Super Creative

Today on the podcast I speak with Sarah Murray, editor-in-chief, publisher, and owner of Fashion Quarterly—New Zealand’s iconic style authority for over 40 years. With over 15 years of experience in journalism and a reputation as an award-winning feature writer, Sarah recently took the bold step to acquire Fashion Quarterly, where she’s leading its growth across print, digital, and event platforms.

During our conversation, we discuss Sarah’s career journey, finding her dream role at Fashion Quarterly, the unique challenges and rewards of taking ownership of such a legacy title, and her vision for the future of publishing in today’s fast-evolving media world. We also touch on the reality of running a business while balancing family life as an active mother and wife.

I absolutely loved this chat, and I know you will enjoy my kōrero with Sarah as much as I did.

After this episode, you can visit fq.co.nz and of course make sure you pick up the latest issue of the print magazine wherever you buy your magazines. You can follow FQ on Instagram of course @fashionquarterly and you can also follow Sarah herself @searsmurray.

Thank you to Grava and Dicey for recently supporting my first Super Creative events. Both wineries have generously given a discount code for Super Creative listeners to be used until the end of December 2024. Use SUPERCREATIVE15 for a 15% discount on wines from both grava.nz and dicey.nz. 

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast I speak with Danu Kennedy a New York based interior designer and partner at Parts and Labor Design, an award-winning full service interior design firm, specializing in hospitality, commercial, retail, and residential experiences. 

Danu joined the Parts and Labor Design team in 2014 and several years ago became a partner and now leads the studio alongside founding partner Jeremy Levitt. Their work is frequently featured in top design publications, like Architectural Digest, Wallpaper and Elle Decor.  In July, Donna and Jeremy were named in Wallpaper* magazines USA 400 list, which honors the people defining America's creative landscape in 2024. 

Alongside Parts and Labor; Danu, Jeremy and design director, Alex DiLena have recently launched, Known Work - a collection-based furniture studio that explores livable sculpture for the home. The debut collection 'Perceptions' launched earlier this year in Mexico City.  

And this episode, we talk about moving to New York as a graduate, from finding her first jobs to joining Parts and Labor, becoming a partner, running a business, and living in New York through a pandemic, starting and building a new furniture brand (and launching it with missing products) and a personal journey of self-development and lifelong learning. 

I absolutely loved this chat, and I know you will enjoy my kōrero with Danu as much as I did.

After this episode, you can visit partsandlabordesign.com and be inspired by their forward-thinking design projects. The Known Work website is still in development, but you can bookmark knownworkstudio.com for a later date. And on Instagram, you can follow @danu_kennedy, @pldnyc and @knownwork.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Four years of Super Creative! To celebrate four years of the podcast, I thought it might be fun to re-release my very first episode with my friend Toni Brandso with a little 2024 catch up at the beginning. If you are new to the podcast, you might not have had a chance to go back to the beginning so here is your chance!

_

My first guest is my clever and creative friend, Toni Brandso - interior architect and co-founder of Material Creative. Over the past 11 years, Toni and her business partner Liv Patience have built an award-winning interior design studio focused on creating unexpected design and spaces that bring people together and design attention. You only have to look up Material Creative online to find interiors that are beautiful, clever, bold, quirky and that truly have the ‘wow’ factor. To me, Toni is the epitome of ‘super creative’ and I’m so pleased to share her creative business journey for episode one. I hope you enjoy.

_

Just a quick technical note. This episode was recorded four years ago. I'm still very proud of this episode but the technology I was using back then was slightly different. So the quality of the audio is not quite as good as what I am able to achieve most of the time now. Also my interviewing technique has hopefully slightly changed, it's very hard to listen back to something from four years ago, so please listen accordingly. 

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast, I speak with Rachael Mayne, —an Auckland-based artist known for her large-scale, immersive, impressionistic floral paintings. Rachael is a self-taught artist from a family of creatives, where painting has been a fundamental part of her life for as long as she can remember.

However, Rachel’s artistic journey is only one part of her story. Alongside being a painter, she is also a clinical psychologist. Fascinated by the inter-relationship between art, creativity, and well-being, painting is a therapeutic process for Rachael and a space for self-expression, exploration and reflection.

