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‘Lifelong dream’ - Bunbury designer Genevieve Daley opens shop in CBD

Headshot of Shannon Verhagen
Shannon VerhagenSouth Western Times
Local artist and seamstress Genevieve Daley is excited to open Unsunk Funk in Bunbury's CBD.
Camera IconLocal artist and seamstress Genevieve Daley is excited to open Unsunk Funk in Bunbury's CBD. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Shannon Verhagen

For more than 30 years, Gelorup artist and seamstress Genevieve Daley has been creating one-of-a-kind pieces from fabrics she’s found in op shops or bought from craftspeople who have collected it over the years.

Her recycled clothing brand Unsunk Funk has not only been showcased by locals on the streets of Bunbury, but the catwalk as well.

And now the mother of six is taking the next exciting step on her journey — on Saturday opening up her own store on Stephen Street.

Finally after raising six kids my dream shop is coming to fruition, an Australian-made concept store in the CBD.

Genevieve Daley

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Local artist and seamstress Genevieve Daley is excited to open Unsunk Funk in Bunbury's CBD.
Camera IconLocal artist and seamstress Genevieve Daley is excited to open Unsunk Funk in Bunbury's CBD. Credit: Shannon Verhagen

Creating clothing with an assortment of vintage and retro fabrics — and even tea towels — Ms Daley said her designs were not only “conversation pieces,” but promoted recycling and sustainability, rather than buying things brand new and throwing them out after a few wears.

“My nanna who grew up in the depression era and literally darned her undies and socks — she was so staunch on recycling and reusing and we inherit those ideals,” she said.

The store will not only feature her designs, but other maker’s products — including her husband’s sculpture — and her own artwork will adorn the walls.

She previously spent a lot of time on the road travelling throughout the South West and selling her designs at various festivals around the State, but the coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed the artist’s schedule.

And she said now more than ever, it was time for people to support local.

“It’s not 100 per cent that those big festivals will ever come back,” Ms Daley said.

The whole country’s had to reinvent itself and now that we can’t rely on imports, we may as well support our locals and be proud.

Genevieve Daley

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