Voice-over: Melbourne is the ideal environment for creative businesses to thrive. It is a city where post-modern architecture sits neatly alongside grand Victorian buildings. There is a strong emphasis on people-friendly public spaces, art and design. The City of Melbourne recently forged an alliance with European design capital, Milan, and is a major supporter of creative ideas.
One business that epitomises Melbourne’s eclectic style is Thread Den, which runs a range of sewing classes and sells locally designed fashion and vintage clothing.
Erica Menting, Thread Den: The idea for Thread Den originally came from my business partners, Melissa Kramer and Tennille Rhode, who saw a real gap in the market for 18 to 35 year-old creative people like ourselves, and so while other people were doing sewing classes we didn't feel that anyone was doing them quite the way we wanted to – so with a real emphasis on fun and vintage-inspired designs like the classic silhouettes of the 1950s and 60s.
Voiceover: Fashion is at the heart of Melbourne’s art and design culture, with three international fashion events held in the city every year.
Erica Menting: Melbourne has a great creative events calendar, including the L'Oreal Fashion Festival, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and the Stitches and Craft Show which tours nationally. We get to take part in a number of these which, for a growing business like ours, makes Melbourne the perfect place to be.
Voiceover: Top Australian designers including Akira Isogawa, Bettina Liano, Alannah Hill, Collette Dinnigan and Morrissey take to Melbourne’s catwalks alongside major international labels.
Erica Menting: Melbourne is a great fashion destination because Melburnians themselves have a really individual and eclectic sense of style, which means they support and encourage local emerging designers. So for the visitor they can come here and pick up something really unique and special for really reasonable prices.
Voiceover: Major feature film and animation production also takes place in Melbourne. Prominent local and international producers praise the city’s highly skilled crews, competitive production costs, and leading edge post-production. Oscar-winning animator Adam Elliot completed his acclaimed feature Mary & Max in Melbourne.
Another success story is the city’s computer games industry, with more than 40 Melbourne companies currently producing titles for the world market. The City of Melbourne plays an important role in supporting and encouraging Melbourne’s entrepreneurial spirit through its Small Business Grants Program.