Behind the Brand – Getting to know Christina of Billy Mac Clothing

If you’ve been to any of the best boutique markets lately, you will have seen the bright, bold and colourful Billy Mac Clothing. You would also have seen the equally bright, bold and colourful Christina who owns it. Today we took the opportunity to have a chat to Christina and find out what’s been happening lately and what she has in store for her very cool label.

Behind the Brand - Getting to know Christina of Billy Mac Clothing

Tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m a mum to two awesome and very spirited little girls – they keep me on my toes. I’ve worked in Advertising since finishing a degree in Art Education and when I went on maternity leave with my first daughter, I started my own graphic design and printing business and decided never to go back! That business has been going for five years now and when I had my second daughter, I started billy mac clothing. Initially, I was looking for reasonably priced basic tshirts for my older girl to wear to preschool. I wanted her to have her shoulders covered as she is very fair and to not worry if she got paint on her clothes … but I also wanted her to have a little flair, a cool print on her shirt that wasn’t overly girly or princessy. So billy mac was really born out of a need for cool clothes for my girls and yet it’s the boy’s range that is far more popular with mums.

Billy Mac Clothing Winter range

What can we expect from Billy Mac Clothing this year?
This year I’m concentrating on spreading my wings a little more. The Winter range is
focused around 70s wallpaper and a trip to Grandma’s house, it’s very nostalgic of that era of my childhood and the prints are far more design based this season. I’ve also just launched my Men’s range with some spunky male models featuring the most popular designs from the boys range. A range for Mum’s will come out later in the year. You will still find billy mac clothing at local markets but I’m hoping that the online store will take on more importance this year now that it is up and running.

Billy Mac Clothing Men's range

What product couldn’t you live without?
This probably sounds very boring, but sunscreen! Both my girls are very fair and my husband is a redhead – and try as I may to become a bronzed goddess, it is never going to happen. So sunscreen and fair skin it is, much nicer than wrinkles and sunspots as the
years tick over.

What are you listening to in the car at the moment?Foo Fighters Greatest Hits
I’m an obsessive Foo Fighters fan so at the moment there are at least 3 of their CDs in my car.

How do you like to spend your spare time?
With two businesses and two little girls there is  unfortunately not much spare time, but I love to steal myself away to read … even if it’s the middle of the night.

Where do you see yourself and your brand in five years?
In five years time I hope that my family will have travelled and perhaps moved into a larger home or extended this one, we’ll have more calm in our house (and less nappies!). In five  years I can see billy mac clothing expanding into more stores, perhaps with a few employees to help me out in my little studio.

Billy Mac Clothing girl's tees
Billy Mac Clothing baby range
Billy Mac Clothing boy's range

Your perfect day would be…
My perfect day would include a sleep in and a slow morning with fresh coffee and a play outside with my daughters in the fresh air. Then a long lunch with beautiful food, great wine and lots of conversation. And then a lazy afternoon with a good book, great music and no housework.

 

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Behind The Brand – Getting to know Leanne of Possum & Banjo

Today we had a chat with the lovely and very talented Leanne of Possum & Banjo to find out all about her new range and what she has in the pipeline for her uniquely Australian brand.

Tell us a bit about yourself…
I love spending time with my family. My husband and I enjoy going out on our boat with our son, fishing, camping and beach picnics on the islands near Brisbane. I think it’s important for children to get out in the great outdoors and see what nature has to offer but most importantly, ensure there’s a good balance of family togetherness. It’s quality time. I like to continually learn about new things so my other interests are cooking, interior design and photography. I moved to Brisbane from Perth WA about 4 years ago. I love living in Queensland and the lifestyle it brings.

What can we expect from Possum & Banjo this year?
We’ll soon be having our first market debut, at Ruffled Bazaar Markets, Racecourse Road in Hamilton, Queensland on April 22nd. I’m very excited, I can’t wait to showcase the Possum & Banjo clothing range locally in my own city, but mainly for the personal opportunity to meet and chat to customers. See the children who will be wearing Possum & Banjo is what will really make my day!

We’ll be focusing a lot more on the linen clothing collection this year. Linen is my most favourite fabric to work with. Linen is most ideal for our warm Australian climate. Plus with it’s eco-friendly characteristics and skin benefits, it’s only natural that it’s most suitable for children’s wear. I also look forward to working closer with retailers to expand Possum & Banjo into more boutique stores around Australia later this year.

What product couldn’t you live without?
For me as a busy Mum, I must say my iPad. I do all the day to day home and business work from accounts, checking emails and connecting with my close family and friends. It saves a lot of time and space. I can take it anywhere.

What are you listening to in the car at the moment?
Aussie band, Little Birdy or Fleetwood Mac.

How do you like to spend your spare time?
In my spare time I like to read a good book, real life success stories, biographies, positive inspirational stuff. I try to set aside some time each day to walk around the block and take our little boy to the park nearby.

Where do you see yourself and your store in 5 years?
Passionately following my dreams. Happily living a healthy lifestyle, spending lots of time with my family and close friends. For Possum & Banjo to be nationally recognised as an Australian designed and made children’s clothing label. To be seen in a vast number of boutique stores around Australia.

Your perfect day would be…
Waking up on our boat with my husband and son and seeing wild horses on the beach. ok… then maybe followed by shopping for a new dress and shoes and meeting some great friends for high tea.

 

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