The Designer

Di van Ooi has a lifelong passion for fashion, travel and life’s beautiful things. Starting out studying Architectural Drafting at the Gordon Technical College in Victoria’s Geelong, Di then followed her real interests to study abroad in Fashion Design, Ladies Tailoring and Millinery at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. It became Di’s dream to bring together the edgy and the fanciful from around the world, a handpicked selection of designs and crafts dear to her heart and each with a story to share. Di now travels the world and searches for design pieces that really resonate with her, each showing passion behind the design and quality in the creation. A belief in fair trade and in fostering relationships with designers both local and global is at the heart of the business. For Di, the atelier also offers the chance to bring together the sometimes forgotten arts of handicrafts and conversation, of friendship and gifts given with meaning, and the treasured items that express the most and last a lifetime.

The Atelier

Di van Ooi’s atelier sits in the heart of the busy beachside strip of Newport in Sydney’s northern beaches where the salt air sprays, the pine trees sway and the waves roll in! The atelier is a fashion mecca where artisan hats and fashion pieces are created; designers are drawn to display their crafts, and customers and friends are treated to a changing kaleidoscope of individual design pieces, fun and colourful textures. Di first began as a milliner in the backstreets of Newport in 2007 but it didn’t take long for the store concept to grow. Word spread, business grew and the atelier took centre stage in the beachside village. With ruby red awnings now the centre of attention, Di van Ooi is set to be a destination. There’s a special something for everyone to be found in store; a meaningful gift for a loved one or a treat for soul. Di van Ooi is a treasure trove of lifetime fashion and accessories for women, men and children brought together to create a very personal story by Di herself.