Accessories, where would we be without them? Bangles that jangle, belts that cinch and XL earrings to frame the face. I’m obsessed by this fascinating ritual of adornment, an offering to self and a gesture of love in the most enthusiastic way you can imagine on the day. Bianca Batstone, the breath of fresh air that she is, creates accessories for days like these under the Ruby Phyllis moniker, using unconventional materials, decade old textiles and awesome found objects alongside her signature gold thread. Her beautifully generous bangles, belts, handbags and earrings are a bounty of bespoke beauty waiting for you to happen upon them. Go on I dare you! I can’t take a set of the earrings off my face currently and the handbags have me dreaming in kalidioescope colours. With a technique all her own, Bianca sculpts and binds her objet d’art from her balmy Brisbane base. Put them on your face, and bod most enthusiastically. X
Bianca answered some questions for the blog. With thanks xx
Find Ruby Phyllis on Instagram and shop the current collection here.
WHAT MATTERS? Family + Friends and making the world a better place.
MORNING RITUAL? Morning walks. It’s the only time in my day I can let my mind wander without any interruptions. We live by the bay so it’s beautiful walking along the esplanade watching the sunrise.
FOOD FROM THE GODS? Japanese.
GUILTY PLEASURE? Sunday morning in bed, eating homemade hash browns.
EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL? Owl.
BOSS TUNES? Jarvis Cocker, Augie March, Joan as Policewoman, Conor O’berst, Beck, Kevin Drew, Beirut, Devandra Banhart, Feist, The Wilson Pickers, M Ward, Wilco, Turin Brakes.
WHAT DO YOU DO AND WHY DO YOU DO IT? Along with being a mum I create intricate one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories.
YOU’RE BASED IN BRISBANE, TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO EAT, SEE, HEAR, SHOP + RETREAT.
EAT. Japanese, Sono, Brisbane City I’ve been going there for over 20 years. Traditional Japanese setting and the waitresses wear kimonos. Doma Cafe in Federal is an amazing little find with freshly sourced ingredients only a 2hr drive from Brisbane
SEE. Moreton Bay and its beautiful islands.
HEAR. The Triffid, The Zoo & The Tivoli for live music.
SHOP. Camargue for bringing timeless/collectable fashion from all over the world to Brisbane. Maryons for shoes to last a life time. Antique shops for ready sourced vintage clothing. PAddington, Woolloongabba and New Farm Antique Centres.
RETREAT. For really unwinding, the Mt Warning Romantic Retreat is the place, our pick is The Earth lodge! It’s amazing. Sometimes we run from the girls for 24hrs and head to Spicers Balfour in New Farm for a good night sleep. It’s really boutique with only 12 rooms and a rooftop deck which runs an honesty bar for its guests!
IT’S AN EXCITING TIME TO BE CREATIVE, THERE IS A GLOBAL PUSH, A TRANSFORMATION. It’s a very exciting time to be inspired by so many passionate and creative women doing what they believe in.
REAL LIFE HERO? Livia Firth for getting the word out there on the huge impact Fast Fashion is having on people and the planet. Rossana Orlandi, Vivienne Westwood, Fred Hollows and all the people doing good in the world.
WHO INSPIRED YOU ON THIS CREATIVE PATH? Mum and Dad. Growing up we were allowed to explore in so many ways, I don’t remember having many creative boundaries as a child. You just pottered around the place making things!
HOW DO YOU WORK THROUGH THE ROUGH SPOTS, ANXIETY OR BLOCKAGES IN YOUR CREATIVITY PRACTICE? I let my overwhelming feelings come and go. If I need a quick fix I listen to Music or a Podcast or I do some Gardening.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE? I hope to experiment more and keep on making original pieces using my own techniques. When all my girls are at school I would love to set up a retail space where I bring creative labels and makers from all over the world together. OH and dreams…. solar panels, an electric car and a pool would be nice.
WHAT HAS YOUR PRACTICE TAUGHT YOU? Go your own way.
APPETITE FOR DECORATION 