In Conversation with Em of Stationery Brand Emclectic
Poetic, considered and deeply sentimental, Emclectic creates artwork and stationery that preserves life’s most meaningful moments long after the day has passed. Rooted in storytelling rather than trend, the brand transforms weddings, florals and memories into enduring pieces of art. We spoke with the founder about creativity, collaboration and turning fleeting moments into something lasting.
THEODORE Mag: Emclectic feels deeply personal and emotive. Can you take us back to the beginning and share how the brand first came to life?
Emclectic: Emclectic has always been an ever-evolving personal brand, one that gave me the freedom to share my creations with the world. In its earliest days on Instagram, it began as a handmade jewellery label. Over time, as both the platform and I evolved, I realised I wanted the brand to hold more space for creative exploration.
Between 2017 and 2019, as we planned our wedding, that shift became clearer. Ironically, I had never been particularly drawn to flowers, largely because of their fleeting nature. It wasn’t until I began envisioning our day that I developed a deep appreciation for florals, falling so in love with a Sydney-based florist’s work that we flew her down for the occasion. Once the day had passed, I found myself wanting to preserve my bouquet, yet traditional methods like drying or resin never resonated with me.
Having just moved into our first home, illustrating my bouquet felt like the perfect way to transform that moment into something lasting, a sentimental artwork for our new, blank walls. From there, I began creating similar pieces for friends who were getting married, and it quickly became clear there was a gap in the market for something both meaningful and enduring.
THEODORE Mag: Your work often centres around preserving moments that are fleeting by nature. What draws you to the idea of turning memory into something lasting?
Emclectic: My philosophy is rooted in the belief that objects should carry meaning. When something holds sentimental value, we’re far less likely to discard it, moving away from cycles of consumption and waste driven by aesthetics alone. This idea naturally connects to my interest in preserving moments that are fleeting by nature, particularly as time moves so quickly. Flowers fade, photographs disappear into endless camera rolls, and memories can soften as life becomes busier. By capturing a defining moment that represents both an experience and a feeling, I’m able to translate it into something enduring. A framed artwork becomes a place we can return to, allowing us to reconnect with those moments in a way that extends beyond photography. My work alludes to memory rather than documenting it directly, offering subtle reminders that often become conversation starters, inviting stories to resurface and be shared.
THEODORE Mag: Weddings are such an emotional space to work within. How do you approach translating a couple’s story, florals or setting into a piece of art that feels true to them?
Emclectic: Because my work is so highly personalised, I begin by taking the time to truly get to know each couple, whether through a discovery call or a more considered exchange over email. For bespoke stationery and illustrated moments, I’ll ask about the aesthetics and colour palettes they’re drawn to, and encourage them to reflect on meaningful symbols, places, or shared experiences that represent their story. From there, I design a series of motifs or a crest that subtly references those details, allowing their narrative to be woven throughout the day.
For framed artworks, the approach is similar but often centres on the wedding florals. Certain flowers may hold personal significance and are intentionally emphasised, while others may have fallen, broken, or simply never been captured in a single photograph. I work closely with each couple to ensure every element they remember and love is thoughtfully included, with colours rendered as they experienced them on the day.
At its core, the process is always collaborative. I stay closely connected with my couples at each touchpoint, ensuring the artwork evolves in a way that feels authentic, considered, and true to their story.
THEODORE Mag: Your style is instantly recognisable yet always considered. How would you describe your creative process from the first conversation through to the final artwork?
Emclectic: My creative process always begins with the couple or individual themselves. They are the primary source of inspiration, and my style naturally responds to their story. I like to think of my approach as eclectic in that sense, shaped by the people and moments behind each work. My process begins with mood-boarding and using image references from Pinterest, but I also encourage my clients or couples to provide their own images (these could be photographs of treasured belongings, their space, heirlooms, or things that inspire them). From here, I begin sketching digital designs before refining them in Adobe. Most works begin, and often end, as digital illustrations.
I am glad that you think it’s still recognisable despite my fluid style. I suppose this may be because I enjoy working with line, with a strong focus on line, colour, and shading. Colour plays an equally important role in my process, often leaning toward softer, pastel tones, which I balance with darker hues to create contrast and depth. Together, these elements come together to form a visual language that feels considered, expressive, and true to my practice.
THEODORE Mag: What role does storytelling play in your designs, and how do you ensure each piece feels meaningful rather than purely aesthetic?
Emclectic: Storytelling sits at the heart of my designs and artworks. In a world so heavily influenced by social media trends, it can be easy for aesthetics to take precedence. That’s why I make a conscious effort to centre each piece around the client or couple themselves, weaving their personality, experiences, and meaningful details into the work. This approach allows the artwork or stationery to move beyond surface beauty, capturing a story that feels personal, considered, and genuinely reflective of them.
THEODORE Mag: Emclectic often collaborates with florists, stylists and other creatives. What do you value most in a creative partnership?
Emclectic: I don’t believe creativity exists in isolation. Some of my most meaningful work has come from collaborating with other creatives, where I’m able to tease out ideas, stretch possibilities, and support what might initially feel like wild concepts. Working in partnership also allows me to build genuine community, and I find that when I’m aligned with the right people, our individual strengths are naturally amplified. These collaborations not only enrich the work itself but also continually shape and strengthen my practice.
THEODORE Mag: What do you love most about weddings and creating stationery for weddings?
Emclectic: I love creating stationery for weddings because it’s often such an overlooked detail, yet it has an incredible impact on the day. I think many people underestimate how much this “small” component shapes the experience. The invitation suite, for example, sets the very first impression, it’s the first glimpse of what’s to come and a deeply personal moment, inviting the nearest and dearest to share in an intimate celebration.
What I love most is how closely I get to work with couples or stylists to bring their vision to life. Designing stationery requires attention, detail, and care - far more than people often realise. Beyond the visual design, I focus on text, quantities, correct names and addresses, seating arrangements, assembly, and deadlines. While some of these tasks can feel tedious at first, there’s immense satisfaction in seeing it all come together and experiencing the joy and appreciation couples show when their vision is realised.
THEODORE Mag: When a client receives their finished piece, what do you hope they feel in that moment, and years down the track?
Emclectic: When a client receives their finished piece, I hope they are immediately transported back to that special moment. I’ve been so touched by messages from family and friends, moved to tears upon receiving their bespoke artworks, and I feel incredibly grateful each time to be able to connect with emotions like these. Looking years ahead, I hope these pieces continue to hold a place in their homes. Unlike artwork that can feel temporary or quickly fall out of step with a space, I want these custom pieces to be cherished and displayed, with a permanent place in their homes and memories.
Visit emclectic.net
Instagram @emclectic
DISCLAIMER: We attempt to credit the original photographer/source of every image we use. However, in most circumstances, the images we use are provided by the brands spoken about, and we rely on them to inform us of the image source. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@theodoremagazine.com
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