Straight off the bat with a lofty one: how do you think your maternal figures have shaped the person you are today?

There are two great maternal figures in my life: my adoptive mum and my biological mother. My adoptive mother’s journey to motherhood wasn’t linear and at the rare age of 25, she started the adoption process. She chose me, fought for me and endured the bureaucracy of jumping multiple loopholes to bring me from Seoul to Australia, where there is so much potential and opportunity. Her guidance has impacted my growth into womanhood. I’d also like to acknowledge my birth mother, who, against all odds, did the most selfless thing she could do and gave away her baby.

How about in terms of your inherited style sensibilities?  

My mother has a textile background so used to make our clothes. She never wore or clothed us in synthetic fabrics, and to this day, I hate the feeling of any poly cotton. She was ultra-feminine, paired back, tasteful with a splash of utilitarian, exactly how you’d imagine a Capricorn to dress. It’s funny because, now a mum myself, I know how easy it is to lose your identity through motherhood and how this translates into how you dress. But now, three years postpartum, I find myself dressing nicely for playdates and putting on a gold hoop because it makes me feel so much like me.

What are some of your earliest fashion memories with your mother or other maternal influence? 

My parents were super social. I watched my mum dress up for events, always in a heel. Fond memories of a particular pair of patent alligator heels (similar to some MNZ ones I own now) matched with pearl drop earrings, a knee-length pencil dress (inbuilt shoulder pads) and a matching clutch.

How does your career intersect with your style of mothering? 

I run an immersive course Radiant Birth aimed at preparing women for the birth space and for postpartum so in this way, motherhood is my life and my business. The irony of it all is that when the course happens, I am away from my own family. As for my mothering style, it’s pretty fluid because kids change daily (seriously). Constantly getting comfortable and then moving into the unknown is all part of it all.

What would your most idyllic mother’s day entail and why? Talk us through the itinerary. 

A beautiful handmade card from my daughter with some lovely words. Buffet breakfast at the Grand Hyatt followed by a dreamy massage. A child that goes to bed before 9 (dreaming) and a lovely home-cooked dinner and a bottle of something natural.

And what would you be wearing?

Like most mums, I live in jeans and these oversized ones are so flattering and sing to my personal style. I’ll be pairing it with this beautifully detailed cardigan and finishing off the look with this classic Bottega Veneta bag. Cross-body bags are the perfect size for all the necessities. You can even fit snacks in there.

How about the gift you’re getting for someone special (or hoping to unwrap) this Mother’s Day?

This handbag, please.

Straight off the bat with a lofty one: how do you think your maternal figures have shaped the person you are today?

They have shaped me in every way. They are the reason I am who I am and without them I would be lost. I could honestly go on and on and on but mothers are the most superior in the society that we live in and they come in every, way, shape, race, gender identity and form and I have been so blessed to have many of them!

How about in terms of your inherited style sensibilities?  

Mum has really influenced my style, she has loved fashion ever since I was little and it is something that I remember being drawn to from a very young age. Women more broadly have influenced my style more than anyone else full stop!

What are some of your earliest fashion memories with your own mother or other maternal influence? 

My earliest memories of my mother are stealing her purple taffeta bridesmaid dress and wearing it around the house and I have memories of going shopping every Friday night at our local plaza. Shopping has always been and will always be our love language and the way we bond the most. We’ve been known to go on sprees together and frankly I think this is something that is a fine art.

What will you be doing this mother’s day in Melbourne or afar? Talk us through the itinerary. 

It will be very casual. I will take my mum to dinner with my dad. We will be going to a seafood restaurant by the beach because seafood is her favourite cuisine.

And what would you be wearing? 

I’ll likely we wearing denim – at the moment I am obsessed with the Mugler jeans the Harrolds have in stock. I’ll pair this with a white tee from Wardrobe.NYC, and finish it off with an Amina Muaddi heel to jazz things up. But really mother’s day is all about mum so I should give her a moment to shine!

How about the gift you’re getting for someone special this Mother’s Day? 

Typically I always buy mum a beautiful bag for birthday and mother’s day. She’s had her eye on a Bottega Veneta bag so I most likely duck into Harrolds and get this for her. Mum I hope you’re not reading this!

How about in terms of your inherited style sensibilities?  

Despite growing up amongst (a lot of) women, no one was ever fussy when it came to fashion. My mum has a quirky tomboy style and we were subsequently a natural-look household with minimal makeup (except for regular eyebrow and lash tints). My sisters and I all shared a bathroom, and a wardrobe. And when we’d go shopping, we’d send one of us into the change rooms to try on clothes for us all. My style is heavily influenced by this relaxed approach to fashion: casual, no fuss and minimalistic, with investments in quality basics. And always a bit of quirk, from my mum.

