“Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t mean it can’t be a perfectly pedicured one!”  Airdrie Makim

Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designer Airdrie Makim 

How did you get started?

I have always been creative – I come from a creative family (I have an aunt, a cousin and a sister who are artists, another sister is a singer), so it wasn’t really a matter of ‘getting started’ for me so much as a ‘returning to myself’ when I started making jewelry again.

What inspires your designs?

I have a great love for the beauty found in nature, and I also adore period glamour – Art Deco is a special love. My work always seems to be a contemporary take on traditional beauty. I love rummaging through antique & vintage shops for inspiration. And I don’t think anyone works in a bubble – I adore going to fashion shows, seeing what else is out there, who’s doing what this season.

How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer?

My work definitely has a vintage feel to it. I love working with something traditional and then giving it a fun/glam contemporary twist, eg the pearl necklaces with the butterfly playing cards, or the new cameos I’ve done in non-traditional colours. The Joolz customer is a woman who has an innate sense of style. She’s fond of beautiful things, and loves to dress up her wardrobe with a piece of statement jewelry. She’s a lover of life, who likes to pamper herself on the weekends, perhaps with some good food, good wine, and good friends.

What designers inspire you?

Many of our Australian designers inspire me – I love creative people, and there are so many of them, not just the famous ones. Some of the more well-known international designers I love are Linda Loudermilk, Stella McCartney, Jill Stuart, MaxMara, and I loved Alberta Ferreti’s latest collection!

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

I guess a big one was coming from a very remote place in outback Australia, and having no interaction with the fashion world until I was an adult. When I started my business I had absolutely no contacts in the industry, I knew no one and nothing!

How did you overcome them?

I realized there was nothing to be gained by sitting home and waiting for things to happen. I had to get myself, my brand name, and my designs out there into the world. And that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.

What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?

There have been some great moments so far and I look forward to many more! I think beating an iconic brand like Dolce & Gabbana to be awarded Accessories Brand of the Year in Australia would have to be right up there. And most recently being a part of Nolcha’s fashion showcase among just 15 other fabulous emerging designers from all over the world was wonderful too.

What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?

My work definitely develops and changes in a fairly organic way. The most recent major change has been the introduction of resin work to my designs. I’ve been having so much fun with that!

If money were no object what would you do right now?

I would implement a series of free workshops in jewelry-making, sewing and craftwork for disadvantaged young people in low-income areas around the world (including remote areas of Australia). Being able to create something from scratch yourself is a wonderful skill to have, and it’s a skill that can transfer into a career. I’d also love to be able to travel whenever and wherever I want – travelling can be such a wonderful inspiration for creativity.

If money was no object I’d also have the funds to pursue all the ideas I have for designs I’d like to implement – I’m still constrained by time and budget!

What are the best and worst things about being a designer?

They can be the same things! The solitude of the job, the drive to succeed, working to crazy deadlines, the insane frenzy before a fashion show, the uncertainty when you launch a new collection… these are all both great and sometimes not so great.

Describe your typical day?

They can be varied but usually its switch on the computer first, then off to the workbench unless I have meetings, keeping in touch with stylists and photographers about work we’re doing together, working on plans for the next show, devising the next little treat for my subscribers (I always make sure I let them know first whatever I’m working on). I’m generally at my desk by 8am and then its back & forth from that to the workbench, sometimes heading out to research new materials, colors, shapes and styles, and I generally finish up at about midnight. There are always a lot of people you need to stay in touch with regularly – suppliers, stockists, private clients, fans of the brand, fashion industry folk, media, event organizers etc.

What’s your philosophy of life?

You choose your own adventure.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I’d probably change what I studied at Uni. I’d travel sooner. And I’d get started on my business earlier!

When will you know you have made it?

I was asked this question about a year ago, and it hasn’t changed since then: when I see Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, Kate Winslet or Cate Blanchett at the Oscars wearing Joolz, I’ll know I’m there

The Joolz Collection is available at The MarketPlace Noblivity.com