Welcome to the Hope
Street Markets Website!
Welcome to the Hope Street Markets Website! We are a design and art markets event held seasonally, that celebrate and bring independent designers to the forefront - we are not your average markets!
4th June 2008 - Web update
We have successfully rounded up our 4th Hope Street Markets.
The Autumn Markets weekend in May was a complete success and we raised
$2,741 for HopeStreet's Winter Appeal - which goes to support Sydney's Homeless.
For those that missed out, see our gallery for images of the markets.
For now we wish you all a great Winter, unfortunately we will not be
running a Winter market this year but you can expect to hear more news from
us in a couple of months with any new dates.
In the mean time keep connected with us via our mailing list.
Bilingual Design by Marta Niegowska
What do you make? Tell us about your product!
I hand make unique, unisex pieces.
Not content with just making aesthetically pleasing pieces, I set myself the challenge of creating a label that pushed boundaries and got people talking about what jewellery is and can be. I design unisex pieces to wholly explore a concept, all the while testing myself not to produce something overly masculine or feminine. Once a concept ‘comes’ to me, I find it hard to fight until I have tackled it with my designs. Collections are concise and well thought out, with each piece being worn and tested by the myself. The results are ergonomic and intriguing pieces that feel timeless but modern.
What's your creative background, your day job and how did you start making things?
By the daylight hours I work as an interior designer who finds herself obsessed with ceilings, by night I take on the age old form of moulding wax into shapes to form my collections that make Bilingual.
After graduating from COFA, I started designing jewellery to fuel my desire to make something with my hands whilst working full time in Interior Design. I commenced my label, Bilingual when interlocking rings I had made for my partner to wear started garnering interest from colleagues and friends. The name ‘Bilingual’ was chosen due to my pieces being unisex and being able to ‘communicate’ to both men and women.
What are the things you find most inspiring?
By the daylight hours I work as an interior designer who finds herself obsessed with ceilings, by night I take on the age old form of moulding wax into shapes to form my collections that make Bilingual.
After graduating from COFA, I started designing jewellery to fuel my desire to make something with my hands whilst working full time in Interior Design. I commenced my label, Bilingual when interlocking rings I had made for my partner to wear started garnering interest from colleagues and friends. The name ‘Bilingual’ was chosen due to my pieces being unisex and being able to ‘communicate’ to both men and women.
Where is your workspace and what is it like?
I have a home studio. It’s not very big but is has the basic essentials for a happy workplace; my own space, good tools, lots of natural light & a stereo.
Why did you choose Hope Street Markets?
Hope street markets has a distinct style and presence like no other market. It has a creative energy and inspirational atmosphere. It can truly pride itself on offering the best Australian design to the public. And what’s more – Hope Street raises money for charity!
Where would you like your art/brand to be in the future??
I would like Bilingual to have it’s own design store. I also plan to expand the bilingual product range (not only jewellery) that would have a strong concept and follow Unique, unisex design. I am working towards Bilingual being an internationally recognised brand within my target market and for Bilingual products to be available nationally & internationally within boutique stores and galleries.
Where can we buy your stuff?
Online:
www.bilingual.com.au
www.ytba.com.au
Stockists:
MCA Store -140 George St, The Rocks -Sydney
Miljo - Westfield Bondi Junction Lvl 5
Funkis - 23c Curlewis St, Bondi Beach
Funkis - The Strand Arcade - 412-414 George St, Sydney
Pablo Fanque - 1 Oxford St, Paddington
Gaffa Gallery - Lvl 1, 7 Randle St, Surry Hills
For a list of stores outside NSW – please visit Marta’s website.