19 Mar 2025

Designer Profiles: The Rocks Markets

Step into the vibrant atmosphere of The Rocks Markets, where creativity and craftsmanship converge.
At The Rocks Markets, you'll discover a curated selection of designer profiles, each showcasing unique talents and passions. Expect to find stalls featuring handcrafted goods, original designs, and one-of-a-kind pieces, spanning from fashion and jewellery to homewares and art. These designers bring their visions to life, offering a glimpse into their artistic worlds prioritising quality and originality. Explore their stories, discover their inspirations, and find that special piece that speaks to you.

Devina Louise Fashion

Devina Louise, born in Australia and raised partially in Germany, found her passion in textiles and design. After fashion studies in Sydney and an internship in Vienna, she launched her slow fashion label, Devina Louise. Her creative process is driven by fabrics, colours, and customer feedback, blending trends with timeless designs. Sustainability is central to her brand, using linen for its eco-friendliness and local production in Sydney to minimise waste. She acknowledges the challenge of higher prices compared to fast fashion, emphasising the importance of ethical and environmental costs. Devina values The Rocks Markets for direct customer interaction and the strong sense of community.

Emilio Frank Design by Shana Danon

Shana Danon's artistic journey began in Sydney, nurtured by a family of skilled artisans. Her childhood, filled with handmade creations and vibrant colours, laid the foundation for her passion. Despite detours into hospitality and art administration, her love for interiors led to "Organised Clutter," emphasizing decluttering and sustainable practices. In 2015, she launched Emilio Frank Design, honouring her grandparents, after completing a visual arts diploma. Danon's creative process starts with hand-drawn sketches, evolving into acrylic or mixed media works. Inspired by Mid-Century modernism, nature, and Sydney's architecture, her art features bold colours and organic geometric abstraction. Her love for dachshunds, inherited from her grandmother, sparked a line of homewares. Sydney's iconic landmarks and landscapes significantly influence her work. She cherishes The Rocks Market for its stunning location, camaraderie with fellow makers, and interactions with diverse customers.

Enjoy Illustrations by Enjoy Su

Enjoy Su, a Taiwanese-born artist, found her passion in Australia. Growing up, she studied Communication Arts, dreaming of overseas study. After three attempts, she arrived in Australia in 2010, captivated by its beauty. Returning in 2014 as a backpacker, she busked and painted, discovering her love for capturing Australia's essence through art.

Her creative process begins with observation, translating experiences into watercolour paintings featuring Enjoy and Dim Bao, symbols of companionship. Her most rewarding project was a solo exhibition at Sydney Children’s Hospital, aiming to inspire children with mindfulness messages.

Enjoy values uniqueness, emphasising meaning over perfection. She finds community and inspiration at The Rocks Markets, appreciating the connection with people and fellow artists.

Focal Point Paintings by Jane Tryon

Jane Tryon, a New Zealand-born, Australian-based artist, transitioned to full-time art in 2023 after a 30-year career in interior and textile design. With a degree in Interior Design, she embraced a daily art practice during the 2020 lockdown, finding solace in watercolour's luminosity and immediacy. Her creative process thrives on embracing imperfections, yielding a playful style. Travel, architecture, and nature fuel her inspiration, with plein air painting and travel journaling being central to her work. Diverse environments, from Tunisia's Mediterranean scenes to New Zealand's Coromandel landscapes and Sydney's vibrant light, profoundly influence her art. Tryon advises emerging artists to be fearless with their ideas and enjoy the creative journey. She cherishes the diverse people and picturesque setting of The Rocks Markets.

Katie Perry Fashion

Katie Perry's fashion career is rooted in a family history of textiles and a globally influenced upbringing. Driven by a lifelong passion, she launched her label in 2006, focusing on sustainable, stylish, and travel-friendly clothing. Her brand prioritises Australian manufacturing, natural fabrics, and environmental responsibility, planting trees and rescuing ocean plastic. This commitment poses pricing challenges against fast fashion. Perry's design philosophy emphasises quality and longevity, reflecting a "buy less, choose well" ethos. She advises emerging designers to allow time for creative development, start at markets for direct feedback, understand their finances, and consider local production. She values The Rocks Markets for its global interaction, unique local products, family-friendly atmosphere, and the supportive community of fellow stallholders, particularly appreciating its focus on sustainability and quality.

Mo Resin by Oliver and Sandrine

Oliver and Sandrine, Parisians, founded MO Resin. Oliver, "MO," transitioned from fine arts to design, while Sandrine built a career in journalism. A 2003 visit to Sydney profoundly impacted Oliver, particularly the seamless integration of art into daily life, exemplified by Sculpture by the Sea. This experience ignited his unique resin technique, which incorporates gold leaf and his own paintings, continuously pushing creative boundaries. Their creative process involves meticulous sketching and embedding precious metal leaf in epoxy resin, inspired by the Southern Highlands' natural beauty. Sustainability is paramount; they produce to order, minimising waste. Collaborations with Aboriginal artists create wearable art, ensuring royalties and sharing cultural heritage. The Rocks Markets reflects the warmth they found in Sydney, fostering a creative community. Their advice to emerging artists? Push boundaries, embrace failure, and choose a path you love.