Be Marsupial

The Verdict

How many times have you spotted a marsupial, just walking along, and thought: ‘That pouch looks really convenient. I wish I had a pouch to put stuff in.’ Must happen to us at least a couple of times a day. Well rejoice, because a new Aussie boutique has developed a range of products that celebrates the humble marsupial.  

Be Marsupial is the brainchild of illustrator Consuelo Fernandez Ortiz, a designer who fell in love with her adopted Australia and set out to design a range of fashion and gift-wares with a distinctive marsupial edge. Basically, pouches everywhere. There’s the P-Shirt, a regular tee with a handy dandy front pocket, a windbreaker that packs up into its own bag, and hardwearing cardboard backpacks (something a little different from the fjallraven’s you see literally everywhere).

Consuelo’s new Elwood store is the brand’s first bricks and mortar venture, and it’s a beautiful spot. All crisp white décor, blonde timber and surf coast flourishes. The shelves are stocked with the latest fashions, plus Aussie-inspired prints and handmade soft toys (there’s even a cuddly blow-fly if you want to play fast and loose with this year’s Christmas presents).

What’s cool about Be Marsupial is it somehow manages to make Australiana feel...not tacky. Which is quite an achievement, really. It’s as if Blinky Bill ditched Green Patch and took up graphic design. Check it out if you're looking for some off-beat gift ideas.

Image credit: Be Marsupial