Yo Mama! An Interview with Nearly Nude's Lucy Hosken

Back in 2013 I launched Yo Mama! - a series of interviews with creative, working mums, chatting about work, life, inspiration and the juggle. I've had some awesome women onboard, gaining some brilliant insights into what makes them tick. 

It's been a long time since my last Yo Mama! interview - not for lack of talent, but for lack of time.

Funnily enough, today's Yo Mama! is a wee bit funny. I'm chatting with Lucy Hosken from Nearly Nude. Lucy is very good friends with two of my very good friends. But what I didn't know until I'd met her recently, is that she's the sister of another of my friends (hi Edwina!!). 

I don't know if you can hear it but 'It's a small world' is now playing in your subconscious. (Blame me for that later.)

Anyone that knows me well, knows I love a good foundation garment. It's not just because I am a frockstar (pun intended), it's because underwear can really make or break a gal's day. 

Launched in 2005, Nearly Nude is an Australian brand with a strong global presence. 

Without further ado, let's cut to the chase and chat with Lucy.


How did Nearly Nude all start? I started NN 9 years ago. I had a really low cut top and couldn’t find the right under garments so with an entrepreneurial spirit at heart I though, 'Why not, I can do this!!' Little did I know how much work it would be! Such a roller coaster ride, a fabulous one though.

What was life before Nearly Nude? I studied Marketing at University and then worked in magazines for 10 years. I started Nearly Nude in my last year at ACP Magazines and tried to juggle both, then NN got so busy I eventually left the world of magazines. I also had two children whilst trying to build the business so this was a huge challenge just trying to balance my life, work and trying to put the kids first. I think that is an ongoing battle for all working mums.

Tell me what a normal day looks like for you. I am not a morning person so normally my little ones jump on me and wake me up at around six. I take the children to school then come home and start my day. I am lucky enough to work from home so it’s very flexible. I normally check emails for for the first hour, then get into any calls I need to make, do the days NN social media and work on any product developments or website strategy. I then pick the kids up, take them to the park or go swimming, make them dinner then pass out!

How do you juggle motherhood with a busy work life? Well, this is the ongoing question everyone wants to know and after seven years of doing it I can now confidently say you can’t do it all!!! I used to think I could back in the early days but I genuinely think something has to give and it’s all about priorities. Mine are obviously my children, I love Nearly Nude and it’s my 3rd child in a way but to be honest I realised very early on that you cannot sweat the small stuff. Children are only small for a small time frame and I never want to miss out on anything. I no longer work any weekends or nights, I try to balance it all so we have a happy and balanced family life. I do feel though that this has taken me a good seven years to master! I am finally in a happy balance. In the early days I worked day and night, all weekend and never rested when they were babies, I think after a few years of doing that I almost fell in a heap, it ’s not sustainable. It’s not fun for anyone either but this is what happens when you start your own business.

Career highlights? Getting approached by a large US based lingerie company about selling the overseas rights of my business to them! This was five years ago and we did in fact do that deal. I am still involved in the international business but on a much smaller scale. After all these years of hard work, someone was interested in buying my little underwear company!!

What's the best bit of your work? The creativity….I love the design side of it and being able to imagine something and bring it to life. Then taking that product to market and then watching it sell, it’s very rewarding.

And is there a worst bit? The admin - which I don’t often do too much of anymore. I luckily joined forces with The Ambra Group in Melbourne earlier this year so they are the most wonderful group of people and they assist with all aspects of running Nearly Nude, it’s a dream come true.

Running your own business, and being a busy mum is tricky. How do you take care of yourself? I make sure these days I go to bed early, I am an eight hour a night type of person. When the kids were younger I think I got an average of about three hours a night so I figure I have a lot to catch up on! I am also trying to go swimming a few times a week these days and I have just started Yoga.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? Stay true to your values. In my case it’s about priorities and for me my priority is always my family. If we spend a lot of time together and have fun that is the fuel I need to have the energy to run my business. The rest comes easily.

What's your favourite, must-have piece from the NN collection? The Cotton Slip dress, it's made of almost 70% Egyptian Cotton and is also super shaping but Comfortable. It is a staple piece to have in your wardrobe that goes under anything.

