Q. Tell us about Maurie & Eve and how it evolved?
MAYA: Kelly was given an old sewing machine by her grandmother and starting making singlets for family and friends. After a few years, Scott and Maya came on board and we grew the brand together. It’s a family business which makes it quite hard to define the exact moment we all started working together. Our lives are always intertwined in business and pleasure. We all bounce off each other so well and have such a different set of skills / creativity that we bring into the business that it just seemed natural to work together to take the brand to the next level.
Q. What does a typical work week look like for you?
MAYA: Organised chaos! We travel a lot so there is a lot of planning with the team in the office, making sure that everyone is across the weeks tasks while we continue to design and sample. Find our inspiration and manifest that in to the collections. All while juggling our young families. It can be really challenging but we all strive off it. It’s so rewarding being able to do what we love and have that home life as well.
Q. How has work life changed since becoming a mum?
MAYA: Pre babies we were all so involved in every aspect of the business, which was great. But having kids forces you to prioritise things. It made us hand over parts of the business that we really didn’t need to be dealing with. It being our own business you are always so involved and want to make sure everything is perfect and being managed correctly. Good staff is the key to it. We have an amazing team that we trust with our lives!
Q. Career highlight?
KELLY: Looking back over the past 10 years and seeing how far we’ve come! We’ve gone through a lot together and it’s an amazing feeling sharing it with your best-friends. We travel, we design, we laugh, sometimes cry and we always have each other to lean on.
Q. Styling tips this season?
TARRA: It’s all about layering. As Australia is on opposite timezones to the rest of the fashion world it makes it tricky for us to stay on trend when climatising. Although we won’t be wearing turtle neck knits under our favourite dresses this summer, I would suggest popping a t shirt or shirt underneath your dresses or camisoles, dresses over jeans and feature socks with any shoe-flat or heel! To top it all off and accessories your look – add a statement earring, neck tie or both and voila!
Q. Your pieces have been seen on everyone from Kim Kardashian to Margot Robbie. What has this exposure done for the brand?
MAYA: Seeing M&E on celebrities like Kim and Margot is amazing! If people like what you’re doing then we must be doing something right!
Q. Tips for gals wanting to start their own business?
MAYA: Be prepared to be all in. It can be full on, especially in the beginning. But if it’s what you love you just do it. The freedom it gives you is so great, but at the same time be prepared to give up your nights/ weekends/ life for a while! Do what you love and love what you do.
Q. What’s your beauty routine like?
KELLY: Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise ! My skin can get quite dehydrated so I always make sure I’m hydrated from the inside first… You rarely see me without a 2 litre bottle of water. I also have a monthly oxygen facial which works wonders for my skin.
