For many of them, it\u2019s their side hustle while they juggle full-time jobs and family responsibilities. As Ndenzako explains, building an independent brand means wearing several hats at once: \u201cIt\u2019s a constant mix of founder, product developer, creative director, problem solver, buyer, storyteller and occasionally, person doing the packing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of the event, we caught up with seven of the makers to talk about finding inspiration, their big breakthroughs, and the favourite pieces they\u2019re bringing along on the day.<\/p>\n
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Rittle King is a local ceramics brand, with all pieces handmade in Brunswick. I also embroider and at this market I\u2019ll have my hand-embroidered fish bag tags. Im Me Studios is an accessories label inspired by the art of crochet and knit, with metallic lurex yarn adding a touch of drama. Designed in Naarm \/ Melbourne, each piece is intended to make you feel as extraordinary as the bag on your shoulder. Sardine Supply is a Melbourne-based label making limited-run garments from surplus materials and natural fibres in Melbourne. Our pieces are inspired by the graphics and creativity of sardine tins. Umei is a range of plant-based mayonnaise inspired by Japanese mayo, with playful spins on flavours like gochugaru and yuzu. Designed to elevate any meal, Umei products bring a hit of flavour with a simple squeeze of the bottle. Doxxia is a bust-friendly swimwear brand designed with women\u2019s curves in mind \u2013 we cater up to an Australian J-cup. Each piece is thoughtfully made in our Melbourne studio (my grandmother\u2019s basement) or with the support of local cutters and machinists. Ukoo is an Australian family bodycare brand rooted in the idea that care is something we inherit, practise and pass on. We make considered, nourishing bodycare for the whole family, bringing together thoughtful formulations, Australian ingredients and a belief that everyday rituals hold meaning. Principal the Label is a female-led Melbourne fashion label creating elevated, racing-inspired apparel for the race fan in all of us. Our limited-edition, unisex pieces are designed to be worn well beyond race day. Quotes have been edited for length and clarity. Emmanuelle Lee of Im Me Studios is an employee at Broadsheet Media.<\/p>\n This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Australia Post.<\/p>\n Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Australia Post.
I started Rittle King because I\u2019d been making things my whole life, but after owning a cafe I realised the hospo life wasn\u2019t for me, so that\u2019s when I started Rittle. My other job is a second-hand reseller, Coco Store<\/a>. The op shops and vintage warehouses provide endless inspiration for my illustrations.
My proudest achievement so far is [seeing] all the beautiful stores my ceramics are stocked in and making Masses Bagels<\/a>\u2019 coffee cups!
The biggest lesson I\u2019ve learned as a maker so far is that consistency is key.
My favourite item in my collection is the classic Speckle Smile Coffee Mug<\/a>. It\u2019s always sold out but we\u2019ll have a few at the market!
Another independent maker or brand I love is <\/a>Rainy BB\u2019s mugs<\/a> \u2013 my everyday coffee mug.
If I had to describe the spirit of independent Australian makers in one word, it would be fabulous.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I started Im Me because I took a knitting elective while studying fashion at RMIT, and started experimenting with different yarns, weaves and textures. Metallic lurex yarn was the obvious standout. I quickly became obsessed with it. That obsession eventually became Im Me. Plus, sparkle has always been my favourite colour.
My proudest moment so far is having my pieces stocked at the NGV Design Store. To know something I\u2019ve made sits under the same roof as works by some of the world\u2019s most significant artists and designers is incredibly surreal. My bags are in good company.
The biggest lesson I\u2019ve learned as a maker so far is the importance of a good accountant. Also, not to rush the process. Building something you believe in requires you to keep going through the quieter, more difficult months.
My favourite item in the collection is the bottle bag. I originally designed it to carry a bottle of champagne, but it works just as well for wine, sparkling water or your everyday water bottle. I love how it can instantly dress up a champagne or water bottle, whether you\u2019re taking it to dinner, into a meeting or out for a walk.
I\u2019m inspired by the work of Sydney designer Niamh Galea. She\u2019s incredibly thoughtful and every creative choice she makes feels considered. Her understanding of how to celebrate the female form is unmatched.<\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SS_Drop4_\ufffc0157-HR-be73ba114b.jpg\"\/)
Jim Nicolacopoulos, co-founder, Sardine Supply<\/a><\/p>\n
We started it because in 2022 when, like most of the world, we had extra time and needed to scratch a creative itch. It\u2019s underscored by our obsession with and collection of sardine tins (they make for great snacks, coasters and paper weights at home). Our pieces are inspired by the everyday staple\u2019s playful design: bold colour palettes, hand-drawn illustrations, and an unpretentious visual identity.
Our proudest achievement so far is collaborating with artist Leif Podhajsky (who\u2019s done album covers for Tame Impala) \u2013 it was very surreal. Having been a long-time admirer of his work, it was special working together on our Verdant Lava Silk Scarf.
The biggest lesson I\u2019ve learned as a maker so far is that comparison is the thief of joy. Staying true to your own values and vision is super important to not veer too far off course.
Our favourite item in the collection is our recent collaboration with Project PA, which includes beautiful wool scarves, made on a vintage knitting machine, and the Harvest Hat which brings together our original sardine hat shape with Project PA\u2019s signature crown design.
