La’ Studio 3/52 is the creative vision of fashion designer Simone Ellis, whose passion for dressmaking and haute couture has expanded into an amazing community vision for the youth of Byron.
Over the past twelve months Simone has created a wonderland for fashion creation at her studio, where not only does she design and create her own statement pieces, but is also inspiring her students to design and create their own garments as well.
What for you is the essence of great design?
For me the essences of great design is simplicity, space, the science of colour and divine angles. When I am working on my designs I am always feeling what’s needed and what is true for the person that I am making the garments for. It’s always about connecting with my clients, feeling their essence and bringing forth a design that encompasses that.
What inspired you to open your studio?
I opened my studio in Byron Bay to offer a space that is light, clear and truly inspiring to all that enter its doors. I wanted to share how I do what I do and support others to also create beautiful clothing.
Is it realistic to pursue a career in fashion? What are the major challenges?
It’s not so realistic to pursue a career in fashion, but it’s what is within me and the fashion world to me is so familiar. It’s my language, my expression and where my genius lays. I love fashion, and what it can bring to people is enormous when the designer is making their wears for the people and not for money or prestige.
Tell me about your students. What do you think young people get out of being part of your studio?
The major challenges that I have faced are the challenges that most small business face: finance, time poverty, and looking around and not seeing your team of dedicated works because it hasn’t happened yet.
What should we expect for your upcoming launch?
The School is very much is the beginning stages of development and I have the absolute honour of teaching 11 regular student from Lismore, Bangalow, Byron Bay, Main Arm and Possum Creek. My students start at eight years old up to adults. My students are amazing and spending time with them, sharing my love of fashion, teaching techniques, and getting to know one another is vey rich. My students become more like family and watching them develop their skills through being supported through their self-chosen projects is very rewarding.
I think that people get to feel something different when they hang out in La’ Studio for awhile. It’s a beautiful studio, with great equipment to use, colour-coded fabrics, and we have lots of laughs; and of course there are also the frustrations that sewing presents but it’s all learning, and my students are deeply cared for. I am developing my own curriculum and manuals for the fashion and design school with the vision of creating game changers in the fashion and design arena.
At La’ Studio’s upcoming launch I am really looking forward to presenting my students’ works on 10 December, as my students have blown me away with their creations. We will also be presenting a collection of vintage wears from the 1930s to the 90s with the help from my good friend Vikki Barrack, who is flying up from Sydney to help co-ordinate the event. We have a hair and makeup team, with local hairdresser Bruce Mann and makeup artist Paris Ambrose directing the team.
I will also be presenting 10 powerful looks under my own fashion label Simone Ellis. The event is alcohol free, dress code is gorgeous, and there is a limit of 100 tickets. Each ticket-holder will also receive a free twto-hour fashion and design lesson, limited to one per family, which is valid for 12 months. Light refreshments can also be purchased at the event with all proceeds going back into the school.
With jewellery from Victoria Spring, catch Fashion On Show at 3/52 Centennial Circuit, Byron, at 6pm on Saturday. For tickets call
0405 451 184.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
