Cou-cou! Long-time friend and honorary member of the Blue Illusion family, Catriona Rowntree, brings a brand-new collection just in time for Mother’s Day. Since her last collaboration with us, Catriona has kept it closer to home, paying tribute to her husband’s intergenerational wool farm.
Farm Life
Stretching across 200 years, Catriona’s husband, James’, vast intergenerational wool farm is an hour drive from Melbourne and champions sustainable farming and their local rural communities. Hidden amongst the never-ending fields of sheep and grain is a beautifully quaint bluestone cottage. The property, previously belonging to the farm’s manager, now offers a rural, serene setting for the couple’s family home, which they share with their two boys. “Let there be no illusions, marrying my hot farmer and moving from the city to the farm was not easy for me. For a long time, I’ve felt like a square peg in a round hole, wondering how on earth I can contribute to my husband’s business,” Catriona reminisces. She may be Sydney-born, but “[she] sure can talk the leg off a chair about wool and fashion!” Conveniently for a travel addict like Catriona, the farm even has an airstrip to satisfy Catriona’s desire for both fashion and plane runways!
For her children, the farm’s colossal shearing shed became their playground. The ideal setting to imagine they’re cowboys in the Wild West, or as they enter their teens, it’s ideal to have friends over and ponder their futures. “If my husband and I are able to show our children that you can make your passion your profession, then that’s a good thing,” Catriona explains. “They’ve grown up being immersed in every aspect of farming; they love it, but there’s zero pressure on them to make it their future career. We genuinely just want them to be happy, to follow their dreams, which as teenagers currently revolves around sport and bad haircuts!”
A love letter to wool
This new collection is an amalgamation of James’ country ancestry with Catriona’s devotion to the French provincial aesthetic and, of course, her romantic side. Designed in collaboration with the wonderfully talented Blue Illusion design team, including Donna Guest, this collection is in anticipation of Mother’s Day and draws upon a shared elegant, feminine style. Created with a love for flowing silhouettes and playfulness, whilst still maintaining the heartfelt connection to land and tradition instilled in Catriona’s family.
Blue Illusion was fortunate enough to shoot the campaign on the farm. Shooting in the 200-year-old shearing shed was a special privilege, and we saw first-hand the love and passion Catriona and her family have for Australian wool. Her “hot farmer” even makes a much-anticipated appearance!
“Blue Illusion allows me to showcase the finest Australian wool, alongside clothing that combines my two favourite features, pretty and practical! It’s wonderful to feel great about what you're wearing, but in my case, it can’t be too precious; it must hold its look over the course of a busy day, be travel-friendly and just make you feel fantastic! This collection achieves all of that.” – Catriona Rowntree.
This collection is Catriona’s own personal love letter to wool. “The whole point of wool is that you’re buying a sustainable fibre, that will stand the test of time, you truly don’t need much to feel amazing and mix ‘n’ match with your wardrobe.” As a wardrobe staple, wool is incredibly versatile, even a glamourous TV presenter like Catriona needs a bit of ease when it comes to winter dressing. “I’ve literally thrown all these pieces into a big handbag, jumped on a plane and workshopped this collection through all occasions.”
For Catriona, you, our most valued customers, helped guide the collection. “When I travel across Australia filming my TV shows, before I go to a country town, I’ll call Donna and ask, ‘Do you have a store in so and so?” Guaranteed, Donna will reply, ‘yep, go and say hi to Jenny (Donna knows the name of every store manager), she’s lovely’. Then I go in with my trusty old-fashioned diary, primed to take notes and ask one question: ‘Tell me what your ladies are asking for?’” The things we’d do to get a hold of what we’re calling ‘Catriona’s dream-dressing journal’…
With each piece carrying its own story, the Wool Jacket is one of the collection’s many hero pieces and counteracts any claims that winter dressing must mean wearing frumpy layers to stay warm. The statement lapels and sharp tailoring bring structure, contrasted with the soft wool make it perfect for layering. Pair it with the Smock Detail Blouse from the collection and a perfectly fitting pair of jeans to elongate your figure whilst staying comfy, something only our Le Flare Bengajean® can do. A wool coat is always a worthwhile investment to carry you through cold and crisp mornings, winter evenings out with friends, and everything in between.
Meanwhile, the wool blend Check Full Skirt pays tribute to the equestrian side of living on Catriona’s gorgeous farm with a hint of Blue Illusion glamour. “[Donna and I] raved about our love of The Camargue region of France, French cowboys and feminine women on the Land. We wanted a wool skirt that not only twirled but would look great flung over the back of a horse. Isn’t that ridiculous, and that’s exactly the kernel of our friendship.” The tweed-inspired check pattern masquerades as a neutral and is easy to style. What makes this piece so special, however, is the circle skirt style’s fullness, accentuating the waist while flowing just above the ankles in a dramatic movement of fabric.
Key to any French provincial-inspired wardrobe is a bottomless collection of scarves, and Catriona has designed one with your name on it. Crafted from 100% silk with a vibrant floral print, this scarf slips effortlessly around your neck, making any outfit look incredibly chic. We recommend looking up ways to tie a scarf; the options are endless, from the Shoulder Bow to the Classic French Knot. We love them all! Catriona’s scarf makes a great addition to any Mother’s Day wish list, so be sure to request it soon.
From one mum to another
Donna wanted the collection to “celebrate the women who inspire us – offering meaningful pieces to cherish, whether gifting or self-selecting something special”. Similarly, Catriona wanted “everything [to be] imbued with lucky charms, colours that give your skin a glow and hide a multitude of sins.” Sweetheart buttons on the beautiful floral cardigan mean you can quite literally carry a mother’s love wherever you go.
Speaking of motherhood, it would be irresponsible to let Catriona go without asking what motherhood means to her.
“Motherhood, and indeed being maternal, can take on many forms. Of course, for my boys, I just hope they feel loved and deliver me breakfast in bed, or their life won't be worth living (no pressure). However, having just lost my beautiful big sister, I’ve really stepped in to bear hug my nieces and nephews, to regularly text my love and support. My Mum equally needs loads of love right now, and I choose to follow my sister Lucinda’s mantra to ‘throw kindness around like confetti’. Now, wouldn't the world be a better place if we could all just stick to that?” – Catriona
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And with that, another Catriona Rowntree collection is out in the world for you all to enjoy!
