PL MUSE: LAUREN NICHOLLS
Lauren Nicholls, founder of Mane Store, built her career on bold choices and a keen eye for unique pieces. With Stable already under her belt, Mane was born from a love for Collingwood’s striking space and a desire to redefine unisex retail. Ahead of our first Melbourne trunk show at Mane Store, Poppy caught up with Lauren to chat about her journey. Read on for the full conversation.
The Trunk Show is open from February 14th to 16th at Mane Store.
PL: You dropped out of uni studying an arts degree to pursue a career in fashion to work as an international buyer and product developer. Can you tell us about a ‘pinch me’ moment when you began that career path?
LN: I’ve had a few over the years but it’s all been a blur to say the least. Possibly when I find myself in some obscure places sourcing product and doing business in what one might call a non-business environment (think ornate finishings and language barriers). That gets my buzz going more than being in fabulous showrooms and fancy hotels in Paris honestly.
PL: You shared with me that you went back to studying at RMIT with their fashion buying course whilst simultaneously doing that same buying role at a big fashion house and your boss asked you ‘do you want to study it or learn it? Did you end up completing the degree?
LN: I did not finish the course. Nor did I need to. On the other hand, I have some particularly clever people working with me at present who have; and they’ve got skill sets I envy. So it’s really at the whim of the individual.
For someone looking into the field of buying: it sounds obvious but study and hands-on experience in tandem is in my eyes most beneficial. The fashion industry is so varied in its roles that sometimes working for a company that exposes one to each area of expertise helps to discover what your particular passion is and what that drive is best suited to. It’s an amazing way of supplementing study.
PL: You recently opened Mane store in Collingwood but you also have Stable in Albert Park, can you tell us how these two stores differ and what your inspiration was behind opening Mane?
LN: Stable and MANE definitely have different personality’s but you can totally tell they are related.
The unique space was mostly the driving inspiration behind Mane it was too good and made me do it 😊
Also I was drawn to the super vibey and progressive suburb of Collingwood, that and seeing there was an opportunity to retail Men’s collections a little differently to what we have previously seen in the Australian market.
PL: How would you describe your personal style?
LN: As a buyer/forecaster I do get a palpable rush when I see a super new look and I can’t wait to try it on (often on the spot). So, I’d say my style is ever-evolving but it’s really just beholden to my wandering eye. This is probably the hardest I’ve thought about it!
PL: Your house is on fire (don’t worry all your loved ones are safe)... but you only have time to save one item from your wardrobe, what is it and why that piece?
LN: I would cheat and take my trove jewellery box. Over the years I’ve amassed quite the little collection since opening our fine jewellery wing at Stable in Albert Park.
PL: What’s something you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing?
LN: The list is endless…and offensive! So consider this [redacted].
PL: Do you collect anything?
LN: I would like to grow my Marie Lichtenberg collection.
PL: What is your go-to movie you watch over and over again?
LN: JAWS. Always.
PL: If you could own any piece of art, irrespective of price what would it be?
LN: Reko Rennie. Duh!
PL: What is your signature perfume?
LN: Moonmilk by Stora Skuggan. Come in and have a whiff.
PL: If there was anyone dead or alive you wish you could have dinner with, who would it be?
LN: Graham Norton, Marie Lichtenberg, and Warwick Capper for the lols.
