Recently we sat down with Daniella Spinetti, talented illustrator and founder of Eve & Co to chat about the highlights and challenges of creating her successful business and where she finds her inspiration. Over the years, Daniella has created magic for us through our bespoke Birthday Cards and Colouring Book - available exclusively at Tutu du Monde - and more recently she illustrated our 'Princess in the City' event in Sydney.
Tutu du Monde ♥︎ Eve & Co
What inspired you to start your business Eve&Co?
I started my career in magazine design and publishing, and later moved to retail advertising. I’ve always been a stationery aficionado: collecting cards and fine papers, constantly designing invitations and party paperie for friends and family… so after a brief hiatus to have children, I decided it was more of a natural progression to stationery design and illustration rather than a new direction.
I’ve always loved working with children and had worked on many childrens’ fashion campaigns in my career, so the fact that my business has a sharp focus on children’s celebrations gives me so much happiness, knowing I’ve contributed to people’s joy and pride in their own child’s celebration.
What attracted you to work with TDM?
The entire ethos of the brand and their true dedication to quality, beauty, and celebration of life really resonates and aligns with my own values in business. Creating the Tutus Of The World Colouring Book was an absolute dream, and seeing my illustrations on that gorgeous heavyweight paper still gives me a buzz! Our greeting cards have also been such a fulfilling project - its a true marriage of ideas when the illustrations are featuring the most beautiful TTDM dresses, and knowing these cards are being given to kids all over the world to celebrate their special days, means so much.
How did you learn the art of illustration/your craft?
I’ve been sketching and drawing since before I can remember! Growing up, I was never far from a sketch pad and some pencils. I would pour over fashion magazines and sketch the poses and shapes of the human form, which I find fascinating and so beautiful. I honed my skills by taking life drawing classes, and studied graphic design after graduating from high school. I’ve been fortunate in that its always been what I wanted to do in life.
What challenges do you face running your own business?
Being a creative, I find the day-to-day, admin side of running of a business a particular challenge. And, one of the hardest things has been balancing work and family life. I love that I’m able to do the school run and generally be around for my children, but working from a home studio means there’s often no ‘clocking off’, and I’m likely to work into the wee hours of the morning. Its a good thing I love what I do!
Who inspires you?
I look to people like Mary Portas, who as well as being an incredible creative mind, is also empathetic and compassionate. She coined the term ‘The Kindness Economy’ and I’m all for it. I’m inspired by people who truly want to better our world while still making it a beautiful place to live, and who appreciate the necessity of art and beauty in our lives. People who collaborate and celebrate the creative process, and value quality and workmanship over ‘fast' fixes, particularly in fashion - which is an art form in itself.
" Creatively, I draw so much inspiration from the world around me, my peers and clients - who give me such freedom in my creative process with the most interesting briefs."
Lucy Leonardi Photography | @lucyleonardiphotography
What inspired you to start your business Eve&Co?
I started my career in magazine design and publishing, and later moved to retail advertising. I’ve always been a stationery aficionado: collecting cards and fine papers, constantly designing invitations and party paperie for friends and family… so after a brief hiatus to have children, I decided it was more of a natural progression to stationery design and illustration rather than a new direction.
I’ve always loved working with children and had worked on many childrens’ fashion campaigns in my career, so the fact that my business has a sharp focus on children’s celebrations gives me so much happiness, knowing I’ve contributed to people’s joy and pride in their own child’s celebration.
What attracted you to work with TDM?
The entire ethos of the brand and their true dedication to quality, beauty, and celebration of life really resonates and aligns with my own values in business. Creating the Tutus Of The World Colouring Book was an absolute dream, and seeing my illustrations on that gorgeous heavyweight paper still gives me a buzz! Our greeting cards have also been such a fulfilling project - its a true marriage of ideas when the illustrations are featuring the most beautiful TTDM dresses, and knowing these cards are being given to kids all over the world to celebrate their special days, means so much.
How did you learn the art of illustration/your craft?
I’ve been sketching and drawing since before I can remember! Growing up, I was never far from a sketch pad and some pencils. I would pour over fashion magazines and sketch the poses and shapes of the human form, which I find fascinating and so beautiful. I honed my skills by taking life drawing classes, and studied graphic design after graduating from high school. I’ve been fortunate in that its always been what I wanted to do in life.
How did you learn the art of illustration/your craft?
I’ve been sketching and drawing since before I can remember! Growing up, I was never far from a sketch pad and some pencils. I would pour over fashion magazines and sketch the poses and shapes of the human form, which I find fascinating and so beautiful. I honed my skills by taking life drawing classes, and studied graphic design after graduating from high school. I’ve been fortunate in that its always been what I wanted to do in life.
" Creatively, I draw so much inspiration from the world around me, my peers and clients - who give me such freedom in my creative process with the most interesting briefs."
What challenges do you face running your own business?
Being a creative, I find the day-to-day, admin side of running of a business a particular challenge. And, one of the hardest things has been balancing work and family life. I love that I’m able to do the school run and generally be around for my children, but working from a home studio means there’s often no ‘clocking off’, and I’m likely to work into the wee hours of the morning. Its a good thing I love what I do!
Who inspires you?
I look to people like Mary Portas, who as well as being an incredible creative mind, is also empathetic and compassionate. She coined the term ‘The Kindness Economy’ and I’m all for it. I’m inspired by people who truly want to better our world while still making it a beautiful place to live, and who appreciate the necessity of art and beauty in our lives. People who collaborate and celebrate the creative process, and value quality and workmanship over ‘fast' fixes, particularly in fashion - which is an art form in itself.
Lucy Leonardi Photography | @lucyleonardiphotography
