Founder and creative director of NAGNATA, Laura May Gibbs found first-hand that becoming a Mother whilst running a company has not diminished her ambition, but only given it even greater purpose. 

Can you tell us a little about your journey and the early days of building NAGNATA?

Ten years in, it's been a journey fuelled by passion, purpose, resilience and an unwavering belief in what we set out to create. Alongside that has been the privilege of building an incredible community around the brand.

I'm just as passionate about NAGNATA's mission today as I was when I started. You have to be, because building a business in fashion isn't easy. I've never been interested in building a brand for growth alone. I've always wanted to build a world that people genuinely wanted to be part of, one that leaves a positive impact.

There have been challenges at every stage, but it's incredibly rewarding to look back and see how something that began as an idea has grown, from working alongside my sister in the early days to now collaborating with an incredible team and partners around the world.

For me, it's always been about refining our craft, staying committed to quality and innovation, and creating something I genuinely felt was missing in the market.

Building a business has been one of my greatest teachers. There have been moments of real uncertainty, especially in the early years, where we had to rethink our path, make difficult decisions and trust that the vision was worth holding onto. There were times when cash flow was incredibly tight and every decision carried weight, balanced by moments of opportunity and momentum that allowed us to take the next step forward. Over the years, I've realised that progress is rarely linear. You learn to keep the vision clear while remaining open to how you get there.

NAGNATA has become an extension of who I am. It's shaped me just as much as I've shaped it, and I feel incredibly grateful to see a vision that once existed only in my mind become something people around the world genuinely connect with.

Any specific memory or event you're particularly proud of?

There are so many moments that stand out, not necessarily the ones people see from the outside, but the milestones that felt monumental behind the scenes. Receiving our first six-figure purchase order from Net-a-Porter on our debut collection was one. I remember thinking, How are we going to produce this? But we figured it out, and it became a defining moment in our first year of wholesale, enabling us to launch internationally. Our first runway presentation at Bangarra Dance Company in Sydney is another. Produced entirely in-house by our small team, it brought together dance, conversation, a long-table lunch with industry peers and a runway presentation—a true weaving of worlds, and an emotional, collaborative expression of everything NAGNATA stands for. Opening our first flagship store in Byron Bay was equally memorable. Designing the space from the ground up and seeing our vision for the NAGNATA world come to life was incredibly rewarding. Awards and press recognition are always appreciated, but it's these moments, the ones you've worked towards for months or even years and finally get to experience with your team, that stay with me the most. I've become much more intentional about pausing to celebrate those milestones. In fashion, there's always another collection, another show, another season ahead, so it's easy to move straight on to what's next. Looking back, I realise how much work, creativity and collective effort goes into bringing each of those moments to life. Taking the time to acknowledge them, and the people who made them possible, feels just as important as achieving them.

It has been so admirable to witness the larger and more mindful conversations you have been a part of. What are some of the values NAGNATA is grounded in?

NAGNATA has always been a purpose-driven brand. From the beginning, we've wanted to create clothing that feels better for both people and the planet. We're deeply conscious of the fibres we choose and what we put against our skin, with a commitment to moving away from petrochemical-derived materials wherever possible and creating clothing that is less toxic and more considered. At our core, we exist at the intersection of fashion, movement and wellness, with community woven through everything we do. Our guiding pillars are Caring for Country and Caring for Community. They continue to inform every decision we make, from product development to partnerships and the way we show up in the world.

How do some of these values also resonate in motherhood for you? 

Motherhood has only strengthened those values. I hope Aurora grows up seeing not only what I do, but why I do it. I want her to understand the importance of caring for people, caring for the planet, and living with purpose. More than anything, I hope she finds something she's deeply passionate about and allows that passion to shape her own path, whatever that may look like.

Can you share any notes around the transformation into motherhood and what it has revealed about yourself?

Honestly, motherhood has expanded my capacity in ways I never expected. I've always done a lot, and now I'm doing it alongside my greatest role yet. It has asked me to loosen my grip on control, become more intentional with my time, and say no to opportunities that aren't truly aligned. Building NAGNATA has always been deeply intertwined with my life, but becoming a mother has reshaped how I hold both worlds. I've realised you can't do everything in the same way you once did. Instead, I've had to adapt, find new ways of showing up, and trust that not everything has to happen at once. There are plenty of days that feel messy and imperfect, where I don't feel like I've balanced it all particularly well. But I think that's part of the initiation into motherhood. It changes you completely, inviting you to soften, surrender and grow in ways you could never anticipate. Motherhood has made me a better leader because it's taught me to let go, delegate, trust my team more, be more present and focus my energy where it matters most. Running a business and raising a child can both feel like full-time roles, but I don't see them in competition with one another. They strengthen one another. Both ask me to lead with creativity, resilience, presence and love.

