Peggy & Twig’s Emily Quigley shares her style secrets

Ask Emily Quigley what she likes and you will get a very definite answer. For this jewellery designer has the keenest eye for the smallest detail — definitely an asset when your business is all about creating tiny things. When Graziher asked Em to do this fashion story, we had no idea she was pregnant with her first baby — due almost on the day we went to print. Luckily for us, she agreed to reveal a few of her style tips.

Why pearls?
Pearls have been overriding trends and infusing timeless style for centuries. They are also accessible to a range of budgets, from freshwater to saltwater pearls. Many people choose pearls on their wedding day, which says it all really. I was so intrigued by the significance of pearls and the way the Royals wore them around the time of Queen Elizabeth’s passing.

How would you describe your personal style?
I like textural, clean lines and tonal dressing with lots of tailored layering in the cooler months. The simple and minimal outfits with a quality fabrication and decent cut are my favourites.

What have been your go-to outfits during your pregnancy?
I call them tent dresses. The good ones don’t look like a tent. They drop nicely from the shoulders and the patterns are cut well with clever seams and detail to give shape with airflow. Foemina, Oroton and Seaside Tones dresses are solid in the rotation.

What are your favourite wardrobe staples?
Anything breastfeeding friendly, comfortable, neutral in colour and machine washable. I like shirt dresses at the moment — they are great value for money because you can layer throughout the year. I will be wearing the same comfortable dresses and changing up the looks with Birkenstocks for summer, and then switching to trainers, boots, jumpers, woolly socks and trench coats for winter.

Where do you find inspiration?
I like observing how people operate between their work and home lives. There are fascinating people in our community who have incredible drive and enthusiasm for what they do. I also really like French and Scandinavian design and style.

How has Peggy & Twig evolved since you first started?
It has been a hobby since uni and wove throughout my twenties until it overtook my teaching career in 2020. Initially, my small team and I began making and packing orders out of the home office before it engulfed the house. Once I had made the decision that I needed to move Peggy & Twig out of our home, I began searching for a building in town [Trangie, New South Wales]. The former stock-and-station premises became available. I renovated the building with local tradies, painting the outside white, installing a kitchen, renovating the bathroom and creating a retail space as well as the workroom.

As a predominantly online business, I think we have made steady progress in streamlining our production, dispatch, and customer service. We have come a long way from manually entering those Australia Post tracking numbers. I have also developed great relationships with pearl and hardware suppliers over the years, which is invaluable.

I have really enjoyed meeting our loyal customers and having the workroom behind the store curtain means we can adjust or begin to make what people want while they are visiting. The bricks-and-mortar store began with only P&T pearls on the table, but I couldn’t help gathering a handful of complementary fashion and home labels that I love too. It has been fun and I’m grateful that people have embraced it so much.

In what ways does your rural lifestyle influence your fashion choices? I think what I wear most days is the same as what I’d wear if I was in Melbourne or Sydney. I get into a dusty car wearing white all the time and I do love a good pair of RM Williams boots.

Peggy & Twig is at 17 Dandaloo Street, Trangie, NSW. 0400 940 649. For more information, go to peggyandtwig.com.au

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