14 / 04 / 2015

Exclusive Interview with You’re Welcome

Before even starting to get to know the brand, you already have the upper hand. You’re Welcome acknowledges you for saying thank you, even if you don’t quite remember that you did. Have I been over, sat down, sipped some tea, stroked the cat, and now I’m leaving again? Perhaps not, but now you’re wishing […]

Posted in Feature

Before even starting to get to know the brand, you already have the upper hand. You’re Welcome acknowledges you for saying thank you, even if you don’t quite remember that you did. Have I been over, sat down, sipped some tea, stroked the cat, and now I’m leaving again? Perhaps not, but now you’re wishing you had, right?

I’d like to introduce you to You’re Welcome by Amy Howell.

Having studied fashion design straight out of high school, designer Amy Howell then went on to study Post Graduate Pattern Making for Fashion Design at Central St. Martins College, and interned for Katharine Hamnett whilst living in London.

Now back home, in Auckland, New Zealand, Amy has decided to make it happen here. ‘It’ being the freedom to explore her own creative direction and the chance to create.

Inspired by what could seem like a melting pot of obscure ideas; the Memphis art movement, psychic telephone calls, and ancient animals, they have all beautifully manifested themselves into a non-pretensious and functional home wares collection.

You’re Welcome is Amy’s solo mission to liven up your digs so you can enjoy having your friends over for tea and cat-patting.

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Who is behind You’re Welcome?

It’s just me, I have a strong vision for the brand so running it on my own suits me for now but in saying that I don’t in any way undervalue the input and opinions of a couple of I guess you could call them mentors that I have.

When did you start this project, and what was the motivation for doing so?

I started You’re Welcome around a year and a half ago because I had always wanted to start my own creative business and never really knew in what form that would be.
It manifested itself after my long term flat in Auckland broke up, I realised I had no serious commitments so I quit my job and moved home up north for a year to put the idea in motion. My Dad renovated his old work shed and I kind of rolled with it from there.
It hasn’t been easy but the focus was to put together a modern, concept driven homeware/lifestyle brand that had a unique perspective in the industry.

What are some of the Memphis art movement works that you have drawn inspiration from for this collection?

I don’t know if there are any single works in particular, but my all time favourite Memphis artist’s are Nathalie Du Pasquier and Ettore Sottsass. I’m drawn to the style (Memphis) for a few reasons, the unique colour/pattern combinations the boldness of form and the fun and unpretentious nature of the movement itself.

Tell me more about the idea of ‘modern day mysticism’.

In the title of the collection the “Mystic Mary” part comes from that phony dial a psychic “call 1-800psycicsareus” kind of image but in contrast it’s a look beyond that to my own spiritual discovery outside of traditional organized religion and how this fit’s into the modern day.

The forms that make up the print are abstractions of ancient sacred animals and the symbol for the eye of god.

What are your thoughts on the current design industry? Whose work are you admiring? What trends are you sick of seeing and/or excited about?

I am excited by designers that produce fresh and interesting product and form a practice around creating an individual identity. It’s sometimes hard in such a small marketplace to compete with safer mass produced Brands.

Tell us about your decision to create a line of products that are designed, printed and made in NZ.

I think if I am able to design and create a product and a business here that it makes sense that I am also able to support the local makers, trades people and suppliers in my own neighbourhood.

What would be the most interesting item in your own home?

I happen to live above a shop which is a design store that also sells curios and second hand furniture, you have to walk through the shop to get to the kitchen on the ground floor so technically there are lots of interesting things in my home but the best or most interesting thing I personally own would be my beaten up old brass and iron bed, it has dings and scratches where you can see layers of old paint, I actually missed it when it was packed away while I was travelling a lot.

What are you currently listening to at your You’re Welcome HQ?

I’m obsessed with Bob Dylan so that’s always playing but lately I’ve been listening to Kate Tempest, she is incredible.

What is the best thing about living in NZ?

Good food, space and relative peace. Although it’s a bit too sleepy at times and can feel a little disconnected or isolated from the rest of the design world.

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