After completing a fashion diploma in the UK and working across London and France, Liz Foubert moved to Australia in 1996 – and has been the creative director and head designer at Caleche Bridal ever since. Here she speaks with SALIFE about what most brings her joy in work and life.
Best day of your life?
I’ve had lots of wonderful days and I’m very lucky to have many fond memories. Bringing two children into the world, marrying my husband, visiting my family in the UK, visiting my son in NYC, celebrating accomplishments and so many more. It’s just too hard to choose – but I also like to think that maybe the best day is yet to come!
What brings you joy in life?
Lots of things bring me joy – a sunny day, perfect cup of tea, seeing the seasons change, a happy bride… the list continues, but mostly, my family! Spending time with my family and knowing that they are happy. The four of us (my husband and I along with our daughter and son) love spending time together. We’re quite blessed I think that we all get on so well.
Creating and designing wedding gowns is an absolute joy, I count myself very lucky to have a creative job that is also a passion. It is also a real privilege to be entrusted to design a dress for what is such an important milestone in someone’s life.
One of my smaller pleasures in life would have to be a daily walk. I will always find time for a walk. I love a moody walk, a misty walk, a drizzly walk, all as much as a sunny walk (growing up in England will do that to you). I chose to live up in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Lofty mainly for the fog and morning chill, it makes morning walks feel like I’m back in the UK. I adore the change of seasons and get a real thrill seeing nature at its best.
Best advice you’ve been given?
“A problem isn’t a real problem unless it can’t be solved”. Basically, don’t overthink the small things because invariably they don’t matter as much as you might have thought. Life is far less stressful if you try to keep this in mind!
Most treasured photograph?
A photo of the first time we took our daughter, Jess, to the sea. This photo is pre-digital, so seems a bit simple now, but at the time it captured a moment. We were living in France in 1995 and we went to La Cote Sauvage du Croisic, a coastline near where we were living in Southern Brittany. I think it was only the third time my parents, who were living in the UK, had seen our daughter.
The photo is of my father walking hand-in-hand with Jess down the beach towards the sea. It’s a photo I have always wanted to paint, of two figures walking towards the sea on a blustery day. Funnily, Jess was actually quite scared of the noise of the sea, which was very choppy, and we always remember her repeating ‘bye bye sea’ as she turned her grandfather around to hurry away from the water.
One day I will paint it!
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Best meal you’ve ever eaten?
I’ve been very fortunate to experience lots of delicious meals, whether they be restaurant, dinner with friends or homemade. But I firmly believe what makes the best meal is the company and the ambience. So, putting aside some of the fabulous meals I have had in restaurants, I would have to say two meals come to mind.
The first is when we were living in France and my husband and his friend had been snorkelling off the Brittany coast and brought home a catch of fresh crabs and cocquille St Jacques (scallops), which we quickly cooked up and washed down with cold Muscadet wine and fresh brown bread and butter. We spent the whole afternoon just relaxing and devouring.
The second is the bowl of spaghetti bolognese my husband cooked for me the day after I mentioned I would go back to eating meat after being vegetarian for eight years! My husband went to the butcher to ask for the best meat for someone who is no longer vegetarian, and I arrived home to slow cooked beef bolognese, made with love.
Best qualities of your favourite person?
My favourite person would have to be my husband. He’s my best friend, he’s loyal and he always makes me laugh. He has always supported me. His best qualities are his integrity and honesty and he treats people how he would want to be treated.
Top five songs on your playlist?
Harvest Moon by Neil Young
Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying by Labi Siffre
Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini
Strange by Celeste
Anything by Andre Bocelli
Best purchase?
Our house! Lived there for 12 years and there is really no place like home! My husband and I have put a lot of time and love into the house and the garden – we love searching for vintage finds to style in our house. We’ve acquired bits and bobs from SA, Victoria and even brought home a few smaller pieces from the UK.
It’s a bit eclectic-colonial… with hardwood floors, vintage furniture, rugs, books, lots of enamel kitchenalia… Our next project is the garden, which we are slowly creating into a sustainable cottage garden full of colour and blooms. The challenge will be remembering what to do, when, throughout the year. I can certainly understand why gardening can become a passion later in life.
