The Creative Trust

Cecilia Fox is the florist behind so many pivotal, iconic floral moments.

Now... believe us when we say we have a lot of florists in our Gloss Creative Alumni… and we are delighted to share the first of many conversations with you in this episode.

Amanda speaks with Melanie Stapleton, Sustainable Florist, Creative Director & Founder of Cecilia Fox. Previously Melbourne based, now New Zealand based – we hear about the rise of Melanie’s career in floristry, her unconventional approach and how that landed her the most enviable projects in Australia.

This episode will make you smile. Mel speaks about her never-ending love of creating dreamscapes from nature, her love of a “micro season”, the joy of onsite installations, how pivotable it is to nurture relationships with growers, and how working with your team through a positive lens is the absolute key.

Please share with us in the magic that is Melanie & Cecilia Fox.

This episode marks a moment in time, it's special.

Take a peek behind the Atelier door into the world of a once in a generation designer.

Paul Vaseliff, Founder and Creative Director of Paolo Sebastian leads an incredible team of the finest couturiers to create gowns of delicate wonder that have inspired a new generation of empowered heroines around the world. In this stellar episode Amanda and Paul unite in South Australia for a conversation lasting just over one and a half hours ( yep we go deep ! ). They discuss everything from Paul’s defiant beginnings as a creative child to showing collections in Paris and dressing the globe’s most powerful women. Paul shares his Atelier and his life experiences with an honesty and humility way beyond his 32 years. The prolific former Young Australian of the Year is just warming up though, in this episode he shares his plans for now and into the future and in true Disney style these dreams will come true… it’s just a matter of time.

Prepare for wow moments.

Jade Roberts is the NEW PR. Hear her fresh take on what on earth public relations is and isn’t .

We all have our own version of what we think public relations is but it’s changing fast and for good. Enter Jade. Let’s bust some myths and get the facts on how the right kind of PR can build revenue , create legacy and establish reputation over time .

Amanda speaks with Jade Roberts, Founder of RaraPR, a boutique creative PR, digital marketing and branding agency in Melbourne, Australia. They discuss aligned values, the power of consistency, discipline and what makes slow and kind PR.

What we know for sure: we love PR. We went from “sort-of-kind-of-knowing” what it is to being bona fide aficionados.

This one is a must listen for all creatives and then re-listen. Oh and a pen and paper are non negotiable.

We’ve named this episode ‘The Street Style Photographer’ but as you listen, you’ll discover that our guest Danielle Castano is oh so much more… Creative Director, Fashion Photographer, digital strategist & content creator, foodie, beauty junkie & makeup artist… Danielle has built her own empire as a new gen creative.

There is a rise of self-taught creatives and this digital queen is leading the pack. Amanda & Dan discuss her attitude toward street style photography, the age of the influence and the post pandemic “changing of the guard” within the content creation world.

For anyone who uses social media… this ep is for you. Amanda & Dan speak about why you need to get on TikTok NOW, the difference between social media strategy and content strategy, behind the scene of business plan and end to end content creation.

This one is hot. This one is juicy. This one is RELEVANT.

Within the world of Visual Merchandising you’ll find a lot of storytellers… but none quite like John Kerr. He is a self-proclaimed “VM Chauffer” who takes his clients on a journey through the fun stuff and into the little worlds he creates.

In this episode Amanda speaks with John about his role as Creative & Technical Director of Stage One in Melbourne, Australia. John is the OG window dresser – and says it is his personal mission to dress the retail windows of Melbourne pink. He has done so beautifully by dressing the Myer Christmas windows for the past 29 years.

Amanda & John discuss his love of innovation & technology, the responsibly of following your talent and why having a sense of fun is everything. He talks about how he brings to life windows for luxury retailers, the intricacies of fabricating and automating sets during the seven-month long process to the Christmas windows and finally why the VM industry is still alive and well.

Please enjoy this chat.

Full “Founder Energy” in this episode. Amanda speaks with Cathryn Wills, founder of Sans Beast, a brand focused on aligning values with lifestyle. Cathryn and Amanda were VIBING. This episode is POTENT – prepare yourself for quotable line after quotable line.

Cathryn & Amanda discuss the balance of money and creativity within retail, storytelling, escapism, inner child work and being “your core you”. We hear about the rise and rise of Sans Beast, Cathryn’s luxury vegan handbag and accessories brand and her thoughts on nurturing creativity and business acumen.

It’s no secret that the future consumer is wanting to shop with brands that have aligned values… and Sans Beast is here for it. As a socially conscious entrepreneur, Cathryn is putting her powers to good use.

On this episode we peer inside the mind of one half of Australia’s newly crowned “Belle Fanuli Interior Designer of the year” Sarah Jane Pyke of Sydney based interior design studio Arent&Pyke. It is an absolute privilege to speak with interior design royalty in this ‘don’t miss a word’ episode.

Amanda & Sarah Jane met on the 2018 Dulux Dialogue Design Tour, a 10-day immersive design experience of Tokyo and Los Angeles. They went from strangers to falling asleep on each other’s shoulders in the backs of Ubers across LA. We hear all about the best bits of the tour including falling asleep in the mayors office.

In this episode, Sarah Jane reflects on the role of interior design in transforming peoples experience of their own homes. She discusses the connection and intersection between architecture and interior design, colour and light. We hear why elevated curation and unexpected design elements beat matchy matchy every time. Don’t miss Sarah Jane as she talks about The Rigg prize and her French flea market Kelly Werstler experience.

Full of antidotes from her incredible design career - we hope you enjoy this episode.

Because life’s too short to have boring parties, the team at The Style Co introduce unparalleled levels of detail into their designs – hear all about how they do it in this episode.

Fuelled with Bread Club cookies and bringing big energy, Amanda chats with The Style Co owner Sarah Gonsalves along with their creative director Bec Grumont. They discuss ‘attention getting’ resumes and why they work, healthy chats about budget and transparency, creative concept communication and their tips to get a career head start in event design.

Recorded at The Design Institute of Australia head office we are taken through the step by step client journey and creative process behind the powerhouse that is The Style Co.

I am a better writer and thinker for having heard this episode. To say it's profound is an understatement - Marcus Baumgart; a writer who designs buildings, is best described as indescribable. Amanda and Marcus' journey through his “Lego-obsessed” childhood, his “architect with a capital A” education, through to the incredible breadth of work he currently undertakes. Marcus is a published writer, curious thinker and one half of the genius behind Baumgart Clark Architects.

In this episode Amanda and Marcus discuss living life on a broad canvas, boredom being the worst fate for a creative, how his time at RMIT taught him to think and why it’s better to be specific rather than original. Prepare to be mesmerised as they discuss the joy of articulating with clarity, the best way to begin any writing piece and Marcus’ lofty aspirations. With so many nuggets of wisdom scattered through this episode we highly suggest a pen and paper in hand. Palomino Blackwing pencils & Moleskine notebook preferred but not essential.

What started as a conversation about colour, became oh so much more. In one of the most refreshing conversations we’ve had this season, Amanda chats to florist Hattie Molloy & illustrator Kelly Thompson. We smiled the entire way through the recording…

In this episode we discuss Hattie & Kelly’s creative beginnings that included power dressing for kindergarten, how the uncool kids are now the cool kids in real life and building confidence through figuring it out yourself.

We discuss preferred colour palettes, working as a control freak, being your own photographer, sensitivity as a superpower, how your personal work brings you the best projects and an interesting breakdown of the Gerbera.

This is an episode not to miss. Please enjoy.