What Maggie Hewitt, the woman behind Maggie Marilyn, is doing, eating and wearing this summer

Maggie Hewitt is the creative force behind sustainable fashion label Maggie Marilyn. Her ‘livable luxury’ brand has been worn by everyone from eco-fashion crusader Livia Firth to the Duchess of Sussex and Kendall Jenner. Maggie tells dish how she relaxes over summer.

dish: What is your favourite place to escape to?
Maggie: My family have a home in the Bay of Islands; it is my safe haven, a place where I feel my spirit truly recharges. The smell of the ocean mist and native New Zealand bush… you can’t get much better than that. We have so many amazing family memories there too, so it is where I feel most at peace. Most of my best moments over the past decade have been there. We also all spent level 4 up north, and I can’t think of another time in our lives where we will all spend five weeks together in one house. My sister was pregnant too, so some pretty special memories.

What’s your idea of a relaxed/rewarding Kiwi holiday?
Lots of swimming in the ocean, reading a good book. My friend just gave me The Future we Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, which I am excited to read. Gin and tonics in the afternoon followed by plenty of afternoon naps and quality time with family. Bliss.

What are some things you always take with you?
Honey, my miniature dachshund, comes everywhere with me. She also loves paddleboarding and swimming! We are pretty lucky in Kerikeri. There is an amazing growers’ market every Saturday, where we get fresh berries for our cocktails and the best organic cheeses and vegetables.

Favourite food for a picnic?
Summer fruit – berries, mangoes. My mum makes an amazing potato salad so that’s always in the chilly bin, and a crisp bottle of rosé.

What do you like to cook at the bach?
Always freshly caught seafood. Dad makes the best home-made fish and chips, and fresh kingfish sashimi. I also love cooking a tomato and garlic seafood linguine with a cold glass of chardonnay.

Books you’ll be taking (or podcasts you’ve got cued up)?
So many to catch up on! A few on my list: Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas; The Future We Choose; and I want to re-read The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells as there was just so much to take in. As for podcasts, I’ve been loving How To Fail With Elizabeth Day; my favourite episode is her one with Mo Gawdat; it’s so beautiful. Also Unlocking Us by Brené Brown, and After Work Drinks.

Maggie Marilyn 01 Blazer

What will you be packing clothes-wise?
I’ll be living in pieces from our new product launch all summer long. I know I will also be wearing our 01 Somewhere singlet and 01 jeans, the perfect daytime picnic look. Then I’ll slip on a little kitten heel sandal and our 01 blazer and I’ll be good to go to evening drinks.

Maggie Marilyn
maggiemarilyn.com