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Ellie Whittaker
Artist, Surface Pattern Designer, Licensing Partner
Ellie Whittaker is an Australian fabric designer and illustrator based on the Gold Coast.12 She specializes in creating vibrant, whimsical, and distinctly Australian designs that she describes as "modern nostalgia".3
Career and Specialization
Ellie is the founder of Ellie Whittaker Studio, where she works as a freelance textile designer.4 Her designs are characterized by their bold, joyful, and often Aussie-inspired patterns.1 She has collaborated with several major Australian retailers, including:
- Spotlight
- Streets
- Best & Less
- Big W4
Background and Inspiration
Ellie's journey into fabric design is rooted in her upbringing. Her mother owned a country fabric store, and her grandmother was a skilled quilter.1 Despite this background, Ellie initially didn't consider herself "crafty" because she couldn't sew. Instead, she pursued art degrees and later found her niche in fabric design after having children.1
Her inspiration comes from:
- Australian landscapes, from bush to beach to rainforest
- Childhood memories
- Travel experiences
- Everyday moments that make her smile or laugh1
Design Philosophy
Ellie's approach to fabric design is centered on spreading joy and making people happy. She often incorporates subtle jokes or relatable elements into her designs, aiming to create fabrics that are not only trendy but also sentimental to their owners.1
Personal Life
Ellie is a mother of four tweens and lives with her family in what she describes as a "creekside paradise" in the Gold Coast hinterland.1 She balances her creative work with family life and the business aspects of running her studio.1
Ellie Whittaker has successfully turned her passion for design into a thriving career, combining her artistic skills with her love for Australian culture to create unique and joyful fabric designs that resonate with many.
Highlights
Our first international release sold out within hours...! 🪡✂️🥹
When Blackbird Fabrics fabrics signed on to be our first International Stockist we were pinching ourselves. As long-time fans we were (literally) cheering, ecstatic and excited to see how our Aussie designs would go in North America. Within hours of sharing the news our fabrics had sold out!
(Well. We spy a sneaky 50cm piece left, and rest-assured there will be more!)
Blackbird does an incredible job in the fabric and sustainability space and has their finger on the pulse in the sewing community. If you're not familiar, please jump over and support this beautiful Canadian store and their legendary team.
https://lnkd.in/gUs76iiR
“I like to keep abreast of what's happening in the sewing community, the fabrics people are looking for and the garments that they're loving - all of this helps to inform my fabric designs. But in this day and age, the biggest challenge is trying to make on-trend yet timeless fabrics. So, while the fabrics are sometimes trend 'aware', I want people to get sentimental and hold onto them forever.”
Loved being interviewed by Peppermint Magazine about everything from my design inspiration to how I consider sustainability in sourcing and designing. We also talked about the role my whacky social media presence plays and what's next for Ellie Whittaker Studio. It was a hoot (and our puppy enjoyed it, too...see if you can spot him!).
Peppermint Magazine tells "the stories of people doing good in the world, with a focus on ethical and sustainable fashion, slow living and mindfulness. " Each edition is released 6-monthly so it is jam-packed with incredible information and interviews as well as a free sewing pattern! Available now at your local Newsy and sure to keep you busy over Winter.
#textiledesign #fabricdesign #surfacepatterndesign #fabricdesigner #organicfabric #sustainablefabric #peppermintmagazine