What's next for Lucy Hosken? At the moment I am just trying to consolidate the existing Nearly Nude Collection, we are also working on some exciting new launches for NN in 2015. We are branching out into everyday underwear so this is very exciting for us. I am continually coming up with ideas and I am sure my family and friends think I am crazy but I love it.. I am sure I will continue to create ideas but for the moment I am in a very happy place with my work/life balance.

Take a look at Nearly Nude's website.
Follow Nearly Nude on Instagram.




This is the 13th interview in my Yo Mama! series. Interviews with creative working mamas. Look out for them weekly. Or almost weekly. 

Yo Mama! An Interview with Angela Roper of Ziera Shoes

Shoes. You either love them or you hate them. Actually. Let's tell the truth. We just love them. 

Today I'm talking with the Design Director of Ziera Shoes - Angela Roper. She spends her days surrounded by shoes. She's just like Carrie Bradshaw. Only from New Zealand. 

As a busy mum myself, I like to look stylish - but it's crucial to my day that my shoes are comfortable. Ziera shoes are about merging fashion with comfort. Back in July I was lucky enough to take a sneak peek at the S/S14 collection before it launched, and chatted with Angela then, so I'm stoked to be able to ask more questions about what makes her tick. 

Here we go!

PMM: How did you become a shoe designer?

AR: After completing my design degree, I opened my own business promoting and selling New Zealand designed products. After that I worked as a design manager for Bobux, an international children’s footwear brand and after a few years was lucky enough to land my dream job at Ziera. Two years later, here I am.

Started by two podiatrist brothers in NZ, Ziera launched with the belief women deserve the best of both comfort and style. How does this translate into your work?

We want to be the first option for women in shoes, not something they wear because they’ve already done too much damage. Obviously I’m tasked with ensuring every single product we produce offers style and comfort so from the shoe shape, fabrications and even technological advancements that give extra comfort, every aspect of my work focuses on this. 

You're a busy mum. What's the best way to manage the work/family juggle?

I’m lucky that my kids are now a little older so are getting to stage where they’re finding their independence (not that I really want them to). We always try to make the most of our time, like they do their homework at the kitchen table so I can help while preparing dinner. My husband is a great support so between the two of us we’re able to share parenting and balance that with our jobs. I leave early for work and he does breakfast, lunch and the morning drop off so I do the afternoon pick up, activities and dinner.

What's your best tip for working mums?

Finding the balance and having a great support team! My husband and I both have understanding employers that have a strong family focus so that really helps.

Where do you seek inspiration?

Where does any designer seek inspiration? I’m lucky enough to travel quite a lot and get the opportunity to meet lots of interesting people. We also have a Ziera Fit Club where we get customers to come in to preview ranges or new developments. Understanding a woman decision making process when buying shoes is essential. Their body type, foot shape and skin tone play such an important role. Spending time in Ziera stores and in other stores who stock our shoes around the world is always a great source of inspiration.

What's your favourite style (from Ziera) for this season? Why?

It’s a toss-up between our Paris heel in Snow Pony or Peta in Blush. They’re both such stylish shoes but soo comfortable. I think the Paris might win though because I love the texture of the Snow Pony fabric.

What's the best bit of your job?

Getting to play with shoes day in and day out. So many women in the world love shoes but how many can say they get paid to design them.

Is there a downside?

I’m running out of shoe storage at home and my daughters have now grown enough to fit into the Ziera range so they’re insisting I bring shoes home for them - but I don’t know if either of those is really a downside?

When I get home from work, I am usually pretty pooped. How do you re-energise before you walk through the front door?

I always take the drive home to calm down and process the day. I love coming home to my family and want to give them my full attention when I do. I find cooking and spending time in the vege garden relaxing and with a winemaker for a husband I can always help him with some ‘research’!

Best advice you've ever received? And who from?

“You need to be content with the now” - David Roper (my husband keeps me grounded!).

If you had to choose five words that described you - what would they be?

Individual, energetic, stylish, focused and driven.

Favourite book at the moment?

Favourite cook book at the moment is My Petite Kitchen by Eleanor Ozich.

How do you take care of yourself?

I use all natural skin care products and take magnesium to keep up energy levels. I enjoy my downtime with my family and I try to grow veges and cook organic & free range products (we have our own chickens - for eggs only!) I also know that finding time for myself every day, even if it’s just 10 minutes, makes a huge difference.

