John Galliano once said, "The joy of dressing is an art," which epitomises how Julia Ford defines style. Change also springs to mind. Ford has had a year of that. She became a mum, relaunched her fashion brand, Ledoré, and juggled her role as creative director for New Zealand's favourite shoe brand, Kathryn Wilson. Style director Louise Hilsz visited Ford in her colourful inner-city Auckland apartment to discover how fashion and style are at the centre of her world.
“If you do not enjoy fashion or experimenting with style, then uniform dressing is excellent. If you like to have fun with dressing and style, I think treating your wardrobe like a curated collection of one’s style is the way to go. Collect high-quality pieces that appeal to your style sensibilities rather than the day’s trend, and you’ll always have something to wear.”
A career in fashion has always been Ford's goal. A talented graphic designer, her eye was always on fashion and the joy of dressing. Today, her cup is full. A mum to Isamaya, she’s juggling another love in her life, her fashion label, Ledorè. This ultra-feminine brand recently opened a store in the village of Matakana, north of Auckland. Ford shares her stunning, eclectic apartment, wardrobe, and beauty routine with our style director and some brilliant pearls of fashion wisdom.
Career
What's been your career high to date, and what do you still dream of achieving?
Whenever I see someone proudly wearing my designs, it is a highlight. I still have so much to achieve, but I would love to see the range stocked in a few of my favourite international stores.
What was the inspiration behind creating Ledoré?
I wanted to create a capsule collection of clothing and jewellery that embodied everyday luxury with an optimistic, joyous spirit. Utilising my textile designs, signature bold colours, and luxurious materials in beautiful, timeless styles.
What has been the most challenging product to make?
Producing the jewellery range involved forging relationships with new manufacturers. Even though I had attended goldsmith school years ago and have experience with CAD (computer-aided design), the sampling and production process was a different way of working and communicating than I was used to. Your relationship with your production team is vital, which is sometimes challenging. It’s all an important part of the journey, though, and learning how to work smarter in the future.
Ford’s new Ledoré pop-up summer store in Matakana village and some of her summer collection, shop here.
What's a typical working day for you?
This year, I’ve spent a lot of time at home with my baby and working on my laptop between feeds and naps. Working in the summer pop-up store over the last month or so has been such a refreshing change. These days, we have a little breakfast as a family in Ōmaha, and then I pass the baby over to my husband and set off for Matakana Village. I’ve found speaking with customers all day energising and the feedback on the clothing and jewellery has been invaluable. It’s important for designers to hear customer feedback directly. My husband Matt and baby Isamaya arrive at the store around 1 pm so I can feed her, and then it’s back to serving customers in the store for the afternoon. We are finishing most days with a barbecue followed by a swim at Ōmaha Beach.
What advice would you give other women starting a business or launching a brand?
Thoroughly research your market, have a crystal clear vision of what you’re trying to achieve with the brand and make sure you take the time to find and build solid relationships with your suppliers and production team.
What would you say is the #1 key to success in your business?
Having the support of my husband (and my inner circle, my friends and family). I wouldn’t be able to do what I am doing now without support, in particular having him there with our daughter while I work in the store.
If you could choose one lesson you have learned in business to pass on, what would that be?
Don’t approve anything without seeing a sample.
Ford’s living room.
Home
How would you describe your home?
Our apartment, funnily enough, is a former shoe factory that was converted into apartments. It has an industrial loft vibe with concrete walls and metal beams. We have collected art over the years, it is either by friends, family or collected on our travels to various places around the world.
How would your friends describe your home?
Quirky, comfy, retro.
What do you think makes a great interior?
The character of a space and its inhabitants shine through and tell a story of their life. Art and objects collected through a life well-lived are so much more interesting than store-bought style.
When it comes to colour, are you a neutral or colour girl with your interior style?
I love colour. I would paint every room and ceiling if left to my own devices…Matt prefers a more neutral, calming space. Sometimes, I push forward with a quirky coloured piece of furniture rather than painting a wall; however, generally, we come to a happy compromise, or he ends up ’seeing my vision’ once I’ve finished tinkering.
Ford with their daughter, Isamaya (Isa). The open-plan living room and kitchen are filled with her quirky collectables and family art.
What's your most treasured possession?
My grandfather’s paintings and my grandmother’s jewellery.
What's your favourite room in your home?
I love how the nursery has come together. As part of my nesting process, before Isa was born, we converted my workroom into the baby’s room. We knocked out the mezzanine wall and added windows to create a lighter, brighter space for her. Also, being a baby’s room, I felt we could go for a cute 'earthy rainbow' colour palette with the walls and furniture. Her rose gold cot was my first baby-related purchase and is so pretty. She’s yet to sleep the night in it, but that’s our goal for January 2025.
