june-2012

ARTISAN
MATT
THOMSON
“ It’s as
much about
clients being
creative as it
is about the
product
”
070
sewing machine. He goes for a streamlined,
masculine look and uses high-quality
materials sourced in Australia and,
wherever possible, sustainable.
Thomson started off using commercial
fabrics but now uses unique designs by
textile designers, photographers and artists.
The designs are either screen- or digitally
printed on organic cotton or hemp in small
print runs. Being designed to last, the bags
come with a lifetime guarantee. They’re also
designed to be easily repaired, and he takes
responsibility if repairs are necessary.
Mattt’s newest line is interactive.
He’s using textile designs based on line
drawings, and a kit can be ordered online;
it’s sent out with pens, crayons and an
envelope to be returned by post once
coloured in by the client, then digitally
printed. “It’s as much about them being
creative as it is about the product,” says
Thomson. It’s an innovative approach that’s
particularly popular with children.
Brendan Dwyer has been
producing handmade shoes for
men and women at his studio in
the Nicholas Building for more
than 20 years. “I’ve made some
amazing and unusual and some
pretty crazy shoes over the years,”
he says.
As a young man, Dwyer
trained in the Italian, Greek and
Hungarian quarters of Melbourne,
where shoemaking was still a
thriving industry; he’s kept up the
traditions at his lively workspace,
which is crammed from fl oor to
ceiling with wooden lasts, rolls of
leather, tools, shoes-in-progress
and photos of previous designs.
Dwyer does bespoke work;
there’s nothing to buy off the rack.
ARTISAN
BRENDAN
DWYER
“ I’ve
made some
amazing
and unusual
and some
crazy shoes
over the
years
”