24 Hours With… Julie Pelipas Of BETTTER
When in doubt if your goals are achievable, remember that we all have the same 24 hours in a day as Julie Pelipas. The Creative Director and Founder is an inspiration, changing the landscape of upcycled fashion for the BETTTER. Who, at the same time, upheaved her life to a whole new country to keep her family and team safe from a war. Not forgetting, she also designed an exclusive capsule of timeless tailoring and eveningwear for Browns to empower our wardrobes. In honour of this recent launch, we jumped at the chance to get an inside look at what dusk until dawn looks like for this powerhouse on a mission.
“Morning yoga routine.”
“Post-workout breakfast.”
MORNING
What time do you wake up and what's the first thing you do when you get up?
I wake up at 7am. If I was able to choose when to wake up, that would most definitely not be earlier than 9am! The first thing I do is dunk my face in ice water which contributes to the nervous system and reduces morning puffiness.
Do you have any morning rituals?
Morning rituals are crucial to me, because they define my capacity and overall mood for the whole day. I do yoga whilst wearing a Face Gym face mask. Depending which day it is, I’d either do a short session or a full session. Afterwards I do a contrast shower to help boost my immune system and level up my dopamine. Then I always cook breakfast for myself. These all help me to get back to Earth after dreaming.
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
We’ve lived in London for one and a half years, since the war in Ukraine started and we had to relocate. We live in Notting Hill and of course I enjoy everything about this area.
Favourite thing about your neighbourhood/where you live?
The cafes, vintage markets, parks and shops… Simply walking these streets brings a different type of joy for me.
What does your average day look like?
Yoga, Zoom calls, school drops, BETTTER R&D, bike rides, gym, galleries, having fun with the kids, dates with my husband and dancing nights with the girls.
Describe yourself in three words…
Dreamer, surfer, missionary.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Dancer, comedian, helper.
“BETTTER research and development.”
“City/park bike rides.”
“Ensuring everything fits perfectly.”
DAYTIME
What is your idea of a perfect day?
Plenty of sleep, no calls, time with my family and friends. Preferably with surf or a good ballet/rave on top of that.
When you’re not working, what do you do for fun?
Surfing, dancing, doing silly things with kids, travelling with my best friend/husband.
What did you do on your last day off?
Worked (sad face!).
What do you need more time for?
For my family and friends.
What was your route into design and how did you begin BETTTER?
It started during my Vogue years, conceived in my dreams, I built up the concept for a couple years and then I took a risk, left Vogue and launched a startup from scratch.
One thing you can’t live without?
Love. My soul and body will dry out without this feeling.
What makes you laugh? What makes you cry? What gives you goosebumps?
My husband’s jokes make me laugh, always. The violence, cruelty and inhuman barbarism that rules the world these days makes me cry. Finishing a BETTTER garment, my son telling me poems by heart, beautiful music, ballet, art performances, when my dreams come to reality… This all gives me goosebumps.
“Flower arrangement meditation.”
”Sunset on my rooftop.”
EVENING
What’s on your bookshelf?
'The Colossus of Maroussi' by Henry Miller; Christopher Breward’s 'The Suit and Department of Speculative Facts'; 'Cynical Theories' by Helen Pluckrose & James Lindsay; Alberto Villoldo 'Grow A New Body'; Holly Jean Buck’s 'After Geoengineering: Climate Tragedy, Repair and Restoration'; and 'How Tricolor Got Its Stripes: And Other Stories About Flags' by my husband, Dmytro Dubilet.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Huberman Lab, historical podcasts and the BoF podcast. Also classic, techno and experimental music.
What do you usually do for dinner?
I try to gather my family for dinner as much as I can to have quiet conversations. I also love having romantic dinners with my husband.
What’s your favourite restaurant?
Dorian, Chiltern Firehouse or Farmer’s Markets. I can’t choose just one.
Do you have any evening rituals?
I take a good book to a salty bath.
What time do you go to bed and what's the last thing you do before you sleep?
I go to bed at 11pm and talk to God.
What do you dream about?
The end of wars, and a peaceful and safe life on this planet.
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