Brought to you by Jo Malone London Mimosa & Cardamom
A new bohemia awaits
Photography: Dominic Loneragan
You might’ve grown up with Tamila Purvis and not realised it.
Her styling stamp was all over the early years of RUSSH Magazine, with her seventies scrapbook-esque aesthetic influencing a generation of Australians. Her trademark seemed to be about embracing the rough and tumble quirks that makes our country unique and fusing them with ultra high end brands from overseas. We’ll never forget an editorial where she posed a young Catherine McNeil in the yard of a suburban fibro cottage wearing a sequinned vintage Chanel dress (here it is for a reminder).
Flash to 2009, launching MANIAMANIA with fellow RUSSH alum Melanie Kamsler. Her range of ornately sculpted crystal rings and necklaces again directing the zeitgeist, this time inspiring women to revel in a sort of ‘new bohemia’ whereby even the everyday can feel a little bit mystical (yes, even in the office). The brand exploded not just here in Aus but across the globe, with Cara Delevigne, Alison Mosshart, Chloe Sevigny and Alexa Chung all singing (wearing?) her praises.
It was as if she knew instinctually that women were hunting for style that sparked an emotional response. Fast forward to now and leading a team of staff and negotiating deals with some of the world’s biggest department stores.
We recently got to spend some time with Purvis in her sunny Bondi home which she shares with her partner, Monster Children editor Campbell Milligan and son Coda. Here, she shares insights on life, aesthetics and what it takes to find the balance in the business of being artistic.
“We’ve lived in Bondi forever (15 years) and absolutely love it for the beach and that feeling of air and space that comes from living by the coast. When I can’t be near the ocean I make do with Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne.”
“We travel a lot and our house is a collection of things we’ve collected on the way. My jewellery is inspired by so many different cultures, from a trip to Morocco to India. Also Victorian and Georgian Memento Mori themes, which always reminds me that life is fleeting but not in a morbid way. More of a live in the moment way.”
“Campbell and I just bought a place that’s almost completely off the grid. Solar panels and spring water from the mountain. That might’ve been considered ‘bohemian’ a few years ago but is now just more of a down-to-earth way to live. More and more we’ve been wanting more trees and even more fresh air. Over dream is to be able to love both and have a foot in either world (the city and the country).”
“I always surround myself with crystals and candles. Especially the ethereal vibe of Jo Malone London Mimosa and Cardamom. That kind of energy is a huge part of the MANIAMANIA vibe.”
“The biggest challenge for us making enough jewellery pieces to fulfil demand. Also running the day to day business is hard. When you’re creative and you become successful in what you do, it’s almost as though you have to have two hats. The Creative and The CEO.”
What are 5 things you’ve learned & know to be true?
1. This too shall pass
2. Be here now
3. Be the change you want to see in the world
4. What goes around, comes around
5. Reap what you sow.
Follow Jo Malone London on Instagram @JoMaloneLondon
Follow MANIAMANIA on Instagram @themaniamania and Tamila Purvis at @tamilapurvis
We’re also on Instagram @citizensoftheworld & @dominicloneragan &@meghanloneragan
