A MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER

To all of our community,

I am sure these messages are becoming hard to read, however, we’ve been affected by COVID-19 for months now. In December, our factories in China let us know that they would be shutting down for their own protection. The people we work with aren’t just factory owners or employees, we consider them friends. We have had countless meals, have met each other's children and stay in contact even when it has nothing to do with business. They are the friends we have worked with for the last five years to get us to where we are today. Once the factories began to reopen and they began to get back on their feet, we hoped that all would slowly return back to normal. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we opened our new Brisbane store. We brought two team members, Nadia our Senior designer in Montreal, and Chelsea who works across all departments from Canada with us for their first trips to Australia to meet the rest of our team. Global news rapidly began to change and we realised that they would have to fly home early, distressed, and with each having to self-isolate for two weeks.

I flew to Australia with a single suitcase, left our cat with my dear friend Evelyn, and expected to return to Montreal this Saturday. As of this moment, my family and I will not be able to return to our home in Canada for the foreseeable future.

Over the past few days, I have had conversations with Nadia and Chelsea on what they plan on doing to keep themselves okay during the next two weeks in isolation. They’ve each made a list of ten things for me to share. Hopefully, this gives others in the same situation, or who are just social distancing, some ideas to stay calm, healthy, and creative.

What is happening in the world right now is difficult and uncertain, but we need to remain positive and hold close what is important to us.

Please be safe, and take care of yourself.

— Katie

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UPDATE 28/04/20

Following the QLD Government announcements we will be reopening the doors to our Pacific Fair, Gold Coast and James St, Brisbane boutiques Saturday the 2nd May.

For more information on our store locations, opening hours and personal shopping appointments click here.

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UPDATE 20/04/20

It’s been a challenge, adjusting to this new reality. But what we’re finding is that the common interest to connect in innovative ways, to be kind and to get through this together overshadows the uncertainty.

Here in Australia and Canada, we are still maintaining safe distances, strict cleaning regimes and limiting our outings and interactions. Our global team is continuing to work hard to support you, our customers and ensure we continue to connect with you whilst our retail stores remain closed for a while longer.

There are delays occurring for domestic orders as Australia Post and Canada Post deals with an unprecedented increase in deliveries during this time. Australia Post has suspended all express shipping services until further notice and an increased delivery timeframe of up to five days is expected.

For Australia Post updates click here.

For Canada Post updates click here.

For DHL International updates click here.

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UPDATE 26/3/20

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How Our Team Has Been Making the Most of This Time

“Since not being able to hug my Dad I started making more time to surf with him on the weekends which helped us stay connected & just chat while floating & catching waves & my Mum lives over the border so I have missed her dearly & started FaceTiming her instead of just calling so we can see each other’s faces which makes her not seem so far away!”

- Vanessa, Warehouse Manager

"Trying a different time consuming or elaborate recipe makes me feel like I have still have some sort of control. It also lets me appreciate the simplicity of boxed mac and cheese."

- Chelsea, General Manager Canada

"I have been taking advantage of being in walking distance to the ocean. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have a walk on the beach. I find that it allows me to stay calm, positive, creative and happy amongst all the uncertainty in the world."

- Zuzanna, Wholesale & Customer Service Coordinator

“I’ve really enjoyed being able to garden more, something that gets neglected when I’m at the office every day. Even if it’s five minutes in the garden, it’s a refreshing sense of calm, also it gets my two-year old outside and occupied - a world of good for everyone!”

- Carmel, Ecommerce Manager

"Deciding that I am lucky. I have teenagers, they can be disagreeable and infuriating but sometimes quite lovely. They are growing fast and this experience is giving me an unprecedented amount of time with them that I would not have had otherwise. We have had arguments (voices have been raised) and at times ignored each other, but we have also laughed, danced, had conversations and some very philosophical discussions. We all have interests outside the home, but right now we have this moment together, and I have this time to sit back and appreciate my boys as they transition to young men."

- Nadia, Senior Designer

"Maintaining my routine throughout the week helps keep me focused and productive during these uncertain times which I think is important, however I’m also trying to take the time each day to appreciate and acknowledge the small things that this slower paced life is offering. Things like having slow mornings at home with my family, longer walks in our neighbourhood (& noticing how incredibly lucky we are to live where we do), and time spent with no real agenda and nowhere to rush to next."

- Kristie, Marketing Coordinator