Five Questions With Naomi Murrell

Written by Naomi Murrell
on 06 December, 2017

PARADISO collection – designed by Naomi Murrell

Designer and purveyor of fashion jewellery and accessories since 2009, Naomi Murrell Studios brings a little ray of sunshine to folks who cherish fine design. 

How did you come to be a seller at Finders Keepers? 
After working for Tiff Manuell on her Happy House label for 6 fun years during my mid twenties, I was ready to develop my own design voice. I spent a year or two freelancing, exhibiting screen prints, producing jewellery and homewares – figuring out what I was good at, what I felt most engaged with creatively.

During this time we began attending Finders Keepers – I think we started with Sydney, back in 2010, selling screen prints and laser cut jewellery. We were total newbies on the market scene back then!

These days we design minimal, on point – yet irrepressibly playful womenswear and fine jewellery. Inspired by colour, graphic shape, modernist art and offbeat cinema by the likes of Sofia Coppola and Wes Anderson, the label turns out refined everyday pieces for the individual.

Our wares are available through our Flagship Store in Adelaide, our online store and a selection of boutique stockists nationally.

Jewellery – designed by Naomi Murrell

PARADISO collection – designed by Naomi Murrell

Talk us through a typical day in the life of Naomi Murrell. 
I work full time on the label with my partner in life and design, Dave Stace and our small studio and store team. We also work with some amazing ethical suppliers in Bali, who share our values for quality and attention to detail, both in the products themselves and the way they look after our silversmiths and tailors.

My work life varies wildly from day to day… from jewellery and fashion design, production management, graphic design, social media, marketing, styling and creative direction, to website updates, event planning, visual merchandising, team meetings and general studio admin. I can be in the studio, the store, at home, or on location attending a shoot or event depending on what is needed.

I try to devote at least one day a week to drawing in the sketchbook, playing with shape and colour.

PARADISO collection – designed by Naomi Murrell

PARADISO collection – designed by Naomi Murrell

What would be one piece of advice you would give a first time seller at The Finders Keepers?
Plan ahead!

Make sure you have enough stock, that you know your stand layout and product pricing way ahead of time. If you want to get good results it pays to be prepared. Don’t forget to wear comfy shoes, bring water and snacks and try to rope in a peppy markets helper, even if it is just for a few hours each day.

We find these tricks help us have a fun market every time.

Tell us about your inspiration for creativity? 
I am driven to be creative, I’m a daydream believer, a problem solver and I like a challenge! I get such a kick out of finding ways to bring beauty and fun into our everyday lives.

More than anything I love connecting with others, helping them express themselves and their identity visually. I’m very big on empowering women to feel feminine without too much frou frou.

The NM girl is a fun lover who delights in the details. She mixes vintage and designer pieces with confidence, dances to her own playlists with abandon and appreciates quality in all things.

I adore the work of Bridget Bodenham, a talented ceramicist with a playful eye for elegant pattern and form. Dave and I are slowly growing a collection of her work by choosing a new piece every time we attend Finders Keepers!

PARADISO collection – designed by Naomi Murrell

PARADISO collection – designed by Naomi Murrell

What goals do you have for your business over the next five years?
As owners of an independent label which we have built from the ground up, reinvesting our own profits as we go, it has been a real labour of love in bringing our ideas and business to life.

Over the next five years we hope to build on our success through refining our slow approach to design, production and retail experience, with a view to opening a second store somewhere on the east coast, likely in Melbourne.

We want to share our good vibes with all the design savvy, relaxed life-stylers, living on the other side of Oz! Which is why we recently had a stall at Brisbane Finders Keepers for the first time!

Personally, as a designer I hope to chart new territory with each collection, to learn new skills, incorporate sustainable practices into our work and continue exciting our audience with new ideas and fun looks.

naomimurrell.com
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instagram.com/naomimurrellstudios

PARADISO collection – designed by Naomi Murrell

 

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