Hands up who, in the last 12 months, has dreamt of giving up their 9-5 to pursue their creative passions? What has remained a daydream for most of us has become a reality for ceramicist Jess Choi of Eun Ceramics. Although Jess is still taking on a few gigs as a production manager in TV here and there, she’s (wheel) throwing everything into her true passion – ceramics. And despite feeling ‘imposter syndrome’ when she first put herself out there, her little business is thriving.

Jess found a lot more than just a hobby when she first took up casual pottery classes in 2016. Five years later and she’s found a way to be her own boss, and unexpectedly, reconnect with a part of her Korean heritage.

You’re probably familiar with the t-shirts bearing statements such as ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’; ‘Free The Flag’; and ‘Not The Date Celebrate.’

What you might not know is the story behind this merchandise, created by social enterprise Clothing The Gaps (formerly known as Clothing The Gap).

Co-founded by health professionals Laura Thompson (a Gunditjmara woman), and Sarah Sheridan, Clothing The Gaps supports the health of First Nations peoples through fitness initiatives, funded through sales of their Australian-designed and made merchandise.

Laura and Sarah are also activists who publicly campaign on issues such as free-use of the Aboriginal flag (which you can read more about here). Their work has helped raise awareness of this ongoing matter, leading to a Senate inquiry into copyright and licensing arrangements for the flag design.

Given how quickly Clothing The Gaps has risen to prominence, it’s hard to believe this social enterprise is officially only one year old. We caught up with Laura, Sarah, and their team in their new Brunswick store to hear all about it!

Twelve months ago, when the world started going topsy turvy, seasoned Melbourne furniture designers Nick Rennie, Dustin Fritsche and Brett Julian joined forces, combining their knowledge and resources to start Oku Space – a collaborative furniture studio based in their shared Alphington studio.

Now, nearly a year on and three lockdowns later, they’re ready to launch – with an impressive debut collection of locally crafted furniture designs.

Since the mid 1990s, women have comprised over 40 per cent of all Australian architectural graduates, and the overall proportion of women working in the industry has been steadily rising (now 31 per cent of the total architecture population of Australia, up from 20 per cent in 2001). 

Despite these advancements, a 2018 report by Gill Matthewson titled Parlour Census Report 2001–2016: Women in Architecture in Australia indicates there is still gender discrimination in the architecture industry. Most notably, younger women are continuing to leave the profession at higher rates than their male counterparts, and the gender pay gap persists.

One of the inspirational women who’s overcome these barriers is Kerstin Thompson, whose practice is responsible for multiple award-winning homes, schools, civic and commercial buildings.

We’re excited to share an excerpt from the newly-released book Kerstin Thompson Architects: Encompassing People & Place, featuring 11 important career lessons Kerstin has learned during her celebrated career.

Summer is done, Easter is approaching and, all of a sudden, it’s sweet bun season. From hot cross to cinnamon, babka to challah, there’s nothing more comforting than a perfect twist of slightly-sweet-slightly-savoury bread when the weather turns cool.

Julia Busuttil Nishimura guides us through the changing of the seasons with her favourite flavour combo, chocolate and hazelnut, in delicious, doughy form.

This will also be the last time we capture Julia in her often-photographed Brunswick home, as she’s just moved house – the end of an era!

When you’ve written as many A Day In The Life profiles as I have, the formula for high-achievers gradually begins to reveal itself: get up early, eat breakfast, make sure you exercise, and get lots of sleep. Lillian Ahenkan (aka Flex Mami) is all about balance – but of a completely different kind.

Between waking up at midday in her colourful Sydney apartment, to sometimes working well into the early hours of the morning, the media multi-hyphenate’s days include, but are not limited to, podcasting, product design, content creation, digital marketing, and meetings for both her influencer brand, Flex Mami, and her product company, Flex Factory. Whatever she’s doing, the DJ/podcaster/TV host/author/influencer/entrepreneur is still engaging with her 133,000 Instagram followers every single day.

Flex’s refreshing schedule is proof that there’s not one single way to live your life, or a magic key to success that everyone has except you. She’s building her own brand, on her own terms… and just look how well it’s working for her!

Don’t worry, we’re not going to sit here and tell you that Byron is having a moment or pretend like we just discovered it. (And you wouldn’t believe us if we did!) But there’s no denying the creative juices are flowing, and the design world is pumping in this busy hub on the New South Wales coast!

Read on to discover some of Byron’s current hotspots with Sydney stylist Jono Fleming as your guide! From hidden waterfalls to the best pub food in town, Jono has been holidaying here for over a decade, and has the lowdown on all the primo places to stay, eat, shop and visit.

In the last twelve months, three TDF team members have gone on holiday to Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) on Quandamooka Country. That’s saying a lot for a team of seven!

But the crystal surf, white sand and slow coastal pace makes Straddie a truly irresistible holiday location, and one that’s relatively unknown to travellers outside of Brisbane.

Originally designed by architect Shane Thompson, this superb coastal retreat on the Northeastern tip of the island is surrounded by native bushland, and unfolds onto the pristine coastal views. Another one for the holiday wishlist!