Exhibiting for the first time at Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne earlier this month, Moose & Meg Designs sure brought some colour to the fair with its bold and vibrant jewellery range.
Founder Julie Zeinert says she started bringing in the product for her own retail store about a year ago to get a higher margin because of the pandemic and realised there was a bigger need than just for her store.
“We officially launched at the fair this week,” she enthuses.
“We took a really big step to do it as it was an expensive exercise to do and to get it ready, but it has definitely worked for us because people are wanting something at a point of difference hence our very colourful jewellery range.
“Colour is coming back as well as texture and patterns. It is becoming a bit more arty. Lots of resin, lots of beads and lots of chunkiness are making a comeback.”
Zeinert has been in retail for 22 years and opened her store Zeinert & Co, located in one of the oldest buildings in Albury, after she lost her mum.
“I didn’t want to go through life not taking a chance as she was only 56 years old when she passed away. One afternoon I walked out of the building where I was working and across the road was a space with a for lease sign―three months later I opened my own fashion and gift store.
“During those 22 years we have bought the store, sold it, taken it back again and renovated. It’s a destination store in a destination town for those people traveling between Melbourne and Sydney.”
All the beads for Moose & Meg Designs’ jewellery are made in Indonesia by artisans in small villages to support the community. Zeinert is also looking to collaborate with artists for her ranges, something that many brands are doing these days.
“I am in the process of possibly collaborating with an artist and having it printed on our clothing, but still having it made in Indonesia through our villages so we can continue to support the community. It’s very exciting and something I’m definitely looking forward to doing.”
