BRAND NAME: Halcyon Nights
DESIGNER: Kym Purtell
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS: 2 years! This September!
DESCRIBE HALCYON NIGHTS IN 3 WORDS: Playful, Colourful, Emotive
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YOUR BACKGROUND AS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS OF THE
FAT STORES IS IMPRESSIVE. DID THAT GIVE YOU INSIGHT INTO THE
AUSTRALIAN MARKET FOR HALCYON NIGHTS? OR IS IT A
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BEAST BEING IN THE KIDS INDUSTRY?
Being a retailer / buyer /product developer has given me a huge insight
into how to bring together the collections. Being aware of product
packaging & merchandising from a stores perspective, as to how it will
sit in store has been a great asset. My life partner Reuben works in
events / marketing and IT so together we can be quite the team.
Also being a mum helps! Knowing what products mums need for their
babies and what is useful and what is not. Tying this together with my
background has been wonderful. I have had a lot of fun with it.
YOU'VE COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL ARTISTS DEAR PLASTIC, MIN
PIN & SHUH LEE. WAS THIS ALWAYS PART OF YOUR BRAND
IDENTITY?
Yes definitely. There are so many incredible artists who I find
inspirational. Working with artists adds another element and creates
variety in the design. I am not an artist myself so it makes sense to
outsource this part of the process. I have sourced artists based on what
I love and what I am drawn to. The Dear Plastic Rainbow Mountain piece
I saw years and years ago at Craft Victoria exhibition. I fell in love and
when I started on the collection I got in touch with them.
YOU INITIALLY BEGAN WITH BABY / KIDS BEDDING BUT HAVE SINCE
EXPANDED INTO BABY CLOTHING, SWADDLES & HATS. WHAT DROVE
THIS DECISION TO EXPAND SO EARLY ON INTO YOUR BUSINESS?
I think my love for making and creating things. Not having set
boundaries and exploring what works. Also being a mum, my youngest
is 3 now so when I started developing the wraps & clothing I was in that
space and using those types of products. So I was really driven by what I
thought mums would like and need.
YOU HAVE A SMALL FAMILY. HOW HAVE YOU FOUND MANAGING
YOUR TIME SINCE BECOMING A MUM AND GROWING THE BRAND?
It’s pretty crazy all the time! I’m a passionate person & I really love
what I do so that certainly helps. You have to be organised and be able
to achieve a lot in small time frames. Being able to switch ‘hats’ quickly
and effectively. It’s definitely challenging at times but absolutely has its
benefits. I can still pick up the kid from school and work around them.
THE OUTBACK DREAMERS & FERN GULLY RANGES HAVE BEEN
HUGE FOR US WITH THE "AUSTRALIANA" PRINTS. DID YOU EXPECT
THIS PRINT WOULD EXPLODE OR WAS IT A HAPPY COINCIDENCE?
I would say a little bit of both but really, I did think it would be or should
be super successful. Having travelled a lot overseas and within
Australia, who hasn’t tried to buy a souvenir and found them incredibly
ugly. It seemed like a big opportunity in the market. Working with Min
Pin and her incredible style lent itself to that so well. I asked her to do
the first Australian print and when I saw it I was amazed. I thought this
has to be a hit! So drawing from my own experiences helps shape the
collections.
THE KIDS CLOTHING MARKET HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE
LAST 2 YEARS IN PARTICULAR; IN YOUR OPINION WHAT HAS
CONTRIBUTED TO THAT?
Demand I guess. And the fact that people don’t mind spending their
money on their kids. Babies and children’s tend to grow out of things
quickly hence the need to replace items. But it is an interesting
question. It seems people’s values have turned from spending on
themselves and their homes to their children. I also think children’s
product is generally happy, fun and light hearted. It is nice to buy. Retail
therapy through kids product!
WHAT 3 TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE SMALL BRANDS IN AUSTRALIA
ABOUT BEGINNING A START UP IN THE KIDS MARKET?
1. I think it’s the same for any business you need a clear plan, a vision
and idea of what you are going to create.
2. It's hard work, be prepared for the ups and the downs. You have to
keep at it.
3. Do your research. Understand what you are creating and how you fit
into the market.
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND INSTAGRAM IN TERMS OF PROMOTING YOUR
BRAND?
Amazing! We are so fortunate to be growing a business in this
time of enormous surge social media. Incredible.
WHAT OTHER CATEGORIES DO YOU HOPE TO EXPAND INTO?
Will keep you posted BUT some great new Items being added next
season for gorgeous babes.
SHOP THE LATEST RANGE OF HALCYON NIGHTS GOODIES HERE....