Mary Lou Ryan Photographed by Barney (5) Bobby (4) & Agnes (1)

Mothers Name
Mary Lou Ryan

Photographed by
Barney (5) Bobby (4) & Agnes (1)

Location
Sydney, Australia

Occupation
Co-founder and Creative Director of Bassike

Did you always know you wanted to become a mother?

Not always, honestly. It wasn't until my early 30s that I really sat with the idea and felt ready to embrace it. Now I can't imagine my life any other way. It's the most meaningful, humbling, and joyful thing I've ever done — and the three of them have completely changed who I am.

What brings you joy when you are having a bad day?

My kids' laughter — it's impossible to stay in a bad mood when Barney does something ridiculous or Agnes belly laughs at nothing in particular. Time in nature helps too. Even a short walk outside shifts something in me. And a quiet cup of tea, if I can manage to drink it while it's still hot.

What are your favourite mid-week dinner treats?

We love a veggie curry or miso-glazed salmon — something warming and nourishing that brings everyone to the table without too much fuss. Mid-week cooking has to be simple. I've learned not to be ambitious on a Tuesday.

What are some items in your life you cannot live without?

My notebook — I've always written things down, ideas, lists, observations. My morning coffee, which I guard fiercely. My running shoes, because movement is how I process everything. And our dog Ziggy, who is chaos and comfort in equal measure.

How do you grow your creativity?

I try to keep my senses open — through travel, art, music, design, and the people around me. Running Bassike means creativity is always in motion, but I find the best ideas come when I step away from the desk. Nature is a huge source of inspiration. There's something about being outside that quiets the noise and lets new thoughts in.

What are some grocery items that are in your basket every single week?

Seasonal vegetables, eggs, sourdough, olive oil, tahini, and a good wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano. The kids have strong opinions about what goes in the trolley these days, so there's usually also something I didn't plan for.

What has surprised you most about being a mother?

How instinctive and infinite the connection is. I expected to love them — I didn't expect to be so completely undone by it. And how much I've learned about myself through raising them. They hold up a mirror in the most honest, unfiltered way. It's confronting and beautiful at the same time.

What are your favourite indulgences?

A proper massage — the kind where you actually switch off. A glass of natural wine with good company. And diving into a beautiful magazine or book with no agenda and nowhere to be. Those moments feel genuinely luxurious now.

How has your working life changed since becoming a mother?

I've become more efficient and more focused. When your time is finite, you stop wasting it. My priorities are clearer — family always comes first — and I've built better boundaries around work as a result. I think I'm actually a better creative director for it. Constraints have a way of sharpening things.

Is there a moment or event that radically changed the way you saw the world?

Becoming a mother changed everything — it's the obvious answer, but it's true. It shifted my lens completely and taught me to live more presently. Before children, I was always thinking ahead. Now I'm much more here.

What is one thing you are loving right now?

Ocean swims. I've been getting in early before the day starts and it's become something I genuinely look forward to. It clears my head in a way nothing else does. Cold water, open sky — it's a reset.

What are your most important values?

Integrity, kindness, creativity, and community. They underpin everything at Bassike and everything at home. I want my children to grow up understanding that how you treat people matters more than almost anything else.

How do you ground yourself in stressful times?

I go for a walk in nature, breathe deeply, and remind myself that this too shall pass. It sounds simple, but it works. Movement and perspective — those two things get me through most things.

Mary Lou wears the Three Letters Necklace