Where do you live?
I live in Sydney, Australia. Inner West Sydney is a real creative and quirky area –full of cool cafes and junk shops- I love it. Besides sewing I make jewellery from found objects.
If we were to come to your town, where would you take us?
Sydney has some amazing and famous landmarks but I would take creative visitors to the great industrial waste recyclers like Reverse Garbage or The Bower- both within walking distance of home.
How did you start sewing? What motivates you to sew?
I learnt sewing at school making tote bags and cushion covers. The teacher always made sure of our accuracy- something that has stuck with me. When I left home my mother gave me her old machine and I made a few clothes and fancy dress costumes. Over the past year have I been sewing seriously and drafting my own patterns. Now I am selling my clothes online and at the markets which have really driven me to sew accurately and quickly.
I find great pleasure in creating pieces using zero-waste cutting techniques or by using materials that are not ‘standard’ fabrics. Army tents have become coats and some old painters drop sheets are going to be jackets very soon.
Where do you go to get inspired?
I love Japanese street style for the way they coordinate and have such a cool attitude towards dressing. Assemblage art and painting I find inspiring for colour combinations and angles. Architecture is very stimulating for the same reason- especially Russian Constructivism and Neo-Gothic. My favourite fashion designers are Ann Demeulemeester and Barbara i Gongini.
Moodboard by urbandon
What’s your sewing secret weapon?
If I make a mistake I turn it into a ‘style feature’!
What’s your sewing experience like?
I tend to sew as much as I can during the day when I have the best light. Evenings are more for cutting out and research. The sunroom is my sewing room and the dining room is ideal for cutting on my large table. I tend to work in silence or listening to audio books.
Don’s sewing space
What is your dream sewing project?
One day I would love to make something that looks like a Robert Rauschenberg (abstract artist) sculpture- all crushed, metallic and angular. A deconstructed 18th century military coat is another ultimate project.
How long have you been a member of BurdaStyle?
I have been a member here since November 2010- a short time! BurdaStyle has become an almost daily fix as I love to connect with other creatives and see what they are up to. I love the supportive, fun and nonjudgmental atmosphere here. My partner suggested ‘urbandon’ which is urban and Don together. Some say it so it rhymes with abandon- which is just as good, if not a better, way of saying it.
A peak inside urbandon’s studio!
What is the most frustrating thing about sewing for you? What is the most rewarding?
At least once a week I say “I am never going to sew again!” and it is usually in response to inaccurate sewing of a tricky material using an untried technique. This week the challenge has been using my new industrial machine-only just coming to grips with it.
It’s so wonderful when I sell my clothes and people tell me they love them- I feel I am doing something right. The hours of design and sewing have been worthwhile and my creative vision is shared. That is very satisfying.
Photos by Don’s partner- grrl+dog
Click through urbandon’s top ten favorite member projects!
Urbandon collaborated with BurdaStyle on this week’s Project of the Week. See more here!
Jan 31, 2012, 06.44 PMby martinK
Also CONGRADULATIONS to you my mistery man. The four of us ( Ralf, Joost, you and me ) should meet in Berlin. That would be funny. I will be there is may/june
Greating from Rotteram
Martin
Jan 31, 2012, 08.33 AMby joost52
Ralf being featured member made me scroll through the members that were featured before him, and I was shocked to realize that in my absence from Burdastyle, you had been a featured member. Not shocked that you were featured obviously, the opposite would have been shocking, but shocked because I missed out on it. So, I know this is late in coming, but please let me express my gratitude and respect for all your wonderful work that is an enormous source of inspiration for me, and I am sure many others. Not just your sewing work here on the site, but also your jewelry and other work. So congratulations on Burdastyle realising what we’ve all known for a long time, you deserve some spotlights :)
Nov 22, 2011, 04.18 PMby mokosha
yeeeey! congrats on being featured, don! soooo thrilled too see that.. i find your work so amazing and inspiring.. and, i must tell you that my boyfriend adores all of your stuff, you even inspired him to try making his own found objects jewelry (and he was never not a bit interested in fashion nor jewelry)
Oct 24, 2011, 03.45 AMby Melanie Wahjudi
Congrats on being featured! I am a huge fan of your work, thank you for sharing your visions and art with us!
Oct 21, 2011, 05.34 PMby DONALD GREEN LIM
love love love your urban jap concepts…….hi aps to you…:)
Oct 16, 2011, 01.05 AMby lanternwaste33
I love your projects. The mix of modern and classic is awesome. And I was totally shocked and excited to see one of my projects in your top ten slideshow! Thanks so much for including me!
Oct 15, 2011, 02.22 PMby Ruth Meiland
your cloths look great!!! keep rocking and inspire others!!
Oct 12, 2011, 10.55 AMby KazztheSpazz
Well done Don, fantastic and very inspiring.
Oct 12, 2011, 06.29 AMby sandrasews
Awesome work. Love your style. Really love seeing other Sydney siders featured!
Oct 12, 2011, 04.49 AMby superswimming
Hi! How do you do. The creating which you made were very splendid all!! I look forward to your channel from now on.
I am a Japanese. And I make clothes with a kimono. I received stimulation by your work very much. Thank you m(_ _)m
Oct 11, 2011, 04.22 AMby rochelle49
It is always a joy to see how someone else interprets clothing! Your work is very impressive! Congratulations on being featured!
Oct 10, 2011, 11.28 PMby SewnLovely
Wow, this is all wonderful!
Oct 10, 2011, 02.06 AMby wmakela
can’t get enough!!!
Oct 8, 2011, 03.54 AMby stitchybritt
Another Inner Westie saying ‘hi’ and ‘thanks for the inspiration’! You’re part Newtown part Kyoto!
1 Reply
Oct 9, 2011, 04.16 AMby urbandon
Thanks! Like that Newtown/Kyoko- may have to use it! The Inner-West rocks!
Oct 6, 2011, 06.08 PMby oonaballoona
don takes over burdastyle… next, THE WORLD!!!
you rock, don.
1 Reply
Oct 9, 2011, 04.15 AMby urbandon
Thanks Miss Oona!
Oct 6, 2011, 12.04 PMby anajan
Congrats for being featured! It is great to see your studio and to get to know you better. You are always so inspiring. Keep up with the great work!
1 Reply
Oct 9, 2011, 04.15 AMby urbandon
Thanks so much Ana!
Oct 6, 2011, 09.14 AMby concreteknickers
i was so longing for this to happen….concrats on beeing finally featured….as i said before your work is incrediable and amazing in all ways. and with the word of a great visionary mind ( R.I.P.steve jobs) : keep lokking -never settle!
1 Reply
Oct 9, 2011, 04.17 AMby urbandon
Thanks so much for the kind words. X
Oct 6, 2011, 12.10 AMby Justine of Sew Country Chick
Nice to see you profiled here Don. I really enjoy your work and think you are incredibly talented.
1 Reply
Oct 9, 2011, 04.17 AMby urbandon
Shucks! Thank you!
Oct 5, 2011, 08.34 PMby auroras-y-sirenas
It’s great to finally read about you! Congrats, your work is so refreshing!!
Oct 5, 2011, 12.18 PMby tungufoss
I la-la-love checking out your projects page. You’re insanely innovative. Reminds me of what AllSaints Spitalfields, which incidentally is my favourite designer brand.
After reading your posts and project descriptions I have to get my hands on Pattern Magic.
Thanks for the inspiration!
1 Reply
Oct 9, 2011, 04.18 AMby urbandon
Thanks so much! XXX