Tell us about yourself, where you’re from, your age etc: 

 

Hello! My name is Lewis, I am 25 years old, I was born in Melbourne but grew up in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Post graduating from UTS with a degree in Interior Architecture I have since made the move back to Melbourne where I am currently based.

 

What is your artistic process?

 

Each design I create, more often than not are organically developed over time rather than through a set process. I am a particularly visual person and when I go to places or see forms that inspire/engage me I will usually take a mental (iPhone) note which I will recreate either in a new design or to develop an existing. I often abstractify elements of my work to create more interesting and fluid forms in an attempt to keep people exploring the designs for longer.

 

How does your work reference ‘Sustainability’:

 

We are in the process of transitioning from the use of new cotton to 100% recycled cotton for all our throws, with an exciting collaboration due in winter this year. We are shipping carbon neutral and with compostable packaging, although these are smaller steps we are looking forward to making the bigger changes to our production materials this year and with an emphasis on recycled or sustainable materials for all future products.

 

How did you start/ Who inspires you and your work?:

 

I have had several online businesses, some successful, others not so… opening my first in early 2019. I’ve always wanted to run my own business and be able to have creative freedom in whatever that business is. Youtopian Sleep was born almost 2 years ago when I decided to quit my job as an Interior Designer to create and focus on a business which will allow me to be self-sustainable and location independant. There are many people in my life I look up to however one in particular, my mentor Sean. Being connected to someone who is a living example of what you are trying to create/achieve is truly invaluable.

 

Who is your dream collaboration with and why?:

 

There is no specific collaborations I have in mind (currently), however what I really want to do is to continue to collaborate with small brands/creatives with similar trajectories. Being able to bounce ideas off others throughout the creative process is very rewarding!

 

Where can we find your designs? Social Media/Website?:

 

Find us at:

www.youtopiansleep.com.au

www.instagram.com/youtopiansleep/

 

What do you plan to do in the future?

 

As we grow I plan to expand to multiple sectors within the current business, Youtopian Sleep + Youtopian Home etc. I have exciting new products which I am designing and testing which I am looking forward to eventually adding to the catalogue. In the near future the plan is to get stocked in shops throughout Sydney and Melbourne and eventually abroad, the sky is the limit!