Local creatives get the chance to go Upmarket

A NEW shopfront with a difference has been set up to unearth the best of Perth's creative talents.

Opening for one day every three months, Upmarket gathers together artists, designers, stylists, gourmets and craft practitioners under one roof.

The market is the brainchild of ex-Sydneysider and business mum Justine Barsley, who wanted to establish a regular high-quality marketplace for Perth's unique and handmade goods.

"Looking around what was on offer, I realised Perth had space for a really different sort of retail marketplace" Ms Barsley said.

Sourcing top outlets from other markets, browsing blogs and searching profiles from online marketplace etsy.com, Ms Barsley approached those that seemed the right fit.

Now, high quality clothing, home goods, shoes, toiletries are on offer at the stalls.

The market's inaugural opening in September this year attracted more than 4,000 customers. This month, it will be looking to capitalise on pre-Christmas shopping when the market opens on December 14.

The interaction with the stallholders is the element Ms Barsley believes creates the unique atmosphere of a market.

She says people are prepared to pay extra for the human-interest story behind the purchase.

Her own marketplace career began with children's clothing label Oli B Designs, which she runs with her mother.

The business is truly a family affair, as she and her mother transform vintage chenille bed sheets into unique children's pants, tops and shifts.

"It can be tiring, but I have become an excellent organiser. I value my time flexibility", Ms Barsley said.

A series of workshops launched at the market will run throughout 2009 to show a behind-the-scenes look at the process behind the creation of some of the products.

"For me, it's so important to also open the doors to the mechanisms of how small creative businesses are born and run," Ms Barsley said.

The market will run from 10am to 5pm on Sunday December 14 at the Perth Town Hall.