What's coming up next for you?

We’re getting ready to launch Winter to the media next month and then it will go into stores from January. Summer 2015’s almost done and we have started researching for AW16 ! 

Shop the range here. 

Find Ziera on Facebook. 

Follow Ziera on Instagram.

Go Pin with Ziera. 
Or tweet them!

This is the 13th interview in my Yo Mama! series. Interviews with creative working mamas. Look out for them weekly. 

Yo Mama! An Interview with Claire Aristides

Imagine your day surrounded by diamonds, sapphires, gold, silver, (no myrrh), all manner of 
luxe beauty. Swoon. I can't imagine the ecstasy. Let's imagine really, really hard, because it sounds pretty fabulous.

Today's Yo Mama! interview is with Claire Aristides. She doesn't need to imagine all that 
sparkly fun because she is amidst it every day. A jewellery designer with a minimalist, luxury approach to jewellery. SO up my alley. 

She reinterprets classic designs for modern women, and I've spent waaaaay too much time
over on her website and Instagram feed drooling over just about everything. So between her time designing new collections, and being a busy mama, she was able to answer a few
about what it's like to be Claire Aristides. 

Let's do this!

PMM: Claire Aristides. Tell me about a normal day in your life. (Is there such a thing?)

CA: Yes, no. No normal day ever. Which has its pluses and minuses. I think most people's 
days are really mixed up as we all seem to be so busy! 

You create beautiful jewellery that's highly covetable. How did you get started? 

It's a cliche but my mum passed down the passion for jewellery to me. I have vivid memories of her trying on fabulous shiny jewels in the 70s when we lived in Singapore. I started down the corporate track for a bit but then took the leap of faith to start my own line. I first started in fashion jewellery then branched out into the real thing! Diamonds and precious gems!  And I've never looked back.

What did you dream of being when you were little? What were you going to be when you grew up?

I'm not sure. I just remember always enjoying making things, being creative expressing myself etc.  Isn't it so hard to know what you want to do? I feel so lucky that I found something I love. 

Where do you seek inspiration?

Travel definitely. For many reasons - the obvious being different sights, sounds, smells. The 

senses are completely stimulated. But also because you 'get away' from day to day and that's when your mind 'thinks - and creates. Going for a big long walk, run, or swim can bring out my creative juices as well. My main inspirations are always redefining classic fine jewellery in a modern context. I love stones too, so seeing a beautiful gem set simply yet stunningly always makes me happy. 

How do you juggle motherhood with your work? 

I have the best husband. I honestly could not do what I do without him.  He is an incredible help. I do get very stressed juggling it all, but it's my choice to do so much. So you've just got to be happy, be as relaxed as you can. I think what you don't realise with motherhood is how little 'alone' time you get - and I'm very much a person that recharges when I have some alone time. You also just have to prioritise whats important, you can't do it all.

What's one tip you'd love to share with another mother?

Everyone finds it tough on different levels at different stages over different things. So don't 
judge! Don't think someone else has it super easy - and you've got it tough all the time. 

Do you have certain pieces of jewellery that you wear every day?

Ha - this is going to be a blog post soon. Diamond Hoops. Some people say they live in jeans I live in Diamond Hoops.

What's your favourite part of your job?

Seeing other people happy. Again it's a cliche, but my job is making people happy - with 
something sparkly, precious, sentimental!

And do you have a worst bit?

Filling in forms. Admin. Paperwork bits and bobs... Can't stand it.

Juggling work-life is tricky. How do you take time out for yourself?

I have neglected myself. And this resulted in being sick this year. So I am trying really hard to look after myself more. I started with the basics - like eight hours of sleep, taking vitamins, not checking my phone every minute of the day! I'm hoping for a sisters getaway in January.

What's coming up next for Claire Aristides?

We just launched our search for the babyface of my Bambino Diamonds collection. So after 
Christmas madness it's shooting the winner with Tiny Tribe Magazine.



Make sure you enter Claire's new competition to see if your baby could be the new face of the Bambino Diamonds Collection. 

Shop the Claire Aristides collection here. 

Follow Claire on Instagram.

Or hop onto Facebook for more inspiration.

This is the 12th interview in my Yo Mama! series. Interviews with creative working mamas. Look out for them weekly. 

