A “fantastic” week of work experience

My name is Jess Grashorn and I did work experience with Helen at Boutio Studio in November 2005.

It was fantastic, I couldn’t imagine work experience to be anymore fun. Each day there was a new adventure, even if it included getting lost in Manly 5 times in one day.

I enjoyed this experience and it gave me more confidence in the work place. I especially liked creating the white vintage shirt.

Helen helped me with my weaknesses (sewing) and let me experiment with my strengths (designing and creating)

I am now more confident about taking on the workforce. This experience has helped me with making my future career decisions.

I’d like to that Helen for all the help and advice that she gave me throughout my week of work experience.

Yours Sincerely

Jess Grashorn.

2007 Golden Slipper Festival Review

In the beginning…..

Helen was born a creative soul, however her natural creative aptitude and eye for detail was kindly nurtured and consequently blossomed under her parents’ loving care.

Helen’s mother, Diane, is a talented seamstress in her own right, and taught her the craft from a very early age. This coupled with her late father Kevin’s passion for collecting and restoring antiques, then it is no wonder that Helen has decided that her true calling in life is to create handcrafted authentic-self designs with the quality and craftsmanship of yesteryear.

Helen seriously began designing her first clothing line at the impressing age of twelve. Her label, Pistol Jack, encompassed the bold colours and designs of the eighties but with distinct hint of Helen’s burgeoning style and uniqueness. Throughout her high school years at Mackellar Girls High in Manly Vale, Helen was always at the forefront of art and textiles at school, with many of her pieces receiving wide recognition.

Upon leaving Mackellar Helen set sail to explore some of the wonders of the world. Throughout her working holiday in Europe and the Middle East, Helen truly expanded her horizons with respect to art, fabrics, design and colours. Taking any opportunity she could to learn from the local artists and craftspeople.

Since returning to Australia Helen has explored a myriad of creative outlets. From prop design and production, to aromatherapy, and from flower arrangement, to vintage clothing restoration, her varied experiences have allowed her to fine tune her skills as well as expand her vision of creative possibilities.

This ever-expanding vision has meant that Boutio has developed from what started out as a traditional and vintage fabric and costume outlet to a centre for creative expression and education. In an effort to share her experiences and knowledge Helen has started a work experience program for young people interested in a career in creative arts and fashion.

The purpose is for people with a passion and talent for sewing to come and get hands on experience of what it is like to work in a creative business. Helen has also set up personalised sewing classes for those who want to learn how to design and create modern fashion garments from pattern to finish! These programs and classes are the beginnings of Helen’s dream of creating a Boutio Couture College.

written by Amanda Lepeilbet

New Vintage Boutique Opens In Manly

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
11 NOVEMBER 2005

NEW VINTAGE BOUTIQUE OPENS IN MANLY

Last night fashionistas including Bella Serventi stepped into another time as they sipped on champagne, perused and tried on gorgeous vintage creations at the launch party for new boutique Boutio, located in popular beach suburb Manly.

The latest craze right now is vintage couture and people everywhere can’t get enough of it, but for designer and store owner Helen Sattler, she’s an old hat at it.

Sattler has been working with vintage fabrics and materials for over 15 years building up an impressive collection. In addition to designing vintage couture, collecting fabrics and restoring vintage clothes, she also revamps your soul with beautiful one-off personal designs made specifically for individuals going to special events.

“I like to say it’s creations for the person you are or didn’t know you could be, because I seem to know exactly what my clients are after, even if they don’t tell me,” laughs Sattler.

“My dad was an antique collector and mum a home sewer, so the combination I think just bred a natural intuition for vintage couture and sewing. And I love the process of turning an old outfit or fabric into something fresh, ready to be loved all over again.”

Helen Sattler is also the founder of F.ROCK, a new annual fashion parade event on the Northern Beaches.

