Five Questions With Alice Nightingale

Written by Alice Veivers
on 10 November, 2017

Summer collection – designed and handmade by Alice Nightingale

Oh Alice Nightingale, how you make our hearts flutter!  We think Alice might have magic powers; she designs, prints, knits, crochets, embroiders and sews each and every piece in her collection! 

Pop by Alice’s stall at our Brisbane market to make sure you’re summer-ready.  Doors open 5pm Friday 10th November and the market continues all weekend! 

How did you come to be a seller at Finders Keepers? Tell us about your journey so far and describe your label.
I’ve always been a crafty lass. After leaving school early to do my Diploma of Fashion Design, I started Alice Nightingale at 17 (selling mainly to friends and at local markets). My first Finders Keepers market, in 2011, was such a game changer. Not only did I find a community of artists who also design and make their wares locally, I also met wonderful humans who truly appreciated the effort I put into all of my designs! This really pushed me forward creatively and encouraged me to keep doing what I’m doing – and I haven’t looked back!

Hand Printed Banksia lingerie– designed and handmade by Alice Nightingale

Alice of Alice Nightingale in her Brisbane studio

Talk us through a typical day in the life of Alice Nightingale. Do you work full time on your label or are their others on your team? Do you have a studio or do you work from home?
My home studio comprises of a ‘sewing room’, where I do all of my pattern making, printing, embroidery, cutting and sewing, a fabric storage room, where I keep my second hand fabrics and a sunny corner room where I knit on my vintage machines and press my stock! An average day starts early, I spend a few hours (still in my pyjamas) cutting out pieces, sipping on coffee and getting my embroidery machine set up. Then after breakfast and a shower, I spend the day creating! I love the flexibility of working from home full time, solitude and comfort definitely helps to boost my productivity.

What would be one piece of advice you would give a first time seller at The Finders Keepers?
Have fun and chat with everyone you can! It’s very easy to get caught up in the stress and fatigue of a busy, full weekend market. I’ve met some of my best friends from chatting to fellow stall holders and locals at Finders Keepers and you never know where these connections will lead! I also think heading to the event each day with a positive attitude can only result in great things.

Summer collection – designed and handmade by Alice Nightingale

Embroidered Bilby purse – designed and handmade by Alice Nightingale

Tell us about your inspiration for creativity? Is there a Finders Keepers designer who you admire?
A lot of my inspiration comes from Australia, I’m seriously in love with this country’s landscape. Every time my partner and I go camping and exploring, I come home with a new plant or animal obsession (that inevitably turns into a print) or a new phrase I need to embroider!

I’m so biased because she’s my best friend, but I’m pretty excited about being opposite Bonnie Hislop at this years market, she’s the best!

What goals do you have for your business over the next five years?
I’m looking to keep improving my ethical practices! My new summer collection is made from second hand fabrics which I’ve printed and embroidered, I’m hoping to keep introducing these fabrics to my collections in the future. This is such an important goal for me, as I’ve always run my small label with a focus on low emissions, low waste and high quality clothing as a way of avoiding landfill.

instagram.com/alicenightingale
etsy.com/shop/alicenightingale

Hand Printed Banksia lingerie – designed and handmade by Alice Nightingale

2 Comments

  • Paige Bradley says:

    Hi Alice! I have one question for you. I am writing about your business for my business assignment for year 9. I was just wondering; how does your partner help you throughout your growing business?

  • Finders Keepers says:

    Hey Paige, thanks for your great question! This question goes to the Finders Keepers team so you should try contacting Alice through her Instagram or hello(at)alicenightingale.com

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