Article: The Tidal Collection: A Story Shaped by Life
The Tidal Collection: A Story Shaped by Life
When we first started designing this collection, it had a completely different name.
It was called Halcyon, a word that means a period of peace and calm. It was destined for Greece, where we had planned to photograph it among whitewashed villages, blue water, cliffs and tiny laneways.
Every detail had been carefully considered. Every timeline had been mapped out. We knew exactly what this collection was going to be.
Or so we thought.
Life certainly had other plans.
Earlier this year, I underwent emergency surgery following a serious spinal injury. Recovery has been a long process and, almost overnight, life looked very different for not only me, but my family and our staff. At the time we were supposed to be travelling and photographing the collection in Greece, I was instead beginning months of recovery and rehabilitation.
From the moment it happened, Mum put caring for me above everything else. There was no question about the collection, the photoshoot or what work needed to be done. She simply rearranged her life around what I needed and took each day as it came.
It turns out it does not matter whether your child is 29 weeks or 29 years old. A mother’s job never really changes.
In many ways, MegbyDesign began for exactly the same reason.
It was not built from a perfect business plan, a large investment or a particularly calm period of life. It began with a mother doing her best to create a life for her children.
Michelle built MegbyDesign from the ground up while raising us and navigating a new baby, international moves, stresses and all the other things life brings with it over 20 years. There were no perfect conditions and very few straight lines. She kept going, taking things one day at a time and making the best decision she could with whatever was in front of her at the time.
People often see a business once it has found its feet. They do not always see the years behind it, when it was simply being held together by determination, instinct and a woman who refused to give up on building something better for her family.
That same instinct has carried us through this year.
When I was injured, the business had to shift and adapt quickly. Plans changed, responsibilities moved and the things that once felt urgent suddenly were not. Mum cared for me first, balanced the running of the business, while the rest of our team did what we could to keep everything else moving.
At the same time, our production partners in India and Korea were navigating challenges of their own. Delays at fabric mills, rising transport costs and disruptions throughout the supply chain meant that the collection we had imagined was no longer going to come together in the way we had planned.
It quickly became obvious that we could not force Halcyon into a space where it no longer belonged.
Halcyon deserves its own moment, so we have decided to save it for another summer. Instead, we looked at what was in front of us and I began thinking about what this collection had become.
That is how Tidal was born.
Tidal felt right for a collection shaped by movement and unexpected change. Tides move in and out, plans shift, and life asks us to adapt. Sometimes the best thing we can do is stop fighting the change and find a new way forward.
This collection is about staying closer to home and remembering what matters most. We will be photographing it locally, surrounded by the people and places that have supported us through a very challenging year.
The pieces have been named after Australian beaches and coastal towns, reflecting that return to home and the comfort we find in familiar places.
True to its name, Tidal will also be released in waves rather than all at once.
As pieces arrive from our makers, we will photograph and release them in smaller groups. It is a different way of doing things for us, but it means we can share each piece with you when it is ready rather than holding everything back while we wait for the entire collection to come together and worrying about perfect timelines.
There is something quite fitting about that. Tidal will unfold gradually, with each new wave bringing something fresh.
MegbyDesign has never been built on perfect conditions.
But underneath all of that, it has always been about family. It was created by a mother determined to build a good life for her children, and 22 years later, that same mother stepped away from everything to care for one of them when she needed her most.
This collection has become a reminder that something does not have to happen exactly as planned to still become something beautiful.
Tidal may not be the collection we originally imagined, but it feels honest to where we are now. It is about adapting to change, staying close to the people we love and working with life as it is as we always do.
We look forward to sharing the first wave with you.
27 comments
I’m so sorry to read about your spinal injury and wish you a full recovery. I have always loved Meg By Design clothes and your story about how it has all evolved over time, how your mother has put you first to look after you when you need her most whilst the rest of your loyal team keeps the business going, makes me appreciate them even more. The Tidal collection sounds intriguing!
Warm wishes, Gail
Gail
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery <3
Kerri
OMG! I can really emphathize with you all . Just this year , in retirement, my husband had a very serious stroke , and our life was turned upside down . So …at the moment , no more travel, stay close to home , continual medical appointments , etc etc , but as in your case, wonderful family support ! I am a dedicated buyer and supporter of Meg by Design , and absolutely adore your clothes . Two of my sisters also are your buyers and fans .”Never give up and keep on keeping on . “. Best wishes . Fay Pollock Beaconsfield Upper
Fay Pollock
OMG! I can really emphathize with you all . Just this year , in retirement, my husband had a very serious stroke , and our life was turned upside down . So …at the moment , no more travel, stay close to home , continual medical appointments , etc etc , but as in your case, wonderful family support ! I am a dedicated buyer and supporter of Meg by Design , and absolutely adore your clothes . Two of my sisters also are your buyers and fans .”Never give up and keep on keeping on . “. Best wishes . Fay Pollock Beaconsfield Upper
Fay Pollock
Wishing you well on your continuing recovery. What an amazing mother and team you have. Can’t wait for the ride to roll in. Thank you x
Anita
I’m so sorry that all of these things have happened to you, your family, and your employees. Mostly, I hope that you’re recovering with time.
