For lawyer-turned-boutique owner Ilana Moses, a career in fashion wasn’t the initial plan, but with a move from Australia to New York in 2002, it soon fell into place as the right one. Moses’ first concept store was later born, and today, now with two brick-and-mortar locations in Melbourne, her retailer, GRACE is a longstanding purveyor of sartorial freshness, known for its founder’s keen eye for spotting the next biggest brand, and a fine-tuned emphasis on quality and ethical sourcing. “I strive to curate a refreshing, exciting and cool mix of items that solve a woman's daily need to dress well,” Moses says. The tell-tale sign of an impeccable curator comes when not only do a store’s brands stand strong on their own, but when they fit just as well together — a feat the sole owner of GRACE has mastered.

An early adopter of MOTHER, GRACE follows Moses’ very particular ethos: The boutique’s physical stores are outfitted with thoughtful interior design, drawing inspiration from years of travel to cultivate an inspiring place to shop. There’s intention at every other turn as well — Moses operates with her clients in mind when shopping for the next season (down to their birthdays, and what they’d want to wear to celebrate them), works with biodegradable packaging, and prioritizes brands with ethical manufacturing processes. Ahead, Moses shares a few of her thoughts on her personal style, what to look for in the best jeans, and the plethora of emotions that come with motherhood.

Q: How would you describe your personal style? 

I'd say that what feels good to me is always a mix of opposing elements – feminine and masculine; edgy but timeless; cool but sophisticated. I tend to dress down rather than up, and am always comfortable in jeans as a base, for example, with a cool heel and oversized blazer for dinner. I'm drawn to quality, and pieces with interesting details or a small point of difference. My basics at the moment are well-cut slouchy pants, the perfect pair of jeans in the right hue, masculine shirts in a feminine color or unexpected pinstripe, sneakers, ballet flats and loafers. That sort of thing, plus amazing outerwear. Trenches and blazers are an addiction! I also think that personal style is about having fun. I'm the girl who'd buy the Kelly in pale lemon for example!

Q: What inspired you to transition from a career in law to a career in fashion? 

It was actually a very serendipitous and accidental change. I always really enjoyed the law and had been drawn to it as a career, but my passion had always been fashion. I honestly never really considered a career in fashion, however, until I moved to New York and fell into it. Everyone I met in New York was so encouraging and helpful that I learnt a lot very quickly. As they say, one thing led to another, and I haven't looked back. Sometimes things don't turn out the way you expected, and it's not a bad thing! I listened to my gut and tried being brave enough to risk failure, which is pretty scary, but necessary for making transitions such as these.

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of curating for GRACE? 

I get very excited working with our brands and selecting the perfect pieces for our clients, our seasons, and our way of life. Iconic global retailers such as Barneys and Colette have always been a source of inspiration, and it's such a shame that they have closed. The thrill they always provided and the sense of discovery and indulgence are part of what lured me to fashion retailing in the first place, and providing a sense of that to our local market is something I truly love. Obviously, it's a huge privilege and joy to work with our amazing brands, all of which are authentic, and unique and work so hard to create incredible products that have value and purpose, things clients can buy and build upon seasonally.

Q: How did you learn about MOTHER before carrying it in your boutique? 

I'm proud to say that we picked MOTHER up in its infancy, having spotted the collection at a New York wholesale showroom I was visiting at the time. The washes, details, cuts and branding all stood out to me immediately as utterly cool and fresh. Getting to know the brand, I loved the irreverence and refusal to take things too seriously, whilst always ensuring that the fits and details of every pair are so considered and well made. Needless to say, we've been stocking MOTHER non-stop ever since its birth!

Q: What do you look for in the brands you stock in your store? Is there a certain essence you seek out?

There is a certain essence, but it's also about how things work together to form the whole picture. For example, I don't know many people who just wear one brand from top to toe. It feels too limiting. Style to me is about mixing things together that speak to who you are as a person, who you want to be, what you're doing that day, how you feel that day, and what the climate is. I think we all just want to feel good when we engage with the world, and so the caliber of the brands we represent, and hence, the authenticity, longevity and quality they offer, is vital.

Q: Do you have a favorite pair of MOTHER jeans?

My all-time favorite is still The Tomcat, as I love sizing up in this style for an even more relaxed, straight fit that feels slouchy, but tailored. Anything in MOTHER Superior is also a fave! I also tend to go for light to- mid-washes that are either clean or with moderate distressing. The truth is, one needs a wardrobe of jeans in different washes and cuts, and nothing beats a pair of jeans you feel utterly comfortable and great in.

Q: What surprised you about becoming a mother?

Oh my, the acuteness of all the feelings! The dread, the joy, the anxiety, the love, the lack of control. It's all on overdrive. It makes it easy to understand how some people become helicopter parents. I'm lucky my kids — so far! —are really good, but there is definitely a lot of deep breathing from time to time!

Q: How does your style intersect with the items sold in GRACE?

I wouldn't sell anything I wouldn't value myself. I choose things that represent quality and value — regardless of whether they cost a lot or a little — which means they all add something special to one's life, fill a need, are well made and of good materials, aren't disposable or a passing fad, and are not widely available — although with everything online now, the world has shrunk to a pea. We cater to a woman's everyday life, meeting her needs for everything from a pair of sunglasses from Bottega Veneta or Saint Laurent to things to help face what's on in her day, whether that be mothering, working, or traveling. Not everything we sell I would personally wear, but it is all selected with a client in mind, knowing it is something they will love wearing.

Q: What does ethical fashion mean to you? How do you incorporate it into your store ethos?

Ethical fashion to me is being mindful of the origins of things, their permanence and materiality, and verifying their manufacture is ethical. We've always been about ethical fashion and business practices. All our bags and collateral have been recyclable, biodegradable and compostable for some time. We have always donated to several charities annually, and try to give back and support our local communities. In terms of the items we sell, we generally only order things that are made from good quality fibers from reputable sources to minimize wastage or any harmful sources, plus to ensure that what is bought from us will last years. No fast fashion here! It's such a difficult, but important, area of fashion where there is a lot of conflicting information, and things are constantly changing. We just try to be super mindful of the issue in everything we do, and make the best choices possible to ensure a positive impact.

Photography by Carmen Rose

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