Mum Revelations - Fleur Robinson

1. Where do you reside?

For almost one year now, we’ve lived in Avalon on the northern beaches of Sydney.  I’m still adjusting to this (wonderful) lifestyle after having spent the majority of my life literally on the other side of the country in Perth.  My husband is from Avalon, originally, but after completing his studies in Perth he decided to stay on – lucky for the both of us.  We lived together in Perth for 10 years before deciding to move to his hometown. 

2. What is special about where you live?

Coming from a very flat state (WA) with a straight coastline, I’m always in awe of the incredibly varied typography here.  The fact that we live on a peninsula means that we’re surrounded by water and I’ve become quite the ‘outdoors’ type that I never was in Perth (it makes my friends laugh!)  It’s so fun to discover little pockets that are only accessible by boat or to glimpse some amazing homes that you’d never see from the road.  I love discovering the charm of neighbouring suburbs too, but the traffic can be quite hellish in Summer. Seems everyone wants to sample this charmed life.

3.  How did you get your business started? 
Just before leaving Perth I mentioned to a friend that she should let her neighbour know that I was moving to the East Coast and would love to help out.  Her neighbour is Caterina Samaha, the beautiful woman behind the children’s wear label ALEX&ANT.  I didn’t know much about her apart from having purchased a garment or two and that she shared a friendship with my friend, and Caterina knew even less about me.  However, once we got chatting we could see that ALEX&ANT needed a voice and Caterina was too busy doing everything else.  I’d been writing editorial for several years in my field of interior design so it was a lovely direction in which to take my writing – a little easier going than the fairly intellectual world of architecture journals.  ALEX&ANT isn’t my business but I’m made to feel I’m very much a part of its success.

4. What is your favourite childhood memory?

The times we visited my grandparents when they lived in a simple home on the estuary at Australind, about half way to Margaret River, south of Perth.  My brother and I slept in the caravan that was permanently parked in the carport and I remember thinking that it was fairly scary being out in the ‘wilderness’.  Of course, looking back it was super cool.  We’d wake to dippy eggs with soldier toasts and something Nan called an “egg drink” which was a milkshake with vanilla essence and an egg – yum.  We’d head off to explore the estuary in the dinghy, without a care in the world, then come back to a quiet game of UNO with my Pop.

5. What are some memories that you like to create for your children?

You can’t deny that there are different concerns for your children these days, but I want for them to enjoy a similar lifestyle to the above-mentioned: simple impromptu trips to the beach; days spent coasting on the water; the company of close family and time spent cooking in the kitchen with me.  Before we moved here I recognized my thought-patterns were always focused on what I needed to organize for the future (of course, I was juggling raising children and running a business).  I felt very threatened by the unknown and unplanned. Now, I’m in training to live in the moment and to spend time enjoying life at a child’s level.

6.  Who inspires you?

Everyday Mums just like me.

7.  Describe your perfect day?

The morning (or dusk) at the beach with my kids and my camera, a couple of good coffees, 1 hour to myself to read a magazine and perhaps for a quick fix of on-line shopping, a couple of glasses of good wine and a dinner out. I’m also partial to disappearing for a facial and a pedi every once in a while!

  

8. What are some of your favourite items that you could not live without?

I couldn’t live without my camera and the photo albums I’m creating for our family.  I love looking back on how the kids have grown.  I have a bit of a thing for special chairs, so I’m not sure I could live without my Eames rocker and other seating pals. My KitchenAide, cookbooks, ipod and Kevin Murphy shampoo would have to be on that desert island, and I must admit I feel so much better equipped to tackle the day after a coffee and a spritz of delicious perfume.

9. What is your favourite product for kids and why?

Books.  We have read to our children everyday from birth and there’s nothing that gives us more pleasure.  Now that our son is learning to read, it affords us a new level of interaction and responsibility that we’ve embraced!

10. Your favourite children’s fashion label?

ALEX&ANT, of course, but I’m not totally biased so I like to add a mix of of BIG by Fiona, Littlehorn, Coco & Ginger, Zimmerman and some Country Road basics.

11. What is your family’s favourite meal?

I’m pretty sure the troops would vote for my fancy beef stroganoff.

12. Are you a fashion conscious mother? If so what is your favourite label for yourself?  Oh yes, I love fashion.  Living in Avalon we’re quite isolated from good fashion stores, but fortunate to have a Ginger & Smart and Bassike in town.  Ginger & Smart is a favourite, I adore the fabrics and flattering cuts.  I’m also a long-time devotee of Scanlan & Theodore but my current lifestyle doesn’t really lend itself to many ‘Scanlan’ occasions. Likewise I have a friend who is a very successful fashion designer, however the only Aurelio Costarella in my wardrobe is true vintage (I worked for him when I was 16!)  I love to invest in Marc Jacobs shoes during the sales.

13. What is the best thing about being a mother?

I just melt when they come to me for a cuddle…I hope they need this from me for many years to come.  And I never tire of watching them sleeping, it’s this moment of every day that I’m completely overwhelmed with joy & love.  I guess it’s because they can’t ask me for anything in a whingey voice!

14. To finish off would you like to add a favourite photo? Tell us why it is your favourite.

Avalon Beach: I took this the first week we moved to Sydney...the sun rising over the ocean is a new phenonomen to someone from WA.

Olive at Xmas 2010: Just love a bit of kitsch, this fold-out chair is fabulous and my daughter looks so cute in her fairy dress.

Zaccy dripping: I took this photo of my son very recently.  He 's so confident in the water now, but it wasn't that long ago that he wouldn't put his head under.  It also reminds me of one of my all-time favourite movies, The Big Blue.

Claudia in Alex&Ant: This is my 12-year-old niece Claudia in a photo shoot I did for the first ALEX&ANT 7-14 years girls collection.  I think she has that quintessential Australian look, a natural beauty, and she's a gorgeous person.  I love the contrast of the feminine clothing against the rustic fence.

Thank you for sharing Fleur xx

Check back later this week for ALEX&ANT'S look book.