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Four Creatives, One Studio: Kate Hurst, Elle Kramer, Fiona McGee and Matt Weston by Fiona Killackey

Studios can often act as hubs for creativity, but what happens when you share a small space with four equally creative and artistic people? CH spent a day at the shared Sydney studio space of fashion designer Kate Hurst, jewelery designer Elke Kramer, filmmaker Fiona McGee and Matt Weston, also a jewelry designer, spying on the daily activities of some of Australia's most successful creatives to find out what makes for good and bad environment.

How long have you all been in the studio?
Elke and Kate have been here since day one for about three years now. Matt came next, soon after and when we lost our dear friend Ainslie, to the real world of full time employment, we were blessed with the arrival of Fiona. Kylie, Kate's assistant, is also part of the team.

Ever any arguments over music choices?
Not any! Matt usually controls the party shuffle, as downloading music of limewire is his preferred method of work avoidance.

Do you work and play together or keep lives separate?
Definitely work and play. We all live about two minutes from each other also, so it's easy to catch up away from the studio.

Do you ever get worried you'll create something similar in your labels?
Not at all, that's why we are so lucky. We all have very different strengths and selling points. There is a healthy level of respect and we can pool our different knowledge and experiences together to help strengthen each other.

Kate Hurst, 28

When did you begin your label?
In 2001 while I was finishing a fine arts degree in Sydney.

What do you think differentiates your stuff from everything else out there?
A lot of love! My designs are very feminine and wearable but most of all they really personal to me. I like to put a lot of time and effort into the fit and the fabrics that I use. Everything is made locally and I make sure that I personally check every garment before it leaves the studio.

How does working in the studio with fellow creatives help you specifically?
I find so much inspiration from the people I share my space with. We are all working with very different mediums and have very different aesthetics so it's a real melting pot of ideas. Elke and I have worked together on yardage prints and Fiona made a short film for my runway show last summer.

Greatest memory about working in the studio?
Far too many to mention, however every birthday is a highlight. We all take turns in cooking each other a lovely lunch and we have some wine and relax...its always a special time. Most annoying habit of someone else in the studio?
I honestly have no gripes at all about anyone; it's the most harmonious environment I have ever worked in.

Where can we buy Kate Hurst?
American Rag (U.S.), Behave (U.K.), Opaque (Japan), Fat, Alice Euphemia, Dobry Den, Subway DC and Nat Denning Stores (Australia).

Fiona McGee, 31

When did you start your film company?
I have my own company Lepuskeena Pty Ltd that I started in 2004 I have also been represented by Independent Films since 2005.

What do you think differentiates your stuff from everything else out there?
I guess my personality and my likes and dislikes are very dominant in my work so for that reason I guess my work becomes unique. I am obsessed with youth, VHS tape, and small human nuances.

How does working in the studio with fellow creatives help you specifically?
Everyone adds something totally different; I get inspiration from Elke, calmness from Matt and energy from Kate.

Greatest memory about working in the studio?
Its a montage memory of bake-offs between Kate and Elke. It includes Elke's beetroot chocolate cake vs. Kate's Persian cheesecake with poached pears.

Most annoying habit of someone else in the studio?
I get annoyed with myself because I am not as productive as others.

Where can we see your stuff?
My work can be seen on the Independent Films website.

Elke Kramer, 29

When did you begin your label?
2004

What do you think differentiates your stuff from everything else out there?
I try to use new and unexpected materials and shy away from trends, to develop a unique signature style of my own.

How does working in the studio with fellow creatives help you specifically?
Matt has an great amount of knowledge when it comes to materials and finishes, Kate is my business guru and I am continually inspired the slightly bizarre and twisted conceptual threads that lie beneath Fiona's work. Also I need a lot background noise all around me to stay put, and keep working. I get easily bored in a vacuum, so this place is more than wonderful.

Greatest memory about working in the studio?
The party we had to christen the space was pretty damn great! The theme was 'cabaret' and we had approximately 500 random people that filled our warehouse and the entire laneway outside. Highlights include a brass band that turned up uninvited and set up an impromptu performance in the middle of the street.

Most annoying habit of someone else in the studio?
That everyone else manages to get here so damn early, makes be feel a tad lazy.

Where can we buy Elke Kramer?
Online on Elke Kramer , My Catwalk and No-One. Incu, Pretty Dog, Orson & Black, MCA Store, Dobry Den, Babes, Fat, Alice Euphemia, Milly Sleeping, Hercinya silva, Adrenalin, The Outpost (QLD), Atlas Clothing, Subway DC (Australia), Myhart, Mala Brajkovic, Good as Gold, Kate Sylvester (New Zealand), Family, Clothing Brigade (U.S.), No-One, Proxy (U.K.), Midwest, Side by Side, Mims (Japan) and 707 (Indonesia).

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