Book Nook: HipsterMattic

Photo credit: Allen & Unwin

After reading HipsterMattic by Brisbane author Matt Granfield, I've come to the conclusion that I am definitely no hipster. It's wayyy too much effort (ironic, much?) and I prefer a Townie to a Fixie (prettier, less skinned knees). But while I'm not rolling in likeness to Matt's triangular-tattoo-inking, Korean-grunge-band-playing, flannelette-dressing ways, I do enjoy a well-crafted coffee, picnicking in New Farm Park and reading books in quirky cafes... though I couldn't bring myself to actually take this particular book to a cafe to enjoy over a double ristretto soy latte. That would just be too much!

Matt's quest to become the ultimate hipster, comically trots through transformations in his fashion sense (rather, channelling the homeless), learning to knit, pretending to be a vegetarian, and getting high on 12 different kinds of coffee (Matt's not a coffee drinker). I happily nodded along to his Brisbane references and let a few out-loud laughs loose when his hipsterdom attempts reached the ridiculous. His writing style is casual and easy to read, speckled with some fine wordnerdery for good measure. New favourite words include hipnicking (hipsters picnicking) and tindie (a touch of indie), and I do hope more males pick up knitting as a result.

WIN!!
We've got two copies of HipsterMattic to give away! If you fancy yourself the ultimate hipster or would just enjoy a fun read about the decade's latest subculture, pop your details in an email to winstuff {at} seammagazine {dot} com. Could be a good Christmas present for that witty book worm you know, yes? Winners will be announced on our facebook/twitter on Monday.

Other loveable hipster references can be found here, here, and here.

Hanging with the BBF

Photo Credit: marioanima.

Jump on your fixie everyone, the Brizzy Bike Fest (BBF) kicks off today! The BBF is a creative and community event for riders of all ages and all biking styles, from the daily commuter to the fixie fanatic. The festival is inspired by Brisbane’s ever-growing bike assemblage and celebrates it through riding, art and film.

The first BBF runs until this Sunday 27th November and will provide some of the finest biking culture this city has ever seen... Race you there!

Frocksters reunite!

Photo credit: Frock Paper Scissors

So every year in November, fashion-arty-wordnerdery-creative types dress up, drink some wine, celebrate and then collapse with exhaustion post the feat of producing a magazine from scratch. The annual Frock Paper Scissors magazine launched last night, with issue six the biggest yet. Covering fashion, style, beauty and lifestyle, these creative QUT ladies (and lad, singular) are striving for something a little Vogue-esque with their sharp content and photography. Showcasing the Brisbane fashion scene, as well as designers nationally and internationally, it's always exciting to see what the next publication will look like when it pops up each year. The students are distributing this FREE (!) magazine around Brisbane and South East Queensland from next week, so keep an eye out in fashion precincts for your copy. In the meantime, you can flip through the digital copy here. Congrats to the 2011 team! Maybe we'll see their names in high places in the coming years...

Sewing lounge launch party

Photo credit: Piece Together

Summer has arrived early in Brisbane, bringing with it 30+ temperatures and the silly season in full swing. I think they call it the silly season because it's ridiculously silly how many great parties/launches/openings/events are on each night, making it impossible to get to them all especially post a smidge of bubbly. Tonight we'll be attempting to party hop from the Frock Paper Scissors launch to the launch of Brisbane's newest sewing lounge Piece Together.

You wouldn't think it possible that more wonderful businesses could pop up in the Woolloongabba Antique Precinct, but they have! Piece Together opened its doors a few months ago now, and just downstairs of their lofty studio space is new coffee nook Five Sugars. Champagne, cupcakes and live music will start flowing from Five Sugars from 5.30pm, with Piece Together's launch starting at 7pm upstairs. There's also a craft and vintage mini-market for your xmas-present-organising pleasure or just as a little treat for yourself.

Now you've got your schedule sorted for this evening, the only thing left to settle is what to wear! I think Janome will be coming out to play a tad this season - too many events and not enough handmade dresses...

To market, to market

Photo credit: West End Twilight Markets

So there’s this lovely lady called Sally and this lovely chap called Scotty and they like a really well crafted coffee. They also like zines, typewriters, collage, and arty crafty design-y type things. So one day over a love-heart topped latte, they decided to start the West End Twilight Markets.

A mixture of all their favourite things, situated in the perfect location of a reclaimed hangar in West End, these new evening markets are in a league of their own. What’s sparking my curiosity is the performance side of things – spoken word, visual arts, street theatre, a-capella busking and cabaret. For nannas like me, these enticing acts on a Saturday soir mean I can leave my dancing shoes at home, soak up some local talent early on, and be back snug in bed before the clock strikes 12.

