Bec + Bridge’s designer duo on AFW, motherhood and friendship | TEZOM3U | 2024-05-12 14:08:01
Bec + Bridge's designer duo on AFW, motherhood and friendship | TEZOM3U | 2024-05-12 14:08:01
Becky Cooper and Bridget Yorston on motherhood, friendship, and their 20th anniversary at Australian Fashion Week
The designer duo behind Bec + Bridge reflect on their friendship, their lives juggling business and motherhood, and the 20th anniversary of their first runway at Australian Fashion Week.
By Dani Maher
Speaking to Harper's BAZAAR Australia/New Zealand a week before they're set to unveil their latest runway for Australian Fashion Week, the duo say they feel lucky to have the partnership they do as both friends and designers. "It's something we don't take for granted," they say.
Their unique journey over the past two decades has seen them evolve as businesswomen and simply as people, and they've supported each other through it all — even as they entered new phases of their life as mothers. Cooper has two sons, nine-year-old Max, and seven-year-old Teddy; while Bridget has three children: 13-year-old Tommy, 11-year-old George, and eight-year-old Matilda. As Mother's Day looms — on the eve of Fashion Week, no less — they admit that "naturally, things change when becoming a mother," but it's a change they've embraced wholeheartedly.
"We've always prioritised balance and perspective in how we approach life and business, but that certainly plays out on a whole new level once becoming a mother," they say.
Embracing "flexibility and balance" has been key, they say, as has maintaining a sense of self beyond the part of their identity that is motherhood. In that regard, fashion has been a liberating tool. "Being able to express personal style, creativity and
individuality can be empowering for mothers in maintaining a sense of self," they advise.
Below, discover our full conversation with the fashionable pair — including what they say we can expect from the runway which will mark 20 years since their debut at Australian Fashion Week.
Harper's BAZAAR: What is your first memory of meeting each other at university? What were your first impressions of each other?
We met on our very first day of university. We were being taken on a tour of the textile print rooms and we ended up introducing ourselves. We had no idea what lay ahead for us…
Studying together at UTS was the catalyst for you two becoming friends, and ultimately creating Bec+Bridge after you graduated. What were those earliest discussions of starting your own label like? Did it seem like a dream or something you knew you were going to embark upon together?
We never set out to start a label. It all started with a friend coming to us with an old pair of jeans that he wanted us to revamp for his party that night. We screen printed our names all over them, stitched them, dyed them, embroidered them… they had a full makeover. It was 2001 and denim was having a big moment… that pair of jeans set the wheels in motion. Before we knew it, we were registering our business name.
Some say you shouldn't go into business with your friends. What advice do you have for friends wanting to team up professionally?
We've been incredibly fortunate with our partnership. It's hard to offer up advice in this area… it's something we don't take for granted. Always keeping things in perspective is a good start.
Did becoming mothers change the way you approached your business?
Naturally things change when becoming a mother. We've always prioritised balance and perspective in how we approach life and business but that certainly plays out on a whole new level once becoming a mother.
What do you see as the relationship between motherhood and fashion?
The relationship between motherhood and fashion is certainly a personal one. Apart from the practical aspect, being able to express personal style, creativity and individuality can be empowering for mothers in maintaining a sense of self.
Being able to EXPRESS personal style, CREATIVITY and individuality can be EMPOWERING for mothers in maintaining a SENSE of SELF.
The world of business is still evolving to accommodate women as they enter different stages of their lives, like motherhood. How have you noticed it change as you've become mothers, and how do you hope it can continue to evolve to support women and mothers?
As business owners we've been very fortunate that we're able navigate motherhood with the necessary flexibility and balance we need. We hope that at Bec + Bridge we've built a culture that makes mothers feel supported through encouraging work life balance as well as an environment that allows them to thrive in their careers.
Next week, at Australian Fashion Week, you'll be presenting your 20th anniversary runway. What can fans expect?
A fresh, elevated and edgy collection.
</div> </div> The post Bec + Bridge's designer duo on AFW, motherhood and friendship appeared first on Harper's Bazaar Australia.
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