?
My biggest inspiration comes from where I live. The lifestyle, the people, the environment. I ultimately want to make beautiful, inspired but practical garments.

What do you love most about working predominately with crochet garments?
I love that crochet is an artform. It takes time. Time to practice and time to build up your skills.  People today don’t have the time or the patience to sit and practice this artform. I love that crochet is only limited by your imagination. Anything is possible. I love that every piece you make is individual and has it’s own personality and look no matter how many times you have made it.

Lastly, what do you love most about what you do and where do you hope to take your work in the future?
I think what I love most of all is that I have absolute creative freedom to create something totally from scratch. You start with a ball of yarn and a crochet hook and it can been made into anything your heart desires. I have a few ideas playing in the back of my mind. I hope to someday expand the crochet theme into homewares using recycled materials… Statement pieces for your home, but you will have to watch this space to find out!

www.lovebird.com.au