Designer Q&A: Elk Acessories

Our final Designer Q&A for 2007 is with Marnie Goding, co-designer of the fabulous Elk Accessories. Elk’s philosophy is ‘stylishly simple. no frills, creative accessories in classic colours for all occasions, transcending seasons’ and each items is made from natural sources.

Tell us a bit about your background, how did you come to be an accessories designer?By chance really! My previous career and university years were spent in marketing and event management but through short courses in interior design etc I always knew I would end up working in a creative field.

How did Elk Accessories come about?
I started off with a head full of ideas! My partner is a jeweller and never had time to make anything I asked for. I drove him nuts with constant requests and so decided to teach myself. We still sell exactly the same product 5 years later to the same stores, we all marvel at how this line has never slowed. The jewellery exposed us to different manufacturers, materials and ideas and fueled our desire for the label to expand into a full fashion accessories label.

All your accessories are from natural materials, how did that evolve?
We have always looked to using natural products, all sourced from renewable materials. We have recently added in some resin based products, mostly mixed with woods. You have more flexibility with colours etc and this allows us to take on a different look each season. Our main aim though is to create product which lasts past the current season. This requirement is the reason we use classic colours and stick to clean lines and wearable designs so they can be worn year after year.

Tell us about being ‘stylishly simple’…
I am probably more conservative by nature and whilst I marvel at the designs you see on cat walks and in magazines, we strive for classic design. We have a wonderful relationship with our clients and they rely on us each season to produce designs which they will feel comfortable wearing and will compliment their style rather than dominate it. It also works on our desire for pieces to be worn season after season!

Did you find it hard to get started? Did you start the business cold turkey full-time or did it start as a side project while at another job?
Running your own business is a dream….there are of course many sleepless nights! Whilst getting started meant no money and lots of risks – it really was a fun time. You are driven by a wealth of ideas and motivation and any little bit of feedback fed the desire to push forward and keep growing.
Like most fashion labels, it stated as a side project. The more it grows and the more enjoy it, just makes your “day job” seem even more detestable so the decision to stop and work on Elk full time was quite natural and easy.

What advice can you give to people wanting to start their own accessories label?
Research is the key. It takes a long time to establish solid, reliable relationships with manufacturers… without them you do not have a hope in hell!

What inspired the Summer Collection?
Colour! Winter is a strong season for Elk but summer is so refreshing. You can re introduce vivid colours and be a little more relaxed about styling.

What is your favorite piece in the new collection?
My favourite piece is our chirp brooch. Its fun to wear and ever funnier is some of the looks I get from some people – especially the oldies, you can see them staring at it while you have it on trying to figure out what the hell it is!

What’s next for Elk Accessories?
Winter 2008 is in production and its looking fantastic! I have a real fixation on quality textiles so looking forward the collections will have some amazing materials introduced including cashmere, Belgian linen and natural, waxed woods

The Elk Accessories Summer Collection is now available. Our Pic? The gorgeous Shady Brooch is a total bargain at $20AUD and has firmly become an NSO lemming!

You view the entire summer collection at the Elk Accessories website and they have an online store! Postage is $10AUD in Australia and a credit card is required