Finding Inspiration in the Tropics
As a designer, inspiration can strike in the most unexpected moments. What started as a family holiday to the stunning Fitzroy Island Resort would become the catalyst for an entirely new creative venture – one that would temporarily lead me away from interior design and into the world of children’s fashion.
The Moment of Realisation
2019 was a year that shook the foundations of everything I thought I knew about my path. The winds of change weren’t just whispering – they were howling, pulling me northward with an intensity I couldn’t ignore. That pull culminated in what we now fondly call “The Great Escape” – our meticulously planned yet swift relocation to Queensland. Like something out of a film, we orchestrated our move to chase the sun, the sea, and a different way of life.
Whilst on the surface it might have seemed like I was progressing in the right direction before the move, something deep within me felt fundamentally misaligned. I found myself being pulled back toward the corporate world I had deliberately left before my son’s birth, and the realisation hit me hard – this wasn’t the life I had envisioned for myself.
The structured world I had built around myself began to feel constraining rather than supporting. I caught myself longing for the free-spirited hippie traveller I had been at 18 – that authentic version of myself who lived life on her own terms. The corporate path I was inadvertently sliding back toward felt like a betrayal of that younger, freer self.
It was time to break free from societal expectations once again and create my own rules. This realisation deepened during our family holiday to Fitzroy Island Resort, where another eye-opening moment awaited.
Picture this: a tropical paradise with crystal-clear waters, swaying palms, and perfect weather. I had meticulously packed our holiday wardrobe with breathable linens and breezy cottons, topped with fancy hats for those sun-soaked beach days. Yet amidst this carefully curated tropical ensemble, something stood out – and not in the way I had hoped. My son’s Minecraft pyjamas, while beloved, felt jarringly out of place in our beachside paradise.
This wasn’t just about aesthetics. As I lounged in my comfortable bamboo pyjamas, perfectly suited to the humid climate, I watched my son, a naturally warm sleeper, struggling with thick, black cotton licensed sleepwear. The market gap became glaringly obvious: with major retailers closing down and others exclusively offering licensed character prints, finding high-quality, stylish boys’ pyjamas had become nearly impossible.
Taking Creative Action
Instead of accepting the status quo, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Armed with Adobe Illustrator and a determination to learn, I began experimenting with digital design. What started as a practice exercise in drawing a palm tree quickly evolved into something more. The curves and stroke weights that might sound tedious to some became my gateway into a new creative passion.
One palm tree led to another, and soon I was capturing the essence of Queensland’s spectacular flora – from the exotic Heliconia to the striking cardboard plant. Before I knew it, these botanical illustrations were transforming into repeating patterns, and a vision of sophisticated boys’ sleepwear began to take shape.
Birth of Grand Tropique
This serendipitous moment of inspiration gave birth to Grand Tropique – a brand that stands at the intersection of sophistication and sustainability in boys’ sleepwear. Together with my family – Ben as our Creative Author and our son Hunter as both model and original muse – we’re on a mission to fill a significant gap in the market.
Our brand values are clear:
- Creating sophisticated, boutique designs that elevate boys’ sleepwear beyond licensed characters
- Maintaining unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability
- Delivering comfortable, breathable sleepwear that’s perfect for our climate
- Building a brand that understands and responds to what parents truly want for their children
A New Chapter
Whilst my passion for interior design remains strong and I’m continuing to complete my degree, my focus has shifted to building Grand Tropique into something extraordinary. This isn’t just about creating pyjamas – it’s about redefining what’s possible in boys’ sleepwear and creating pieces that both parents and children can be excited about.
https://grandtropique.com.au/
Want to be part of this exciting journey? Follow our story on Instagram @grandtropique_pyjamas where we share behind-the-scenes glimpses of our design process, sneak peeks of upcoming collections, and the daily adventures of building a brand from the ground up. Join us as we transform those tropical-inspired illustrations into beautiful, wearable pieces that your boys will love.
This might be a temporary sidestep from interior design, but it’s a journey that perfectly combines my love for pattern, colour, and creating spaces (or in this case, garments) that make people feel good. Sometimes the best adventures in life come from following unexpected moments of inspiration – or in my case, orchestrating a great escape to chase them – and I can’t wait to share more of this one with you.