Meet the Designer Part 3: Trelise Cooper
On being a New Zealander…
I'm a truly proud New Zealander, and I love traveling as a New Zealander. I think when you travel, your horizons are broadened, and I think that's very much what New Zealanders do. We travel and we're worldly because of that. That said, I love the isolation New Zealand. I love that we are at the edge of the world. I think we have an innocence that we have retained, and a purity of spirit. I think when you're part of a really big population you're much more guarded and defended and wary of other people.
On what’s unique about New Zealand…
We are a very young country so our traditions are young, and so I guess we're making them. Our food has got so much fusion in it from around the Pacific Rim. Our fashion has a lot of fusion in it. I just think we don't have a set rule book. My friend’s familyin France havelived in their house for 700 years. They have 700 years of heritage, which is beautiful and bright, and a real sense of belonging and knowing. But that comes with a whole set of unspoken, unwritten, but known rules that we don't have. We have a freedom here.
On practicing gratitude…
Gratitude is probably one of the pillars I live my life by, one of the strengths of my life. You know, I believe in love, kindness, compassion, and along with that, gratitude. And I think you can change everything in this world with gratitude. If I'm feeling a little bit negative about something, a little bit kind of like, "Hmm." If I quickly think of two or three things that I'm grateful for in the moment, it can really alter the energy and feeling of the moment.
On being grateful…
This business is challenging, but I'm really grateful for the people that give up their lives every day and come and share this day with me. I don't ever take that for granted. I'm really grateful for my family – my three children and my husband, Jack. We've had an incredible life together. It’s not been a straightforward life or what would be termed a normal life, but I'm grateful for that journey. That journey has made me who I am.
On supporting Starship through this co-lab …
When my son was growing up, he was an asthmatic, and he had many allergies. So I had many nights at Starship with him on a ventilator, and the wonderful thing is that you can just rock on up to Auckland Hospital and they will take care of you immediately, with such care. I think we're very lucky. So, to be able to give back to support Starship is great, and anything to do with a baby, I'm there. I've always loved babies – I should have had nine of them.