Another independent maker or brand I love is Monphell, which makes some really incredible Australian-made pieces.<\/p>\nSarah Leung, founder, Umei Foods<\/a><\/p>\n
I started Umei because I wanted to share the flavours that I grew up with in Hong Kong in a format that everyone could enjoy. As I raise my two Asian boys, I\u2019m continually inspired to celebrate our heritage, take pride in our identity and bring these flavours to more people.
My proudest achievement so far is seeing how much our customers love Umei, and watching the range find a home in The Leaf Store and Queen\u2019s Harvest. Also, collaborating with places we love, like Le Bajo Milkbar<\/a> and Ima Pantry<\/a>, has been incredibly rewarding.
The biggest lesson I\u2019ve learned as a maker so far is to expect the unexpected. There\u2019s always a new fire to put out when you\u2019re building a brand. You have to keep showing up, putting your best foot forward and trusting that every challenge is helping you grow.
My favourite item in my collection is our Gochugaru Mayo<\/a>. The flavour reminds me of instant noodles, which feels wonderfully nostalgic. It has a medium heat and a delicious savoury finish that lingers in the best way.
Another independent maker or brand I love is <\/a>Six Eyed Scorpion<\/a>. Sandra Seah and Jordana Adams<\/a> are such power houses making killer flavours. I love watching their journey and their stories.
If I had to describe the spirit of independent Australian makers in one word, it would be gutsy.<\/p>\nEvie Ganikis, founder, Doxxia<\/a><\/p>\n
I started Doxxia because I\u2019ve always loved the beach, but I struggled to find swimwear that supported my bust. My grandmother, a seamstress, taught me how to sew and we made pieces that solved the problem. Once I\u2019d made a supportive and cute bikini, I started the brand so I could share them with other girls facing the same issue.
My proudest achievement is whenever I receive a message from a customer who felt supported and empowered by a Doxxia piece. Recently, a customer told me she\u2019d never been comfortable wearing a bikini until she came across my pieces \u2013 that makes all the hard work worth it.
The biggest lesson I\u2019ve learned as a maker so far is to prioritise time for creativity. In business, you can get caught up with the technical side. Playing with different fabrics, colours and ideas helps me feel connected to the product and stay aligned.
My favourite piece in the collection is <\/a>the Theodora bikini top<\/a>. It\u2019s a halter-neck that supports and flatters bigger busts. Each part of the piece is intentional, from the sizing to the thicker neck straps and the adjustable tie-up back. After two summers, it\u2019s still my holy-grail staple.
Another local maker I love is Effie Kats. I\u2019m obsessed with any brand that\u2019s established through a made-to-measure business model, and brands that focus on creating clothes to a woman\u2019s measurements should be celebrated.<\/p>\nFatuma Ndenzako, co-founder, Ukoo<\/a><\/p>\n
My proudest achievement so far is simply seeing Ukoo exist in the world. There\u2019s something quite emotional about seeing your idea become a physical object in someone\u2019s bathroom, being used by a family. I\u2019m also incredibly proud that Ukoo is creating a broader understanding of what an Australian family brand can look and feel like.
The biggest lesson I\u2019ve learned as a maker so far is you have to be willing to make decisions without having all the answers. You learn to listen \u2013 to customers, your team, and your instincts \u2013 and then you have to trust yourself enough to move.
I started Ukoo after I spent eight years working in procurement at Aesop, where I became fascinated by ingredients, formulations, packaging and the quiet rituals that make a product part of someone\u2019s life. The deeper inspiration came from family. I grew up understanding that care is communal, something that moves between generations, bathrooms, aunties, mothers and children.
The name Ukoo comes from the Swahili word for extended family or lineage. That idea sits at the heart of everything we make.
My favourite item in my collection is the Nourishing Body Lotion<\/a>. It\u2019s Ukoo distilled into one product: nourishing, uncomplicated and designed for everyday rituals. Body lotion is such an ordinary act of care, but it\u2019s also quite intimate \u2013 you\u2019re tending to yours or your child\u2019s skin with your hands. I love that Ukoo can make those ordinary moments feel more intentional.
Another independent maker or brand I love is Atong Atem. I\u2019ve long admired her work and the way she moves between photography, art, identity, history and contemporary culture. There\u2019s a generosity and confidence in her practice that I really respond to. She has an incredible ability to create work that feels deeply personal while speaking to something much larger.<\/p>\nHayley Conway and Elle Baillieu, co-founders, Principal the Label<\/a><\/p>\n
We started it because we\u2019re both lifelong motorsport fans, but we couldn\u2019t find women\u2019s racing apparel that was considered and fashion-led.
We take inspiration from racing culture \u2013 from vintage team uniforms and old paddock imagery to the people, places and energy we encounter at races around the world.
Our proudest moment so far is launching our first NASCAR collaboration with Legacy Motor Club and taking Principal the Label to the USA. Seeing people wear our pieces at racetracks around the world is surreal, particularly as we\u2019ve built the brand without outside funding or traditional fashion backgrounds.
The biggest lesson we\u2019ve learned as a maker so far is that you don\u2019t need to have everything figured out before you begin. We\u2019ve learned by doing, asking questions and surrounding ourselves with generous people who know more than we do.
One of our favourite pieces in the collection is the Monaco Trackside shirt. It\u2019s playful, nostalgic and unmistakably racing-inspired, but still easy to style and wear away from the track. It was created with artist Lykka<\/a> and features her hand-painted artwork.
Some other local makers we love are Henne, Viktoria & Woods and Effie Kats.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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