our muse here at moochi design pod is the effortlessly chic monique, our design room manager. tasked with sourcing sustainable and traceable fabrics for our collections, this commitment stems from a passion spent trawling op shops and reinventing her finds as a teenager. we managed to grab mon in between fittings to discuss her passion and commitment to the industry
Please share a little bit about yourself, your upbringing and any defining moments that lead you to where you are today…
i grew up in hawkes bay but i craved city life even when i was young. i have always loved fashion and as a kid i would trawl op shops on the weekend and make alterations to my finds, all with a hand sewing needle before i had access to a machine
after studying fashion at uni i moved to melbourne and started my first industry role in buying and never looked back! i’m really committed to this industry and finding new ways to work which challenge overconsumption and our impact on people and the environment
What is your role at Moochi Design Pod and what are you responsible for?
as design room manager, i’m across everything happening in the product team to keep things running smoothly and ensure we’re hitting all of our key dates. i communicate across all our teams (Product, Design, Retail & Merchandise, and Marketing) and love being surrounded by a wide variety of people in my day. a big part of my role is sourcing more sustainable and traceable fabrics which is a passion of mine, and always a focus for moochi too
What gets you into the zone for your work? Do you have a routine for this?
my best days begin with moving my body via reformer pilates at core collective first thing. i like to get to work early so i can have a coffee and a laugh in the kitchen before i get into the day – the team here are so wonderful, it always starts my day in a positive way
What does a typical day in your life look like?
work day
6.00am: reformer pilates, then home to get ready and off to work. i love getting dressed for a day at moochi because no outfit is ever too much. 9.00am: catch up with the design and product team and ensure all developments are running smoothly. the rest of the morning might be spent sourcing new fabrics, negotiating with suppliers, booking greige (raw fabrics) and sampling fabrics. the afternoon may bring a fit session or i’ll be assisting our lead design creative to hand over new designs to the product development team
weekend
8.30am: yoga. 10am: coffee and walk with the dog, mac. he’s an 8 month old border terrier with endless amounts of energy so we explore the neighbourhood, make a quick pit stop for coffee then let him run off steam at the local dog park. many saturday mornings are spent in the op shops and trying out somewhere new for lunch. right now i love hare & turtle in new windsor and I really want to try out lebanese grocer. if it’s a nice day, i will hopefully find a sunny spot to read in the afternoon. i love hosting so might throw a dinner party or pop out to the wine bar for a pet nat
What does fashion mean to you and how is it part of your everyday?
fashion can really change the way you feel. i have been through so many different iterations of my style over the years, some i wouldn’t repeat but i am fond of all the phases! my inspiration is always changing but i have never felt better and more confident than when i stopped worrying about what others thought and wore what makes me happy. i am so inspired by people who embrace their own style and wear clothes, whatever their style, with confidence
Your top 3 tips for an effortless chic wardobe?
three things i can always count on are a fresh white shirt, faithful pair of jeans and a cute accessory; a silly little handbag or statement sunglasses are always fun
What do you love most about wearing moochi? How does it make you feel? What are your favourite pieces?
my favourite moochi pieces make me feel powerful, i love the oversized styling – so the calibre blazer is definitely on my wish list. i’m really excited about the accept waistcoat and pant for the transition into warmer weather and the neo slide will be so cute for summer. jewellery-wise the orb earrings are going to become a staple of mine
How do you unwind? Do you have sacred ‘me time’ and what does this entail?
i am obsessed with skincare. i have an extensive daily routine that can always be elaborated on when i need some ‘mon time.’ my go tos are sunday riley and I recently discovered a Australian skincare brand paula’s choice which is formulated with really rich active ingredients
What are you watching? What are you reading? And whats on the list?
i have just finished reading raven smith’s men – an incredibly witty and intimate memoir. after seeing Barbie i’m rewatching issa rae’s insecure at the moment. it’s just as good the second time around
quick fire
favourite winter dish / recipe – rigatoni with tomato and ricotta
texture / colour – i’m really loving bright green at the moment and patent leather
favourite alcoholic drink – a dirty gin martini or a cosmopolitan - anything in a martini glass!
favourite piece of clothing – cowgirl boots brought back from la for me by my best friend
favourite accessory – my lexxola neo sunglasses
favourite scent – aesop eidesis is my signature scent
home fragrance - aesop again! i love their cythera room spray
favourite international designer - can i cheat and say a stylist who loves many of my favourite designers? jamie-maree shipton – i adore her use of colour and texture, and the way she finds inspiration in the everyday
who is your muse and why? i am so inspired by my sister, kelly - she’s taught herself how to knit, weave, make jewellery and now how to sew. she wears what she loves and is also a mother of three, but still tries to find time to stretch herself creatively
favourite bar or restaurant - my local is bar martin in mt albert. simple delicious food and warm friendly neighbourhood vibes
listening to - i’m having a kylie minogue moment
who would you invite to a dinner party, alive or dead? writers raven smith and dolly alderton, skincare guru caroline hirons and tastemakers leila gohar and chloe sevigny
this or that
Summer or winter – winter but without the rain!
Staycation or travel – travel, love exploring new places
Artisan or supermarket – I love a market garden or vege shop!
seafood or meat – neither, i'm vegetarian!
Sunrise or sunset – sunset
Beach or bush – bush
Couch or nature – nature
Eat in or eat out - eat in, I love to cook
film or book - book
linear cardi black, kicking tank, major mule, cargo coach pant coming soon
