Mattie Cronan, Style Director at The Australian Women’s Weekly | Freelance Stylist

Welcome to our Inspiring Women in Australian Fashion and Art Series, and our conversation with the beautifully talented Sydney-based Stylist and Style Director of The Australian Women’s Weekly, Mattie Cronan.

Mattie has held the position of Style Director of The Australian Women's Weekly for the past nine years and has been working in magazine publishing for over 15 years. She has dressed some of Australia's most recognised personalities including: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Jesinta Franklin, Jennifer Hawkins, Delta Goodrem, Jessica Gomes, Jessica Mauboy, Kate Waterhouse, Phoebe Tonkin and Elizabeth Debicki and Australia's First Lady Lucy Turnbull.

Tell us about your creativity, drive and inspirations?

My name is Mattie and I am a mother to Archer (10 months), kitty mum to Grey, and wife to Jamie, in my working life The Style Director for The Australian Women’s Weekly, and I have been working in media for 15 years….2020 has seen a big change for our industry and the closure of some big fashion brands including InStyle magazine where I started my career and met many wonderful and inspiring colleagues.

“I have had great mentors in my working capacity - most of whom have taught me humility, and kindness is key to succeeding. I never stop thinking about how I can learn and soak up knowledge to be better and inspire those around me. I have made some trusted friendships along the way.”

Tell us about the women who have inspired you in your life?

I draw inspiration from all sorts of avenues - books, films, photography, travel, and design. I have been fortunate to work in an industry where creativity and self-expression are paramount. Working alongside so many unique freelance creatives keeps things fresh and exciting and I am constantly learning and evolving.

I have been on Maternity Leave for the past 11 months and have just only returned to work this Spring. The world has changed so much in this time - we are in a truly unique time - I hope this next chapter is a rebirth for everyone.

I have had great mentors in my working capacity - most of whom have taught me humility, and kindness is key to succeeding. I never stop thinking about how I can learn and soak up new knowledge to be better and inspire those around me. I have made some trusted friendships along the way, and if it wasn’t for the women directly in my life, my mum and grandmother, I might never have discovered the art of dressmaking and design.

How have you empowered other women in your life?

I hope to empower women and colleagues around me. I think allowing people the right to have confidence in what they do and never micro-manage or push people into thinking one way is right. Being creative is so subjective and everyone has their unique way to tell a story. I love discovering new designers and creatives - it is inspiring to get see their enthusiasm energy and drive and fresh ideas.

Becoming a mother is a pivotal point in our journey as empowered women.

What do you love most about being a mother?

Oh my goodness - everything! The new friendships I have made in my mother’s group, we have shared our journeys and stories and we lift each other up by supporting each other. We have all had unique mothering experiences. Some have classic textbook sleepers, others (like mine) run on good vibes and lots of energy. Each of our babies are truly unique but so connected.

Motherhood has some of the hardest challenges, but also most rewarding experiences. I love seeing my little boy grow and his personality develop. My son Archer is so sweet and cheeky…he is very inquisitive and expressive in everything he does.

How do you love to relax?

Switching off from technology, spending time with my little one and husband, a nice meal out, a great summer holiday, a weekend away with friends, and a glass of Rosè.

What makes Australian designers unique?

Australian designers adapt quickly to change, from looking at sustainable ways to produce ranges, to coming up with capsule collections and season drops shifting to be better and relevant in the world around us whilst always keeping our laid back sensibility.

2020 has been a year that no one could predict. What have you learned personally and how have you drawn inspiration and positivity this year?

What a year it has been! Well it has been a year of strong family ties for me. I had two months of living with my parents in Northern NSW the longest I had spent at home for 18 years - it was great for my parents to watch Archer develop so much during this time, he learnt to crawl and started teething.

I switched off from work for the first time in 15 years, so I haven’t been drawn into all the changes too much, or wasted negative energy on resisting the change.

I think we have all learnt a lot from this year, slowing down, consuming less, and thinking of new ways to be creative.

How do you see the industry changing moving forward?

I hope the local market gets behind each other from the retailers, designers, media, publicists, and helps to rebuild and nurture the great talent we have locally and work together to reshape the industry.

Virtual showrooms and platforms to view designer collections will most definitely be the way of the future, we have all learnt that we can work remotely and this might mean a pause on big events like Fashion Week for some time and watching them digitally, I have even heard photoshoots happening remotely with a director/photographer dialling in via Zoom.

I think in the age of technology anything is possible.