They’ve got stallholders who fit into all our favourite buzz word categories – vintage, recycled, reclaimed, organic, fair trade, sustainable, handmade, locally or ethically produced, unique, one-off, one of a kind – with new stalls each week to keep you guessing. More details here.

Also on in Brisbane this Saturday is BrisStyle’s annual Indie Eco Market, featuring crafty wares produced from eco-friendly materials and made by hand by local BrisStyle ladies and lads, with a dash of vintage and de-stash items mixed in for good measure. If your Christmas shopping list hasn’t quite come to fruition yet, why not pop down to these markets and pick up some handmade presents, supporting local designers and protecting the earth’s resources all in one pretty little package.

This weekend: Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers

If you’re in sunny, sticky Brisbane this weekend pop on over to The Old Museum and come have a gander at our first issue! Seam Magazine and Alice Nightingale have a joint stall at the Finders Keepers Markets this weekend, running from 10am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday. We’re quite delighted (and just a tad excited!) to be a part of this market. It’s a great place to grab quirky handmade wares, with lots of the designers coming from interstate to be here. We’ll be doing some Christmas shopping there for sure! Alice’s spring collection will be available, including brand new purses, clutches, tote bags, jewellery and bow ties in super sweet patterns. And if you haven’t yet had the chance to pick up a copy of our first issue, we have a whole bunch ready for your reading pleasure, with a few gift-wrapped copies all set to fill that special someone’s xmas stocking. Hope to see you there!

Worker Bee Wednesday

Photo credit: Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe 

Creativity is in the air, everywhere I look around!

Read: If you didn't get a chance to pop in to the Avid Reader workshop with author Kelly Doust, her new book, Minxy Vintage is just the ticket to get you up to speed. This wonderful little book will help you breath new life in to your vintage finds - or any other sad looking pieces in your wardrobe. Kelly combines her creativity with her love of vintage to transform 50 worn down threads in to fashionable, modern outfits, fit for any fashion forward Queen. With the addition of a simply gorgeous front cover, this one is a must for the bookshelf.

Shop: When the lights are away, the designers come out to play! The Style After Dark market has kicked off again in Melbourne boasting a variety of locally designed goods, from clothing to headwear and all things in between. You'll get first dibs on new designers threads and maybe even find that 'one off' piece you've been searching for. Shopping can be hard work, but luckily the market also offers some delicious snacks that will keep you energetic into the night. The market is held every Thursday night from 5:30-9:30pm until 24th November.

Rummage: It's time to adorn your best vintage attire and head on down to the The Brisbane Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair. This delightful affair will be showcasing some impressive vintage collections from notable pre-loved enthusiasts. If you're not already in the swing of vintage after browsing the stalls, be swept back in time with the lovely vintage vinyl that will fill the air. There will also be a variety of alfresco bar and dining options to ensure you don't run out of energy! Check out the details here.

Attend: Harness the power of three! Where? At Creative3 of course! The Creative3 forum nudges individuals and organisations alike to come together in creativity, investment and enterprise in order to create successful creative businesses. This year's impressive program delves in to the brains of leading edge thinkers and experienced creatives from around the globe. The three day event, which kicks off today in Brisbane, will have a lil something for everyone, with 20 speakers and 10 panel sessions shedding some light on creative business... that's a lot of inspiration right there! Check out the program and ticketing information here... you might even spot Seam's editor ducking in and out of sessions between organising the final touches for the launch this weekend!

Study:  If Alice was to fall down the rabbit hole today do you know what she would find? Some great coffee! The Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe  is the newest coffee kid on the West End block. Not only does this new little space offer stella caffeine-laden beverages, it also provides a space for busybodies to meet, work, share and create. Come in and test out one of their workstations... they provide wi-fi, a desk of your own and $2 coffees delivered straight to you! With exam season on its way, there's no excuse not to pop in and say hello (and study of course)!

It's a crafty affair!

Picture credit: Craft and Quilt Fair

As a young girl, I remember how much fun craft days were... the paper, the fabric, the cute little buttons and the glitter...oh the glitter! This week gives us all a chance to re-live those young creative days with the Craft and Quilt Fair settling into the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from today until Sunday. With craft 'so in right now', be inspired by the range of cute crafty necessities, as well as regular crafting workshops for those looking to bump their skills up to the next level. Don't forget to pop in to the the annual Quilt Show, which will showcase a collection of wonderfully crafted quilts from talented stitchers across Queensland. More information and available workshops here. 

What are you wearing?

