NIZAMI
Contributor/Designer:
Tegan Bulloch
www.nizami.com.au
1.) What inspired you to begin Nizami?
I was inspired to create Nizami during my time living in the Middle East. I was
pretty lucky be given the chance to visit some very life changing places which
really influenced my love for colour, design and pattern. There is nothing in
the world I would rather do then spend a lazy afternoon getting lost in a souk,
seeking out jewellery and negotiating on the price of a rug. I guess I stated to
take my favourite hobby to the extreme and when I no longer had anywhere to
store all my treasures, it occurred to me that maybe others might like them too!
2.) What have been the main challenges in starting up your own business?
I guess going at it alone and becoming a sole-trader was probably the most
daunting part of it. I am use to working and collaborating with others so being
on my own was something new and challenging for me.
3.) Where is the next destination you are planning to travel to?
The Nizami range consists mainly of pieces from Morocco, Nepal and Turkey.
These would have to be three of my all-time favourite places to visit, so I would
love to head back to all three of these countries at some point in the near
future. I would also love to visit the Caribbean. Jamaica and Cuba are two
places right at the top of my list at the moment!
4.) How long does one item of the Nizami collection take to be created?
To be honest it takes quite a while. My products have come as a result of
chance encounters with local artisans and street vendors during various trips.
The majority of their products are hand made in the traditional form so it does
take them a little while to create each piece. I guess the positive side is that I
can always be sure that lots of love has gone into each Nizami piece.
5.) Do you assist in the production of the pieces
or is it all authentic creations by the hands of artisans?
Most of my products are really traditional pieces, still made the same way they
have been for generations. Some of course have been adjusted slightly so that
they are a little more functional for our Western way of life. I have a range of
cushion covers for example which have been made from vintage Turkish rugs
and killims.
6.) What can we expect next from Nizami?
And where do you wish to see this label in five year’s time?
I am currently working with Moroccan leather artisans to develop a new range
of leather clutches and wallets. Moroccan leather handbags are beautiful, full
of character and smell ohh so great! So I really want to build upon the Nizami
leather range. I am also a massive fan of traditional carpets. Not only are they
such a beautiful and intricate art form but I love they way a good rug can be
handed down from generation to generation. I think this level of quality and
durability is something our throwaway society has so much to learn from. In
the future I would love to stock a range of rugs made by independent female
weavers from countries like Afghanistan.
7.) How is Nizami different from other conscious fashion labels?
I think it’s great to see the emergence of so many amazing conscious
fashion labels out there. For me I just really wanted to showcase traditional
products which people have been making for generations. Giving back to
the communities where Nizami products are made is also really important for
me. That’s why I decided to team up with the Nepal Youth Foundation, if you
purchase any Nizami product made in Nepal 15% of the profit will be returned
to the Nepal Youth Foundation.