Design, Lifestyle

Creative Fridays: An Interview with Eloise Rapp

Today’s interview is the wonderful Sydney-based creative Eloise Rapp, who turned her impressive textile designing skills into an accessories label and a soon-to-be-launched bathing goods collection.

Hello! Who are you and what do you do?

Hello! I’m Eloise and I’m a textile designer, illustrator and professional curious mind. I design and produce vibrantly illustrated silk scarves for my accessories label RAPP, and I’m about to launch my new creative venture, Three Lives – a line of bespoke bathing goods. The rest of my time is spent nipping back to Japan (I used to live in Tokyo), indulging in various creative projects with friends and sticking my head in a book or headphones on my ears.

What work are you most proud of to date?

I’m quite proud of a textile installation I created last year for a group show at Sydney’s Firstdraft Gallery. Titled ‘Ruin’, it was a fairly time consuming combination of digital print, hand dying, layering and structural effects with silk and rayon fabrics. I’m proud of pushing my textile skills into a more conceptual space – I haven’t really had a chance to do that since I left uni!

What was the turning point in your career?

Realising I didn’t want to keep working in the commercial fashion industry. After years working as a textile graphic designer, I simply wanted to apply my creative skills to another industry, so I started looking for opportunities in the creative arts. I now work part-time for the Ken Done studio, which complements my small business time perfectly.

Who would you love to collaborate with one day?

Pipe dreams, but Studio Toogood. They are just 100% ahead of the game in every single way. Faye Toogood’s attention to texture, atmosphere and longevity in design is like nothing I’ve come across.

What’s your number one tip for someone wanting to start their own business/blog?

Go for it, but do it slowly and carefully and don’t throw all your savings into it. I really recommend budgeting a year ahead (with a small business), and taking into account all the risks and variables that will effect your business. Things will go wrong and the unexpected will happen in your first year or two, so it’s easier if you’re prepared for it and have a bit of financial back-up.

Financial advice aside, don’t worry about losing sleep over something you love. You’ll get it back later, when it starts to pick up and people notice. It’ll be worth it.