CONSCIOUS STATE OF BEING
A shift in attitudes has amplified our awareness of social issues, community and the environment, and is ultimately bringing us back down to earth
When I became editor of Vogue Living, I made it clear that celebrating and recognising women in design was an important objective for the magazine. I wanted to showcase female creatives who had talent, passion and perseverance, as well as a different perspective in a traditionally male-dominated field. The #MeToo movement was in full swing when my first women’s issue went on sale and, three years on, I’m still as passionate as ever to shine a light on and provide a stage for the amazing women who continue to break new ground in the design realm.
Some of my favourite Australian design leaders feature in this issue including the trailblazing Jodie Fried of ethically conscious company Armadillo (page 62) and the distinctive Yasmine Ghoniem of YSG Studio (page 56). In our profiles on these formidable women, we reveal their unsurprisingly amazing homes. Jodie’s home is the culmination of a carefully considered approach while Yasmine’s bold Bondi home exhibits her unique aesthetic and vibrant personality. I had the pleasure of spending time with Yasmine late last year and fell in love with her approach to design and sense of humour. I was also in awe of her strength and resilience. It’s meeting women like Yasmine that make my job so satisfying and it’s such a privilege to be able to share their boundary-pushing work.
We also present a collection of seriously chic homes, each a considered take on contemporary femininity. From the restrained, soft neutral palette of a heritage home in Stockholm (page 78) to the eclectic, colourful furniture of a Milan apartment (page 132), there is something to suit everyone. And the pairing of interior designer Edwina Glenn with philanthropist and women’s rights advocate Jill Reichstein OAM highlights the power of collaboration with the resulting Melbourne sanctuary (page 124) a refined vision of calm.
Our kitchen and bathroom special cannot be missed either (page 145), filled with insider expert advice from the best local and global designers on all the latest trends in colour, materials and products, as well as their own dream projects. Overwhelmingly though, smart layouts, incredible details and sustainable style remain timeless.
Enjoy the issue.