RO GUEST DESIGNER // Meet Teggun Ashleigh!

Teggun Ashleigh is the kind of creative who makes you want to grab your iPad, paintbrush, or nearest glitter pen and start designing. Her bold, colourful and joy-sparking style has us totally smitte and we just know you’re going to fall in love too.

From her roots in the Whitsundays to her now vibrant world in Melbourne, Teggun brings nostalgia, colour and heart into every piece she creates. Oh, and did we mention she’s also a foster carer? (Yes, she’s as amazing as she sounds)

We sat down with Teggun to hear more about her creative journey, what inspires her, and how she keeps the joy flowing day to day.

RO x Teggun Ashleigh Lolly Jar Pouch >

RO: Can you tell us a bit about your creative journey—how did it all begin?

TA: I have always wanted to pursue something creative, but over the years, that something changed a lot. Originally, from a really young age I wanted to be a fashion designer. Then I wanted to be an interior designer or architect, and then sometime in high school I learnt about product design/industrial design and that's eventually what I went to uni for. However in my final year of uni and throughout 2021 I learnt about surface pattern design and the rest is history.

Now, I mostly design for other brands, but also sell my designs on pre-order fabric, and in a work around kind of way, I kind of get to be in handmade fashion.

RO: That’s such a colourful journey! What inspires the designs you create today?

TA: As a foster carer, a lot of my designs are created from inspiration in the lives of kids I care for. If they like dinosaurs, I design a print with dinosaurs, etc. However, recently I have been designing in wider collection that draws inspiration from themes and things in my world.

RO: What’s your creative process like—are there any rituals or routines you follow?

TA: I don't really have a creative ritual. It's not whimsical and romantic, because to me, being creative is also business, so often it means I just have to get in and get it done. However, when I am in a big creative block, it's important not to force it.

RO x Teggun Ashleigh Bubble O Bill Shopping Bag >

RO: How would you describe your art in just three words?

TA: Colourful, joyful and nostalgic!

RO: What does a typical day look like in your world?

TA: Really, it depends on the day! I likely get into my studio between 9-10am, check emails, and then work through my to-do list! Again, really not that glamorous, hahaha! I spend a lot more time doing admin and business stuff than I do creating. And then usually it's on the couch at night time that I illustrate on my iPad :-)

RO: We love supporting women doing incredible things—what’s the best and worst part of working for yourself?

TA: The best thing about working for myself is the freedom and flexibility. Being a foster carer, life can be really unpredictable and different children require different things from you. So having that flexibility is crucial to caring for kids well.

The worst thing is how lonely it can be. My friends and family are great supports but they aren't in the business like I am. The decision fatigue, never ending to-do list, and analysis paralysis can sometimes be overwhelming. I can't wait to build a team!

RO x Teggun Ashleigh Tea Biscuit Wrist Lanyard >

RO: What’s a cause that’s close to your heart?

TA: I mean, there are many. But one I guess I've mentioned a few times is foster care. It's not for everyone, and not something I encourage everyone to do. But caring for kids who have come from challenging backgrounds and need support, care and love is crucial to our society & communities. Because the alternative is heartbreaking.

RO: What feeling do you hope people get when they see your work?

TA: Joy. I just hope to infuse and spark a little joy in people's lives when they either make something using my fabrics, or use something for a brand I've collaborated with!

RO: If you weren’t an artist, what do you think you’d be doing?

TA: I would probably work with at risk youth/children in some way.

RO x Teggun Ashleigh Tea Biscuit Shopper Bag >

RO: Love that. OK—tell us something we’d never guess about you!

TA: My name spelt backwards is nugget :)

RO: What advice would you give someone chasing their creative dreams?

TA: Start small to end big. You don't have to do it all to be successful, realistically it's focussing on one area and giving everything you can to that is what makes you stand out and grow.

Or in another saying, small steps = big results. Starting small and making lots of small steps will eventually lead to big results. When you look back, you'll be able to see how far you've come.

RO: Is there a quote or mantra you live by?

TA: Small steps = big results.

RO: And finally, how do you keep the joy flowing each day?

TA: Through colourful and nostalgic art!

RO x Teggun Ashleigh Bubble O Bill Pouch >