Isamaya’s nursery.
What hurdles did you come across doing a renovation?
So many hurdles. Our industrial space has quite a few concrete walls and areas where there is no ceiling void, so the wiring, pipes and plumbing all had to be external. It’s all part of the quirk and character of living in an industrial loft, but it threw quite a few challenges up when we renovated the bathrooms.
What advice would you share with others tackling a reno?
Save yourself some heartbreak and work with tradespeople who come with a glowing referral from friends.
What makes a house a home?
Comfort, memories, good vibes and good food.
Ford’s dining room.
Fashion
Describe your Fashion style?
Classic silhouettes, luxurious materials with a fondness for rich colours, bold prints and a strong vintage influence.
What do you collect?
I’ve started collecting vintage Louis Vuitton bags. The epi leather styles come in really fun bright colours; I’m trying to collect one of each colour.
You have a great eye for vintage purchases. What are your best tips?
Vintage shopping is all about fabrics and keeping an eye out for natural fibres and high-quality materials that will feel good and look more luxurious. For leather goods, find a reliable repairer who can help to maintain and repair any imperfections. Also, I never skip the men’s section, as you’ll often find better suits, shirts and leather pieces there.
What is your fashion weakness?
Anything sparkly.
What is your one fashion indulgence?
Now and then, I get a hankering for a new designer handbag.
What are your favourite local and international fashion designers?
I’ve worked for three ‘KW’s’ designers in my life. Kathleen Waite, Karen Walker and, of course, Kathryn Wilson. They’re all iconic in different ways, and I greatly admire them. Internationally, Alessandro Michele truly rocked my world when he took the reins at Gucci in 2015. I was a total fangirl. The styling and the references all resonated with me so strongly. Naturally, I’m very excited to see what he does at Valentino.
Ford in her bedroom and dressing room with a taste of her accessory collection.
Best buy ever?
The fashion nerd in me always wanted to own an iconic piece from the iconic YSL Russian collection of 1976. I found a beautiful black velvet collarless jacket in pristine condition on eBay some years ago and got it for a steal. I bought it even though it was black (not my colour) and far too big at the time. I’ve since 'grown into it', so I now get to enjoy wearing it.
Now that you're a Mum, has your outlook on fashion changed?
There are so many new considerations when dressing. I’ve had to buy many more flat shoes and sneakers that are safer for a clumsy girl like me to wear while holding a baby (an excellent shopping opportunity). My handbags need a strap that goes over the shoulder or across the body, and of course, tops and dresses that are breastfeeding-friendly are also a consideration now. Aside from that, I have a kinder attitude towards dressing my body now. I’m not so concerned with cramming myself into a smaller size or buying a small size in the hope of shrinking in the future. Just buy the size that looks and feels the best and enjoy the moment I’m in now.
What makes a great working wardrobe?
If you do not enjoy fashion or experimenting with style, then uniform dressing is excellent. If you like to have fun with dressing and style, I think treating your wardrobe like a curated collection of one’s style is the way to go. Collect high-quality pieces that appeal to your style sensibilities rather than the day's trend, and you’ll always have something to wear.
What inspires your fashion looks?
I find films and music most inspiring, mainly from the 60s, 70s and some 80s too. This season, it was La Piscine (1969) on my moldboard, although the Luca Guadagnino remake of the film A Bigger Splash (2015) is also very stylish.
Who would it be if you could have anyone, celebrity or friend, seen wearing Ledoré?
Grace Jones.
Ford’s entry way showcasing her art collection.
Beauty
Who is your beauty icon, and why?
Sade - she has an intense signature look and incredible skin.
What's the first thing you do in the morning and the last before you sleep?
Feed my baby!
What are your secrets to staying healthy and looking great?
This year has highlighted the importance of sleep and minimising stress. It’s a bit mad to tell a new mother to try to sleep more, but it is true.
Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly Eau de Parfum 50ml, $358. MAC Cosmetics M.A.C.Stack Mascara in Black Stack, $65. Mecca Max Lipstick in Pout Pop, $26. NARS Blush in Orgasm, $60.
When you're tired or rundown, what is your beauty hack?
I always feel better after sweating in a hot yoga or HIIT class.
What would we find in your makeup bag?
My makeup bag is minimal except for lipsticks ( I love trying out a new lip colour) - Nars foundation and blush, MAC Cosmetics Stack Mascara, Anastasia brow freeze and powder. My current favourite lip colour is the Mecca Max Pout Pencil in Muse, Mecca Max Lipstick in Pout Pop with Glossier Glassy High-Shine Lip Gloss on the top.
Favourite fragrance?
My current favourite is Dear Polly by Maison Vilhelm. My husband is great with scent and chose this one for me.