More and more women around us are redefining motherhood and ambition: proving that a career and being a mother aren't mutually exclusive. Would you say without the burnout they can strengthen one another if built on intention and passion?

Absolutely. I don't think motherhood and ambition are at odds with one another, but I do think it's a fine line. When you're someone who pours your whole heart into your work, and then you become a mother, it's natural to want to give that same energy and presence to your family. The pressure to do both well can feel very real, and I've definitely experienced that. For me, avoiding burnout isn't about finding perfect balance, it's about continually checking in with what this season of life needs from me. Letting go of comparison, asking for help when I need it, and accepting that I can't do everything, all at once or in the same way I once did. Every woman has to find the rhythm that works for her own life, without judgement. I don't believe women should have to choose between being present mothers and pursuing meaningful work. While everyone's path looks different, I hope we're continuing to create a world where women feel supported to define success on their own terms. Motherhood hasn't diminished my ambition, it's given it even greater purpose. Aurora is watching how I move through the world, and I hope she grows up knowing it's possible to build a meaningful career while creating a deeply connected family life. Mothers do so much of their most important work quietly, behind the scenes, and I think that unseen work deserves just as much recognition as anything we achieve professionally.

Raising a little one and running a company, what are some personal rituals that allow you to come back to yourself?

Movement has always been my anchor. Whether it's a walk, yoga, surfing, strength training or a meditation session in our at-home sauna, I make time to move every day. It's how I clear my mind, reconnect and return to myself. I've always found myself most creative at night, and these days I often stay up after Aurora goes to bed because it's the only time that's completely my own. I definitely get less sleep, but I really value those quiet hours of solitude and reflection. There are personal rituals I've had to let go of for now. I used to spend much more time writing for myself and going to the studio for evening practices with my yoga teacher, but I've come to see motherhood through the lens of seasons. This season asks more of me, and naturally there's less time for certain things, but I know it won't always be this way. She'll only be little for such a short time. Remembering that helps me stay present, even on the days I feel stretched, because I know these moments won't last forever.

And what about as a family, any favourite rituals or pastimes?

The beach is where we have the most fun as a family. Filippo, Aurora and I are happiest when we're in or around the ocean, whether that's surfing, swimming or simply spending slow mornings by the water together. Our connection to the ocean is something we hope to nurture in Aurora because it's given us so much throughout our lives. It has taught us presence, perspective and a deep appreciation for nature. In a world that's increasingly overstimulating, I love how little children actually need. Some of Aurora's happiest moments are spent playing in the sand, splashing in the shallows, trying to stand on our surfboards or simply exploring outdoors. Nature sparks imagination in a way that toys never really can, and I hope she'll always feel that sense of freedom and curiosity whenever she's outside.

How important has community been in your early stages of motherhood so far?

Community has been everything. My mum, my sister and my incredible circle of women have carried me through this season of motherhood, and I'm so deeply grateful for them. In those first few months after Aurora was born, a friend dropped by almost every day. Filippo was working nights, so my girlfriends would come over for dinner, join me for evening walks or simply so I could have a bath. In those early days of very little sleep and learning how to care for a baby, I never felt like I had to do it alone. I always knew that if I reached out, someone would be there. Their support, wisdom and friendship helped me navigate one of the biggest transitions of my life. That support continues today. It's what allows me to keep showing up for my work, to travel when I need to, and to know Aurora is surrounded by people who love her when she can't be with me. Even just the other day, when I came down with a virus and couldn't care for Aurora, you dropped everything to come and collect her, knowing there was every chance your own children might catch it, which they did. That's friendship. That's what showing up for another mother looks like. I truly believe every woman deserves a circle like that, and I hope I can be that person for the mothers in my life, just as so many have been for me.

Any particular great podcasts or books you have come across of late you can share?

Keeping with the theme of motherhood, one podcast I come back to regularly is The Mother Daze with my friend Teresa Palmer and Sarah Wright Olsen. It's a beautiful space for honest conversations about motherhood, and last year I shared my own birth story in an episode called Birthing Aurora: A First Birth Story with Laura May. I'm a huge podcast listener, and my queue is always full. When I want to step away from the worlds of business, fashion and motherhood, I love Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin. His conversations with artists, musicians and creative thinkers are thoughtful, philosophical and always leave me feeling inspired. I love hearing how different people approach creativity and the way they move through the world.