There’s one word that comes up time and time again when you ask people to describe Vogue Australia’s Contributing Fashion Editor Kate Darvill: unflappable.

“Gosh, I am surprised to hear that”, she says when I mention this. “It’s definitely not a word I would use to describe myself most days.” But if anyone else stepped up to Kate’s plate, most days, they would be decidedly flapped. She has five kids, which includes two sets of twins, no less. And between high-stakes shoots with some of Australia’s most high-profile subjects, plus the pressure of modern life and the demands of juggling family commitments, you can’t help but wonder how she does it. “Think of a duck on water”, Kate says, “calm on top but legs paddling madly under the water. I do think that I have generally always enjoyed multitasking and feel I perform at my best when I am busy. I love a list and rely on them to keep on top of everything I have to do. I feel like I have always been able to stay calm under pressure but it also helps to work in fashion - we aren’t exactly saving the world so that helps to keep perspective on days when things just aren’t working out!”

Though that perspective helps keep her head level, Kate admits “there are still days when I feel like I have so many things going on in my head and it’s hard to cope. And kids are great at unravelling the calmest and most organised person! You need to have a good support network around you and my life wouldn’t function without my husband who is amazing and hands on with the kids, which allows me to be able to work and also have time to myself.”

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we photographed Kate in the latest from Seed Heritage. “I think Australian fashion is designed with our unique and sunny environment in mind, so the materials and silhouettes have a relaxed and easy feel that you don’t always see with European design”, she says. “Brands like Seed can cleverly touch on current trends but at the same time keep it classic so you can wear them for multiple seasons.” And that’s something important to Kate, as her focus has shifted to a more sustainable approach to fashion.

Here, we talk juggling priorities, the future of fashion, and how to wear leather in Summer.

Your career started with an internship at Australian Women’s Weekly. Tell me what you remember about your first days there?

I remember being very green and not knowing anything about how magazines run. I was very privileged to get an internship in such a highly regarded and established title and to gain experience from talented women like Deborah Thomas, Deborah Hutton, Jane de Teliga and Lyndey Milan who all took me under their wing. I learnt a lot from just observing them in those early days. They were great role models.

You worked your way up from intern to Fashion Assistant there – how did you chase that promotion?

As soon as I was given the internship at AWW, I treated it seriously like a real job. I learnt as much as I could and showed the team there that I was capable and willing. There was also a bit of luck and good timing involved…during my internship the position of Fashion Assistant was made available, so the stars aligned and I was already working full time by the time I graduated from university.

You’ve worked for some of the most incredible titles including of course Vogue Australia, but also Marie Claire, InStyle, and The New York Times. Are you a goal oriented person, or have you gone with the flow when it comes to your career?

To be honest I would say it has always felt a little of both for me. Opportunities kept presenting themselves to me in the way of job offers, but at the same time I feel I was doing the best work I could, and I guess people could see that and so doors opened.

You eventually fulfilled every Australian fashion lover’s dream which was to go and live and work in New York, where you were behind shoots for Vogue US, Vogue Russia, Vogue Germany, Teen Vogue, InStyle, and so many more. Why New York, and was it as competitive as The Devil Wears Prada made us all believe?

I wanted to move to New York for the same reason most people move there. It sounded like the most exciting city, and I wanted an adventure, but I also really wanted to challenge myself. I was at a point in my career where I had achieved a certain level, but I wanted to go to New York to push myself and to learn more. I was very happy to assist, which allowed me to work with and learn from some incredibly talented women like Brana Wolf and Jill Davison. Working in the Vogue and Teen Vogue offices and travelling to Milan to assist on fashion shows were definitely wow moments. New York is busy and competitive, but I was also amazed at how networking is everything there and people are more than happy to take time out to meet with you and to introduce you to others. It was an amazing time of my life.  

There’s a bit of a stereotype that women in fashion are catty and competitive. But for so many of us our work wives become our best friends and our sisterhoods are formed at work. Tell me about your experience of this?

I have been extremely lucky to have worked with some really talented women, and for the most part I have managed to avoid any competitiveness and toxic environments. Fashion media is predominantly run by women, and I have seen some incredible women lead the teams that I have worked on. Some of whom have become great friends of mine. I feel really lucky that in the earlier parts of my career I was mentored by some talented women who knew how to lead by example and nuture and support their teams.

You were the Fashion Editor at Marie Claire for 7 years before moving on to Vogue. When you love what you do, how do you know when it’s time to move on?

Sometimes it’s really hard to make big decisions like that, especially when you love your job and the people you work with. I think you have to listen to yourself and what feels right for you. Sometimes it’s easy to stay where you are, but you don’t want to get too comfortable in a job either, you never know what opportunities a new role will bring.

We’re going to talk about motherhood because you are the mother of five children – and two sets of twins, no less – which makes you the epitome of ‘I don’t know how she does it’. When you were younger you planned to work until you had children and then spend some time as a stay at home mum. But what you discovered was that you actually wanted to go back to work – tell me about the role your work plays in your sense of self?

Growing up, my own mum was a really dedicated stay at home mum who was always there for the four of us kids, and I thought that when the time came I would want to do that also. But when we started our family, I realised how much I enjoyed my work and how much my career was part of my identity. Of course having kids added a whole new dimension to my sense of self but I also realised that working gave me a true balance, and I think made me a better mother. As my kids have gotten older I also think it’s a good example for them to see both parents working and contributing to the family and sharing the responsibility of parenting the kids. My husband and I both have a very balanced and even contribution to the family.

