“In one of life’s satisfying ironies, sometimes those who make the least amount of noise as they go about their business are often the ones who are rewarded by shining the brightest and most spectacularly in the long run.” —Australian Vogue.
Independent Australian designer Megan Park has been making timeless garments for 21 years. Her pieces from 1999 were still relevant in 2009 and are in 2019 – with updated styling. To mark 21 years, Megan Park has released her first self-published book, a hardcover full-colour monograph simply titled, Megan Park.
Megan Park is not just for the fashion enthusiasts, but rather, those that appreciate good, timeless, ethical design, those that value friendships and relationships, along with travel, and those who appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit.
Sandi Sieger spoke to Megan Park, after celebrating 21 years of her gorgeous fashion label.
What inspired you to start your own label?
I was living in London, working as a design consultant to an Indian embroidery textile house based in Kolkata. Leading a gypsy nomadic life, I was travelling between India and Europe developing embroidered cloths which I would then take to sell to the large fashion design houses in London, Paris, Rome and Milan. After six years of gaining this experience, I decided it was time to create my own collection as I had the longing to see my textiles incorporated into pieces under my own name and vision.
Tell us about your career and background.
As far back as I can remember, I was always stitching and creating. As a child I sold hand made dolls at the local church fete, despite the fact that these were the only Sundays I turned up to church! I dreamed of working in fashion and as a designer. After completing my design degree at RMIT I worked for the Mariana Hardwick – a dream role that allowed me to create pieces where price was no object. It also afforded me the opportunity to travel for sourcing and inspiration. My wanderlust took me to London where I consequently based myself for 13 years and began my label.
Living in the heart of Shoreditch I was amongst other creatives and friends that were ‘doing stuff’, so to speak. None of us had that much money but it was a hotbed of creativity. I created my first collection with the hope that it would succeed but more inspired by the idea of creating something that allowed me to travel and work between India ( which was a second home to me at this point ) and Europe. I had seen my embroidered cloths on the runways of Givenchy, Dries van Noten and many others , but had the longing for a small collection under my own name.
It was fortunate timing I believe when I launched my collection. It went off with a bang, selling from the first season into my dream list of stores internationally. An article in British Vogue was the impetus for the attention I was receiving and fortunately 21 years, with many twists and turns along the way, I am lucky enough still to be creating what I love.
Describe a typical (if there is one) work day for you.
Hmm, there is of course no typical day when kids and work are thrown together, but I will do my best to answer.
I wake between 6 and 7, depending on the night before. If rising early, it allows me enough time to do 40 minutes of breathing meditation which is the best way for me to start the day. Following this, there is an hour of scurrying to get our children fed and off to school before heading into the office which is a convenient walk down the street from our home.
Once at the office I check emails, catch up with our staff and check in on what everyone’s day is looking like. Currently I am designing for the next Summer collection and so I am spending most of my day sketching, overseeing print development with my assistant designer and making fabric selections.
Lunch is either a lunch box of leftovers from our dinner the night before or from one of the many cafes along Brunswick Street. I am in a bad habit of eating at my desk as I try to push through as much work before getting home to the children and their after school activities which sees us either at the pool, the soccer pitch, ballet or the netball court.
We desperately try to have our kids do a little homework alongside us while we prepare dinner. It seems that as soon as the children are in bed, we either collapse into bed straight after or nestle down into some Netflix.
Why is ethical and sustainable business important to you?
I have worked with artisans in India for the past 26 years, spending 2 months of each year working alongside these people that are so imperative to my business. I am as much a part of their life as they are mine. I remember starting my collection and having people question the ethics of me working in India and question our practices yet I have always been able to explain that the people we work with are the ‘best in the business’. They are artists and not only are we keeping the tradition of their craft alive in a world that is consumed by ‘fast’ and ‘efficient’ but they also command the best wages and are treated as the talented craftsmen that they are. Having shared life’s joys and sorrows, I consider each and every person that is part of our team in India as family. It is without question that every person should be treated with respect, to work in a compliant and safe environment and is paid appropriately for their days work – these are the basics. Fortunately my relationship with those that work for us extends further as they are not an anonymous mass but each with a name and story that I know. MEGAN PARK the book tells the story of our brand’s 21 year evolution, but it also recognises the team of artisans that are part of our journey.
Just as each piece from our collection is created individually by hand vs. running on mass through a factory line, I focus on creating timeless pieces that are designed to be treasured beyond the season, to hopefully hang in someone’s closet for many years to come rather than adding to the glut of disposable landfill fashion.
Do you have any standout career moments or milestones you’d like to share?
Too many, but I do remember reading an article that made me smile broadly as written by Alexandra Shuman, then editor of British Vogue. She was wrote a piece for International Womens’ Day reflecting on her dilemma of dressing to meet HRH the Queen. Her small son was helping her choose her outfit and after many changes she wrote in her final line that she wore Megan Park and Prada. You have to be happy with that!
You’ve just launched your book, celebrating 21 years in business. What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
Hard work, belief and being as well set up as you can be before launching into a business are all pretty important ingredients for success.
Where are your favourite places in Australia to travel to, eat at and enjoy?
Luckily we live in Fitzroy and as such we are surrounded by fantastic eateries. I would choose Congress for dinner in Collingwood, Cibi for breakfast (also in Collingwood ) and The Grub Van for lunch in Fitzroy.
We walk or ride into the city and love the Yarra bike trail for weekend family out and about time.
We are fortunate to have a little beach shack in Walkerville which looks to Waratah Bay and onto Wilsons Promontory – this is our little piece of paradise that venture to as often as we can. Beaches with virtually no one and not a café in sight!
To find out more about MEGAN PARK, click here.
