September 03, 2014
DESIGNER CRYSTAL BAILEY
Sometimes the biggest hurdle with a venture is starting. But on 1 January, 2014 Crystal Bailey and her partner Mitchel Lindsay decided to take a big leap into designing and making homewares products even though their backgrounds were quite different. While Crystal had studied interior design and worked as a stylist, in a previous life she was a Tamworth-based musician, signed to Sony Music and EMI Records. Mitch, on the other hand, was the owner of a gourmet grocery store in Byron Bay. But when the pair met last year they set off on a whirlwind adventure that has seen them move to Sydney and launch Design Twins. In just over six months they have amassed a huge following and have turned their kitchen bench into a non-stop workstation. All of their creations - from concrete pillows and cups to plant pots and stools - are handmade in their beachside apartment. Here Crystal shares their story.
Which five words best describe you? Crazy, unique, fun, wild, busy.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? It all started on the first of January this year, where our New Year’s resolution was to do something we loved and to start something different. After months of experimenting and working on unique designs with different materials, we became completely obsessed with concrete. Not long afterwards, we launched Design Twins at the end of May this year and since then life has been completely crazy busy.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Not to overcomplicate things, that sometimes the simplest things can be the most beautiful.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Being asked to teach a Concrete Class at Megan Morton's The School 22nd November.
What’s been your best decision? We launched our business with no products, which was a crazy decision, but if we didn't launch it, we probably would have kept putting it off. Stop thinking and start doing.
Who inspires you? Tom Dixon, Jai Vasicek (Ahoy Trader), Chanel and anything metallic geometric.
What are you passionate about? Creating fresh, unique and handmade designs.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Steve Jobs and Tom Dixon.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To open our very own Design Twins store.
What are you reading? Real Living magazine. Books are a rare occasion when we have time.
images courtesy of design twins