A passion for fashion is a natural fit for Eve
She was just 14-years-old when she started selling the clothes she made and now Eve Smith’s designs, which are inspired by her love of surfing and the ocean, are sold around the world. Eve’s mother and grandmother both sewed so it was no surprise she followed suit.
“When I was a teenager, being a taller female it was virtually impossible to find suitable clothing in mainstream fashion brands so I started making my own and it went from there,” she explains.
“I studied Fashion Design at Hobart TAFE and have had fantastic mentors within the industry as well as my mum who was a designer in Hobart.
“Sea Urchin Design was established when I was a teenager in 1993.”
Eve’s unique brand is now sold in local and interstate shops, online and at her popup shop at Salamanca Market.
“People from all over the world take home our products.
“One client from as far away as Alaska sent me a photo of them wearing a Sea Urchin jacket atop a snow capped mountain,” Eve says.
“I really get a thrill out of receiving photos from clients wearing our creations all around the globe!”
Tasmanian born and bred Eve is a “one woman show”.
She works from her home studio at Carlton Beach.
“The coastal lifestyle is a constant source of inspiration for all of my work.
“I surf daily, usually in the morning and then head into the studio.
“Sometimes sea creatures such as seals and dolphins appear to share the waves, the most recent being a Southern right whale.
“I make each garment by hand, and really enjoy each process, from sourcing and selecting vintage fabrics to sewing them on a vintage industrial sewing machine, as well as screen printing my designs onto clothes using eco inks.
“This ensures a totally sustainable brand that Sea Urchin has become known for.”
Her garments include one-of-a-kind kimonos, tunic tops, jumpsuits, pants, and short/top and denim jackets made from vintage fabrics.
She screen-prints her original art work onto jackets and T-shirts and hoodies.
“I am lucky to have inherited a lot of stunning vintage fabrics from my grandmother and mother as they were both sewers and generous people donate their family fabric stashes as they know how much of a fabric addiction I have,” Eve laughs.
Eve’s summer collection will be launched at the Tasmanian Fashion Festival, at Wrest Point Hotel, Sandy Bay, from 10.30am to 4pm, on October 1.
Tickets are on sale at tasmanianfashion festival.com.au