Meet the maker: Gabrial Heath of MissyNu
Hatchling: Tell us about you, your business, and how it all began?
Gabrial: I have been sewing almost my whole life. I wanted to study fashion design and pattern making at university but I got swept up in other ideas! I only did basic mending for years but then I got pregnant with our now 2.5yo daughter. I went to a market and a woman had dribble bibs that were crazy expensive. So I bought one, took a pattern off it, made our daughter a collection and discovered my addiction! I used to call our daughter ‘Missy Noonoo’ when she was a baby, so that’s how I decided on a name.
How long have you been running your business?
About two years now.
How scary was it to get started? Did you have to do any crash courses or were you prepped and ready to go?
Not scary other than putting myself out there! MissyNu had a very organic beginning. I just started sewing and putting things online that I was making. At the start it was mostly just friends and family buying things. But every business reaches a tipping point and now I get regular orders.
What sort of support and encouragement did you have from friends or family?
I’ve had a lot of support, which has been super helpful. My husband is a surfer and has always told me I need to get a hobby to help clear my head. We’re big believers in having something outside of what you do for others that satisfies the deep part of your soul and resets you. It allows you to connect better with people if you are settled in yourself. So he was really excited that I finally found something that I’m passionate about. My sewing spot is in our kitchen though and sewing is not a quiet hobby. So he winces if I get the machine out and he’s watching TV. Married life is all about compromise, so I only sew in the ads now.
Do you have a favourite product you provide at the moment (I know, hard one!)?
Dresses. Haha. Can I generalise like that?! I LOVE making little dresses. Lord, they make my heart happy and my ovaries ache. I’m obsessed with back detailing too, so usually my dresses have something interesting on their back like a tie or a bow. Eeek!! All the heart eyes!
What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve had about your products?
Recently I was approached by a local art gallery to have my products stocked in their shop. Her feedback to me was that she could tell I’m an artist (I have a B.Vis.A), because they were beautifully coordinated and that she trusted me to create. I also pride myself on high-quality garments. So I love hearing that my clients think they are well constructed.
What plans have you got coming up that you can tell us about? New stockists, new products?
The sky is the limit! I never want to put so much pressure on myself that I stop loving what I’m doing, but I can tell you that my business will have a natural evolution as our daughter grows to older kids clothing. I’ve also been playing with the idea of women’s clothing recently. I want to learn to create for myself, too, so I think you’ll probably see more of that.
What do you think it’s important for people to know about buying handmade products, especially yours?
That it’s not a cheap process! So many people come and ask for a product at rock-bottom pricing because we live in a world where craftsmanship has gone and fast-fashion is produced en masse with no eye to our environment or the living quality of the people making it. I like to think that with MissyNu I can focus on using sustainable supplies where possible and help to remind people that time is the only thing you truly have to trade. So trade it well and be intentional about what you trade your time/money for. You will never get anything ‘cheap’ from MissyNu, but that is because I hope the product will be loved and worn over and over and in doing so, will lessen the environmental [impact]. Finally, that by supporting me, you are supporting our family which is never lost on me and always touches my heart. Everyone wins!
Hatchling stocks a series of bespoke MissyNu items that you can find in the Kidswear and Accessories sections. We love working with Gabrial and MissyNu, and look forward to bringing you more and more of her gorgeous creations!
Check out some of the items from MissyNu you can buy right now:
