Emma Read on Curating Calm

EMMA READ

Stylist, Consultant & Writer, Tiffany & Co. 

Emma is an accomplished stylist, consultant, and writer whose work spans prestigious publications including RUSSH, ELLE Australia, and Order Magazine, alongside collaborations with luxury brands like Hermès and Tiffany & Co. Her expertise extends beyond fashion into the world of fragrance, having studied at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in France. With a career built on refined sensibility and creative curation, Emma brings a uniquely balanced perspective to fashion and style. We're exploring with her how she creates moments of quiet intention amid the creative intensity of the fashion world.

CULTIVATING CURATION

Your career spans styling, creative direction, and perfumery, all requiring refined sensibility. How does this curatorial mindset translate to your personal spaces and rituals of rest?

Truly one of the joys of my career is the aspect of discovery - something that naturally parlays into how I approach all my personal routines of beauty, spaces and rest. 

Within this field your skill set is honed on curiosity so whilst I have a framework to my rituals, I love to road test new products and modalities to mix it up. For me it’s all about quality - it has to make you feel beautiful, nourished and calm to stand the test of time. 

EVENING TRANSITIONS

How do you transition from the high-energy fashion world to restful evenings? What practices help you mentally "close" your workday?

The minute I walk through the door my workday outfit 'armour' is off, and comfortable clothes are a must, like my PALME Elle set! It's essential to decompress in clothes that deepen your rest. 

I love to cook in the evening when I can, it kicks off my calming ritual to recoup my energy. 

Lathering myself in magnesium oil and listening to guided meditations and Solfeggio Frequencies are my non-negotiables as I'm winding down for sleep. Particularly as my mind has to remain so active throughout the day it's become a mental marker to rest and reset. Honestly it does wonders and I always wake up with a clear mind when I stick to this routine. 

MORNING FOUNDATIONS

What does your morning routine look like? Are there non-negotiable elements that set the tone for your creativity?

When I can I love to start my day with exercise, be it Pilates or a walk and a sauna if I'm lucky to squeeze it in. I've started practising somatic healing exercises once I roll out of bed to reset my nervous system in the morning - I'm a real novice to this but I'm finding it so effective if you're approaching a stacked schedule for the day, it's incredibly calming.

SENSORY STORYTELLING

How do elements like scent, texture, and ambiance feature in your personal rituals? Has your perfumery background influenced your approach to rest?

Not to play the astrology card but I am such a Taurus in this sense (IYKYK)

I have a real heightened appreciation for the senses and scent plays a huge part in how I curate my space. The idea that really attracted me to study fragrance is the psychology of our olfactory pathways and how it's so closely linked to the part of our brain that houses our memories and emotions - so linking areas like my bedroom to particular notes that calm me is essential. 

I love softer notes like amber, orris and musk. I once had the pleasure of meeting a Nose of Diptyque who taught me the idea of 'scent layering' with multiple candles so I love this approach at home if you're cueing your brain for rest. 

Colour and texture is also hugely important, my bedroom lamps are amber lighting and the palette is all very neutral so I feel very cocooned! 

SUSTAINING CREATIVITY

What practices help you maintain creative sustainability and prevent burnout in an industry that's always rushing toward ‘what's next’?

Absolutely rest; our environment is so fast-paced, prioritising this not only for the body but for the mind is the only way to maintain my energy. Outside of this, allowing yourself moments of creativity not linked to a project or deliverable. I love to image research or conceptualise ideas just for my own pleasure, or things I like just for me, it keeps your eye sharp. 

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EMMA'S ESSENTIALS

Evening Wind-Down

• Magnesium oil application
• Guided meditations
• Solfeggio Frequencies
• Cooking as ritual

Morning Practice

• Pilates or walking
• Sauna sessions
• Somatic healing exercises

Scent Philosophy

• Amber, orris, and musk notes
• Multi-candle scent layering
• Amber lighting for ambiance

THE NOTES

Emma's approach to rest reveals the sophisticated eye of someone who understands that true luxury lies in the details. Her transition from 'workday armour' to restorative evening wear speaks to the power of ritual in marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

There's something particularly compelling about how her perfumery training informs her approach to creating sanctuary. The idea that we can literally scent-layer our way into rest feels both ancient and utterly modern. Her understanding that creativity requires both stimulation and restoration offers a masterclass in sustainable success within demanding creative industries.

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Emma's PALME set of choice is the Elle set.

Discover the PALME collection, designed for life's restful moments at shoppalme.com.