The Cornelio family in Callala Bay used their lockdown together during COVID to answer one of their own leisure-time frustrations – how to find great quality, stylish clothing for their fishing and camping trips – by designing their own range, Seven Seas Apparel. Scroll down for a special discount code for November and nab some early Christmas presents.
Some of the best ideas were born out of Covid. This rings true for husband-and-wife team Kylie and Mick Cornelio. “We always joked about starting our own clothing brand,” says Kylie. “We found it difficult to find women’s and children’s casual apparel in fishing stores.”
During Covid the couple, who run a carpentry business, found themselves with some extra time on their hands. “We aren’t a couple that sits still,” says Kylie. So they decided to fill that gap in the market with fun, vibrant and well-designed clothing.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Kylie adds. “Being a husband-and-wife team, we were able to spend that time together to bring our passion of the ocean, fishing and outdoor adventures into a positive clothing brand.”
It’s really a whole-family affair, designing these comfortable and instantly recognisable shirts, hoodies and shorts, their two boys are a part of creative control for the brand. “If our boys don’t think it’s cool then it’s back to the drawing board,” says Kylie.
The Seven Seas Apparel Instagram page is full of amazing photos of the family adventures while wearing their apparel. It sends a strong message that the quality and comfort of the products are tested by the whole family while out doing what they love.
The Callala-based business is in a growth period, and since interviewing the family for this story I’ve noticed so many people wearing Seven Seas clothing as I work at the weekend markets across the region. The brand is a reflection of the pristine waterways and the relaxed lifestyle we are famous for in our part of the world.
Some of the designs give you an insight into the cheeky sense of humour that the couple share. There’s a definite pirate theme and a recurring skeleton, plus some iconic Aussie imagery. A design featuring an ibis (aka bin chicken) being ridden by the skeleton has the motto “Sinkin’ Tins Raidin’ Bins”. Another design, “What’s Kraken” features a vibrant blue kraken monster and our friend the skeleton swimming below.
“We have used a variety of graphic designers on our shirts because they each bring their own tweak or style to our vision,” says Kylie. “All of the designs that are presented on the Seven Seas shirts are aspects of our life that we want to share.”
Their first graphic designer came back with the idea of the skeleton and it has stuck with the brand, it’s edgy but not confronting. The latest crew shirt features a kombi van, another passion for owner Mick.
“Our love of fishing, water and time with family influences our designs and products. We know the designers we use will always come up with the right type of design for us, each subtly different with their own skill set. If you look closely, the skeleton is slightly different across the designs but helps to tie things together,” explains Kylie.
Another brilliant item the family has created is a “paint your own” lure kit.
“This was born out of our boys loving fishing and arts and crafts. With a bit of research I was able to find blank fishing lures, waterproof paints, add some eyes and a hook and we had something that the boys really responded to,” says Kylie proudly.
They have now sourced bits and pieces from all over to make a comprehensive kit to create your own lure. Seven Seas sells thousands of these, more than they could have imagined, as not just kids but adults are taking up the challenge of creating their own lures.
“We have been asked by schools and youth organisations all over the country to send these kits as they are a great opportunity for students to be artistic and often teamed up with fishing as a school sport for some coastally located schools, especially in Queensland,” says Kylie.
Kylie and Mick have been hands on through every step of creating and growing their business, which they say has been a steep learning curve coming from different worlds of carpentry and recruiting. The recently-updated website is a great example of their growth, and a showcase of their whole product range.
Buy your own family a range of Seven Seas apparel from local markets including the Huskisson Markets, Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Markets and Berry Markets, and in-store at The Collective Beat in Milton.
You can also order online, with Jervis Bay Weekend readers able to claim a 10% discount till the end of November with the code JBWM10, perfect to wrap up some early Christmas presents.
