What makes your relationship one-of-a-kind?

Mum and I share a really unique bond. It’s so hard to articulate our relationship, best-girlfriends who bicker like old women but with an immense amount of mutual respect and total trust. I’d be completely lost without her.

Best fashion memory feat. Mum?

There are so many. From an early age fashion has been a huge part of our relationship, as it was with Mum and my Grandmother. I always remember as a kid watching her and Dad get ready for black tie events and her emerging from her bathroom like the most glamorous thing I’d ever seen. For me, Mum has always epitomised elegance.

What fashion faux pas has she kept you safe from? 

Um, none. She was a total bitch in that regard. She let my brother and I make ALL the mistakes. We had total autonomy from as soon as we could talk in what we wanted to wear. I made some SHOCKING mistakes, which she loves to remind all of her followers on Instagram. If you’re looking for a laugh, go follow her on @kathgarnaut – she’s not shy in posting a foul throwback of me circa braces and side part.

You’re out for Mother’s Day in Melbs, what are you both wearing

We recently shot for Lucas Group x SELECTED CO. in partnership with Harrolds. I pulled a look for Mum that I thought translated seamlessly to her personal style. Denim from Khaite, a classic pump and something statement. On this occasion, a Saks Potts coat. For me… likely black and white. What’s new! Bottega, Balenciaga or Vetements.

Speaking of, what are you planning to do this year to celebrate?

Our family is always chockers in the lead up to Mother’s Day. We have Mum’s birthday, my birthday and Mother’s Day all in the space of two weeks every year. As such, we see a lot of each other. By the time Mother’s Day rolls around, we’ll do a relaxed dinner (now with the six of us). Baby Pizzeria, some great wine and laughs-a-plenty! Obviously spoil Mum, too.

Mum’s signature style and how it’s influenced your own?

For me, Mum defines relaxed elegance. Almost always in denim, paired with tailoring. A beautiful shoe and bag. I dress very similarly in my day to day life. Polished, yet comfortable.

BEST piece(s) of advice she’s given you?

Live passionately, authentically and with love. Both my parents have supported every endeavour (both personal and professional) that my brother and I have had. We’re extremely lucky to have parents that truly back us into anything we do and stand side by side with us in the trenches of life.

What makes your relationship one-of-a-kind?

Easy, she is MY mum! No one could ever measure up to her. She always has my best interest in mind, looks out for me – even if I think I know best and loves me. She has given my sister and I amazing opportunities throughout our life. She has always put both our needs ahead of her own and there is nothing she wouldn’t do for us. As I hope she knows there is nothing we wouldn’t do for her. She is simply our amazing mum.

Best fashion memory feat. Mum?

Mum’s has really had to choose her battles (as I am a bit of a handful), but one of my best memories was with her at Disneyland Paris when my sister dressed up in a full Pluto the dog costume and I went as a knight. She always reiterates how many people loved the looks and asked if they could take a photo as it was adorable. In a more formal fashion memory, I got my first blazer when I was five years old and Mum organised a photoshoot to get some family photos. I wore my brown Pana blazer with a black shirt and a pair of jeans with a cool pair of sneakers.

What fashion faux pas has she kept you safe from? 

She has never stopped me from trying different styles and seeing what worked for me, although she has ALWAYS voiced her opinion and made it clear if she liked it. As long as I was dressed appropriately for the occasion, she was happy for me to choose my own clothes.

You’re out for Mother’s Day in Melbs, what are you both wearing?

Mum will wear Thom Browne outfit, she will probably combine the navy coat we bought for her, with the classic Thom Browne shirt and tailored navy trousers, By Far loafers, a Tom Ford handbag and top it off with Honour from AMOUAGE. I’ll be wearing Balmain jeans, a new season Tom Ford floral shirt, Golden Goose sneakers that I love and a Lardini unlined blazer.

Speaking of, what are you planning to do this year to celebrate?

Mum would love to go to that French restaurant, Paris Go Bistro. While chatting at Harrolds when he bought a nice Balmain dress for his partner, he assured Mum that it is authentic French. We both love French flavours.

Mum’s signature style and how it’s influenced your own?

Mum’s signature style is floral, colourful and bright colours. The older I am getting, the more I am leaning towards the use of colours and patterns when creating my outfit. My latest purchase (recommended by Mum) was a pair of Golden Goose sneakers with bright fluorescent-yellow laces.

BEST piece(s) of advice she’s given you?

We’ll have to narrow that question down a bit otherwise will need a lot more space… The best fashion advice she has given me is to learn to dress for the occasion and that is always better to overdress than dress too casual. As you can always rough up you dressy look if needed but is hard to sharpen up your casual look once you’ve left the house

What makes your relationship one-of-a-kind?

