Nostalgia is at the heart of The Hold. Is there something special you’ve held onto over the years that helped inspire that?

There are so many things I own that speak to this and have influenced the brand. The most unique is probably a pair of handmade felt knee-high boots I found in my late teens at a market in regional Victoria. They’re white (or at least they used to be) with beautiful silk detailing. I wore them endlessly and felt incredible in them.

They’ve definitely seen better days now, but the memory of how much I loved them — and how they made me feel — is still so clear. That emotional connection to an object, the way something can hold memory and meaning, plays a big part in why I started The Hold.

Our pieces are quite distinct and intricate. Can you share some of the design process and any creative rituals you might have?

It’s certainly not always a straight line — especially with a toddler in the mix. Before motherhood, mornings were my creative time: a pot of tea, beautiful music, stillness, and calm. These days, it’s only after daycare drop-off that I can switch gears and really settle into the work.

The process is slow by nature, and I’ve come to appreciate that (especially when the hours beforehand have been anything but). I like to give each piece time to unfold. It’s a philosophy that allows me to design things that feel lasting — not rushed, not trend-driven, but slow and particular. 

The designing itself often starts subconsciosly, observing things as I go about life; the shape of a building, patterns in nature or colour of a passerby’s shirt. All of it filters through and eventually informs the final piece.

You’ve spoken previously about growing up in an environment that was creative and immersed in nature. Tell us more about that...

I grew up in South Africa, where most days were spent outside climbing trees, collecting found objects, and making things with our hands. My mum is incredibly creative and encouraged that in me from an early age. She taught me to sew, to embroider, and to be resourceful — making new things from the old. That early connection to craft taught me that inspiration is everywhere, hidden in the everyday. It’s a way of seeing that still shapes how I approach design today.

What does ‘holding space’ mean to you?

To me, holding space means being fully present with the people I care about and with myself. Right now, that feels especially important with my little guy. When I’m with him, I try to be in his world completely. Everything else drifts away—work, to-do lists, noise. It’s not always easy, but when I manage it, there’s a kind of clarity that comes with it.

In those moments, I’m also holding space for myself. It’s a reminder to slow down, to be okay with doing one thing at a time, and to recognise that what’s happening right now, in this ordinary but beautiful moment, is enough.

Are there any words or pieces of advice you’ve held onto and passed on?

My mum has always told me to embrace imperfections — whether aesthetic or otherwise. It echoes Leonard Cohen’s infamous line “There is a crack, a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”

Imperfection is often where truth and character reside. From a design perspective, it’s the small nuances and patina that give something personality. In life, it can be the broken or tender moments that open us up to something deeper and lead to a fuller sense of appreciation.

Practical or sentimental, what’s one thing you always carry with you?

Along with my son’s water bottle (and several rogue toys), I always carry a hair tie with me. It’s such a small thing, but what an invention — perfect in both form and function. And of course, it fits easily into all of our bags.