I'm really excited to share this week's Blog on Natalie Bloom, founder of Bloom cosmetics. Natalie started Bloom when she was just 22 years old and spent the next 20 years building the business into an international success, selling her products in the USA, UK and Asia, earning Bloom a "cult like" status around the globe. I was lucky enough to work with Natalie during part of this period, which was not only a dream job but so much fun! Today Bloom Cosmetics is predominately an online business so Natalie can still work on developing new products and nurturing her passion for colour and design, all whilst balancing her time with her family, painting and bee keeping - yes that is correct!
Be inspired by Natalie and some of her favourite creators, her most cherished piece at home and her favourite piece on Collécte.
Describe your style in 6 words or less.
Natalie: Textural, authentic, layered, & timeless.
Which architects/designers most inspire you?
Natalie: I love Studio McQualter’s work. Don McQualter and his team are incredibly inspiring. I love their use of natural light, colour and the way they integrate vintage furniture in a contemporary way. Their work feels relaxed and timeless.
Which artists most inspire you?
Natalie: I am inspired by so many artists, mostly from the past, like; Cezanne, Matisse and Lucian Freud. I love Australian artist, Lewis Miller’s work. He is definitely one of Australia’s best figurative and still life painters.
What is your most cherished piece at home? (furniture, art, lighting or decorative)
Natalie: I love my Charles Dudouyt side table with green top, made in the early 20th-century. I do love anything with a French vibe and Charles Dudouyt’s work is so refined and contemporary, with such an honest approach to materials like wood.
Charles Dudouyt side table with green top.
Best piece of career advice you have ever received?
Natalie: There was a time in the late 90’s when Bloom was growing at a rate that was causing great anxiety for me. I was being offered opportunities from all directions and didn’t know how to say no. Sally Browne said to me “ask yourself, is it going to make a difference?”. This helped me assess opportunities and how I wanted to respond to them.
What are you favourites:
Favourite Instagram account/s you follow?
Natalie: My interest in Instagram goes in ebbs and flows depending on what’s going on in the world or in my life. One part of Instagram that I never tire of is following past artists hashtags. I recently discovered the American portrait artist Alice Neale and while she is no longer alive to have an Instagram page, her hashtag gives me a glimpse of her work that people post from exhibitions or rare books.
Favourite galleries or museums?
Natalie: My favourite gallery is the Pompidou in Paris. I love the permanent exhibition there and I love how deep they explore a retrospective.
Favourite way to unwind at home?
Natalie: Spending time in my studio painting, drawing or reading a book.
Favourite restaurant?
Natalie: I’m feeling very uninspired by Melbourne restaurants lately. Everywhere feels too big and too over the top. I’m craving a small bistro style restaurant with simple food cooked from quality produce. Somewhere with some soul and authenticity. I’m looking forward to having one last dinner at Di Stasio’s in Fitzroy St before it closes and France Soir never disappoints.
Favourite podcast?
Natalie: I love listening to Talking with Painters
Favourite piece on Collécte right now?
Natalie: I’m loving the Alessandro Albrizzi Directors Chairs. Perfect for my study.
Alessandro Albrizzi Leather Director Chairs, sold as a set of 4.
Natalie Bloom - www.bloomcosmetics.com, @bloomcosmetics & @natbloomstudio
Main image: Kate Collingwood, Natalie wears The Flatiron Label
