What started out as a small idea for a slow fashion label has become so much more. The Sumner Collective was founded in 2022 by me! (the owner Elly Sumner).
Originally, the plan was to create ethical, slow made clothing in my local studio. While I have definitely achieved this, having a creative space has allowed me to say "YES PLEASE" to many other projects that have come my way.
Having a can-do attitude may seem like I have spread myself thin but I think you'll find I excel in anything I put my mind to.
I have a lifetime of history as a illustrator and painter, practicing this craft from a young age in my family home. I went to extra curricular art classes during high school and have studied Design at TAFE before beginning my university degree of Costume Construction at WAAPA (Western Australia's Academy of Performing Arts.
Once graduating I moved to New York City where I worked backstage and creating for Broadway. This was then followed by a move to London to work on West End and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
London is where I pursued my career as an illustration artist selling my first professional works in 2017.
It's where I grew the confidence to become a muralist.
It's where I developed and refined my costume speciality as a mascot maker.
I have a lot of love for that city.
Upon returning to Perth after a decade overseas we were hit with the pandemic and the arts were completely shut down.
This led me to study Horticulture where I focused on indoor plant care and permiculture living.
During this time the idea for The Sumner Collective was born.
I had a creative itch that couldn't be scratched by gardening, I wanted to use these amazing, unique skills I possessed and I was also struggling internally with how I could make a difference.
So I made a slow fashion label, and the machinery I purchased for the label allowed me to say yes to making mascots when the opportunity arose.
The studio space allowed me to practice drawing and painting and I was able to say yes to larger scale projects when they came my way.
Being out in the public eye as a muralist and a gardener allowed me to have some great conversations with city leaders and the general public and soon enough I was being offered roles facilitating workshops.
The unique crossover of sewing/painting/permaculture skills has allowed me to run natural dyeing, screen-printing, indoor plant care and propagation, and fine pen illustration workshops.
So now, The Sumner Collective is a collection of my skills combined with my attitude for "YES".
You may see me around the 'burbs painting a wall or tending to a garden design. You may find me at a market selling my products, or maybe you have plans to come along to an upcoming workshop.
Whatever it is, please say hello! I never know where my next "YES" is going to come from.
