Walk into Alyssa Milton’s Kensington studio and you greeted by stacks of fabric, trays of buttons and boxes of trims. These all await transformation into one of her original Lyssy May handmade handbag designs.
Alyssa’s passion for handicrafts was encouraged by her grandmother who taught her how to stitch from a young age.
She draws on her knowledge of embroidery, knitting and crochet when creating her accessories, as well as an appreciation for what can be achieved by combining fabrics with trimmings. A typical collection will include totes, satchels and clutch designs as well as a popular range of handbags for little girls.
The Lyssy May label has steadily captured a fan base since being launched in 2003 in Brisbane with some customers owning up to 30 handbags which is a testament to the evolving nature of the designs.
After running a retail store selling her own wares and handmade goods for nearly 4 years Alyssa decided to move to Melbourne in 2008, part of the reason being to engage with the city’s thriving craft scene.
Prior to moving she saw an advertisement for Ironside Studios on the internet and upon seeing the location was immediately drawn to the village feel of the area.
It was an easy decision to base the business and work amongst other designers and artists. Through her made to order service, Alyssa also enjoys working with customers to create something unique for them ranging from bridal bags to everyday work bags.
Quite often a client will provide Alyssa with a piece of fabric that has a special meaning to them and it is a real joy for her to create a something that they can then use as a practical item. “I believe that in a time of such mass production that there is swing back to an appreciation of handmade things and the time and effort involved in creating them.
I think there is a real handcraft revolution happening around the world and I’m excited that Lyssy May is a part of that”, Alyssa said.
To see more of Alyssa work head to her website, or contact her directly
M: 0408 768 752
Ph: 03 9004 3229
Fax: 03 9005 2863
Studio 1, Suite G08,
Ironside Studios 4 Chelmsford St,
Kensington Vic 3031,
Australia