Photo credit: Zoe Mellick

By Zoe Mellick

Yes I’ve been there. Lusting over the latest dress that just walked into my line of vision, indulging my imagination into a world where I would be incomplete without it. But this happens on a daily basis.

There are many words that describe fashion – from trend to style and words akin – but sustainability is rarely mentioned. But we can’t deny that fashion is a huge and wasteful industry that we are all involved in one way or another. When a new season breaks we all want to upgrade our wardrobe or become transfixed with the ‘new stuff’ (leaving last season’s clothes to the side of course). But three Brisbane ladies have set out to challenge that wardrobe mentality.

Edda Hamar, Kirsten Stallard and Kobi Lagana have created Undress Brisbane – an annual rooftop runway event kicking off the shift towards a sustainable fashion scene in Brisbane. Sustainable fashion is a complex issue and not one that a designer can solve alone. The Undress Brisbane team believes it’s a social responsibility to inform and educate the locals of Brisbane with a fun runway show, cocktails, goodie bags and well, everyone will be there. 

The goal of Undress Brisbane is to tap into the unsympathetic reality of consumerism and tune guests into the necessity of sustainable fashion. Marketing manager Kirsten Stallard says the break in this unsustainable chain can and will only come from consumer demand, and more importantly, consumer awareness. “For every person in Australia there is 30-40 kilograms of clothing that goes into land fill every year. On top of that, there are only 22 million people in Australia, yet we import an outstanding one billion items in clothing every year. Australians are huge fashion consumers and we need to slow down that consumption.”

The educational fashion event will be presented in three bite-size segments including vintage, and emerging and existing designers of eco-friendly apparel. So get your second-hand socks ready to be blown off, and most importantly, get thinking about what you’re wearing! 

What: Undress Brisbane 

When: Saturday 15th October 

Where: Wilson Parking Rooftop in Fortitude Valley

Cost: Free in advance (book here) or $10 on the door

Not necessarily fashion illustration

Photo credit: Limn

Honours degrees are hefty business. They challenge, overwork and drain you of energy until you’re forced to spurt out some form of (hopefully) creative genius. Somehow amongst the bedraggled strain of this 8-month academic marathon, Brisbane fashion designer and illustrator Priya Cox has created LIMN, a beautiful collection of fashion illustrations. Drawing inspiration from high fashion and highlighting the current trend of androgyny, she’s combined hand drawn and digital elements to create her mesmerising pieces. LIMN (not necessarily fashion illustration) is exhibiting tonight at The Stitchery Collective – a must see for pretty picture gazers and fashionable folk alike.

ruby & prankstar store launch

Photo credit: Ruby & Prankstar

The newest addition to quirky side street Winn Lane is launching tonight and you’re all invited! Jewellery label Ruby & Prankstar is the creation of artist and designer Kristy Morgan, whose first studio and store space will be brimming with her dark, raw pieces from tonight. She meshes metals, uncut stones, leather and feathers into highly detailed works, inspired by mythology and nature. Often using salvaged leathers and recycled materials, Kristy practices traditional metal-smithing techniques to create jewellery, wearable leather art and accessories. Pop down to Winn Lane from 7pm tonight for a few bevs, some Los Huevos tunes and see what all the fuss is about. You won’t be disappointed. More details here.

Worker Bee Wednesday

Photo Credit: High Snobiety

A little list of fun to get you through the rest of the working week.

Read: The Smith Journal is a new men’s publication - but probably not the type you’re expecting. There are no girls in swimsuits. Instead, this magazine brings you intriguing stories, interesting people and gentlemanly style from the clever peeps behind Frankie. If you know a dapper lad, we think he would definitely enjoy this read.

Shop: Jellybean Bikes are a Melbourne-based company who let you choose the colour of every part of your bike! These cute and colourful bicycles are made to order in Melbourne and can be shipped anywhere in Australia for $50! If you’re looking to channel your inner Cadel Evans (or just cycle around town dreamily) you best do it in style.

Visit: Melbourne Spring Fashion Week is on this week. If you’re in the area it is definitely worth checking out the city centre and laneways playing host to models, designers and fashionistas. The week is packed full of spring fashion-y goodness, so be sure to check the program out here – there is plenty to see and do!

See: The Santos City of Lights - This laser light show will have you marvelling at the cool spectrum of lights radiating from bridges, rooftops and the river. The light show is part of the Brisbane Festival and will run nightly until the 24th September.

Write: The Brisbane Writers Festival kicked off on Monday and there’s a great line up of talks to attend. Whether you’re an up-and-coming author or just enjoy reading and writing, there’s something on to tickle your literary tastebuds.

