Maggie Marilyn
Maggie Marylin
What is your earliest memory of caring for your skin?
It’s not so much a memory of caring for my skin, but my earliest memory of having a relationship with my skin was when I was 14 years old and went to boarding school. I developed acne and recurrent breakouts, and remember feeling really helpless and self-conscious. It was a pretty traumatic experience, which I think anyone who has had severe acne can attest to.
What activity do you do which makes you feel most like yourself?
Swimming in the ocean! I swim in the ocean all year-round; summer or winter. My favourite thing to do in the water is lie on my back and experience that feeling of weightlessness when you’re floating about an inch above the water’s surface, with your ears covered, and you feel like time is standing still.
What is the most beautiful word or sound in the world?
The sound of the ocean and the waves crashing against the shoreline. Nothing beats waking up in my childhood bedroom up North in the Bay of Islands and hearing Mother Nature outside the window; there aren’t any major roads or street lights near our home, and all you hear are the birds and the ocean.
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you've ever made?
Investing in Maggie Marilyn. Starting the business at 21 years old, and dedicating all of my time, savings and energy into it for almost seven years has been the most rewarding experience. Maggie Marilyn has been the platform for an enormous amount of personal and professional growth and has expanded and pushed me in ways I never would’ve imagined.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere, with anything on it, what would it say?
Maggie Marilyn: Using Fashion to Create a Better World.
The fashion industry is responsible for 10 percent of annual global carbon emissions, so it’s a statement that is intentionally provocative. ‘Using Fashion to Create a Better World’ has been MM’s mission statement since day one and seven years on we remain steadfast in our commitment to redefining what a successful fashion formula looks like, putting people and planet first, and using business as a force for good.
Whom do you secretly admire?
I don’t hold any secrets for who I admire! I’m such a big believer in telling people how you feel about them, and letting people know that they’ve inspired you. I’ve been lucky enough to meet business women and men who I admire and I always make a point to tell them.
In the last 5 years, what new belief, behaviour or habit has most improved your life?
I’ve become obsessed with reading books and listening to podcasts about the journeys of the founders behind big legacy brands; people like Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia, Jo Horgan of MECCA and Phil Knight of Nike (I’ve read Shoe Dog at least five times). All of them have had completely different trajectories, but they all share one common trait: Grit.
What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
I think there’s a misconception that you have to have a hard exterior to be successful in business, and that to be vulnerable is to show weakness. But in my experience, I’ve found that vulnerability is key to courageous leadership. Vulnerability has allowed me to forge relationships and seek advice from some of the most successful and impressive minds in fashion and business - and I think that’s because it reminds us of our shared humanity.
The other false narrative I sometimes hear is that “business isn’t personal”. I think business is inherently personal, and that’s okay! To say something is “strictly business” is a lie we tell ourselves to make certain experiences sting less.
What time of the day do you feel the most energetic and what do you usually do in those moments?
I’m definitely a morning person! My body clock wakes me between about 5 and 6am, and that’s when I feel the most energised, inspired and motivated. So I usually capitalise on this time by getting into nature to move my body, and then coming home to fire off some emails, draw and design.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?
I’m such a big picture thinker, so whenever I feel overwhelmed by a problem I try to zoom out and ask myself, “Is this a problem or challenge that will still be worrying me in a year’s time? This time next year will I still be losing sleep over this?”. I try to put problems in perspective and remind myself and my time that nothing is insurmountable.
With age, I’ve also become better at giving something space before reacting. A friend of mine says: “Strike when the iron’s cold.” Which is to say; before you react, make an impulsive phone call, or send a reply email - give the “thing” some breathing room, go for a walk, or sleep on it. I’m a Taurus, so when I was younger my natural inclination was to shoot from the hip.
What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?
It’s not necessarily unusual, but I’m a big believer in acupuncture and have been getting weekly acupuncture for the last few years. I swear by it! I started going on the recommendation of a girlfriend when I found myself stressed to the point of burnout and was getting recurrent tonsillitis as a result. Acupuncture has been such a healing modality for me.
What is your favourite treatment or gift from FENN?
It’s called the FENN Foundation, and it’s basically a customised facial followed by Red Light Therapy! Clare got me hooked on LED about six months ago when I first moved to Sydney and my skin flared up - I think due to stress, but also the change in environment and the harsher water compared to what my skin was used to in New Zealand. There’s something so holistic and nurturing about all of Clare’s treatments; it always feels like an experience for mind, body and spirit. I’m really sensitive to people’s energy and Clare has such a profoundly calming energy that I’m really grateful for.