Geelong entrepreneur Carlie O’Loughlin has curated a beautiful space for design and gifts with Jade and May.
Bamboo pyjama sets, delicate handmade ceramics, soft linen pillowcases, beautifully illustrated books and cookbooks with drool-worthy recipes from around the world are all on the shelves at Jade and May, Newtown’s small-batch homewares, clothing, gift and accessories store that captures the essence of handmade, thoughtful and beautiful design.
There’s a lot of love about Jade and May, a business born from a simple passion to celebrate makers from as far away as Mexico to as close to home as Belmont.
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Behind the business is Belmont local Carlie O’Loughlin, a mother of three, designer and curator of beautiful things.
O’Loughlin began her business in 2019, when she started designing and selling linen dressing gowns at local markets. The success of her beautifully simple and cosy pieces inspired her to open a dedicated retail space on Rutland Street. It was the ideal setting for O’Loughlin, becoming not only a space for her to market her beautiful designs, but a place to find interesting, beautiful and unique keepsakes.
Between life as a mother and designer, O’Loughlin has dedicated much of her time to curating a store full of items hard to find anywhere else. One step inside and it’s clear the amount of care put in to providing a unique offering for those looking for something a little different for themselves, or a loved one.
From quirky art prints, to lovingly wheel-thrown ceramics, to children’s toys, to the most perfect selection of coffee table books, there are homewares and gifts for any age.
With a focus and passion for the environment and sustainability, O’Loughlin has – and always will – ensure her designs, and her store, followed her core values.
“The shop is full of beautiful products that I have mostly sourced from family-owned businesses with similar values – their productions runs are generally smaller, with more focus and care on how, where and by whom their products are made. These people love what they create and it shows in the end result,” she says of the store’s contents.
“Ethically produced, sustainable and environmental factors are all front when choosing suppliers to stock in store and online.
“These are pieces with soul, from both near and afar to turn your house into a home.”
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With so many beautiful items, it’s awe-inspiring to know that every piece in the store is either from a small business, ethically produced, made in a sustainable way or is made in a way that is conscious of the environment. In many cases, the product meets each of these criteria.
And of course, there is the beautiful, handcrafted pyjama and homeware range designed by Carlie herself. These pieces are all natural fibres and designed to be simple to wear, cosy and easy to mix and match. Think effortless button up shirts, comfy trousers, perfectly-soft napkins and chic tote bags. Although originally designed as sleepwear, pieces are easy taken from bed to the beach or even the bar, the quality and style transcending one wear or one use.
In the space of three years, the store has more than doubled in size due to the success of the business, expanding into a large area next door to the original shop front.
Through the pandemic, the store became a packing area for Carlie to send orders to her loyal customers, but now, it is back to its intended glory, a welcoming, calm, well-lit space full of beautiful things. Jade and May neighbours plenty of other makers, nestled in one of Geelong’s favourite creative hubs. From artists, to photographers, to jewellers, florists, dance studios and art galleries there are plenty of creatives making their mark, putting Carlie in the midst of a complementary selection of retailers.
The Jade and May store is situated at 17a Rutland Street, Newtown. The store is open 9:30am to 4om, Tuesday to Saturday. Shop online here.
