simétrie

five colours for Figura ~ three of them new, and four of them named based on my research for Figura.

Passata is the deep red of sugo cooking on the stove. It’s named for the tomatoes, but the colour is what they become once they’ve cooked down.

Almond is the colour of almond biscotti, lightly toasted. Originally I was inspired by all the sandstone, but I named it for the nut that turned up in so many of the dishes and desserts I grew up with.

Fig is named for the fig tree in our backyard growing up, and the fresh figs that were a treat whenever it fruited. The colour itself is closer to a marinated Sicilian olive. A deeper, dirtier green than Matcha.

Black Rock is a true black, the most classic. It soaks up the light when it’s new, and polishes up the more it’s carried.

Peppercorn is a deep, dark brown, like whole black peppercorns ~ so dark it can be mistaken for black. That’s why every Peppercorn piece is stitched in off-white. It sets it apart from Black Rock, and feels more modern than the classic brown on brown.

Figura opens online for my newsletter community this Wednesday 14 October at 5pm, and for everyone from Friday. You can sign up through the link in my bio.

FIGURA ~ It’s the first campaign I’ve ever styled myself. I was nervous, because I’m still finding my own confidence in my style.

I spent weeks pulling the looks together, editing ideas and sourcing as I went. Funnily enough, dressing Caitlin felt easier. I could see her in the clothes I was choosing, and instead of dressing to look smaller, it was dressing to show off her figure. Many of the looks were exactly the kind of thing I’d actually wear, so when the first images came through, I realised I could finally see myself in the campaign. In the past that hasn’t always been the case.

That’s really the heart of Figura. The goddess at Tarxien that inspired the collection was very wide at the hips, and she wasn’t hidden away ~ she was put in a place of reverence. Something to be worshipped, not shied away from. I’m not fully comfortable in my own body all of a sudden, but this collection, and styling it myself, have been steps towards it. Learning to love my thick legs, one step at a time.

The finished images are still being edited, so my newsletter readers will see them first, along with early access to Figura on Wednesday 14 October at 5pm AEDT. Everyone else can order from Friday 16 October. If you’d like early access, you can join through the link in my bio.

Thank you to the team who made it with me ~ Abhishek Gambhir Abhishek Gambhir, Caitlin Murphy Caitlin Murphy, Candice Agius Candice Agius, Kelsey Menadue Kelsey Menadue | Creative Stylist, Jordan Hallewell Commercial & Advertising HMU, Emily Lake E M and Archer Kerr Archer.

Marta Novovic BOP LAB is an award-winning cosmetic scientist and scent architect with a background in naturopathy and clinical aromatherapy.

Her approach to formulation is intuitive and sensory-led. She explores fragrance as a powerful medium - one that can shift attention, bring us back into the body, and create a more grounded, present state.
A bespoke scent is being mixed by Marta for the
FIGURA launch. Here’s a look at my visit at the lab to choose the scent for the evening.

Fig, bay leaf and basil open green and sun-warmed, then rock rose and orange blossom add a resinous, honeyed softness. Woody notes give the shape, and sacred sandalwood carries it all into a long, creamy dry-down that feels like a warm hug.

Only 50 are being made to gift those attending the
FIGURA launch. Deepest gratitude to Marta for bringing this scent to life ~ it’s so so special !

Friends on the newsletter were sent invitations to the
FIGURA last week. I’m so grateful to everyone who has already registered to attend as we are now at capacity. If you missed out, this is your sign to join the newsletter to be in the know.

Marta Novovic BOP LAB is an award-winning cosmetic scientist and scent architect with a background in naturopathy and clinical aromatherapy.

Her approach to formulation is intuitive and sensory-led. She explores fragrance as a powerful medium — one that can shift attention, bring us back into the body, and create a more grounded, present state.

A bespoke scent is being mixed by Marta for the FIGURA launch. Here’s a look at my visit at the lab to choose the scent for the evening.

Fig, bay leaf and basil open green and sun-warmed, then rock rose and orange blossom add a resinous, honeyed softness. Woody notes give the shape, and sacred sandalwood carries it all into a long, creamy dry-down that feels like a warm hug.

Only 50 are being made to gifts those attending the FIGURA launch. Deepest gratitude to Marta for bringing this scent to life ~ it’s so so special !

Friends on the newsletter were sent invitations to the FIGURA last week. I’m so grateful to everyone who has already registered to attend as we are now at capacity. If you missed out, this is your sign to join the newsletter to be in the know.

come behind the scenes with me in making the Figura collection.

the main silhouette comes from research i’ve been doing into the megalithic temples in malta, where there are carved statues of women in bigger bodies.

the one at ggantija is the one i keep coming back to. only her lower half survives ~ she has very large legs, very wide hips, with a pleated skirt across them.

the bean base of the tote design and the widening body are the legs. the pleat down the middle is the middle of the legs. i didn’t realise when i made the sketch that her surviving half had a pleated skirt too, which i’m choosing to take as a good sign.

on the first prototype the handles weren’t matching my sketch ~ i had set them too far apart, so where they meet the body wasn’t sitting the way i want.

here you see some of my process ~ patternmaking, cutting, skiving, making prototype after prototype until the silhouette is as my sketch.

figura is coming in four silhouettes ~ the figura tote, and an east-west figura baguette, a glasses case ~ the figura oculare, and the figura wallet.

the full thinking behind my process goes out in my monthly notes before it lands anywhere else. link in bio to join.

simone xx

I made it!

Proudly presented by ~ Make a Baguette Bag ~ launches this Saturday.
Only one seat left.

Make your bag over two Saturdays, start it on the 14th & take it home on the 21st of February.

🎥 featuring Kim from .coffee.drip