Professionals Tamborine Mountain 
Tamborine Mountain is a beautiful place with an eclectic spirit, and that beauty and spirit shine through every day in its occupants’ sense of style. But a style is more than just the clothes you wear: it’s the personal touches of flair that are vital, and Josey Worrall is more than happy to share her eight years’ expertise on the subject. Owner of Jakama Designs, an accessory and garment boutique, Josey has a wealth of experience on Gallery Walk and an eye for the mountain’s signature character, and she’s more than happy to share both with us today.
by Kyle Hitchmough
How did Jakama Designs get started?
I didn’t want to retire, so I did the markets for 4 years up here on the mountain and realized there were a lot of lovely things up here. I said to my husband “I want to have a little shop,” and here we are now after living here for 32 years! It’s my semi-retirement.
For those who might not be familiar, what is it you offer here?
I first started off with accessories and jewellery, and then I realised that my stock needed something else. I buy garments that complement what I have in the shop, so that if you’re after an outfit you can mix and match the jewellery and hats and things to go with it! The fascinators are made by a milliner for me. They’re for weddings or for the races or just general themed parties. I’m not a retail clothing shop. We’ve got some steampunk pieces, all sorts of things. It’s a boutique.
Where does the name come from?
The name comes from my name, Josephine Ann, my mum’s name is Katherine, and my sister’s name’s Maria, so I put them together! That’s how I came up with Jakama Designs. It’s very personal.
Do you have any notably bestselling items?
I think they all move quite well because I change all the time. When I sell an order, I get something new. I don’t go for repetition, so new things come in all the time. Everything moves nicely.
Where do you source your stock?
Overseas. India for the jewellery, Japan for the furs and things, Italy for my garments because all the silks and linens are Italian-made to order… I find that’s my little edge. I want to be different and unique.
Are there any particular trends in your clientele?
Before COVID we had a lot of people coming from Japan, Korea, Germany, Switzerland, you name it. Now it really depends on the people that come on holiday and come up for the day. The trend at the moment is mainly from the Brisbane and Gold Coast, as well as locals. When things pick up again, hopefully we’ll see more people from overseas again, which will be lovely. It doesn’t just help us, but it helps Australia.
As a local, what’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
We love it here. We saw a block of land on a Sunday one day when we came up tourist-ing, and on Monday afternoon we came straight from work and bought that block. That’s how much we love it! The people are lovely, they always say hello. I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I love nature and my garden. I’ve just put in five new trees at the front here. I have a vision, and it’s coming together after eight years of building up not just the business, but this complex. I’m in love with the mountain.
Is there anything you personally like to do on the mountain?
We go everywhere! We try all the restaurants, all the coffee shops, they’re all lovely. We’ll walk up to the Monkey Tree and sit down with a glass of wine there or something and walk back. Everywhere is lovely and has its own little niche, I could recommend anything.
What do you believe Jakama Designs really provides to the area?
Something different, not just for tourists but for locals as well. I have a big range of ladies’ accessories and some for men. Hopefully I provide a comfortable experience for the people that come in and can see something different. I want it to be relaxed. I don’t run it as a shop, I run it as a place of interest. If you find something, that’s great, if you don’t, that’s great too, but enjoy the experience.
What do you enjoy most about doing this?
I love it to death. I enjoy doing what I do. The day when I don’t enjoy it I think I’ll have to close the doors. There are few people who actually enjoy their work, but I’m one of them. I love the surroundings, the music, the garments, everything about being here. And I hope that when people come into the boutique, they can feel that aura.
What’s been your most memorable moment in your time here?
I’ve had my ups and downs, but the biggest thing is that I’ve just been positive about it. When I first opened the shop for the first day I got flooded in! But we got past that, and I’ve loved everything I’ve done here. Every day is a new day. Everything is memorable.
Is there anything else you’d like to go on the record?
I just love people to be welcomed and enjoy coming in and browsing the different things I have here.
We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, email your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com.
