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PHOTOS: CHARMAINE LYONS PHOTOGRAPHY
Sometimes you have to be brought to your knees, to have everything taken away from you, to discover what you’re really made of.
away from you, to discover what you’re really made of,” she says. “We all have an inner resilience that keeps directing us to our true north, and when we are still enough … we are transformed. “And you know that can be as a woman or a community or even a country,” referring to her time spent in Nepal in the aftermath of the earthquake. “One thing that stays with me is that the Nepalese people, as far as owning things, really have nothing, yet they live with a grace and integrity and a deep www.thechronicle.com.au/lifestyle
sense of gratitude that is not always evident here. “I feel like this comes from living in the here and now, being present in the moment, worrying less about the future and trusting divine providence. “It made me think that greatest offering you can give to others is your presence. So I created a sacred space for just that. And those who come here can not only buy beautiful dresses, but they can also just be, and rest in awareness and be present for one another.” She works closely and creatively with
local artists, photographers, models and her ‘tribe’ of much-loved friends, who she says has been invaluable in helping her start the business. The collective hosts basket weaving workshops with local refugee groups, yoga nidra during the week and mehndi (henna application) on Saturday mornings. “I found this graffiti written on a wall once in India. It read, ‘It is a woman’s divine birthright to feel beautiful’ … and it really stuck with me and it’s what I want to create here.” Beautiful inside and out. VISIT MOYALIA AT A’LIA COLLECTIVE 8 BOWEN ST, TOOWOOMBA OPEN: TUESDAY TO SUNDAY 9.30AM-5PM, SATURDAY AND SUNDAYS BY APPOINTMENT INSTAGRAM: ALIACOLLECTIVE FACEBOOK: A’LIA C’TIVE March 2018 | 9