WELCOME to our new journal space - a place where you will find hints and tips on all things woollen, plus we will introduce to you a few of makers along the way who continue to inspire us!
Our very first Meet The Maker guest is Grace from Grace & Koh. (@graceandkoh)
A long time fan of this makers creations. You will find exquisite pieces that are so intricate in design with fine detailing, it is hard not to fall in love with every single piece. You may love or hate me for introducing you to this maker and her incredible designs!!
We were lucky enough to interview Grace from Grace & Koh, with a few questions - it is so nice to get to know these makers and also a surprise to see that you have a little bit in common too!
Grace lives in a beautiful part of the world - Newcastle, Australia with her husband and two younger children. Her specialty is couture tutus. So grab yourselves a cuppa (or a wine!) and enjoy getting to know a little bit more about this talented maker.
Hi Grace, how did Grace and Koh start? How many years has it been going?
Grace & Koh began when my son Kohen was almost a year old and has been running for over 2 years now.
Are you still offering the same products now, as you did from the start? Or has Grace and Koh evolved over time?
No, nothing like where I began. I began making boys and girls baby clothing from linen in
cute vintage, inspired styles. I absolutely loved those pieces and still do but I was moving
in an even more luxe and one of a kind direction.
cute vintage, inspired styles. I absolutely loved those pieces and still do but I was moving
in an even more luxe and one of a kind direction.
What do you look to achieve in each piece you design?
I strive for all of my pieces to be a little bit magical and memorable, a piece that you will
always remember wearing or your child wearing on their special day. They always need a
little bit of sparkle or a touch of lace for the real couture treatment.
always remember wearing or your child wearing on their special day. They always need a
little bit of sparkle or a touch of lace for the real couture treatment.
What has been your favourite product that you have ever created? Why?
My favourite product I ever created has to be my daughters first tutu. I have always
dreamt of having a daughter and when I dressed her in that tiny tutu that I had made her,
well, I was a little bit sentimental. It will be one piece I will always remember.
dreamt of having a daughter and when I dressed her in that tiny tutu that I had made her,
well, I was a little bit sentimental. It will be one piece I will always remember.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Business wise I see myself still hand stitching away creating more one of a kind, special
pieces for you to treasure. I would also like to be making professional ballet tutus for dancers, so watch this space if you have little ballerinas.
pieces for you to treasure. I would also like to be making professional ballet tutus for dancers, so watch this space if you have little ballerinas.
Personal wise I see myself in denial that my kids will be at school and no longer babies.
Who are your business inspirations?
I always find myself looking up to the amazing Australian couturiers that we have here, for their unique and recognisable designs. Which is something I want my work to reflect also. The works of J'Aton Couture, Steven Khalil & Signor Mont Couture never cease to amaze me.
Describe your typical day.
A typical day in the Grace & Koh household begins with a wake up from Kohen to get him
some breakfast. I crawl out of bed, feed and wrangle the children to get dressed and try to get some washing/tidying/sorting done. I basically spend most of the day trying to tire out my 3 year old son and pray both him and the baby nap at the same time, so I can finally get some tutu magic happening. By the time night time rolls around and the dinner/ bedtime battles are over and it's finally time to relax, I pretty much feel like going straight to bed. Then I feed the baby to sleep. Continue this a few times throughout the night. Repeat.
some breakfast. I crawl out of bed, feed and wrangle the children to get dressed and try to get some washing/tidying/sorting done. I basically spend most of the day trying to tire out my 3 year old son and pray both him and the baby nap at the same time, so I can finally get some tutu magic happening. By the time night time rolls around and the dinner/ bedtime battles are over and it's finally time to relax, I pretty much feel like going straight to bed. Then I feed the baby to sleep. Continue this a few times throughout the night. Repeat.
Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
I love fromZION. I love how successful they have become, the quality of their products and
that they really have taken a niche market and ran with it. They really have such a cult
following, not to mention the most comfortable clothing. I pretty much wear fromZION on a
daily basis. Knowing that when I buy from them I am supporting a small
business and family just like mine.
that they really have taken a niche market and ran with it. They really have such a cult
following, not to mention the most comfortable clothing. I pretty much wear fromZION on a
daily basis. Knowing that when I buy from them I am supporting a small
business and family just like mine.
What makes Grace happy?
It might sound cliche but my babies really have my whole heart, they make me the
happiest. Apart from them and my husband, creating and seeing my ideas come to life and then hearing how happy people are with their pieces is quite humbling.
happiest. Apart from them and my husband, creating and seeing my ideas come to life and then hearing how happy people are with their pieces is quite humbling.
If you could attend a dinner party with absolutely anyone, who would it be & why?
I'm a self confessed Kardashian fan, so it would have to be them for no other reason than
the fact that I am a total fan girl.
the fact that I am a total fan girl.
From tutus to bedtime rituals to being a fan of the Kardashian girls, we now know, just a little bit more about the talented maker behind Grace & Koh. Hopefully you are thanking me for introducing you to this incredible label!
I hope you have enjoyed swinging by, we hope to bring you both the fun and factual to our journal space!
Love fIONA x
All photos were supplied by Grace & Koh