It was genuinely love at first sight when we stepped inside Kate Carnegie's Melbourne apartment. The Founder of Maat + talented Artist sure has GREAT taste! There's gorgeous little trinkets everywhere you look, a corner at the entrance dedicated to her marvellous art creations, sunlight beaming through the entire space and nothing but feel-good vibes. Our wild-child Marguerite was destined to live there... as you'll see below! Introducing Kate Carnegie:
Featured: Luigi Cotton Robe.
Featured: Pietra Punch Needle - Pea
Maat World was a lockdown baby…tell us how it all started!
I relocated back to Melbourne / Australia in March 2020 after an 8 year stint in NYC. Rather impulsively I packed up my NYC life (in just three days) after the unpredictable turn of events that transpired when the pandemic shook NYC.
Upon returning to Melbourne ( after a rather overwhelming and hectic journey ) I was subject to self-isolation / quarantine for 14 days. During this confronting time of solidarity, I started to understand the importance of maintaining a balanced life for mental and emotional well-being. It had also struck me whilst living abroad that I couldn’t find a decent designed yoga / pilates mat that was both contemporary in design, yet sustainable and ethically made.
After self quarantine it was clear that the restrictions on our freedom were going to linger for sometime. I guess you could say I acted on intuition. I proposed the business idea to one of my best friends (now ex business partner) and we teamed up and dived straight into it during all of the Melbourne lockdowns.
Featured: Ava Leggings, Viola Beni Rug, Maat Yoga Mat - Tiger, Ava Punch Needle Cushion - Pea, Zola Patch Cushion. Gia Velvet Cushion - Pea.
Featured: Ava Leggings, Viola Beni Rug, Maat Yoga Mat - Tiger, Ava Punch Needle Cushion - Pea, Zola Patch Cushion. Gia Velvet Cushion - Pea.
I’ve never met a more beautiful yoga mat in my entire life… seriously no exaggeration, they are divine. What inspires your designs? And can you tell us a little bit about their sustainability factor.
Thank-you! Such a compliment!
To give you a bit of context the word MAAT (noun) refers to the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Maat was also the Egyptian Goddess who personified these concepts. I wanted to design a brand that offers products that would inspire wellness in the community, to bring about a sense of order, balance and beauty in to people’s lives. At the core of this - I wanted the designs to be timeless. When you buy timeless, well made pieces you own them from a long time.
MAAT'S are manufactured from natural tree rubber using a process called Tree Tapping, which preserves the life of the tree. The PET microfibre surface of our MAAT is manufactured from recycled plastic waste. MAAT does not use any single use plastic in our packaging, we opt for cornstarch packaging materials that are biodegradable and recyclable. I noticed there was so much excess waste in product packaging when purchasing online. MAAT uses just the one recycled cardboard box to encase our product in and to ship in, in order to minimize waste.
You previously lived in New York for 9 years (major FOMO over here). Tell us about that experience - what did you do there and what do you miss most about living in New York?
I worked a Freelance Fashion Director / Stylist - working for global brands such as Nike, Adidas, RE/DONE and publications such as Document Journal, V Magazine, SSENSE, Vogue and CR Fashion Book. I paint in my free time and was fortunate to have a solo show exhibiting works in a space located on Bowery.
There is so much I miss about living in NYC. I miss the grit, I miss the hustle and the magical energy of the place. I miss the openings you could never be bothered going to but went for the free drinks anyway. I miss the feeling like anything could happen…. your life could change in one new exchange, one simple interaction. I miss the dream of it all and the feeling of being free. NYC just makes you feel so alive!
Featured: Luigi Cotton Robe, Lora linen, Rita Knit Throw, Vivianna Punch Needle Cushion.
Shop our Marguerite sleep range here.
Your apartment is heaven! How would you describe your taste in interiors and what has shaped this?
Thank-you so much! I am a collector by nature. I am a sentimentalist at heart. I have eclectic taste. I love mixing different visual/ design elements and fusing varied time periods together.
My upbringing and early childhood has certainly shaped my taste. My parent's were avid collectors of artworks, antiques and artifacts from all over the world. My great Aunt and Uncle (Margaret and Doug Carnegie ) were great patrons of the arts, owning some one of the largest collections of Australian Art while they were alive. In 1966 their painting collection became the first and only private collection to be exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria. My father was extremely close to his Aunt and Uncle (they essentially raised him) so I guess the collector gene tricked down the family tree!
Featured: Tessa Knit Blanket, Gia Knit Sweater, Gia Velvet Cushion - Pea.
Featured: Candice Board Treacle, Viola Beni Rug, Astrid Tiny Bowl - Taffy Terrazzo & splice.
Featured: Gia Velvet Cushion - Pea, Gia Knit Sweater, Sloane Bowl - matcha.
Featured: Tessa Knit Blanket, Gia Knit Sweater.
What’s your favourite piece of furniture in your home and why?
My Antique French Marble bakery scales from the 19th century.
Why? Because I have always been concerned and rather fascinated with the notion of balance - visually speaking that is. Naturally in my work I am striving to to seek out balance and harmony. I am a visual person. Balance, proportion and scale… these concepts are my language.
What’s on your Sage x Clare wish-list right now?
There are so many things! Definitely the Evita Velvet Pillowcases - I need these in all colors. I really love all of your bed linen range too - especially your Bruno cotton bedding.
Maat World yoga mats are designed for all intent and purpose. What does your personal daily exercise routine look like and what is your relationship with exercise?
I have a more balanced approach to exercise now then I did when I was younger. There have been times in my life when exercise was a huge priority in my life and then none whatsoever. I don’t drive, so to be honest I opt for walking wherever and as much as I can. I do love a reformer pilates or hot yoga session too.
For many of us, the pace of life in 2023 has become some so intense and there are so many technology distractions. In turn, health and wellness continues to become a huge part of our lives. What are your top wellness tips to live a more stress-free life?
- Taking time out to connect with nature.
- Turning my phone off on days when I need a break.
- Dedicating a day in the week where I don’t make plans.
- Daily mediation.
Aside from designing Maat World ranges, you’re also an amazingly talented Artist. Talk us through the creative process of your art + sculptures… from start to finish.
The act of creating any art form is a mystical and alchemical experience. The process is extremely dynamic, layered and intuitive.
There is a sense of discovery you get when creating something. One idea evolves into another, and then into another and then eventually into a tangible form . I don’t have a distinct M.O - I like the process to be playful and experimental.
Featured: Luigi Cotton Robe.
For someone who’s just starting out in their career journey or perhaps starting over again... What’s your best career advice?
Get active! Make, create, learn and develop the desired skill through trial and error. Surround yourself with people you can learn from. Be willing to make sacrifices.
You can find the Maat website here or follow them on Insta here.
With a whole lotta love xx
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