Mum and I are very different but I feel we have found a middle ground of late where we can appreciate each other for who we are without trying to change one another. I feel it’s the ways in which we have struggled that makes our relationship “one of a kind”, knowing and respecting each other’s boundaries and being able to simply enjoy each other for the positive things we individually bring to our relationship is something that has become more recently very special.

Best fashion memory feat. Mum?

As much as I like to suggest otherwise and elsewhere during this Q&A, Mum has always been cool and had fun expressing herself through what she wears.

She evolves with the times and has always given new things a go and taken risks – with her own style and with us (her kids). As a teenager in the 60s and 70s, she’s definitely still a bit of a hippy and I have to give her a little bit of credit as I’m still stealing clothes out of her wardrobe.

What fashion faux pas has she kept you safe from?

She’ll do her best to get me out of anything too oversized and masculine, which sometimes is valid. I think she thinks it’s why I’m still single, so I guess she inspires a little more balance in my wardrobe. We just have different styles at the end of the day and ideas of ourselves and what is ‘sexy’, and that’s okay.

You’re out for Mother’s Day, what are you both wearing?

Her: A dress not doubt, lots of jewellery, some kind of statement bag. If I had my way with her, something from Balmain on the top and Manolo’s on the bottom.

Myself: A shirt or little top with tailored pants. Currently very into where Albus Lumen is at and have a couple of Marina’s more recent pieces. Or if I’m in the men’s dept, all things Vetements.

Speaking of, what are you planning to do this year to celebrate?

Most likely a walk, a pastry and some bubbles at minimum.

Mum’s signature style and how it’s influenced your own?

Mum’s a double Gemini and so loves presenting well and being seen! She naturally gravitates towards colour (with emphasis on pink) and femininity and I guess she has influenced me in the same sense where I also love to get ‘dressed’ too and dressing up, just a little bit differently than how I’ve described above.

BEST piece(s) of advice she’s given you?

Lippy, always, which is advice I can agree with. I’m never without it. But I do know she’d prefer to see me in a few more dresses and a little less men’s clothing. She definitely wonders how I came from her sometimes, but I guess that’s part of the great mystery that is life.

What makes your relationship one-of-a-kind?

My relationship with my mum is extremely special. What makes it one of a kind is how well we get along and enjoy each other’s company, doing things we both love together, such as going to watch our AFL team play at the MCG. Mum will always be my biggest supporter.

Best fashion memory feat. Mum?

In 2017, when we travelled to New York for a girls’ holiday. We went to New York Fashion Week and watch the Thom Browne show, which was such an unforgettable experience.

What fashion faux pas has she kept you safe from? 

Mum definitely kept me safe from the classic Kookai bodycon dress moment that every girl has in high school had. Oh, and the chunky Windsor Smith heels which were once on trend.

You’re out for Mother’s Day in Melbs, what are you both wearing?

Mum is definitely wearing something comfortable but elegant. She will either be wearing her Dries Van Noten black plants with a Tom Ford blouse and stilettos, or one of her Dries Van Noten dresses with a pair heels. Mum is also definitely taking her Tom Ford clutch.

I would be wearing my black pants with a Saint Laurent t-shirt, paired with a classic black blazer. As for the shoes and I am selecting between my Alexander McQueen oversized sneakers or my YSL block heel sandals.

Speaking of, what are you planning to do this year to celebrate?

We’ll go for coffee in the morning as Mum loves discovering new coffee spots around Melbourne – something I now share in, too. We’ll follow up with lunch at the Stokehouse in St Kilda, one of Mum’s favourites.

Mum’s signature style and how it’s influenced your own? 

Mum’s signature style is a classic pant with a blouse, with either a Balmain blazer and a killer heel. For a special occasion, she’ll always try to wear her black Tom Ford dress which she purchased from the Tom Ford Maddison Ave, New York store. As for casual wear, Mum loves some simple blue denim, a classic t-shirt, jumper and sneakers on the weekend.

My personal style is very simple, opting for comfort in jeans, a Saint Laurent t-shirt and a jumper, with either my Golden Goose or Alexander McQueen sneakers. Mum and I have a very similar style, and yes, I often steal her clothes. A prime of example of this was recently nabbing some heels for a uni event.

BEST piece(s) of advice she’s given you?

Mum told me to take in every opportunity and make the most of everything which comes my way, and this really resonated with me in my recent move to the Gold Coast. Another thing that’s stuck with me is that if you work hard, the rewards will always follow. Mum constantly reminded me of that throughout 2020 when I was completing my VCE.