A Thousand Choices

Photo Credit: Two Thousand.

At Seam, we love being in the know and checking out the latest in creative culture around our big old city of Brisbane.

But if it’s just one of those days and you’re looking for something different to do or see, we’ll happily let you in on a little secret... Whether you live in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney or Perth, The Thousands have something for you to fill your time with.

Even if you are spending some time in a new city, The Thousands will make you pass as a local when it comes to current events and happenings. They also provide the day’s weather, so you’ll be able to pick the perfect place and activity every time! You really can’t go wrong in any city with a guide like this. Sign up for their e-newsletter straight to your inbox each week.

Home is where there's warm weather

Photo Credit: Stilts Journal

Spring is here! And what better way to celebrate than with the birth of a new literary journal. Stilts Journal “is a porthole into the reading and writing happening on back decks, under hills hoists, and along riverbanks in Brisbane”.

The team of dedicated scribblers who put together Stilts will be celebrating the launch of their 'home is where' issue at Room 60 tonight. If soaking up poetic paragraphs and elderflower spritzers sounds like a good way to spend a balmy (chilly) Thursday evening, pop on down and maybe even pick up a copy of their maiden issue. More event details here.

New Brisbane feminism zine launches tonight!

Photo Credit: eFEMeral

Here at Seam we love a good zine, especially one for the ladies.

Two months of working on eFEMeral are about to pay off for editors Briony Lipton and Nicola Scott when they launch their Brisbane-based feminist zine this evening at Brew in Burnett Lane in the city. The zine plans to bridge the gap between academic journal and mainstream magazine, creating a forum for feminist voices in Brisbane.

After an initial fear that they wouldn’t get any submissions, they’ve collated a grand mixture of visual and literary content from friends and strangers, with the theme of issue one pertaining to the body. We feel eFEMeral and Seam could become quite good friends as we both have a love of zines and the print medium. Briony and Nicola have combined the grassroots qualities of a handmade zine, with visually attractive computer-assisted design to add that extra level of legitimacy to their publishing pursuit.

The twosome are a tad nervous about their inaugural issue, but feel people will be able to grasp the idea of eFEMeral better once they see it in the tactile-papery-goodness of the hard copy. And considering the number of people attending the launch tonight – and buying the zine for a neat $10 – it might sell out straight away! If you want to find out more you can listen to an interview they did with 4ZZZ Book Club or check out their facebook page. More details about tonight’s launch event can be found here.

Much Ado About the Weekend

Photo Credit: Valley Laneway Markets.

Seam Magazine recommends a few recreational outings to keep you occupied this sunny Brisbane weekend…

Friday

Semi-Permanent Brisbane – SOLD OUT
Hope you got your early bird tickets because this celebration of design and creativity is full to its boater-hat brim.
Happening all day today at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. After party at Nine Lives Gallery from 6pm

Bleeding Heart City Markets
Handmade, arty, crafty and vintage wares by local creatives decorate the balcony and front yard of this city gallery slash café today.
First Friday of the Month
10AM – 4PM

GreazeFest Kustom Kulture Festival
I love a little bit of pin-up prancing (doing) and rockabilly dancing (watching). Rumour has it Sunday is the best day to pop over to this “crankin” weekend of hot rods, half-sleeves and polka-dots, but it is on Friday and Saturday nights too. Friday 8PM - 1AM, Saturday 7.30PM - 12.30AM, Sunday 9AM - 5PM

Saturday

Valley Laneway Markets
Handmade designs by new and old Winn Lane friends straddle this popular laneway. Regulars Flamingo Café, Little Jane St and Sunday Social open too. Your ears might even be treated to a little local sound if you’re in the right place at the right time.
9AM – 3PM

Ric’s Backyard Suitcase Rummage
On the first Saturday of every month, Ric’s are hosting the infamous Suitcase Rummage. Grab a vintage hatbox, fill it with some junk or homemade goods, and bicycle on down to the Valley (registration essential). Or just come chill on the astroturf with your beverage of choice.
12PM – 5PM

Winter Jumble Sale
The Animal Welfare League of Queensland is holding its own pre-loved clothing rummage, with the money raised going towards caring for thousands of homeless animals. Help save a puppy or two and buy a vintage dress for $2 or fill a bag for $5. Now that’s a thoughtful bargain if I ever did see one.
10AM – 1PM
AWLQ Coombabah Rehoming Centre

Sunday

Young Designers Market
Southbank’s monthly showcase of Brisbane’s young creative souls is on this Sunday. Don’t forget to pencil in their additional market this month (August 20-21) in celebration of Brisbane’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival.
10AM – 4PM