Mazdevallia's stall at The Big Design Market. (Picture: Talya Jacobson)

Indie design bonanza at Barangaroo

The Big Design Market is taking place in Sydney’s Barangaroo this weekend, featuring 200 designers from all over Australia exhibiting homeware products, textiles, ceramic jewellery and art pieces among other products.

Located at The Cutaway, an open and airy hall 10 minutes walk from Wynyard station, exhibitors are expecting a busy weekend with thousands of shoppers.

The market is the perfect place to show support for small businesses and independent Australian designers. For a $5 entry price, visitors can enjoy a myriad of stalls, food vendors and playgrounds for the kids (who get free entry below the age of 12). Coffee is sold in re-usable cups, which can be bought or returned after a $6 deposit is placed. Sustainability and considered aesthetics seem to be across the minds of most designers.

Re-usable cups available to borrow or purchase. (Photo: Talya Jacobson)

Mazdevallia – @mazdevallia_designs

This year’s featured artist is Maylin Evanochko; an Adelaide-based jewellery designer who found success over the last decade while living in Melbourne, Australia. Her work is being used on the brochures and promotions for this event as well as being hung up in the market itself.

Mazdevallia’s painting hanging over the market. (Photo: Talya Jacobson)

Her work features odd shapes and bright colours to make for stunning jewellery. She likes to describe her work as “handmade wearable pieces”, as she has put her 20-years of abstract painting experience into making jewellery.

“I was looking for the type of jewellery that I wanted to wear and I couldn’t find it and that sort of started off the creative experimenting,” she says.

So what’s the best thing about being an independant designer? Many of the people we spoke to said it’s the freedom of getting to do what you want to do and having the opportunity to be your own boss. Maylin agrees, and says that it helps that she can make what she wants to make without feeling the need to please a mainstream audience.

“I love that I know where everything comes from in my products, I’ve done all the research… I’ve got a vegan friendly range coming out in a couple of weeks and you can make those changes.”

Carmen Hui – @_carmenhui_

Designer Carmen Hui with her beautiful coloured pencil drawings. (Photo: Talya Jacobson)

Carmen Hui is a Sydney-based artist who takes inspiration from Australian flora and fauna and draws her designs in coloured pencils. She sells a series of prints, both in and out of frames, as well as cards and colourfully designed tote bags.

“If you don’t support [creativity] it’s not going to be around for much longer,” she said regarding supporting independant designers.

For Carmen, it is especially important that people support her and her business as it is just her running it. This means that not only does she illustrate and create the drawings, but she also works on the business side with marketing, packaging and responding to enquiries.

“It’s good to support small businesses because you know that they’re passionate about what they do.”

Kollab – @kollabcollection

Another amazing and unique company is Kollab who are “making the practical fashionable” through designing trendy everyday items that are affordable for everyone.

Sustainable business Kollab at The Big Design Market. (Picture: Talya Jacobson)

Kollab is on a mission to redesign everyday products using stylish prints and illustrations. Their products are made of 80% recycled plastic and are designed to be reused – especially among shoppers in order to avoid single-use plastics.

In their sixth year as a local independant business, co-founder and director Hayley Barrett explains that exhibiting at local markets is a great way to keep things fresh and meet the people whilst supporting local businesses.

“I like to take my time and look at everyone… I mean we usually shop while we’re at these markets too. You kind of spend the money you make sometimes!”

The Big Design Market in Sydney this weekend. (Photo: Talya Jacobson)

So who are the designers most excited to see at The Big Design Market this weekend?

“Variety Hour are awesome, Min Pin, Togetherness, Emily Green, and just to see who’s here in Sydney!” says Maylin from Mazdevallia.

Head on down to The Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve this weekend from 10am each day for some amazing products, delicious food and a great time.

Fishbowl at The Big Design Market. (Photo: Talya Jacobson)

Click through to explore more about the amazing designers mentioned:

Carmen Hui – Website

Mazdevallia – Website

Kollab – Website

Story written by Talya Jacobson and Erin Christie.