The Mister Brand.

Tell us about your business, The Mister Brand, and how you got involved in male grooming products?

A woman in a mans world? I am asked this a lot! Just like the amalgamation of ingredients to make The Mister Brand products so too is the combination of having a background in design, living on a remote, self sufficient farm (NZ), a huge appreciation of all things natural and an enormous love for my husband with sensitive skin…shhhh, don’t tell anyone. It is all these ingredients in my life that when combined gave rise to The Mister Brand in 2013.

What do you hope to achieve over the coming year for your business?

My goal over the coming year is to increase the awareness of The Mister Brand without compromising the quality and integrity, which to me would defeat the purpose of what we are about. I feel very strongly about the ingredients that are used and the processes involved in the manufacturing The Mister Brand’s products. One of the things that I love about making and selling men’s grooming products is the education, or re education with guys and their grooming regime.

How do you source the high quality ingredients used in your products?

This has been a challenging aspect that I have had to learn through trial and error but I have found my sources for ingredients and the companies that I deal with are open, stand by their products, how and where they are harvested. I choose not to work with some ingredients based on my own ethics such as palm oil and stay well clear of synthetic ingredients.

What does your typical day involve?

I start my day off with COFFEE!! Sit at my computer and get through as many emails as I possibly can before 10am. Head to my studio, between manufacturing products I am balancing the tasks of social media, packing orders, ordering ingredients and packaging, working on future product concepts. I find that it is a mad rush up until 3pm which is when I try to get home so I can greet my kids after school, have a cup of tea and chat to see how their day has been, check emails, and crack back into it by hitting the post office to mail out orders, grab from my studio what I might need over night for packaging, head home, make dinner, make sure the kids are up to date with their homework, find some programme to have on while sitting around packaging up products…strangely relaxing!

What can market-folk expect to find at the September 12 event?

I like to think that The Mister Brand caters for everyone, be it bearded or shaven, we even have plenty of women that love our products. Using beard oil for their hair, the moisturiser is rocking it for both men and women as too is our charcoal facial soaps. We have handsomely handcrafted razors and brushes matched up with our handcrafted soaps and brews if you are into shaving like your Grandpa! But if your Grandpa happened to be bearded and you want to take after him, we’ll look after you with our Beard Primer, beard oils or balm.

MY FAVE THINGS

Guilty Pleasure I have a borderline healthy love of good wine and good company…but give me a chainsaw and point me in the direction of some wood that needs clearing up…oh yeah, now that is what I’m talking about!!

Your role model/s: If I was to think of someone I admired not just for the fashion legacy but also for the elegance and eloquence, it would be Coco Chanel. “My life didn’t please me, so I created my life”, I love this quote as it is a reminder that we are ultimately in charge of our lives.

Meal to have cooked for you: Boeuf Bourguignon, slow cooked, falling apart, a good hearty winter feast!

Country you have visited: Just like the T-shirts say…I love New York! and can’t wait to get to New Orleans!

Fave product you have made: I think that the Beard Primer would have to be my favourite product at the moment and we get so much good feedback from happy customers. It is one of those products that you really need to try to see the benefits, and you realise what a huge difference it makes to cleansing the face and beard area, and then by following up with a beard oil… magic!

Cup of Curiosity.

Tell us about your label, Cup of Curiosity, and what inspires your designs?

It's hard to describe Cup of Curiosity with only a few words. Bohemian yet urban, old-worldly yet contemporary, darkly witchy yet beachy and quirky. Cup of Curiosity’s design is gender blurred, organic and raw. I’ve always been fascinated by symbols, mysticism and natural history. I have been going to the museums every year for my birth day since an early age. I would consider myself a wonderer, my mind is constantly observing, wondering and reflecting. I express a sense of wonder and curiosity in each piece of jewellery I create.  I want Cup of Curiosity jewellery to be more than just pretty things, all of my creations are full of meaning and magical properties. I have never been a fan of people with only pretty faces, especially considering that’s what the mainstream pop culture is feeding us these days. I like people with depth, and people who are full of personalities and characters. People are drawn to my jewellery because they are intrigued by the meanings behind the pieces, and they identify that sense of wonder and curiosity in themselves.

How did you get into jewellery design?

I see fashion as a way of self expression, and jewellery especially in a more subtle and delicate manner. I have had such a big collection of beautiful jewellery before I started doing silversmithing, but over time all the jewellery started looking the same to me, and it was very natural that I decided to make my own collection. 

What is it about markets that keeps you coming back for more?

I love the fact that you meet so many people at markets. Everyone is so different, and everyone has something interesting to share. I’m a very social person, I love talking and chatting to people. With the advancement of technology, almost everyone around us owns a smart phone these days. People are so absorbed in their tiny screens all the time. I feel that human interaction has become less and less in our modern society, especially with strangers and passer-by’s. Doing markets is a great way for connecting and getting feedback.

What do you hope to achieve over the coming year for your label?

I have some very exciting new designs that I will be releasing in the coming year. At the moment you can find Cup of Curiosity in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. In the coming year I’d like Cup of Curiosity to go global.

What is it about Hustle&Scout that made you want to be involved?

Hustle&Scout’s strong emphasis on design and quality align with my values.

MY FAVE THINGS

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Psychologist or architect. I love studying people and human nature, how and why we act and behave the way we do. I like to go deep into human nature. As being an architect, I always loved beautiful places and decorating my space!

Piece of jewellery you have made: Soooo many! My favourite ones are the gold rings with sapphires for my graduation exhibition.

Item in your studio: Favourite items are my crystals and salt lamp.

Song on your ultimate mix tape: Maya Jane Coles, Bonobo and Massive Attack, I never get tired of their music! “I would fly” “Easier to ride” “Come home” by Maya Jane Coles. “Cirrus” “Kota”by Bonobo, “Teardrop” “Angel” “Paradise Circus” “Black Milk” “I Against I” by Massive Attack.

Fave place to unwind: Coogee Beach