As you meander down the legendary Oxford Street in Paddington, you’ll find a plethora of Australia’s best designer boutiques and independent stores amongst charming cafes. It’s here you’ll be drawn into the bright and fun-loving flagship store, Emma Mulholland on Holiday.

Inside expect to find Emma’s cult check print sets, hibiscus rugs and a dolphin, yup – a dolphin. The vacation nostalgia-inspired label was dreamt up for the drifting, restless travellers’ heart through the 80s and 90s souvenir-inspired looks.

“I’ve always loved clothing and design. I jumped around with a few different job ideas originally but ultimately always wanted to have my own label…I wanted to start a new brand that had a more casual feel to it with a completely different business model to my previous one which was where Emma Mulholland on Holiday came from.” Read on as we talk to Emma about career highs and her best piece of fashion advice.

Proudest entrepreneurial moment?

We recently collaborated with Vans USA with the collaboration being sold throughout all Vans stores globally. That was an exciting one for me – my high school self might have not believed something like that would be possible.

Best piece of fashion advice you’ve received? 

What we wear is not the fashion, what we wear becomes the fashion – this was from a sign in a store I went to with my Mum in Canada and we always quote it and it’s a running joke. I do think it’s not always following trends and sticking to what makes you feel great and comfortable.

We heard you’ve got a wedding coming up – are you designing your own dress? 

Yes, it’s coming up very quickly. I’ve been working on the dress with Aggie Choi – who is an amazing designer and patternmaker. I’m excited to see it all come together!