Introducing 'In Her Element' — the latest instalment of our OHEN ON series, where we consider the quiet influence a city can have on the way we live and dress. 

 

RITUALS & ROUTINES

How do you start your mornings—are there any rituals that set the tone for your day?

For sure, I’m a pretty ritualistic person. My mornings typically start around 5.30am or so, I get up to head to the gym for a workout, pilates, weights, cardio, variety is key! And I aim to get a full session in before my two kiddos wake up. So I am back about 7am and then my husband, Tyson and I, are really hands on and present with the kids before they head out the door to school at about 8am. Once the house is quiet I meditate for 30mins and then I’m getting myself ready for the day ahead.  

What’s one daily habit that keeps you centered, no matter how busy life gets?

Definitely exercise and meditation. That combo for me is really crucial, I attribute much of my joy to both practices and really don’t sacrifice them for anything. 

How do you unwind and make the most of your time outside of work?

There’s honestly not much down time, our kids are 5 and 2 and we both have busy careers so things aren’t very slow paced for us. But again, I would have to say that taking time to exercise and move your body and connect with your physical self is a really fantastic way to unwind mentally and meditation has been instrumental to my growth as a person and my feeling of fulfilment. Both practices contribute a lot to my energy levels. 

 

CITY LIFE - FAVOURITE SPOTS & HIDDEN GEMS

What are the places in your city that make it feel like home?

So many! New York is such a vibrant place, the energy here has always been so stimulating for me. We live in Brooklyn, I’ve lived there for the last 13 years and most of that time has been spent living in Williamsburg. The neighborhood has changed a lot but always feels like home to me. The water front, green parks, neighborhoods like Greenpoint in summer. Now that we have kids I spend a lot of time at playgrounds hahaha but will always find time to pop into some of our favorite places like Hotel Delmano or take a minute to vintage shop (my favorite thing to do), Brooklyn has some incredible locations, would highly recommend Sorbara’s on Wythe. A morning coffee is a must in our household, we’re lucky to have so many good options around us but I love going to the hole in the wall window, Butler, on N 8th to grab something on the go. 

Do you have a hidden gem—a café, boutique, or quiet spot that feels like your personal retreat?

New York is a great place to people watch so I’ll usually head to one of the local parks with the kids and connect with nature if I’m feeling like a need a retreat. Nature is always the answer! 

You have a young family, where do you love spending time together, creating everyday moments of connection?

We’re so fortunate to live where we do, we have an apartment that is flooded with natural light so we love slow mornings together there. We’ll always venture out with the kids to one of our local cafes and then usually head to the water front or park to play and explore. Our kids are still little, we’re in that phase of everyday chaos, but it’s so fun to see things through a 2 year olds eyes and see the bond with his sister express itself as they play. 

 

STYLE

How would you describe your style, and how has it evolved over time?

I love an oversized silhouette, bagger fit paired with something feminine. I’m a huge fan of vintage shopping and would say in terms of retail, that’s where you’ll find me. There’s always a few ebay windows open on my browser… Comfort is important to me, something that I feel confident in and that can flex from a morning with the kids to an evening out in the city. Denim, leather, a basic white t. I’m not reinventing the wheel anywhere but like to style items in my own way to make a fit my own.  

What role does lingerie play in your wardrobe—an everyday essential or a considered detail?

Lingerie for me is definitely a priority, I want to feel comfortable, confident and sexy in whatever I’m wearing and I always feel my best when I’m wearing my favorites. Pieces like the OHEN Thong are perfect for me, I almost exclusively wear thongs but they have to be comfortable! And the Balconette Bra has the perfect amount if lace, softness and support that it’s really ticking those practical yet sexy boxes. I think it’s also great to have a range from cottons to more lacey numbers, if I need to elevate an outfit it has to start with what’s underneath. 

What’s your go-to outfit when you want to feel completely yourself?

That changes daily! I will often go with whatever strikes my mood that day, dressing up, dressing down, depending on my vibe but always wanting to maintain an element of style and togetherness. If I’m at home with the fam I will, however, almost exclusively be in sweats hahaa. 

 

CAREER & WORK

What do you do, and what part of your work is most fulfilling?

Ooooh the fulfilling part is tricky, honestly so much of it! 

So I’m an interior designer, and spread that across two companies, Parts and Labor Design where my business partner, Jeremy and I have a team of about 16 people and Known Work where it’s just our creative director, Alex and the two of us. PLD is a full service hospitality design firm with some residential and retail sprinkled in. We constantly seek to push our own creative boundaries and provide the leadership and mentorship to our team that they deserve. That’s come along with a lot of conscious upskilling and really fostered a passion for lifelong learning in me. Educating myself as much as possible every day to better serve those around me. 

In terms of Known Work, we launched last year and have been so honored to be in this new space, creating products that connect with our community and ourselves in a really honest way. We’re enjoying the freedom of expression we have with it, it’s been a really useful tool to rediscover who we are and what we want to be contributing. 

I feel really grateful for how fulfilled I am by what I do, finding what you love is one of the most important things you can do in life so I don’t take it lightly that I can honestly say I love what I do. I find a lot of fulfilment in the day to day but also in the plans I have for the future and the journey of development I’m on. I absolutely adore our team, each and every one of them is an incredible human, we’re really fortunate there.  

How does the dynamic of your city influence your work and daily routines?

Likely in every way possible. New York is an incredible force, it sweeps you into its rhythms and culture. It’s an incredibly vibrant and creative place. Its offerings and street life mean you’re interacting with those around you often and sharing experiences with strangers. It’s connected and layered and really invites you to drink the cool-aide. But going against the grain is hard so your life ends up becoming a product of how the city flows and what it easily facilitates, which is a lot. But slow, quiet times are what you come here for. 

What’s one lesson your work has taught you that you carry into other parts of your life?

My curiosity. My ambition and deep desire to continue to grow and evolve. I don’t really separate my personal life from my work, not in the sense of who I am. So different aspects of my life are continually reaching out and influencing other areas. But having an interest and commitment to lifelong learning has really been a clear one. I want to continually evolve my craft as a designer and business owner, human being and intellectual.