Folks We love with Jessica Reid from s t e e l e

Tell us a little bit about your journey and how you’ve come to arrive here.

I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia – with the exception of a crazy beach side hiatus up north in my late teens.

I found true love at 20, and after 10 whirlwind years together we decided to get married. We feel pregnant unexpectedly one month before our wedding, and managed to hide our pregnancy from 120 guests! Nobody expects a drunken bride, so it was easy.

I didn’t particularly enjoy school or have a strong direction from my studies but once I fell into fashion, I knew I had found my passion, and with it, a drive I didn’t know existed.

Now in 2016 I’m six years in to running s t e e l e ., one of Australia’s fastest growing contemporary womenswear brands, with a team of wonderful & talented women around me.

 

Who’s in your family? Ages? Names? 

Myself, Jess, 33, my husband Ben, 33, and our little girl Asher Willow, 3.

 

How did you choose your kids names? 

Asher Willow appeared on our names list and without much though we both said we loved it, that was the one! I’ve always loved Australian actress, Asher Keddie, so perhaps her name subconsciously slipped into my baby brain.

Location? 

Melbourne, Australia.

 

Occupation? 

Director and designer of womenswear label s t e e l e .

 

What’s on your manifest board? 

Travel imagery – always. I love to dream and plan future adventures. Right now, it’s all about Hawaii, I’ve been dreaming of waking up to lapping shores. Home design – we’re building our second home and I’m looking for new ways to push the boundaries. Inspiration quotes and inspiring words.

 

Tell us some of your most loved ways to spend the day with your clan?

Lazy mornings eating breakfast in bed and planning spontaneous adventures. Sunny days and green luscious parks. Delicious food and spending time with family and friends.

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What are some silly/fun things that the kids do or say?

My daughter currently only speaks in ‘chipmunk’, but how can I resist when its teamed with ‘Mum, I love you like a rainbow in the whole wide world!

 

When you were a teenager what did you dream of? Do things look different?

I dreamt of travel, and getting married. I never dreamed of a professional career at that stage – I just didn’t know what my talent or ‘calling’ was. So looking back, yes, things are very different now. Becoming a fashion designer was not where I though I would end up, but I am loving every moment!

 

What are some things you really believe in?

Honesty, love and openness.

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Where do your passions lie?

My true passion is my family. Second to that I feel strongly about women’s rights and education – It’s something I want to explore more actively get involved in.

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Has your relationship with your other half changed since having kids?

Yes, definitely. We’re stronger and we rely on each other more. Our dynamic has evolved, we are less about us a couple and all about life as our little trio.

 

What are some of your favorite life lessons you’ve grown to love? (even if learning them at the time was hard)

Mistakes are your greatest source of knowledge, and through mistakes undoubtedly comes growth. Hard to take at the time, but I always look back on mistakes as a turning point.

 

What do you wish you could’ve told yourself when you were a teenager?

Believe anything is possible with hard work and dedication, dream big and go for it.

What do you find most challenging about being somebody’s parent?

Trying to get the balance right. I’m someone that needs my own time, so trying to take care of myself whilst also putting Asher and Ben first and running a rapidly growing business can be challenging.

 

What do you want your kids to learn about the world?

Self confidence, kindness and honesty.

 

What are 4 things you can’t live without as a parent?

Coffee

Kisses from my daughter

My husband

My iPhone for capturing moments

 

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