Yo Mama! An Interview with Tracey Hocking of Lazybones

Phew! I had to have some time off post Frocktober because I was completely exhaustipated*. Really dog tired!  Exhausted but elated. But I'm back.

And I can't imagine a better way to come back, than with a brand new Yo Mama! This week I'm chatting with Tracey Hocking, the head designer behind one of my long time loves - Lazybones. 

I first bought a beautiful cotton vintage-inspired nightie from Lazybones about 10 years ago, that I wore religiously. I'm not even really a nightie kind of girl, but there was something different about this one, and it was made from the softest cotton. I still have it folded neatly away for when Tiny is bigger. 

It was from this beloved nightie that my love for the Australian label grew. Whenever I've been around Byron, I've always ducked my head in to see what's new with Lazybones, so today's chat is pretty exciting for me!

*****

PMM: You have a teenage son (tricky in itself!). How do you manage the whole parenting/working ratio?

TH: This is an ongoing source of angst for me.  However the teenage years are kind of great because now I am So Embarrassing apparently, I can feel a bit better if I am not always here.  But could not do it without my amazing wonderful husband who does so much for our son.

Do you have any tips for nailing it? Or even sort of nailing it?

Oh dear.  Not sure I can give any tips for nailing it but find that having something to look forward to makes all the difference for all of us.  Holidays to look forward to make those long school terms not seem as bad.

Oh and disconnecting the internet at bedtime…..

Part of the allure of Lazybones is the vintage vibe. Where do you seek inspiration? 

I sometimes wonder what I did before Pinterest…  And the whole internet in general.  An incredible wealth of ideas and images are available to us so readily.  I find the images, blogs and ideas  intoxicating and endlessly inspiring.  We use Pinterest a lot in our design team.  We build boards that expand on our initial concepts for each range. Each of us add to the board so that we get a real sense of where we want to go with a particular item.  

This is even extending to the creative people we work with in other countries now which is really exciting.  And specifically I love all eras from the 20s to the 60s and spend way too many hours looking at all manner of interesting things.

What is the best part of being the designer at Lazybones?

I am the head designer of a small team of wonderful, creative, generous, clever people.  That is the best bit.  Working with them.

And is there a downside?

No.  Oh, well only the fact that I cannot afford to make all the wonderful products we dream up….

Does your son have creative bones too?

Yes he does although he wanted me to say that he excels in creative excuses.

If you had to choose five words that described you - what would they be?

Focused, messy, creative, resilient, dreamer.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee definitely.

How do you take care of yourself?

I walk every morning with my dogs on a quest to spot our resident platypuses.  Lots of stretching and fast walking.

What's coming up next for Tracey?

OMG.  Setting up a shop in LA.  Who would have thought that would be a lot of work?  And be so complex?

***

You can take a look at Lazybones collection here. 

Follow Lazybones (and their LA adventures) on Instagram. 

Check out Lazybones on Facebook. 

Go behind the scenes with the blog.

Take a look at the Pinterest inspiration here. 

Tweet the Lazybones team here.  

This is the 11th interview in my Yo Mama! series. Interviews with creative working mamas. Look out for them weekly. 
* Exhaustipated was a word an ex-colleague of mine used to use - when she was super tired. I never had the heart to tell her it wasn't a real word. 

Yo Mama! An Interview With Briar Stanley

 

About three years ago I had the great fortune of meeting Briar Stanley through work. She's a wildly talented woman with so much going on you don't know where she'll pop up next. Since meeting her three years ago, she's become a mum to the most ridiculously beautiful baby girl who makes me go clucky every. single. time I see her pop up on Instagram.

Briar's blog is this hotspot of cool. I love clicking through and wondering what I'll find. I'm never disappointed. Briar carefully curates a visually rich snapshot into her life. It's like visiting a good friend to catch up. Except much more beautiful.

She's terribly humble, utterly charming, and her work just appears BOOM - so effortlessly stylish. 

So let's do this thing - I'm lucky to have Briar Stanley on PMM today. Look out for her credit on Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. Let's GO!

PMM - Briar Stanley. Props buyer. Interior stylist. Food enthusiast. Crafter. Blogger. Mother. How do you fit it all in?

BS - I don't watch a lot of TV and I rarely sit still. 

