A coffee with Laura
Hi Laura! Welcome to the club. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm so excited to be a part of Lepelclub! Where do I begin?! I am 28, I am a full time model + business owner & I'm currently 6 months pregnant with my first baby!
Where did you grow up, and where do you currently call home?
I grew up in South Australia in the Adelaide Hills. I moved to LA when I was 18 and relocated to Sydney in 2020 during the pandemic. My husband and I recently bought a home in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
What sparked the idea or inspired you to start Magnolia Ave.?
Whilst planning my own bachelorette and bridal looks, I felt as if there weren’t any accessories that aligned with my personal style. I came up with the idea in late 2023 and launched in January 2024. I told very few people about the idea/business until I had launched and would recommend that advice to anyone wanting to start a business.
A brand in the wedding industry is quite niche – what has surprised you most about building a bridal brand?
It is surprising to see how fast bridal trends ‘come and go’. From lace veils to oversized bows to crochet dresses - the wedding industry is gigantic and every season I see a fresh take on bridal looks, styles & decor.
How would you describe the Magnolia Ave. aesthetic in 3 words?
Classic, elegant, effortless
What was your favorite Magnolia Ave. item you created for your own wedding journey and why?
I wore the Sadie Pearl Ear cuff on Ben & I’s wedding day, and it has been a best-seller ever since. It is the perfect subtle accessory to elevate any bridal look. A bonus is that you can wear the gorgeous cuff again and again beyond the wedding day.
What trends do you see coming in the bridal world?
We recently released the Margot Pillbox Hat, and I think that will be the IT accessory when it comes to courthouse elopements. I also think there will be a shift in wedding structures, and we will see more intimate ceremonies with carefully curated guest lists and subtle details that are true to the couple’s personal style - perhaps an anti-trend trend?
What’s something unexpected about you?
Hmm - prior to starting Magnolia Ave., I had no experience in running an e-commerce business aside from my 10 year modeling career. It has been a wild ride of asking dumb questions, lots of Googling, and trusting my gut! I think sometimes the fear of feeling unqualified can be very overwhelming and hold you back from starting a passion project - I would always encourage anyone to take the leap. Magnolia Ave. has been one of the most stressful, expensive, and scary chapters of my life however I am SO proud of it and wouldn’t change the process for anything.
What does your perfect slow morning look like?
A sleep-in is very rare in our household so when it does happen it’s the best - followed by coffee, going to the local farmers markets, and cooking up a big brekkie at home.
In true Lepelclub Journal fashion, how do you enjoy your coffee?
In summer, I love a cold brew with a dash of soy & in winter a long black with soy milk <3
