We're so honoured to have interviewed Billie-Matilda Edwards for our TRIBE TALKS series – a segment that focuses on conscious souls who inspire & cultivate a purposeful life. Take a seat, grab a herbal tea & read on.
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Tell us a bit about yourself & the work that you do with Tree of Life and Free People.
I’m a freelancer, and my work is a little bit of everything. For Free People I manage their Australian social media pages and develop creative content for the brand. I do this work for Tree of Life also - but also dip into styling, photography, designing and buying.
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How did you first foray into the fashion marketing world?
I got my first foot in the door through modelling. I studied a double degree of Business Marketing & Fine Art Fashion at uni, and modelled on the side to pay the rent. The crazy world of Instagram came around and I guess formed into a sort of blogger. Through this work I met some wonderful wonderful people (I now call friends), and I found myself in the industry.
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What is the most rewarding thing about getting to travel for work?
Just getting to travel for work in general is pretty magic and rewarding in itself! But - when I was in India & Nepal last with Tree of Life, I had the pleasure to develop relationships with the brand’s suppliers and their families. I was lucky enough to see a true inside into their warm and welcoming culture and ways of life at home (something that you don’t usually experience as a tourist)
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How do you stay grounded (e.g. meditation, cooking etc).
Making sure I go outside and appreciate my surroundings everyday. If I have been working in front of a computer all day - I’ll go outside to watch the sunset. It sounds silly, but it just kind of puts the world in perspective for me…appreciating that we live on this perfect Earth where the sun rises and the sun sets every single day. I also deliberately ignore my phone every day, even just for a few hours. Although there are benefits in the virtual world - it can be awfully consuming - I much prefer giving my energy and living my life in the present world.
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3 Instagram accounts and/or blogs you are loving right now?
@everyoutfitonkathandkim
@saintrecords
@moontomoon
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If a song could describe your life, which would it be?
Going Up the Country - Canned Heat
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What are your top 5 non-negotiable life values?
Open mindedness. Kindness. Adventure. Tolerance. Humbleness.
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If there was one thing you could tell your 15-year-old self what would it be?
DON’T LET ANYONE CUT YOUR HAIR
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What makes you come alive?
Adventure! Culture shock and discovering the new.
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If you could have dinner with 3 people alive or dead, who would they be?
David Bowie, Leandra Medine & Michael Hutchence.
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Who is your greatest inspiration?
Mother Earth. And Jimi Hendrix’s wardrobe.
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How important do you think having a spiritual connection with oneself is?
I think it’s terribly important. To not really know yourself and be in tune with yourself would be such a shame.
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If you could have a superpower what would it be?
To fly would be magic. To not have to sleep would be convenient.
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What do you want to be doing/feeling in 5 years time?
My my, that question seems awfully scary to me…But ultimately I would like to feel accomplished, happy, loved and grounded.
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If you could be transported to any destination in the world right now, where would it be?
Mexico!
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What is your favourite travel destination to date?
India. Because it is like no where else. Or Greece. Because it’s just heaven really.
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How do you cultivate a balanced heart and mind with so much going on?
That’s something I’m trying to currently figure out, and I sometimes catch myself slip up. In a perfect world I will find a balance of sleep, work, accomplishment, time spent in nature, time with loved ones and time alone. Some days it works, some days it doesn’t. Listening to yourself and what you need is always a good start.
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Finally – what has your experience with Hanako elixirs been like (if any)?
I use the I AM LOVE elixir, which I adore. Smells like spice and all things nice! A beautiful blend…gives the sense of support and warmth, opening the heart and softening my busy mind.
