Name: Nicky Morgan
Where you are from/live: I was originally born in Cape Town, South Africa. Now I live in Coogee, Sydney.
What you do: I am Founder and Creative Director of The Kindred Co.
When did you first know you wanted to be a… Business owner of some sort in a creative field? For as long as I remember, it is just one of those dreams you have as a child that you hope will become reality. To have now achieved it is pretty special.
Your latest project: Launching our Summer 15/16 collections for our brands at the next Reed Gift Fair in Melbourne in August. I’m always a little excited and a little nervous for the next season launch.
Please tell a bit about this, what were the highs and what were the challenges? So many challenges… It’s a big job. We have three brands in our stable, two summer and winter fashion collections as well as a home collection. It takes almost a year to put these together and it can be daunting at times making sure samples arrive on time, and of course in the right colours and style you have designed. Making sure the stand is built correctly, packing and unpacking (the fun stuff) and then being ready to work very long hours for five days is a big challenge for our team. These are some of the challenges for this event. If we get a positive response from our stockists for all our hard work and they like what we present, that will be the high. A successful season of trading makes all that work worth it.
How did you overcome these? I try to stay extremely positive and exercise.
Where you find inspiration: I find it everywhere – the amazing places I travel, shopping, trade fairs, all types of media, our amazing staff, friends and family – everyone has something wonderful to share or suggest.
Three people that inspire/excite you: I always find this such a tricky question.
1) My friends, staff and family
2) Mara Hoffman. She is such an amazing creative. She has a fabulous eye for colour and design.
3) Nelson Mandela.
What is your favourite…
Car/bike/plane/boat model: I think I’d be happy with an Audi 4WD. Someone tell my hubby.
Chair model: We are launching some great new summer Rattan furniture and I am loving our new Santa Cruz Chairs. You will see them in stores in August.
Residential space: I would have to say our Love Shack in the South Coast of NSW. It’s an old school style beach shack, we have given it a lot of love over the past few years, but still has that south coast vibe.
Commercial space: I’m going to have to say The Coogee Pavilion, and not just because it is my local.
Decorative product: On one of my first trips to India I bought a gorgeous vintage tapestry, which I have framed and has pride of place in my lounge room. I have a love of colour so I tend to gravitate to any decorative that is colour based.
Functional product: Notebooks.
Handmade good: Handmade would have to be food of any type.
Mass-produced good: Water.
Item in your studio: Pantone colour books and chips. I am completely and utterly obsessed! My creative process always starts with the pantone book.
Time of day to work/play: I do love dinner time, cooking for the family and a glass of wine in hand after a huge day. – the television is off and music on. Followed by early wake up to visit the trainer.
Meal: I love to cook and love eating out so this one is tricky to narrow down. I am loving Ottolenghi style recipes at the moment, he is fabulous.
Restaurant: So many – The Malaya/Spice Temple.
Drink: Rose / French champagne.
Bar: Coogee Pavilion.
Piece of technology: IPad. How did we ever live without them?
Historical figure: Nelson Mandela.
Vice: Time at my shack down the south coast.
Virtue: To work on my strengths and weaknesses whatever they may be and never stop learning.
What does the term ‘Design Hunter’ mean to you?
To be creative, to hunt and gather new ideas, techniques and processes, and present collections or pieces that people will love. Most important is to ensure the hunter is enjoying the journey along the way.