In this episode, we discuss Rachel’s creative journey—from a lifelong passion for painting to building her artistic style through slow, thoughtful experimentation. We explore how she turned a hobby into a thriving business while balancing a second career, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Rachel shares insights on the process behind her beautiful paintings, exhibitions, selling prints, finding her place in the social media landscape, and so much more.

I know you will enjoy my kōrero with Rachael as much as I did.

 After this episode, make sure you visit rachaelmayneart.com to view Rachel's incredibly immersive. Beautiful layered original outworks and art prints. And you can also follow along with her journey on Instagram at @rach_mayne_art_.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today's episode is part two of my conversation with Chloé Julian, founder of Videris - a New Zealand-based lingerie brand with wellness, sustainability and ethical practices at its heart.

Before launching Videris, Chloé spent 15 years overseas designing lingerie for some of the most recognized global brands and icons. 

In 2020, she launched Videris - lingerie for everyday wellbeing. Designed for comfort and support, made from natural and sustainable fabrics, in colours designed to enhance a feeling or mood.

In this conversation we dive into the world of Videris, exploring the philosophy behind the brand, exploring colour psychology, launching in the pandemic, learning the ins and outs of business, working through the challenging times, and everything that has unfolded over the past four years.

What I love about Videris is that alongside her incredible career history, it's also Chloe's own personal values and life experiences that inform the thoughtful, design-led, considered and authentic brand she is building today. 

I hope you enjoy the second part of my kōrero with Chloé as much as I did.

And again, after you've listened to this episode, head straight over to viderislingerie.com to learn more about the brand and to check out all the beautiful lingerie that is on the website. You can also find the brand on Instagram @viderislingerie to follow along with the brand's beautiful journey.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast, I speak to Chloé Julian, founder of Videris - a New Zealand-based lingerie brand with wellness, sustainable and ethical practices at its heart.

Before launching Videris, Chloé spent 15 years overseas designing lingerie for Stella McCartney, Agent Provocateur and David Beckham Bodywear. In 2017, she led the design team to launch Rihanna’s lingerie line Savage X Fenty as VP of Design.  

In 2020 she launched Videris - lingerie for everyday wellbeing. Designed for comfort and support, made from natural and sustainable fabrics, in colours designed to enhance a feeling or mood.

I found Chloé’s career journey absolutely fascinating. We talk about the lingerie industry and the intricacies of lingerie design; we discuss her time working with some of the most recognized global brands and icons and the challenges of pushing herself to the limit. Chloé’s wealth of experience has shaped the thoughtful, purpose-driven brand that is Videris.

For the first time ever, this interview will be released in two parts. In this episode, Part One, we look back at Chloé’s incredible career before founding Videris. And in Part Two next week, we’ll dive into the world of Videris, exploring the philosophy behind the brand, launching in the pandemic, learning the ins and outs of business, and everything that has unfolded over the past four years.

And after you've listened to this episode, make sure you head over to the viderislingerie.com to learn more about the brand and to check out all the beautiful lingerie that is on the website. And of course, head over to Instagram @viderislingerie. to follow along with the brand's beautiful journey.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast, I speak with Juliette Hogan, Founder and Director of her eponymous brand, Juliette Hogan. 

With a focus on everyday luxury and simple sophistication, Juliette creates clothing that New Zealand women rely on for every aspect of their lives. 

Juliette established her brand in 2004 and recently celebrated the incredible milestone of 20 years in business. Since opening her first store in Ponsonby, Auckland in 2007, she has grown Juliette Hogan into one of New Zealand's most successful boutique brands, with four stores and multiple stockists nationwide. 

In our conversation, we explore the brand's early days, from incorporating her business in 2004 to designing her first collections and taking them out on the road to sell. We discuss the milestones that have marked her journey: opening retail stores, navigating through uncertain economic times, innovative collaborations, the impact of the pandemic, and the invaluable business lessons learned along the way. Juliette talks about her creative process, the realities of running a business, personal growth, celebrating successes, and envisioning the future of her brand. 

I hope you enjoy my kōrero with Juliette as much as I did.

After this episode you can find Juliette's beautiful clothes at juliettehogan.com and follow along with the brand on Instagram @juliettehogan.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast, I speak to Sophie Gilmour—a true powerhouse in the world of food and hospitality. Sophie is a co-owner of the beloved Auckland eatery, Fatimas, and co-owner of The Village, a vibrant co-working space that fosters creativity and community in the heart of the city. She’s also a partner in Delicious Business, a hospitality consultancy that helps businesses thrive with fresh ideas and innovative strategies.

