A special Q&A with Australian artist, Fleur Harris ❤️
To celebrate our Fleur Harris x Enid Blyton 'The Magic Faraway Tree' collection, we sat down with Fleur to ask her some behind the scenes questions on her illustrating process.
About Fleur Harris
Fleur Harris’ passion for producing whimsical creations is celebrated the world over
through her highly detailed illustrative patterns of spirited woodland creatures and fanciful foliage.
As a renowned Australian artist, product designer, creative collaborator, and mother, Fleur weaves a magical sense of enchantment through her work, expressing a timeless sentiment that transcends trends and magnifies imagination.
Q&A with Erstwilder
Q: The Magic Faraway Tree is such an iconic story book from many people’s childhood. Were you familiar with the book before this partnership?
A: Oh, absolutely! The Magic Faraway Tree was one of my most favourite books from my childhood - I was completely enchanted by it. I remember losing myself in those pages, dreaming about climbing that enormous tree and adventuring to the magical lands at the top of the tree alongside Moonface, Silky and Saucepan Man!
To have been asked to reimagine such an iconic story in my own illustrative style is a dream come true - and to be bringing it to life with Erstwilder as an incredible accessories collection is truly magical!
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Q: Creating these illustrations must have been a massive task! Can you take us back to those very early moments and walk us through your process?
A: I began by going back and rereading all three books in the series, letting all those vivid descriptions wash over me and scribbling down words and little thumbnail sketches as I went. My books are now decorated with notes! I wanted to capture the feeling of the stories just as much as the look of them - that beautiful sense of wonder and possibility.
From there I began building out the colour palettes and character studies, layering up my artworks with texture, colour and patterns until each illustration felt truly alive. It took me about 9 months to create. There were definitely some late nights and many cups of tea involved!
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Q: Who was your favourite character to illustrate and why?
A: That’s a tough one! Moonface was a favourite - he brings me so much joy! There's something so wonderfully absurd and loveable about him, and translating that round, beaming face into my own illustrative style was just delightful. I loved illustrating his outfit and drawing the subtle galaxy details on his head, to give him a glowing, golden energy that I hope makes people smile the moment they see him. He really embodies the pure-hearted silliness of the whole series, and honestly, I feel a bit of a kindred spirit with someone who lives at the top of a magical tree and just wants everyone to have a good time.
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Q: We have to know! What is your favourite piece in the Erstwilder x Fleur Harris ‘Magic Faraway Tree’ collection? And why?
A: Oh, this is such a tough question - it's like choosing a favourite child! But if I'm truly honest, I keep coming back to The Faraway Tree Brooch. There's something about the way the deep greens and shimmering resin came together in the final piece that just feels genuinely magical to me. The tiny details of the windows and slippery slip door are incredible. To see this iconic tree realised in a piece that you can hold in the palm of your hand, I'm reminded of that feeling of stepping into a magical world and believing, just for a moment, that anything could happen. It's wearable escapism, and that's everything I could want from a piece.
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Q: This is now your second collaboration with Erstwilder. What do you love most about illustrating for wearable art accessories?
A: What I adore about working with Erstwilder is that the art actually travels - it goes out into the world as part of people's outfits, to markets and concerts and coffee dates, and it sparks little conversations and connections. There's something so special and joyful about that.
Designing art for wearable pieces also pushes me to distil my work down to its absolute essence - every detail has to earn its place when you're working at that scale. It's a beautiful creative challenge, and the Erstwilder team are such wonderful collaborators who truly care about their product, their craft and their community. I feel so lucky to be working with them for a second collection!
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Q: Your art always has such a magical quality. How do you cultivate a sense of whimsy in your everyday life, and how does that playful perspective shape your creative work?
A: I think whimsy, for me, is really just about staying curious and refusing to be too grown-up about things! I collect odd little objects, I notice patterns in peeling paint and the shapes of clouds, I still get genuinely excited about op shops and fairy lights and a really good children's book. I try to protect that sense of wonder fiercely because I know it's the engine of everything I make. When I sit down to create, I want whoever encounters the work to feel like they've been handed a secret permission slip to believe in something a little fantastical, even if just for a moment. That’s where real joy can be found, and it’s a privilege to be able to share this with people through my creativity.
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Q: Throughout this partnership with The Magic Faraway Tree, you’ve collaborated with a range of brands and created so many different products, from homewares to wallpaper to your own children’s clothing. What has been the biggest “pinch me” moment?
A: Honestly, seeing my illustrations translate into magical moments for people has to be right up there with the biggest joys in my life. There's something almost overwhelmingly emotional about watching a little one living their best life alongside something that came entirely from your imagination. I’m sent pictures from parents of their children snuggling up in their new Fleur Harris bedding reading ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ and it makes my heart do a thousand cartwheels.
But I think the true "pinch me" of this whole Magic Faraway Tree journey is simply that Enid Blyton's estate trusted me with something so beloved. These stories have meant so much to so many people across generations, and to be the artist chosen to reimagine that world - across so many different products and touchpoints - is something I don't think I'll ever quite get used to. I'm deeply, genuinely grateful.
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Q: And finally, do you have a message/sign off for the Erstwildians/Erstwilder community
A: To the Erstwildians - you are my people! The care and enthusiasm this community brings to collecting and celebrating wearable art is something truly special, and it means the world to me that my work gets to be part of that. Every time someone shares a photo wearing one of these pieces, I feel this little spark of connection that reminds me exactly why I do what I do. Thank you for embracing me, my work and this collection with such open, magical hearts. I hope it fills your hearts with Faraway Tree magic and brings a special sprinkling of joy to your day! 🌿✨
