Adelaide is home to many talented creatives who choose to live and work here, but what makes the city so unique is collaboration.
Those who come together to support one another in order to see everyone rise.
Studio, retail and event space, Ensemble is a wonderful example of this collaborative approach.
The beautiful brainchild of four friends – Anny Duff (Good Studios), Emma Thomson (E-S-T), Beccy Bromilow (BB Shoemaker) and Samia Fisher (Weft Textiles) – who set out to create a space to showcase their businesses, individually and collectively.
Brand SA News sat down with these inspiring entrepreneurs to find out more.
Ensemble: one roof, four creatives
Brand SA News: What inspired you to start Ensemble?
Prior to Ensemble, we were all friends and had met through the creative Adelaide community. We had a pop up shop in Anny’s studio at the end of 2016 and after this being such a success, we wanted to set up something more permanent. A co-working space to work on our own individual businesses, but also a space to collaborate and support each other.
We all share similar values and ethos in our respective businesses and wanted to create a collective where we could continue to build our brands alongside each other.
Ensemble: a “space to collaborate and support each other.”
Tell us all about Ensemble.
Ensemble is retail studio and gallery space showcasing a curated selection of local brands. It is also the HQ and storefront for our own businesses, which we stock alongside a range of products from selected local designers who share a similar philosophy and aesthetic. The back space is a studio and workshop, and can also be hired for events, exhibitions and photoshoots.
Inside Ensemble’s retail space
What would you say is Ensemble’s point of difference that makes it unique to other retail stores?
You can see first-hand how our products are made as we are usually working out in the back space. The retail space is managed by the designers, so you can meet us when you come in to the store and see the making processes involved.
A shared aesthetic links Ensemble’s creatives
How do you support fellow South Australian businesses at Ensemble?
Ensemble acts as a platform for many local brands to showcase their wares who may not yet have the resources to have their own retail space.
All of our own products are manufactured in SA and, where possible, materials are sourced locally, which is an integral part to all four main businesses.
We do have a small selection of brands that are made interstate and internationally, and we believe these products complement and highlight the quality of craftsmanship of the SA made brands, putting them on an international stage.
We also support local artists by offering a unique space to host exhibitions and events. Having a space available for events hire means we have hosted some incredible projects celebrating South Australian creatives.
The retail space showcases a curated selection of local brands.
What do you love most about owning your own business in South Australia?
In any other state we probably wouldn’t be able to afford such a versatile and central space. We are incredibly passionate about being local brands, so it’s always a joy to have customers come in and so warmly appreciate what we have built and the values behind it.
E-S-T’s greenery
What are Ensemble’s grand plans for 2018?
We’re looking forward to hosting more events and further collaborating with our creative community that is building around the space. We’re coming up to our one year anniversary in March, so we’ll be celebrating what we’ve achieved so far and continuing to grow as a collective.
Ensemble is located at 94 Gilles Street, Adelaide.
Sonia Bavistock is a fashion and lifestyle blogger and also has her own social media management and copywriting business. Sonia is passionate about all things South Australia and can often be seen dining out with a glass of wine in hand.
Want to support local makers? Visit Shop South Australia to shop a selection of SA labels and brands, all in one place.