|
‘I had a dream to bring manufacturing back to the island; you agreed, so I did!’
– Tamika Bannister, Spotted Quoll’s founder When Tamika established SQ in 2010, it was little more than a vision for creating a more sustainable future for Tasmanian fashion. The young northern local bravely stepped into a space that bucked the trend. While others were rushing to cheap offshore manufacturers that delivered items for cents, Tamika was busily supporting a flock of local women who sewed with passion. Sure, they cost more. But they valued the work, they took pride in every piece, and they laughed together along the way. All these years later, Tamika remains true to her brand ethos to be wild at heart and ethical by nature. The response? Not only do Tasmanians love Tamika’s commitment to quality and locality, but enthusiasts from around the globe now dress in her wearable art, from downtown Switzerland to the mountains of Canada. They love SQ for its unwavering loyalty to the slow fashion movement – well before it was fashionable. Says Tamika, ‘Our journey since 2010 has been to capture, create and promote the wilds of Tasmania. We do this in a way that enables us to support, coach and promote a range of Tasmania’s best makers. By championing our finest artisans and those who work with their hands and hearts, we in turn support their families, and our community, and inspire a love for our island home. Our little Tasmanian dream today enjoys a strong following of conscious consumers the world over and we are proud to be at the very ends of the earth doing big things.’ The SQ team is unashamedly bold, creating with only natural organic fibres and Tasmanian specialty timbers, all blended together with rich imagination. Each piece in the Hobart flagship store and Launceston sister store is crafted with love on the island. Of course, every piece of goodness is available online and through wholesale channels, to be shipped around the world. Tamika is no ordinary local. At Tailored Tasmania, we were not surprised when she quietly put out a call and raised more than $40,000 for a family of three who had slipped through the housing cracks. Tamika’s father, a snake re-locator, was called up a narrow goat track to remove a snake from a caravan. What he found were school-aged boys and a worried father, all living with their dog in a tent and caravan with no running water, power or amenities. Rats came into the van seeking food. The rats attracted the snakes. And the petrified children were too afraid to sleep in the van. Tamika leapt into action, raising the cash, in the process helping the family to relocate to a comfy, snake-free home. This born-and-bred Tasmanian is fierce in her passion for people and place. And though this little tale of our own has nothing to do with her gorgeous SQ brand, it’s testament to the woman behind what we feel is the most honest, genuine and tender kind of retail store Tasmania could possibly have. So it’s far more than belts made from factory-floor offcuts finished with a Tasmanian timber buckle. It’s more than the gorgeous cushion prints that reflect the wild Bay of Fires or moss-covered mountain boulders. It’s Tamika’s passion for her island that you can touch, see and feel in every item SQ produces. Now that’s a piece worth keeping forever. 26 Quadrant Mall, Launceston [email protected] Open 7 days Find them on the Web, Facebook or Instagram |