What are some of your earliest fashion memories with your own mother or other maternal influence? 

I remember finding vintage t-shirts and plaid shirts which were always paired with a new pair of jeans mum would splurge on each of us each winter. My mum wore special pieces of gold jewellery as a staple (linked heart locket bracelets, gem baby necklaces, etc), so this too has layered my style — and my neckline — in my adulthood.

How does your career intersect with your style of mothering. 

When I first became a mum, I was a full-time social worker and office-bound. Days were a rush between early childcare drop offs and late pickups. After the boys were born, I returned to study nutrition and naturopathy, and found myself balancing mothering with study. By the time my third was born, I had launched my own business Moode and felt passionate about creating change in reproductive health conversations and products. But I was doing this while trying to honour the unique needs of three individual young kids. Now, I try to dabble in it all and squirrel time away for work while slotting in one-on-one time with each of my kids throughout the week. Weekends are for family. And night-time is for catch ups with my husband…when we’re not working.

What would your most idyllic mother’s day entail and why? Talk us through the itinerary. 

Mother’s day has become the responsibility of my partner Andrew, and he’s always made the day about honouring all the mums in our lives. It usually entails time in our family bubble, lunch with my friends and a catch up with our families. I love good wholesome food and an outdoor adventure, so my ideal Mother’s Day would involve waking up after 6.30am, eating a full breakfast of salads and eggs and greens and bread, followed by a drive somewhere new with the kids and spending time with family in the outdoors.

And what would you be wearing?

You’d most likely find me wearing WE11DONE’s White Love Logo Hoodie, Saks Potts Indigo Salma Jeans and Nike Air Force 1 ‘07 LX Summit White, Hyper Royal & Picante Red. Casual comfort is my go-to.

How about the gift you’re getting for someone special (or hoping to unwrap) this Mother’s Day? 

When my first child Sonny was born, Andrew bought me a Sarah and Sebastian Single Petite Letter ‘S’ Earring to mark the occasion. When my second son Milo was born, he bought me a Leo Zodiac 10K Gold Necklace. My third child Louie is my wild aries baby, so naturally I’d love to unwrap an Aries Zodiac 10K Gold Necklace to complete my collection.

Straight off the bat with a lofty one: how do you think your maternal figures have shaped the person you are today? 

Mum has forever been the rock in my life. She’s taught me many things, however the standout quality she instilled into my brother and I, is that it’s important to stick up for the underdog. Befriend the new person & include whoever is on the outer. Always – no if’s or but’s. Life is not about popularity, it’s about kindness. I will 100% pass this onto my boys.

How about in terms of your inherited style sensibilities?

Coats! Mum was forever investing into coats and I have become the same. Which is ridiculous as we live in WA! I almost had to stop watching  Anatomy of a Scandal, because of Sienna Miller’s divine range of Max Mara. I’d be broke if I followed through.

How does your career intersect with your style of mothering. 

Luckily for me, the focus of my career at the moment is creating projects that are focused on motherhood. My books (Afterwards and Before) and the virtual mother’s group I’ve created in the The First Word have all come into fruition due to having babies. It’s meant I’ve grown this incredible community of women and mothers around me. I am so thankful that I’ve continued to work while raising bubs as my commitment to my work and my creative side keeps me energised and inspired. Work is my own world where I exist as ‘Tori’, rather than ‘mum’ for a little while. I cherish this ability to be both.

What would your most idyllic mother’s day entail and why? Talk us through the itinerary. 

Brunch somewhere delicious with strong long blacks and densely heavy fruit toast (with my own mum in tow of course). Then, we’d cruise around some sort of markets and shop for ‘treasures,’ before taking the boys for a swim. Goggles, noodles, floaties and icy-poles — the lot! Everyone would have a cuddly afternoon sleep and then I’d take mum for dinner by the ocean at Il Lido in Cottesloe. Time to glam up and enjoy a much deserved drink.

And what would you be wearing?

I’d absolutely give ACNE a run whilst I enjoyed a child free outing. The Black Thyra One-Shoulder Vest paired with the Black Pinna Trousers, please and thank you!

How about the gift you’re getting for someone special (or hoping to unwrap) this Mother’s Day?

I think every mumma should unwrap a pair of BOTTEGA VENETA Black Madame Loafers to bring out the boss in her. Complete with jeans and white tee, how divine!