Reading your email makes me feel closer to all of you. I love your story and how Michelle kept you all together and prospering. It’s inspiring.
I’m happy that you’ll be photographing near home. I’ve looked up your area on a map and, to me, it’s quite exotic since I live in the interior of the United States.
Thank you for continuing in the hard times. I love wearing your clothes. They’re like nothing I can find here. I’ve been wearing your things this summer with sandals and Sock Candy socks. I receive SO many compliments!
Mary
Louisville, Ky USA
Mary Groft
I was so shocked and sorry to read about your terrible injury and everything that has happened since. The most important thing is your recovery and it does not surprise me one bit that Michelle made you the top priority and that MBD still continued doing wonderful things in spite of everything! I hope you are getting stronger, I have no doubt the Tidal collection will be utterly fabulous, like every collection before it! Being adaptable is one of life’s greatest gifts. This news really shook me and it must have been a terrible time. Sending a huge hug to you all and every best wish❤️
Sally Harvey
I hope you are healing and getting stronger each day and what a wonderful mum you have!!! The.family.commitment is great and we can wait for.clothes…. and I am looking forward to “Tidal” when you are all ready. Take care amd stay well xoxo 😘 🤗 💖
Maria
Can’t wait to see the tide come in. wishing you continued recovery to full health.
Janie Rose
Health challenges really test our internal strength. So pleased to read you are surrounded by love and care from others and for yourself. Take your time: We love your collections in all forms 💙
Belinda Gilmour
I wish you God’s precious love on you and yours. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Diane Burton
I was very touched by your comments and very sorry about your injury. Looking forward to the Tidal collection as I love your work. Very warm wishes Cherrie
Cherrie Stott
Hoping your recovery runs smoothly. Very much looking forward to the Tidal collection and our local scenery.
Ros Harvey
Wishing you all the best with your recovery and future plans. Can’t wait to see the new Tidal collection (maybe). My poor credit card. 😝
Samone Osborne
Wishing you all the best with your recovery and future plans. Can’t wait to see the new Tidal collection (maybe). My poor credit card. 😝
Samone Osborne
I’ve followed you guys for years, and reading this made me love your brand even more – you can really feel the family and love behind this post, and I think that comes through in your clothes. I’m actually sitting here in An Bang, Vietnam wearing my Corina dress right now – one of my absolute faves for the weather here. It’s seriously hot, so I’m very ready for this collection to start dropping. Your summer collections are made for this kind of climate.
Wishing you all the best with recovery and I can’t wait to see the new pieces…although my bank account is probably going to go into shock!
Julie Franke
Sad to hear your news but so happy you are mending and have all the support you need. Look forward to seeing your new outfits sending love to you all Helen MacKay
Helen Mackay
Thank you for the back story and look forward to the next collection. Wishing you a speedy recovery and well done to your Mum and the team for looking after you.
Liz Gleeson
I am so sorry to hear about your health challenges and I hope that you are well on the road recovery now. The entire team at MegbyDesign are simply amazing and I have no doubt your newest member will be too. I cannot wait to see what your new will collection brings (although my bank balance may disagree!). Thank you for designing and making beautiful clothing 😍
Asha
Your designs and fabrics are amazing. I’m so glad I found you. Can’t wait for the next range to arrive.
Margaret Hampton
Thank you for being so open and honest …life is always finding ways to putting obstacles in our path. Your journey may have changed course but you will definitely return to Halcyon another time , with bigger and better dreams.
Stay safe and keep healing and enjoying your life…Warmest regards , Dianne
Dianne Thomas
MegByDesigns you have taken me through a really stressful period of losing my husband to illness way too young – so I can only give back the vibes to stay recover and stay well – you are an amazing inspiration – and thanks to all your team and your Mum – here’s to a great calm and wellness for you all – hugs Wyn
Wyn Vogel
Tidal….beautiful…what a gorgeous team you and your Mum are.
Looking forward to seeing this collections…take care
Louise Constable
Wishing you complete healing and wellness. Much love, Chrisse.
Chrisse Favini
Beautiful words. Human as ever, and why ainlove MBD.
Zoë
I’m not crying, you’re crying! 😢
Kerri-Ann Jardine
Hi
I’ve always wondered why you went overseas to photograph the collections and not utilised our magnificent landscape and beaches.
Kind regards
Suzie
Suzie Moss
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