You’ve said that “as a working mum you lose time more than anything. There’s more that I would like to give to work, to my friendships, my relationship, but I just physically can’t.” And I think that’s something so many of us can relate to, that feeling of being spread too thin. What do you sacrifice when there’s not enough of you to go around?

I find the juggle really hard, to be honest- most of the time. I feel like different parts of my life are sacrificed at different times depending on what is needing my attention that moment. When work is crazy, it’s usually ‘me time’ that is sacrificed. And if I do have ‘me time’- socialising with friends or a yoga session, I always feel bad that I’m not using that time to be with kids or my husband instead. I think mum guilt is really hard for a lot of women and it’s something that I am really trying to work through as I think everyone loves their kids and wants to spend more time with them, and everyone is just doing their best. And I think the kids can see your love, they see you are working, they see the juggle and I think they get it. As women, we need to be less critical of ourselves.

Motherhood and fashion have a surprising amount in common – you’re working under pressure, things change constantly, you’re managing personalities, you have to be able to adapt and juggle and solve things and stay calm. What’s your secret when everything’s going pear shaped?

I think it’s true that in both worlds, things are changing all the time and you have to be willing and able to adapt. You can have the best intentions for your day, but when you have 5 small people with you, you quickly realise that things don’t often go to plan! Having said that, I do think there are advantages to having a large family. Our kids have grown up with an inevitable sense of ‘team’ which in some ways has made them less selfish and also given them a sense of chipping in, going with the flow, and that can definitely make things a lot easier. But there are many days that still don’t go to plan and since having kids I often take on the mantra ‘tomorrow is another day’, another chance to get it right.

Let’s talk fashion – are there any failsafe rules or styling secrets that you can share with us? What’s your go-to to elevate a look?

I think accessorising your look is a great way to feel more elevated and ‘current’ when you don’t have the time or budget to shop a full look. The right jewellery can really help a simple look along. Choosing the right shoe is a great way to update a look.

I have also taken on a sustainable ‘less is more’ approach to my wardrobe- maybe it’s my age or the world we now live in, but I have realised that buying good pieces that last or are less trend driven will serve you better.

You’ve worked with brands from all over the world and with the best in the business. What is so special about Australian fashion and brands like Seed that represent us?

I think Australian fashion is designed with our unique and sunny environment in mind, so the materials and silhouettes have a relaxed and easy feel that you don’t always see with European design. Brands like Seed can cleverly touch on current trends but at the same time keeping it classic so you can wear them for multiple seasons. And we have some extremely talented Aussie designers who are doing so well on the international stage and have a strong following.

What’s your favourite piece from our shoot with Seed?

I love the leather skirt I wore. Leather is such a luxe material and comfortable to wear. We always think of leather for cooler months, but I would also style this with a simple singlet top and flat roman style sandals on warmer days.

As a mum of five I imagine you don’t have time for 7 outfit changes before getting out the door – are you a fan of the capsule wardrobe?

I love the idea of a capsule wardrobe and in some ways, my clothing has naturally evolved into a more simplified capsule edit. Since having kids my wardrobe has generally become more monochromatic and simple, so a lot of pieces can mix and match, which makes getting dressed quickly easier. But I am still a little erratic and fickle with my wardrobe. I love a floral dress or bright colour at times. I am very much a ‘mood’ dresser, for me, getting dressed starts with how I feel. Sometimes my mood is more serious and classic and understated, but the next day I might feel more in the mood for a romantic and feminine look.

Are there any particular trends, colours, or silhouettes that you’re loving at the moment?

I love how the pandemic has changed the way we think about dressing. In general I think people have become more relaxed with their clothing, especially with workwear - which makes sense when so many people are able to work from home more regularly. We are different people coming out of this pandemic which I think is interesting. But I also think people are still going to want to have occasions to dress up and go all out, I know I certainly love to, so there should still room for a fabulous heel or party dress in everyone’s wardrobe.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and with 4 little women of your own, what seeds for change will you be planting this year?

I think IWD is a day to recognise and celebrate the contributions of women in Australia as well as around the world, for their achievements. Women have worked hard to prove themselves and to succeed in a male dominated world and it’s a day to create awareness around this and to show the next generation of women what can be achieved.

Having four daughters of my own, I feel a responsibility to teach them that women can do anything they set their mind to and they shouldn’t feel limited by their gender in achieving their goals. I also feel a responsibility to educate my son about equality as I believe the female struggle won’t be as difficult with socially aware men supporting and uplifting women.

The fashion industry is one that’s absolutely full of talented and inspiring women, and you’ve had the pleasure of working with and styling many of them. Who are the women in your life who have inspired you the most?

I am so lucky to have worked with some great women - Jane de Teliga, Judith Cook and Jane Roarty are all talented veterans in fashion media who inspired me greatly with their fabulous eye for fashion and style. I have so much respect for Jackie Frank who was my editor at Marie Claire for 7 years, she was amazing to watch at her job and a fair and honest boss. And my clever grandmother, Grace O’Neill who was the most talented seamstress and probably the reason I got interested in fashion as a young girl.

You’ve styled incredible women such as Carla Zampatti, Elle Macpherson, Elsa Pataky, Billie-Jean Hamlet…can you share a career highlight or a particularly memorable shoot?

Styling Kylie Minogue for the cover of Vogue Australia was pretty special as it was also celebrating her 50th birthday and she is such an icon who has achieved so much, I have huge respect for what she has done in her career. It was a real wow moment.

Shooting Elle was also an amazing moment as she is an impressive businesswoman as well as her obvious external beauty. It was inspiring to see her interacting and engaging with her beautiful sons, and special to see their bond and relationship first hand. She is someone who has achieved success across many fields and has really done it all.