This edition of Mutual’s Muses features our long-time friend of the shop, Ellie King. And when we say long-time, we mean long - Ellie was one of our very first sellers, number 522 to be exact! (We’re now well past 20,000.)
A true lover of secondhand treasures and all things quirky, Ellie and Mutual Muse are a perfect match. Famous for her back-room swaps with our owner Kirsta - ceramics for clothes - she’s one of our all-time favourite customers. We hope her style and story inspire you.
Read on to see what makes Ellie tick.
MM: Hi Ellie! Tell us a little bit about your multiple endeavours.
EK: Hello Mutual Muse! The question of what do you do always gives me the sweats but I have boiled it down to: I’m 40% a designer/ceramicist with RITTLE and 60% running Coco Store which involves buying and selling secondhand books, clothing and homewares - I have a stall at Lost&Found and also a Depop!
MM: How do you juggle these? What does a “typical day” look like for you (if there is one)?
EK: I block my days out by halves typically - so mornings will be at our studio that I share with my partner Jon (Shub Guitars) - he will make me a coffee while I reply to emails, pack orders, price and steam stock ect... then my afternoons are usually out on the road sourcing product, running post and doing restocks at my Lost and Found stall that I share with my friend Corine (Domestic Fantasies & Primary Residence). I usually try and squeeze a coffee in with a friend a few times a week just to get some social time in!
MM: Tell us about your history with second-hand and how it led you to start Coco Store?
EK: My parents are both expert secondhand shoppers so I grew up rarely buying new. My dad is from England - so we used to go back there a lot to visit family when I was little so I got to hunt in some of the best 1990s op shops you can imagine! I started Coco Store after having a bit of a mid 20s mid life crisis after selling my cafe (another story for another time) and knew second hand was my other love and kind of just went for it and opened Coco Store brick and mortar on Brunswick street in Fitzroy in 2017. Coco store has been lots of things after I closed up just before for Covid - we have done pop-ups in florists and friends studios, online, insta flash drops and now Lost & Found (pssst... stall 40)
MM: How do you curate your archive? What about a piece draws you in?
EK: I love italian designer always but these days I really look for wearable everyday pieces - I want something people are going to buy and instantly start wearing ALL THE TIME. It's kind of changed as I've gotten older - I used to love kooky crazy stuff but I have mellowed and now prioritise function. But you will always find silly pieces scattered in there.. I can't help myself!
MM: Your design practice is tongue-in-cheek and full of joy. Can you tell us what inspires you?
EK: I think my design & art work have always been inspired from things I've found in op shops & ebay - I can't tell you how much time I actually spend at second hand stores - it’s A LOT. I'm always taking photos of things I find in the homewares sections and old children's books. The op shop is the opposite of an algorithm so you never know what you are going to see and find inspiration from.
MM: Another extension of your practice is photography, what draws you to this medium?
EK: Again, dad was an avid photographer - we always had cameras around when I was growing up and I learnt from him - I started taking photos 'professionally' out of necessity to sell my own products and then having lots of friends with small businesses I starting taking photos for their businesses and before I knew it had a little roster of clients. Now I have @photosby_ellieking if you need some photos haha... you could say I have too many fingers in too many pies....
MM: If two brands were to make a baby and that baby would be your style, who are the brands?
EK: Fashion wise I would say Marni and a classic like Adidas
MM: On your days where your mood is low, what’s your go-to fit?
EK: Adidas track pants and a fuzzy cardigan - don't forget the lip liner
MM: What has been your greatest secondhand find?
EK: God, there have been a lot - most recent was a The Row Ophelia sweater for $12...
MM: If you had to pick a song to describe your style, what would it be?
EK: Ween - Push Th' Little Daisies
MM: What’s the oldest item in your wardrobe and why have you hung onto it for so long?
EK: I have a few pieces from my mum that were hers, she even made me a pair of pajamas from their old doona cover from the 1980's!
MM: And finally, who or what in the community inspires your work right now?
EK: I have been collaborating with my BFF Alice Oehr on a lot of workshops (Craft Circle) and we are looking forward to building that community in 2026 - watch this space!
Stay tuned for our next conversation coming up soon. Do you have someone you think we should sit down with? Let us know!
xx MM