This month in Après Diaries, we're chatting to the one and only Meg Wilcher. As the founder and wildly, brilliantly, endlessly creative mind behind the brand, we want to delve into the little details and reflect on eight years living in Après city.
Ok, slow down – it’s been seven years as of March. Such a heavily used cliché, but time truly does fly by.
Grateful to have been convinced to push past the five year mark where I was so close to throwing in the towel.
What are your nicknames?
Bug, Bubbles, Megabux, Megz, Megatron, Tron, Meggles, Wilch, Buglord
Where did you grow up? How did it influence who you are today?
I never know how to answer this question. I have moved more times than my age!
My family moved around a lot and as I grew into an adult, so did I.
I was born in country NSW, but have spent most of my adult life in Sydney.
I think there are so many positives to moving a lot; decluttering, meeting new people, not being attached to things and places, developing skills that allow you to open up and make friends everywhere you go, creating and holding onto deep connections, personal growth, independence.
I am pretty over moving around for now; I feel settled living at Avoca Beach, 1.5 hours north of Sydney.
How would your family describe you?
Dad - caring, supportive, creative, generous, clever, risk taker, driven, collaborative
Mum - spontaneous, creative, loving, generous, intelligent, hardworking, dedicated, sometimes over commits (lol)
Older sister - attentive, generous, meticulous, conscientious, empathetic
Younger sister - gets shit done, generous, creative, deep thinker, always has fun, never takes life too seriously
How would your friends describe you?
This is such a nice thing to ask friends. I don’t think you ever truly understand how you’re perceived til you’re straight up told!!
My oldest and dearest friend of forever wrote me this rap (crying emoji):
She got form, got heart, got the spark that sustains,
Like balance been her birthplace, and stillness her lane.
Can’t box what she do — dictionary too thin,
So we write her in rhythm, let the tribute begin.
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Ain’t a word for the range that she bring to the floor,
She the whole toolset — then a whole lot more.
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She’s a calibrated compass with a limitless sky,
Knows where she’s going, but leaves room to fly.
Part engineer — she got frameworks in her mind,
Like blueprints whisper secrets to her all the time.
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Empathy degree — feelin what you ain’t ever said,
Hearts talk louder when Meg’s up ahead.
Reads tension like code, unknots it with grace,
Still waters can centre a frantic place.
Part uncontainable, raw source, no leash,
Ideas bloom near her, like she talks in peace.
She don’t chase the light, but the light leans close,
’Cause she’s grounded in purpose, not chasing the post.
She’s design and desire, she’s form and flow,
The backstage queen who still steals the show.
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No limits in her lens, she create in widescreen,
Heart in the process, soul in the machine.
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Grid brain queen, but her thoughts stay free,
She the calm in the code and the spark in the spree.
She don’t judge, don’t flex, don’t ever presume —
But the room get sharper when she step in the room.
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She craft from the core, got the follow-through flame,
Don’t miss on the detail, but don’t play the fame.
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Brings structure without walls, ideas without cage,
Like a balance beam built at the edge of the page.
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She the quality check in a glitching world,
But don’t expect your boxes ticked —
Showin you form of new order instead,
Where chaos and care gently co-exist.
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A compass with a cosmos.
She’s range. She’s rhythm. She’s heart I trust.
The order and the orbit — the grounded, the grand.
How would you describe you?
Creative, generous, sensitive, driven.
What’s the best piece you’ve designed?
It’s getting better every time.
Designing clothing is like a muscle.
The more I get to draw, wear, style, the more I understand what to make, what to make it out of and how it can make you feel.
Clothing can be so powerful!!
I am designing for 1-1.5 years ahead of now so it’s difficult to wind back to what we’re currently releasing.
I am also an Aquarian so naturally my favourites evolve quickly and change depending on my mood.
Biggest pet peeves?
Somebody talking about things they’re going to do but then never following through. The lack of initiative and integrity kills me.
Favourite traits in other people?
Humility, authenticity, loyalty, kindness, drive.
Still or sparkling water?
Sparkles every time
Biggest personal butterfly effects, without which you wouldn’t be as you are today?
