News

Australian Artist Collaboration: Ellie Whittaker

October 2022

This collection is inspired by all things Aussie! It’s a vibrant ode to our wondrous fauna; the birds soaring above our heads, the snakes winding their way through our forest floors and the creatures teeming in our oceans. I see it all with technicolour glasses and I love to illustrate my version of this wonderful country.

Ellie Whittaker

Introducing our latest collaboration with Australian textile designer Ellie Whittaker featuring her unique digitally designed prints in her brilliant bright hues. Ellie Whittaker, a Gold Coast mum of four beautiful kids, lives on an amazing property, surrounded by lush greenery and native Queensland flora & fauna. Ellie started out designing fabrics 8 years ago when she had 4 kids under the age of 4 and was looking for some cute australian inspired clothes and couldn’t find them in prints she loved, so decided to design her very own fabrics.

Ellie's mission is to fill the world with eccentric Australian patterns full of wonder and colour inspired by flora, fauna, childhood nostalgia and popular references.

As a self taught artist, all of Ellie’s designs are created digitally on an iPad, with key elements of her prints, such as animals, starting off as a simple sketch and being transformed into a colourful pattern then printed on her fabric of choice.

Ellie has designed seven prints for her first collection, exclusively available at Best&Less for a selection of baby, kids, mens & women’s clothing, sleepwear, underwear, swimwear & accessories.

When Best&Less asked to work together I was in a little bit of shock...! I mean, who *doesn’t* know Best & Less and didn’t wear their cute staples as a kid?! A few months later I flew down to Sydney to meet the team and I was blown away. Everyone was so kind and is so passionate about the company and supporting this little Aussie artist. They were all so keen to meet me and see and hear about my work. It’s not often you get to flip through all of your designs and share their stories to such an eager audience!

Ellie Whittaker

We worked closely with Ellie to bring some of her key prints to life at affordable prices for the whole family.. Our Native Birds collection print dresses start from just $15 for sizes 1-7 and Animal Instinct print shirts from just $16 sizes 1-7.

All fabrics used in the collection have been specifically chosen with care, keeping in mind the climate and ensuring they are lightweight & breathable, perfect for a hot summer’s day. Fabrics include 100% cotton tees, Print Dresses & Shirts made from 100% viscose and Swimwear for babies & kids with a UPF50+ rating for ultimate sun protection.

Every step of the journey the design team have worked to stay true to my art and to seek my opinion on translating my art for fabric...so much thought has gone into each piece and these fabrics are *delicious*. From the super soft underwear to the dobby in the sleepwear to the gorgeous, viscose button up shirts...! There is literally something for everyone, with the collection spanning kids and adults underwear, sleepwear, swimwear and accessories and clothing! I mean, there are even pool floats and straw bucket hats and water bottles! JUST in time for Christmas gifting. I feel so incredibly honoured that Best & Less have chosen this Aussie designer to support. I know you will love the collection as much as I do!

Ellie Whittaker

With 3 collections due to hit stores this summer, Ellie’s first drop is available in stores & online now. Shop the collection here.

To celebrate the launch, Ellie is embarking on a road trip down the east coast of Australia to deliver nostalgia to Aussie towns in her ‘Caravan of Colour’. Kicking off on 15th October from her hometown on the Gold Coast, Ellie will be making stops in Byron Bay, Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, and the Central Coast before arriving in Sydney on Thursday 20th October to celebrate the launch instore at Best&Less Penrith. Be sure to follow along on Ellie's journey over on her Instagram @elliewhittakerstudio.

Keep an eye out for Ellie's Caravan of Colour for your chance to win a Best&Less gift card! Enter our competition by taking a photo of the Ellie Whittaker “Caravan of colour” caravan, uploading to either your Instagram feed or Instagram story and tag @bestandless as well as @elliewhittakerstudio to be eligible to win! See more terms and conditions here.

With 3 collections due to hit stores this summer, Ellie’s first drop is available in stores & online now. Shop the collection here www.bestandless.com.au/ellie-whittaker-collection

Get the kids inspired with our selection of “Colour with Ellie” colouring in pages below.

Meet Ellie Whittaker