Martha Jean x The Ark
MEETING MARTHA JEAN
Time for a chat with Martha Jean founder Ana Nicols about family, design and making her way to us.
We love that Martha Jean is named after someone you know only through stories…
My mother adored my grandmother Martha Jean and often talked about how tenacious she was. When my grandfather was away during the war, she built a very successful enterprise making little sugar flowers for cakes… It seemed fitting to name my business after her.
My mother adored my grandmother Martha Jean and often talked about how tenacious she was. When my grandfather was away during the war, she built a very successful enterprise making little sugar flowers for cakes… It seemed fitting to name my business after her.
What drew you to The Ark?
I discovered The Ark when my family visited the Canterbury store to see a window display featuring family photos taken in the 1950’s. I learnt that The Ark shares Martha Jean’s passion for Australian designed and made fashion so it was the perfect fit for a collaboration. I feel lucky to be part of such an abundant and supportive design community.
Tell us about the collaboration designs…
Inspired by shapes, vessels and vases, I approach each piece of handmade jewellery as a little sculpture. Every design in our AW19 collaboration is made from hand poured resin which moves around as it sets to create different patterns and intriguing layers of overlapping colour.
Inspired by shapes, vessels and vases, I approach each piece of handmade jewellery as a little sculpture. Every design in our AW19 collaboration is made from hand poured resin which moves around as it sets to create different patterns and intriguing layers of overlapping colour.
Your studio is on the Mornington Peninsula… Does this influence your work?
We are minutes from both the beach and the bush in the sleepy coastal town of Balnarring. I think taking time outdoors is great for the mind and soul… My best ideas often happen away from the studio when I am out walking and exploring nature.
We are minutes from both the beach and the bush in the sleepy coastal town of Balnarring. I think taking time outdoors is great for the mind and soul… My best ideas often happen away from the studio when I am out walking and exploring nature.
If you’d like to see the pieces we created in collaboration with Martha Jean, click here