Having encouraging and supportive parents
Having 2 very special sisters
Being the middle child
Growing up without a lot of money
Studying fashion as my tertiary education
Moving so often
Living in Melbourne during lockdown
Favourite self-imposed rituals?
moving my body
swimming in the ocean, particularly the floating part after a soft sand trot
sauna
natural products
belting out a rap
Biggest regret/s?
I truly don’t dwell on the past too much.
For the parts of my story I can’t shake, I speak to my therapist about it and work on reframing things.
Wildest dream/s?
I truly think I'm living mine!!!!
I have a gorgeous team of interesting people who i get to work with everyday on making dreams come true including our own.
I live in a beautiful, safe place of the world with my darling fiancé.
Death row meal?
As somebody who enjoys food easily as much as fashion, this is a criminal question to ask.
It could be so many things and the context of the meal is a lot of that.
Least favourite thing that’s popular amongst the masses?
Taylor Swift, dupes, tall poppy syndrome and cancel culture
Something that should be more popular/widely regarded?
Letting people take up space
Deep listening
Compliments for strangers
Great customer care
Is there anything you hope you’re getting to experience in a parallel universe?
I don't really think in that way.
Although, there are a few people who are now in heaven I would have liked to spend time earthside with.
Dream dinner party guests (dead or alive)? Why?
My partner, my sisters and their partners, and special guest Anthony Bourdain
I love my family and chosen lovers so much and want to spend more time with them
Anthony is so inspiring to me. He was so honest and effortless and could connect with anybody anywhere in such an authentic way. I love his work exposing the often unseen realities of different cultures and their culinary worlds.
What’s a lesson you’re currently learning?
French and tennis.
What are some of your biggest fashion faux pas?
There are so many.
Some of my worst work below:
Are you extroverted, introverted, both or neither?
I am an extroverted introvert but leaning more towards introvert as I grow up and feel more comfortable being me
Failsafe wardrobe combo?
Good underwear, good tee, great jeans, really great shoes and bag, a delicious scent, hair you haven't done and a little smudge of eye and lip liner
Sunglasses to finish and not too much jewellery
Favourite gifts you’ve given others?
Effort, time and showing up.
Favourite pair of sunglasses you own or wish to own?
I have heaps
Current faves are this $3 pair i bought at Gosford salvos:
Favourite pair of shoes you own?
I have reduced it down to these:
Favourite bag?
This and this:
Any phobias or irrational fears?
Visible panty lines that cut into ass cheeks
Boogers
People looking into my house when it’s dark
Wet public spaces, e.g. public pools and hot tubs
Shower curtains
Not packing enough snacks
Smelling bad
What about rational fears?
Climate change
Cultural homogenisation
Trump and his cabinet members
Being brainwashed online
Loss of self independence
Predatory men
Car crashes
Junk food
Losing my sense of taste
Best and worst advice you’ve been given?
Best - Don’t quit Après Studio.
Worst - Get an investor.
What’s your one monthly subscription you’d be lost without?
My local organic box of seasonal fruit and veggies
Shout out Fanellis Farm Organics
Dream car?
Silver Land Cruiser 76 series or some old beat up ute:
Something you’ve misplaced that you always think about?
My naivety
What’s the best item you’ve purchased in the past year?
Our lounge
Are there any off-limit conversation topics at your dinner table?
No such thing
Something that never fails to make you excited?
Coffee brought to me in bed
Chocolate
New shoes
Describe your dream day from start to finish - what are you doing, eating, making, thinking and who are you spending time with?
Wake up with honey at home
Coffee I didn't make in bed
Fresh bread toasted with butter, eggs, goats cheese, kimchi, avo and lemon juice
A strong and sweaty vinyasa flow class with some breathwork and a view
A swim in the ocean
Op shopping
Food market shopping
Making a slow, loving lunch
Enjoying that in the sun
A nap
Some tennis
A sauna
An outdoor shower
Music, wine, incense and more cooking
Dinner with my sisters
Chocolate and a great film
8+ hours sleep
Please make a playlist that sounds like your brand in its current iteration:
I am really feeling 80s synth and these kinds of sounds
LISTEN
With love xx
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