Turning The Pagewith Justine Cullen

It’s lucky timing for me that my becoming a mother coincided with a pretty revolutionary time in women’s fashion. The rise of athleisure, of flat shoes and sneakers, cross body bags – they’re all clothes designed for women who have places to go and things to do, just like mothers. I’m actually not a big leggings person but the rest of it I have embraced wholeheartedly. I definitely know what cuts suit my body now and for my everyday uniform I tend to stick to long or midi dresses teamed back with a sneaker, loafer or sandal. That tends to work for me everywhere I need to be.

Launching a magazine from scratch was a wonderful experience that not many people are lucky enough to experience, and while it was so incredibly stressful, putting that team together – who were like family to me – and some of the incredible projects we worked on, such as the cover of Nicole Trunfio breastfeeding, will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Having a lot of help! With my first three children I had my mum around all the time to care for them while I worked, but there came a point when I had to let her go back to being a Nanna who could tap in and out instead of dedicating all her time to raising my kids for me, and it’s made me realise this time around how much I was able to achieve and throw myself into my work because of her. Thanks, Mum! The other key, for me anyway, is that I’m quite disciplined about family time. I take work home with me and do it after dinner, rather than staying in the office crazy hours. I don’t go to every event I’m invited to. It’s the ‘work smarter, not harder’ philosophy that is possible now because of technology. Thanks, iPhone!

Going to the international fashion shows is a real eye-opener and endlessly inspiring. Just being in Paris is enough, but then to also be part of that circus (it’s a bit like a giant, very glamorous school camp) and witnessing the extreme spectacle that is a Chanel, Saint Laurent, Valentino, a Dries or a Dior show is such a privilege and makes you understand the machinations of this industry on a much deeper level.

It’s fairly pared-back and low key. I wear a lot of dresses, which I can throw on with sneakers for the school run on the way in and then switch to a little heel if I have an important meeting.

Unsurprisingly, a great dress – I always have a new favourite on high rotation. A camel trench – the-never-fail timeless trans-seasonal buy that you can throw on over anything and look instantly more polished. White sneakers – thank god for their rise to the top of the shoe pile.

I’m very into a neutral palette. I travel a lot and I need my clothes to work together as a capsule wardrobe as much as possible. Plus I’m just very drawn to those colours (as my house will tell you!).

No more babies. I’m excited by the work I’m doing now for David Jones. It’s challenging and has proved to me that you never stop learning and growing. And I also have a book coming out next year and have four beautiful boys to mould into good men. I’m a bit busy.