And she’s the lead trustee of Dineaid, a beautiful Christmas campaign that unites the hospitality industry to raise funds for city missions—making a meaningful impact on those who need it most. She’s also got her hand in many other food related ventures but today we are just focusing on these four!

From her early days waitressing at some of Auckland’s top restaurants to co-founding the successful free-range rotisserie chicken concept, Bird On A Wire, Sophie’s journey in food and hospitality is nothing short of inspiring. 

In this episode, we discuss the creation and logistics of running multiple businesses, Sophie’s dedication to people, relationships and building communities through food, and her support for women in business and the charitable organisations she is involved in. Sophie is a true champion of hospitality, and her story is about discovering your passion and applying a creative, optimistic, and forward-thinking approach to business.

What I find especially inspiring about Sophie’s journey is that, while she may not fit the mold of a traditional creative, it’s her creative thinking that drives innovative approaches in the food and hospitality industry. 

This was a really fun chat with someone I have admired from afar for a long time. I love that Sophie has crafted a business life that she loves that has diverse, full of variety and truly works for her. She is fun and full of optimism, even in the tough times.  

I loved our conversation, and I know you’ll love my kōrero with Sophie as much as I did.

 Here’s how you can connect to Sophie’s businesses:

• Delicious Business – deliciousbusiness.co.nz / @deliciousbusinessnz
• The Village – thevillagenz.com / @the_village_nz
• Fatimas – fatimas.co.nz / @feedmefatimas
• Dineaid – dineaid.org.nz / @dineaid

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today, on the podcast, I speak to Evie Kemp. A self-employed multidisciplinary creative, Evie works across design, illustration, art, textiles, interiors, styling, content creation, and everything in between.

Through expressive colour and bold pattern, Evie creates visual symphonies and immersive, joy-filled, creative experiences, helping people and brands find the absolute *magic* great design can bring to life.

Whether designing textiles for a clothing brand, sharing creative interiors and projects on social media, or creating original art, Evie wants to make the world a bit more beautiful, colourful and a lot more fun.

Over the years, Evie has grown a global community of engaged followers who adore her immersive interiors and colourful creativity. If you are a lover of colour and pattern and have had any interest in design, colour, art, craft and interior styling over the past decade, I’m pretty sure you will have come across one of the many creative projects Evie has turned her hand to.

Not only do I love Evie’s passion for colour and her motto, “more is more,” but I also love the genuine authenticity that comes across in everything she does.

I loved our conversation, and I know you’ll love my kōrero with Evie as much as I did.

After this episode, visit Evie’s website, eviekemp.com, where you can get a colourful overview of everything Evie does. And if you are a lover of colour and pattern like me and you aren’t following Evie on Instagram head over to @eviekemp and be prepared to be joyfully inspired.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

Today on the podcast, I speak to Megan Wyper – co-owner and Managing Director of Acme Cupco - producers of the iconic porcelain coloured coffee cups and teacups you see in almost every café throughout Aotearoa. 

Acme’s approach is simple; design a functional, durable, yet elegant product for the everyday. Starting out as a need for the ideal coffee cup in the hospitality industry, twelve years later Acme cups are used all over the world by champion baristas, tea drinkers, and everyone in between.

In 2022, Megan and her then colleague Paddy acquired Acme from founders Jeff Kennedy and Bridget Dunn. Together Megan and Paddy have 30+ years as coffee professionals and are passionate about continuing the work that Jeff and Bridget started while also finding their own voice. 

 Megan has been immersed in the world of coffee all her working life; she’s managed cafes, judged, coached, and competed both here and in the UK. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of coffee and business. We chat about her career journey, acquiring an established brand, what it’s like to lead a small business through challenging times, her love affair with coffee, and all the ins and outs of an industry she’s been devoted to for a long time. 

 After this episode, be sure to visit the Acme website acmecups.nz for beautiful, functional specialty porcelain cups (and recently released dinnerware) and of course head to Instagram and follow @megan.wyper and @acmecupco.

For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com

Hosted by Catie Dawson
Bought to you by Somewhere Creative
Find us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast