Lockers At Work: Visit the Kollab Office
Behind a roller door in an airy warehouse in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, you'll find a place full of colour, pattern, collaboration and creativity. Welcome to the office of Australian eco-conscious accessories brand Kollab!
"Kollab started with the mission to make everyday essential items more fashionable," founder Hayley tells Mustard, "whilst keeping them functional." Kinda like our love for pretty and practical lockers — it's no wonder our two brands have so much in common! Maybe that's why the Kollab office looks a whole lot like Mustard's. With an impressive array of lockers throughout the space in all kinds of shapes and colours, the team at Kollab are almost as locker-crazy as we are.
We sat down with Hayley to chat about her ten years in business, working with pinch-me brands (hello, Sage x Clare and The Matildas!) and how they've scaled from a tiny little shed to a business with a great big heart. Let's meet Hayley!
ten years of Kollab
Kollab is about to hit double digits, celebrating their tenth birthday this year. Just like Mustard, Kollab started with a launch at the trade show Life InStyle. "Ten years later here I am still loving, creating and working with a great team," says Hayley. "Our original collection consisted of a range of products, some of which are still staples in the current collection. Opening our first set of samples was super fun and I still love it when new prints and products arrive today!" Those products today include everything from picnic mats to lunch boxes, reusable shopping bags, outdoor umbrellas and more.
"We love playing with colour at Kollab — I always try to embrace bold and vibrant hues, staying true to our brand while keeping an eye on emerging trends. Restraint is also so important. Whilst we love lots of colour, it's sometimes key to repeat colours that have worked, rather than add more!"
"I don't think anyone really just does one job! Our approach is always collaborative."
the office
Today, the Kollab office is tucked away on the Mornington Peninsula, where Hayley has lived for about 20 years. "It's our favourite place to work and live, and also the perfect spot to try out our products in the great outdoors," she tells us. As for the office, that's where the magic happens! "We're powered by a team of 15 vibrant, talented women who wear many hats." The vibe in the office is "dynamic, inclusive and fast-paced. I like to get things done but also have fun at the same time!"
Although the office now is a hub of activity and colour, Kollab began as a small venture with a friend, working out of a humble shed and doing everything themselves. After a stint in the fashion hub of Collingwood, the team made the decision to come back to the Mornington Peninsula for a larger, more convenient office space. "Kollab has really blossomed into a diverse team of creative minds helping me drive the business forward," Hayley says. "We are all still very hands-on and forever working on many aspects of the business. I don't think anyone really just does one job! We all help to offload stock arriving, help in photoshoots and wherever else we may be needed. Our approach is always collaborative." It's all in the name, after all!
collab with Kollab
Speaking of collaboration, that's the value that's really at the heart of Kollab. When we asked Hayley to tell us about a favourite, it was a tall order. "We've been fortunate to work with some incredible brands and artists over our 10 year journey including Billabong, Sharpie, Sage x Clare and Grow To." Their dream collaboration? "I've always got a few people in mind, but we are incredibly excited to be partnering with the Australian women's national football team, the Matildas, this year! It's going to be huge and I can't wait to see it come to life."
locking it in
The team at Kollab might just take the cake for the most lockers outside of Mustard HQ! Hayley describes Mustard lockers as "essential" (we'd have to agree!) for keeping their workspace organised and clutter-free. "From paperwork to samples, each staff member has their own, and we absolutely adore them. As someone who's always been a massive fan of Mustard Made products, we've had them for years. They seamlessly blend with our style and functionality, adding to the overall vibe of our workspace. We especially love The Midi and The Lowdown — they're both so sleek and they fit into every nook and cranny like they were meant to be there."
small business, big lessons
Bursting with colour and pattern, Kollab looks like a whole lot of fun! But like any business, it's come with some lessons for Hayley, the biggest challenge being learning to put herself out there more often. "I am really quite happy working hard in the background, letting the product speak for itself. I have never felt the need to be in front of the camera, or the face of the business. Our team has forever wanted more of a presence from me in this capacity and I can now see that it is helpful sometimes. This is certainly out of my comfort zone, but I am trying to do this more, whilst remaining authentic!"
"But the joy I get out of creating products that make people's lives a little bit easier makes every hurdle worth it. Plus, there's nothing quite like the thrill of seeing someone out and about with our products."
We could say the same, Hayley — seeing Mustard brightening up this fun and functional workspace is pretty damn special, too.
