Can you tell us about yourself and your journey to founding Maison Essentiele?

I’ve worked in fashion for over 10 years across retail, PR, marketing, but I always felt like something was missing from the Australian fashion landscape. Naturally drawn to vintage and European sensibilities, I launched MAISON ESSENTIELE in 2019 with the idea of creating pieces inspired by vintage lingerie, 90s shapes and high quality fabrics. We started as sleep & silk pieces, but our community quickly started wearing our styles out at night, to events, to work… so the brand naturally evolved with them. It’s now grown into a full ready-to-wear collection, but the DNA remains the same.

What does a typical day in your world look like? From coffee to creative direction?

I wake up early-ish, check my emails in bed with a coffee, and then head into our studio and concept store in Darlinghurst. No two days are ever the same—some are packed with fittings, production meetings or content shoots, marketing meetings, showings… the list goes on.

How would you describe your personal philosophy on beauty and fashion?

Beauty and fashion should make you feel like you, but elevated. I think there’s something really powerful in feeling put together, without trying too hard. I’m drawn to simple silhouettes, great fabrics, and small details. I’m inspired by vintage archival looks, but made modern. My beauty philosophy is the same. Paired back, with an emphasis on skincare, brows, and a stained lip.

What does your studio look or feel like? Whether in mood, method, or the creative chaos?

Our new showroom & concept store is my pride and joy —we spent six months renovating the heritage style building. With high ceilings, ceiling molding, vintage furniture and stainless steel, its our European/Scandi/Parisian home away from home that is open on Saturdays as a concept store to the public. It smells like incense and sounds like a French jazz playlist on loop and is the next step in our ever evolving offering to our customer and community.

If you had to sum up your style in three words, what would they be?

Timeless & effortless - with a twist.

What are the pieces currently on high rotation in your wardrobe? Or are there any go-to’s you can’t live without?

Our Low Rise Boyfriend Jean, the Baby Tee in black or white, and the Silk Lace Midi Skirt. I’ll throw a blazer over the top, I have white, black and beige on rotation.

Where do you find creative inspiration? Fashion, people, or places?

All of the above. I’m inspired by women—real women, our customers, friends, strangers on the street. I find a lot of inspiration from my travels. Its important for me to have a change of scenery to expand creatively.

Is there a daily ritual or habit that you can’t go without, no matter how busy things get?

A walk or pilates in the morning, and I love cooking dinner with my husband in the evening, pouring a glass of wine and chatting about our day with our cat Suki curled up nearby. It sounds small, but it helps me switch gears from the chaos of the day.

What’s your favourite piece you have designed to date?

That’s so hard. Maybe the original Vintage Slip Dress—we’ve reimagined it a few times, but there’s something so elegant and timeless about the shape. Or some of our new styles launching next month – watch this space.

What’s next for you or Maison Essentiele—any exciting projects on the horizon?

We’ve now opened our concept store which I’m really excited about. We’ve also been working on expanding our offering with a few new categories and shapes which we cant wait to launch soon.