After decades working together, Artist Kathy Holmes and Fashion Designer Rosalia “Rosie” Vari have embarked on an exciting new chapter that has seen them move into their very own retail space on Fullarton Road in Myrtle Bank.
For over 30 years, the two (very) creative women have shared a rented space on Magill Road. Their partnership began when Kathy, fresh out of art school, discovered a free space in Rosie’s shop near the Maid and Magpie. Their shared passion for crafts led to a long-lasting friendship and an unstoppable team.
18 months ago, in March 2023, the opportunity came up for Kathy and Rosie to purchase and renovate their own space. Jumping at the chance, they bought two adjoining shops and transformed them into a multi-purpose venue. The result is a beautifully refurbished space, offering a retail women’s fashion store, which also offers made to measure garments, plus a art studio selling limited edition prints and paintings.
“We absolutely love the space. It’s beautiful and light; I think its reinvigorated both us in a work sense, because it’s purpose designed for us, rather than trying to make it work,” Kathy Holmes says.
Kathy’s artwork has an international audience, with pieces selling overseas and across Australia. Her creative process includes painting on linen and stretching the canvases herself. Meanwhile, Rosie’s fashion shop offers a selection of women’s garments, including made-to-measure options, complimented by her workroom.
The two women have started to encourage customers to come through the back of the shop, so they can too be a part of the creative process. Rosie has a lot of fabrics out, so when you’re looking at clothing, or having something made, there’s a huge quantity of beautiful fabrics you can look through. You can then go back into the studio, where Kathy is working on her art, and see the progress of her paintings.
“Everything Rosie and I do, we do ourselves here. Everyone that Rosie employs is South Australian, or local. We’ve kind of cut out the middle man and tried to do everything here,” Kathy says.
Their shared vision focuses on quality over quantity, prioritising handcrafted items made with care and a personal touch instead of mass-produced goods. Kathy and Rosie’s venture demonstrates a strong commitment to South Australia’s local arts and fashion scene, and the community is invited to engage with their creativity up close at their Myrtle Bank store.
Where: 464 Fullarton Road, Myrtle Bank
Instagram: @kathy_holmes_art15
Instagram: @rosaliavari
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