Interview by Nicholas Acquroff
When we interviewed our close friend Amy Coombes from Kloke, it was with a curious heart. Kloke is the clothing company and design studio that was started by husband and wife team Adam and Amy Coombes in 2011. It’s been a big year for Kloke, who put so much time into their love of fashion that there is barely time for anything else – except a daily coffee break and a nice lunch outside in the sun.
Kloke’s style is hard to define. Their Winter 2012 range makes you feel homesick for an Australian countryside that you barely know. Deep browns and reds that you can wear while you make a living in the city, and keep when you move to the country. And while this year’s Spring range keeps the sophistication and the calm, it also bursts to life with stripes and colours and hope.
Could you tell me a little bit about Kloke? When did you start, how did you start and who with? How many of you are there and where do you distribute clothes to and how are they made?
Kloke started in 2011. We work with lots of people who help make what we do happen. Currently stocked in Melbourne and Sydney, with Kloke online launching this October, we take all garments from the initial concept design stage through to being production ready in the Kloke studio.
What makes Kloke different from other brands? Do you guys have any little quirks with the way you work together? What are the interrelationships like within Kloke?
Ha! Pretty good interrelationships in here at Kloke...we’re married. Kloke is ingrained in everything we do.
Who are you inspired by?
Everything and anything. Rght now Adam is really into the wildlings from season 2 of Game of Thrones. We’re into listening to Lost Animal on vinyl and pretty hung up on anything that Nicolas Jaar is doing.
Can you take me through an average day at the studio and set the scene a little bit. What does it look like, how many of you are there and what does an average day entail?
A morning coffee, a chat and then into the workroom. Concrete floors, white walls & timber - it’s cold right now. We meet with makers and suppliers and spend time at the table working on construction, sewing and fits. Early rises and late nights.
What do you eat and drink while you're working? Who gets the take away coffees and where from?
Half calzone from Fato Mana, Viet grilled pork rolls, teriyaki salmon on rice, Japanese beef curry, Newtown chicken sandwich and (new favorite) the pulled pork, gin, scotch, coffee (mina-noi & Newtown), tea, mineral water… not necessarily in that order.
If you could be anyone else, who would it be and why?
That guy on the big boat has a pretty good life.
How do you spur your creativity when you're out of ideas?
Not enough time to be out of ideas.
What time do you finish work, do you ever leave early?
For us it’s a way of life, not about turning off or on. We are really excited by being able to do what we do. Work happens when it happens.
When was the last time you guys had a fight about the direction of the company?
No breakups just breakdowns.
How did you get into fashion?
Part of growing up, my mum was a dressmaker and I haven’t ever not worked in some part of the industry.
Who was your first kiss and where was it?
Party pash at 5am.