State of Georgia (Hall); on motherhood and building a fashion empire.

 Tell us about your family…

Albert, who I’ve been with for 15 years and who recently proposed, so now he’s my fiancé! We have a gorgeous little boy, River, who just turned 11.

What was your biggest adjustment when becoming a mum?

Hmm, hard question… I think it might be that I had this little human who relied on me! It was no longer just me being the free spirit that I was, or am.

How do you manage the juggle when it comes to trying to do it all?

Well, the juggle can be very real sometimes, but I’m so, so lucky to have a partner who does a lot! From transporting our little one to soccer, piano, skateboarding, school pick-ups, to friends’ places… he’s also one of the best dads I know and is so there for River.

What is the best thing about motherhood?

Gosh, everything! I love being a mum so much! Watching their little brains work and kind of reliving childhood again.

What’s been the biggest challenge in motherhood?

When River was three months old, we had just arrived back in Bali and I found out a very close friend of mine had committed suicide. That same day, Albert’s parents had flown in from Austria to meet River and me for the first time.

It was the hardest time in my life and changed me forever. I was breastfeeding, meeting parents, in shock, in pain – it was just so overwhelming. I wanted to run, hide, lose myself, not think. But I couldn’t. River needed me.

He grounded me. He made me stop from running away from myself. I had to deal with everything, not escape into alcohol or numb out. It was truly the most challenging time of my life. But looking back, it was River who got me through it.

What surprised you most when becoming a mum?

That this is actually real, and I’ve got this little guy for the rest of my life. We’re in it for the long haul. I knew what I was getting into, but it’s not all butterflies and perfection. It was a shock, in a real and confronting way at the start, and also all love.

What do you wish you knew before becoming a mum?

These little people are their own people. Let them be them. Nurture, but let go, you can’t control.

If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself or others?

Don’t be scared. When the baby comes, it’s not just love and roses, it’s bloody scary. This realisation that you have this small person to look after can be really overwhelming.

Sure, there’s the love, but it’s also a shock. You only ever hear how amazing it is, not how terrifying it can feel. That “can I actually do this?” moment is real.

Tips or tricks for managing the day-to-day juggle?

Establish a routine, I think routine is key! Exercise is SO important, even if it’s just walking, it really helps the brain. And a healthy diet. It’s amazing what just that can do to your brain function.

How do you manage your time across career, motherhood, and everything else?

Gosh, I think I might be the world’s worst person to answer this question! But funnily enough, I’ve turned to AI lately, as funny as it sounds, it’s actually been very helpful.

Who’s in your village and who couldn’t you live without?

My family, my man, my son, and my girlfriends.

The five things in your bag you can’t leave home without?

I’m pretty basic when it comes to my bag! I’ve got my wallet, phone and my glasses – I’m blind as a bat and recently got the best two-for-one deal on some Vivienne Westwood glasses back in Melbourne, so I’m super happy with them! Then it’s my Charlotte Tilbury lipstick… and a tampon, just in case!

Your favourite holiday spot?

This is very hard! But I loved Croatia, specifically a little place called Poreč. I love the rock pools around there and exploring them. We went about five years ago with my partner’s family. We drove there from Graz, where his parents live in Austria.

Why do you love it?

The rock pools, the food was next level, and the laid-back holiday vibes, heaven!

Top of the travel wish list?

I’d really love to go to Paris.

Favourite brand and why?

I’m a big fan of Prada and Marni for their use of colour and shape. I don’t have many of their pieces, but I love them.

Trend you’re loving right now?

I’m not really a trend girl, but some of the bubble skirts, and how they’ve been interpreted on the catwalks have been wild and fun.

We recently made a really cute bubble dress in our new collection that I believe is actually a wearable piece for everyone!

Trend you can’t get on board with?

Having your undies, or G-string, hanging out of your dress. LOL.

Latest brand discovery?

My partner showed me this really cool younger brand called Nude.

Where do you do most of your fashion shopping?

To be honest, I’m not a huge shopper, I mainly shop when I’m on holiday or overseas. Also, being a designer, I wear a lot of my own samples.

What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you?

Healthy to me means eating well and exercising. Breathing is a huge part too.

I practise Buddhism, so I chant and meditate daily. Sleep is key as well, I’m very strict on school nights with sleep, healthy eating, routine, and breathing.

How do you keep your body moving?

I love Pilates and I go to an exercise class called BCT, Brazilian Circuit Training. I walk as well.

Your top tips for living a healthy lifestyle?

Sleep.
Healthy eating.
Exercise.
Meditation.
Doing something that makes you smile every day.

Non-negotiables when it comes to health and wellness?

Exercise, healthy eating, and meditation.

What does “balance” mean to you?

Doing what makes you happy.

You’ve lived in Bali for a while — what do you love most about it?

The people and their outlook on life.

Most challenging thing about living in Bali?

At the moment, the rain! It’s been so bad. Also, it’s become so busy and the traffic is killer. And sometimes, there’s this feeling that it’s not really your “real” home, things can change at any moment, that can be challenging.

Do you think you’ll stay in Bali for a while, or what are your plans?

Funny, we were just in Melbourne and have been thinking about a move. It’s a hard one with school and trying to figure out whether to stay and let our little one finish school, or move and have the last years somewhere else. So many things to work out, but we are thinking maybe a move is coming. When? Who knows!

What led or inspired you to start State of Georgia?

I was thrown into it! I came from dancing classical ballet and musical theatre . I never wanted to wear the same things other people wore, I liked my own looks, vintage.

I actually got into it by default – a friend needed someone to design and asked me. I had no experience and went anyway. It was a real sliding doors moment. That’s how I ended up in Bali. I originally worked with other designers and learnt buy doing.

I  started looking around and getting exposure. I went down Double Six one day and found these super cool sarongs, and turned them into dresses – three different styles. I started wearing them and would go around to shops and people started noticing and asking where I got my dress from, and I’d show them samples. They were stocked in boutiques and kept re-ordering. It was crazy how it started to roll, 22 years ago now. There was no Instagram. It all grew organically. A simpler time.

What’s next for State of Georgia?

Funnily enough, we just launched a project that has a similar ethos to HTE; it’s called Muse. This new way of doing things is so exciting to me and I’m so interested to see how it’s received. We’re focusing on one woman, and then we will dress her and interview her. We’re looking for people who inspire, quiet achievers, go-getters, confident women.It’s been so much fun to shoot and interview these ladies. It’s also a creative outlet I really needed for myself.

What’s the most challenging thing about having your own business?

Wearing all the different hats. I’m not good at delegating, I’ve gotten better but found it hard. Learning when to hand over things to other people. You never get time off, you’re always thinking, always planning the next thing.

And the best thing about having your own business?

You get to choose how you do things, what you design, where you take the business – you can do it on your own terms.