We sat down with one of our babywear designers Jessica, to chat all things design and inspiration. Jessica grew up in Melbourne and studied fashion at RMIT University. When she was 22, she headed to Sydney with her boyfriend (now hubby). Not long after the move Jessica scored a job at Bonds and she’s been with us ever since.   When did you know you wanted to be a designer? Maybe when I was about 16 or 17? My school subjects were always skewed in an ‘arty’ direction as much as I could get away with. Then one day our really cool music teacher showed us a documentary on John Galliano and his rise through Dior & the couture world. I was blown away and completely mesmerized by the creation, the re-invention, the fantasy of it all. How did you start your design career? I had a couple of little design assistant jobs in Melbourne that I juggled during Uni breaks, but I really started right here at Bonds, as a design assistant for Youth Underwear when I first moved to Sydney – a very fun category to cut your teeth on.   Where do you look for inspiration? All over the place. Tumblr & blogs, friends, films, interiors, storybooks & illustrations, street style (especially little kids that have dressed themselves), places I’ve been, places I’ve never been… How do you approach designing for a new season? As organically as possible. Collecting ideas and recurring themes that feel ‘right’ for that season… colours, fabrics, print directions, things seen whilst travelling – then collating it all and getting it down on paper and onto a mega inspiration pinboard.   What tools and pens do you use when you sketch? A good old-fashioned grey lead pencil and a trusty sharpener. I also scribble ideas furiously all around above mentioned mega inspiration pinboard (lots of messy writing, very little actual sketching). What’s your favourite part about buying trips? Oh gosh – all of it! But I think the people watching is my favourite, the way people in different cities put similar clothes and trends together in totally unique ways. Fascinating.   Fast Five Currently reading? A girlfriend just gave me Virginia Woolfe’s To the Lighthouse, which I can’t wait to begin. Currently listening? Anything and everything, completely changes up depending on my mood at the time. Currently cooking? A lot of Mexican... I just got back from holidaying there and am having food withdrawals! Pretty much every food group tastes better with the addition of chilli, lime and salt. Fave food to eat while you’re designing? Every day starts with a short, very strong coffee and a baby coconut juice and inevitably ends with a team chocolate run, most afternoons. Fave Bonds? This is like choosing a favourite child. I could never!