Boutio is located in Seaforth and is open to the public by appointment only. For more info, please go to www.boutio.com.au

written by Susan Wood

The Manly Daily 2007 – LAVA

Be BOLD Be Beautiful Be BOUTIO

BOUTIO
Media Release May 19 2005
For Immediate Release

BE BOLD… BE BEAUTIFUL… BE BOUTIO!
A Vintage Boutique Studio

The old time traditions of craftsmanship and personal service are alive and well (or the name of the game at Boutio, Sydney’s new and exciting vintage fabric and couture house. After spending a decade exploring creative passions here and abroad, Helen Sattler, Boutio Designer, has returned to the neighbourhood where her seeds of creativity and leadership were first sewn, Manly Vale.

Boutio specialises in traditional and vintage fabrics from across the globe. Beyond the brightly coloured warehouse doors at Boutio you will discover a world of unique and exotic, garments, soft furnishings, and fabrics. Helen’s extraordinary collection includes traditional costumes, French silk velvet, Dupion Silk, 1950’s Italian Frosted Satin, Belgium Lace, 1980’s hand screen printed cotton, as well as her own range of one off signature items.

As the name suggests Boutio is both a boutique and a studio. It is in the studio where Helen pursues her other passion or gift – Design! Helen’s core motivation is to transform an individual’s idea or concept of their ideal personal style into a reality.

Helen aims to create masterpieces that are not for mannequins but for the true authentic self. Outfits that flatter not just your figure but your soul and personality.

Helen’s limitless vision has lead Boutio to become a centre for creative expression and education in the community. In an effort to share her experiences and knowledge, Helen has started personalised sewing classes as well as a work experience program for young people interested in a career in creative arts. These programs and classes are the beginnings of Helen’s dream of creating a Boutio Vintage Couture and Traditional Crafts Design College.

Boutio is progressive and dynamic, always seeking to explore new and exciting possibilities. Some of the initiatives planned for and by Boutio over the coming year include a fashion parade for Northern Beaches’ designers (to be held during the Manly Arts Festival in September), launch of vintage fabrics online web site, and a traditional Vietnamese fabrics Spring launch in late August.

Boutio is located in Seaforth and is open to the public by appointment.

written by Amanda Lepeilbet

Creative inspiration has sewn the seeds for…

Media Release May 12 2005
For Immediate Release

Mackellar Girls High School Vice Captain of 1990, Helen Sattler, has returned to the neighbourhood where her seeds of creativity and leadership were first sewn.

After more than a decade of self discovery leading her from Moshav’s in Israel to festivals in rural NSW, Helen has come back to where it all began to start her very own creative design house in Manly Vale – Boutio Couture.

Boutio, a boutique and studio, stands for Bold, Original, Unique, Timeless, and Inspiring Outfits. Helen’s core motivation is to transpose an individual’s vision of the ideal garment into a reality.

Helen says she aims to create pieces that are not for mannequins but for the true authentic self. Outfits that flatter not just your figure but your soul and personality.

Apart from design Boutio also specialises in traditional and vintage fabrics. Beyond the brightly coloured warehouse doors at Boutio you will discover a world of unique and antique garments and fabrics. Helen’s global collection includes Muu Muus from Hawaii, Saris from India, Top Hats from the 30’s and …….. that timeless glow mesh from the 1920’s.

Boutio’s traditional and vintage fabrics include rare pieces such as Italian frosted satins, French silk chiffon including fabrics older that 90years old

Always striving to be different and push the boundaries, Helen has set herself a bold and robust mission with Boutio. Her ever-expanding vision has meant that Boutio has evolved from what started out as a traditional and vintage fabric retailer, then quickly expanded into a couture design house, to its latest business diversification which aims to establish Boutio as a centre for creative expression and education.

In an effort to share her experiences and knowledge, Helen has started a work experience program for young people interested in a career in creative arts and fashion. The purpose is for people with a passion and talent for sewing to come and get hands on experience of what it is like to work in a creative business. Helen has also set up personalised sewing classes for those who want to learn how to design and create modern fashion garments from pattern to finish. These programs and classes are the beginnings of Helen’s dream of creating a Boutio Couture College.