To be honest, I'm concentrating on styling resedential properties since I have been on maternity leave, working from home with more flexible hours - so I haven't been experiencing the long hours as a props buyer on a film for a while. 

I've also always got time to be a food enthusiast. My husband is a great cook, and I love nothing more than trying out a new restaurant or cafe with my baby in tow...she loves her toast and babycino.

How did you first start working in interiors and prop styling?

I studied Graphic Design for three years at The Design Centre, Enmore. After graduating, I was a graphic designer for a few years at a big advertising agency - but my heart was never really in it. I one day found myself on the client side of a Kelloggs commercial and had a complete life changing/light bulb moment when I spotted the crew Set Dresser decorating the lounge room. A few months later, I took a bit of a gamble. I quit my day job and started waitressing in a pizza restaurant at night so I was free during the day to take on work experience in the film industry. Experience work I did! That was over seven years ago, and all the free work paid off - I work with the same people today I met in those first few months.

You worked on The Great of Gatsby (squeeeee!!). What was your favourite part?

I was surrounded by sparkles, gorgeous furniture and sumptuous fabrics as a Senior Buyer in the Set Decorating department for close to a year, it was definitely one of the highlights of my career. The huge size of the production and the healthy budget meant that we had the luxury of highly detailed and layered sets with months of research behind us. It was a challenging job, but thrilling at the same time. Working with the best in the industry and witnessing things like Gatsby's extravagant party scenes being shot at Fox Studios was truly electric. 

It must be demanding working on a film. How do you maintain your stamina?

Exercise definitely helps - not only physically but also for mental stamina. For the past few years, I have been part of a Manly based personal training group PinkFit a few times a week. For me, a day beginning with exercise is a much more productive one! I also walk/pram push a lot with my baby. In the first few months of her life, we would clock about 9km a day, because that was the only way she would nap...oh, fun times! When I'm working on a film, I'm always in bed before 9pm, as I usually have to set the alarm for 5.30am.

What other awesome projects have you worked on?

Some films I really enjoyed working on include Australia, Wolverine and Tomorrow When the War Began. I've also worked on the television series Underbelly, Rake and Paper Giants. I especially enjoyed Paper Giants, the story of Ita Buttrose - when she was editor of Cleo in the 1970's. 

I've also had some fun shoot days in the world of magazines - assisting the stylist Megan Morton was always a joy, and styling my own 3 x covers for Real Living magazine was definitely a highlight.

What's one of your favourite parts of your job?

It sounds so cliché, but I was able to forge a career based around my hobby. I was obsessed with interiors as a kid (I was always moving things around  my bedroom), so to be able to play with furniture and props all day really is a dream come true. 

What's your least favourite part?

When I'm working on a film, it would have to be the long hours.

You have a one year old baby. How do you juggle life?

My Mum and family are a big help and I have a very supportive husband. It's taken a while, but I feel like we are juggling things quite well. It's coincided with the baby becoming a better sleeper too. Sleep makes the world such a better place!

I found working from home, I always found distractions such as the washing machine, the sink and making beds (plus much, much more), how do you keep your eyes on the prize?

I'm pretty used to working alone when I'm on the road. When I'm out sourcing props and furniture, it's really important to keep focused with a strict to-do list. When the day comes to an end back at the office, I have to have some exciting things to show and tell. I treat working from home in a similar way, I'm a big fan of my to-do list (including daily domestic chores). I also make sure my office space is always looking nice and inviting, with good natural light.

Do you take time out for yourself? What do you get up to re-energise your batteries?

I'm not great at switching off - I can't even sit through a whole DVD at home. I do love to go to the cinema though, and pre-baby, would often go alone.  

I get the urge to craft/create often. It's almost my form of meditation, and I like to complete projects while the baby is napping.

What's up next for Briar Stanley?

A trip to New York. I kid...I wish. I'm decorating a gorgeous home for a client at the moment, so I'm looking forward to seeing the project come together. I also hope to style a few more children's bedrooms in the near future - that's where I can really have some fun.

Find Briar's consistently beautiful blog Sunday Collector here

Find her on Instagram here

And Facebook here

And Bloglovin here

This is the 10th interview in my Yo Mama! series. Interviews with creative working mamas. Look out for them (sometimes) weekly.