A second honeymoon in Bali reminded Melbourne stylist Katie Graham that she needed to slow down and focus on what was important in her life: family. It also gave her an idea as to how she could do this. The Family Love Tree is a business that allows her to travel, source vintage fabrics and furniture, and have new pieces made to sell via her online shop. She gets to indulge what she loves, work from home, and spend more time with her family.
Which five words best describe you? A frustrated interior designer with a fabric/textile addiction!
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started and still have a career in costume design for film and TV, which started in 1994. I also had a self-named fashion label from 1995 to 2000, have been a stylist for many photo shoots, music videos and TV commercials, small business owner of Raggidy Rag Dolls, the list goes on.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Collecting skills from the many industries I have worked in and joining the dots together has been invaluable. Also, good old-fashioned customer service and keeping up high standards, offering quality and something a little different can take you a long way.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I have many proud career achievements: being able to work with some pretty amazing film directors and actors is one and showcasing my fashion label at Mercedes Sydney Fashion week in 1999.
What’s been your best decision? I think starting this new venture with The Family Love Tree; it allows me to channel all the things I love into one thing, such as the travel, sourcing vintage fabrics, researching vintage furniture and also spending more time with my kids, being a home-based business.
Who inspires you? Colours, patterns, interesting and unique design, vintage shopping, overseas travel, old movies from 1940s and 50s, and my husband Jason - he's an incredibly passionate independent film maker.
What are you passionate about? Film, art, architecture, vintage furniture and fabrics, my thre kids/family/friends....
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? My great great great great great grandfather Jacob Bellet - a silk merchant - who was caught stealing a bolt of black silk and sent to Australia on the First Fleet as a convict - I think we have lots in common!
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Being able to take time off to travel with my family, take the kids on overseas caravan adventures, mmm like gypsies in Morocco.
What are you reading? Steve Job's biography
images courtesy of the family love tree and derek swalwell
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