Boutio is progressive and dynamic, always seeking to explore new and exciting possibilities. Some of the initiatives planned for and by Boutio over the coming year include f.rock fashion – a fashion parade for Northern Beaches designers to be held during the Manly Arts Festival, launch of vintage fabrics online web site, traditional Vietnamese fabrics Spring sale ….

Boutio is located in Seaforth and is open to the public by appointment.

A return to Craftsmanship

Boutio Studio is tucked away in one of Sydney’s northern suburbs.

The studio is reminiscent of Aladdin’s cave and old-fashioned industry, where personalised service compliments the customer’s experience of the craftsman’s world of creativity.

The only clue to finding this treasure is the bright pink flower-adorned van parked outside. This splash of colour and vibrancy extends inside to a large space filled with vintage fabrics, exotic materials, vintage clothes and full work benches.

For Sydney designer Helen Sattler acquiring the eye for vintage fabrics and couture comes naturally, having been born to a father who was a passionate collector. “As a child our garage and house was a delightful place of discovery, always finding something that was intriguing,” she said.

Helen sells vintage fabrics, a collection acquired from a leading costume designer, restores vintage clothes and creates unique individual garments to suit anybody, using her passion for vintage clothing and traditional crafts. “We dress for comfort and ease these days instead of dressing as if every day was an occasion. People undervalue the quality and feeling of wearing a specially designed tailor-made garment. ”

Helen is inspired to keep alive the tradition of sewing as a craft – something that was always part of life, passed down from mother to daughter.

Boutio’s range of vintage fabrics includes 1950’s Italian frosted satins, Guipure’s, Swiss nets Joan Kessler cotton, French silk chiffon as well as silk velvet. Being surrounded by the nostalgic atmosphere and array of exquisite vintage fabrics, inspires anyone with an interest for unique and quality fabrics.

Boutio Vintage Fabrics and Design is currently under construction and is open to the public by appointment only. Join them for a cup of tea.

written by Rebecca Trevor

Boutio Makes Way for f.rock

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
MARCH 2006

BOUTIO MAKES WAY FOR F.ROCK
Boutio – the ultimate in vintage
Helen Sattler director of Boutio Studio in Seaforth makes way to prepare for the Northern Beaches biggest fashion event-F.ROCK.
Due to the success of last years parade f.rock has expanded to a 3 night event adding prizes and giveaways to promote the event.

Sattler says “ To grow f.rock into one of the Northern Beaches most sought after ticketed event, I have to reduce my business to organise the event.”

With an estimate 100 people involved this year, including the dynamics of local businesses, Magnum PR, Shoebox Creative and Firecracker.

Enquiries  for Boutio 9949 8725
Enquiries for F.rock  www.frockfashion.com.au

For images, further information or interviews please contact:
Helen Sattler 0428 632273 helen@thecompletecollection.com.au

Take a Trip to Aladdin’s Cave

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
JULY 2005

TAKE A TRIP TO ALADDIN’S CAVE
Boutio – the ultimate in vintage

Kooky boutique design studio Boutio is a rare find for those looking for all things vintage. Dinky and full of weird and wonderful goodies it’s no wonder it’s often been compared to Aladdin’s Cave.

Boutio designer/director Helen Sattler has been working with vintage fabrics and materials for over 15 years building up an impressive collection. In addition to designing vintage couture and collecting fabrics and restoring vintage clothes, she also revamps your soul with one-off personal designs for special clients.

“My dad was an entrepreneur and antique collector  and my mum was a home sewer, soothe the combination just breeds having a natural intuition for vintage couture…….I don’t event know how I know about vintage clothing and sewing, having not been professionally trained in  because I can see the end result before I begin!” laughs Sattler. “I love the process of turning an old outfit or fabric into something fresh, ready to be loved all over again.”

In the coming months a selection of Boutio’s beautiful vintage couture will be available online at www.boutio.com.au. Sattler is also the founder of F.ROCK, a new fashion parade event happening on the Northern Beaches in September.

So if you’re looking for the finest vintage couture, cloth, design and tuition and more then head to Boutio located at 43 Wakehurst Parkway, Seaforth 2092. Ph: 02 99498725. Open by appointment only.