Gold Coast textile designer Ellie Whittaker paid a visit to the Australian Reptile Park at Somersby on October 19 seeking inspiration for her next clothing range.
Whittaker, whose Animal Instinct range is now available at Best&Less, said the Park visit, part of an extensive road trip along the east coast to Sydney, had definitely given her some ideas for new designs.
“I grew up in the country in South Australia and have always had a fascination for Australian wildlife,” she said.
“I like to look at our native animals with rose-coloured glasses and use vibrant colours in my designs,” she said.
“There was so much to see at the Park which we cant see on the Gold Coast – various birds, rock wallabies, Komodo dragons.
“I do a lot of work from digital images but there’s nothing like seeing the animals in the flesh to get a true sense of scale.
“I love snakes and do a lot of designs featuring them but I didn’t realise how docile they are until I got to hold one at the Park.
“I’ve always been intrigued by snakes and reptiles, but a little cautious and unsure.
“After recently moving to acreage and overcoming my fear, I was excited to meet some up close.
“It was a very calming experience – even my daughter said it felt nice.
“I’d like my clothes to help change people’s perspective on snakes – we seldom celebrate them.
“I’m hoping that by highlighting them in fabric I will encourage people to think twice about how they treat them.
“I took a lot of videos on my visit – there were snakes with patterns I had never seen before and I was also inspired by the frogs and turtles.
“And I saw some beautiful doves with a lovely magenta colour on their chests.
“It would be great to draw more attention to them through my designs.”
Part of Whittaker’s mission is to encourage Aussies to love all animals especially those often perceived as “scary”.
She would like to fill the world with Australian patterns full of wonder, colour and whimsy all inspired by childhood nostalgia, literature and popular references.
She often works with bold styles and oversized designs and has produced fabrics and collections for labels such as Alfie’s Children’s Apparel, Minouche, Kapow Kids, Goosebumps Boutique Bedding, Jericho Road and Spotlight.
Terry Collins