Sophie Evans and Kerry Funnell are collaborating to bring designer fashion art fusion to the fore at the Fringe Festival at Labour Weekend.

It's a pleasing blend of clothing and ceramic jewellery, with an organic diffusion of themes permeating the natural fibres and pendants.

The two creators are based at Satellite Studios in Tauranga's Historic Village and I called in to see their individual studios.

'They'll be a series of fashion shows at The Jam Factory during the Fringe Festival,” says Kerry. 'We'll be part of the mix of it all.”

The Fringe Village will be a one-day, open-access, arts-blast spectacular on Saturday October 26 as hundreds of creative people parade, produce, present and perform.

Satellite Studios has five working artists using the rooms, with Kerry and her sewing machine across the hall from Sophie and her potter's wheel.

'I've been here four, going on five weeks now,” says Sophie. 'I love it here.”

Sophie draws inspiration from trees, leaves and bark, with the native fauna themes permeating her work. Her ceramics have imprints of leaves delicately pressed into the shapes.

'I'd love to personalise pieces for people. If they have a particular plant that is special to them, their jewellery can have an imprint put into it, instead of having it sitting in a box or a wardrobe.”

In her studio are quirky, sculptural pieces, a playful goat, conversing cups, and a delightful piece showing her children curled up inside a nest with powerful, teal wings overhead.

Her work is becoming more fluid as she explores the clay; etching and carving into it to create large pieces like the platter, and a candle holder that will throw patterned light. Her plans include incorporating another passion – photography - into her ceramics.

Fashion designer Kerry Funnell

Across the hall, Kerry has been in her studio for about a year, having previously worked from her garage. She was the only Bay of Plenty designer to be a finalist in the 2019 Wearable Art Awards in Wellington.

'I picked up stuff out of a skip, found hi-viz vests, boat awnings and a roll of orange building-site safety fencing from a ditch.”

She's entered the awards four times, with one of her previous entries purchased for the WOW collection.

Many of the garments she creates are made-to-measure, with people coming to see her with a drawing or maybe some fabric.

'Work clothes, mother-of-the-bridge, specific events. Often they've got a show to go to, or an awards night.”

She's also done production work for some of NZ's fashion houses like Kate Sylvester and moochi.

As I browse the clothing, it's clear that Kerry loves natural fibres. The finishing and tailoring is superb, with muted embroidery, exquisite detailed linings, pleats, tucks and even subtle stencilling. She's perfected the artful drape, with lovely silks and vintage fabrics turning into short kimono jackets, gowns and evening wear.

Accessorised with Sophie's ceramic jewellery, this mingling of art forms will be a highlight of the festival.