In the new series "MC Muse," experienced women from around the world share their styles, ambitions, and the items they most want to buy right now.

After studying journalism at university in her native Sydney, Marina Courtbawi realized that her passion was less about writing and more about working with creative people. So she went to England and interned with a small clothing designer in London. Working for an up-and-coming designer, Courtbawi (who had no previous fashion experience whatsoever) was entrusted with a number of responsibilities that would be the gateway to a lifelong career in the fashion industry, even though she knew nothing at the time about international sales, etc.

After several years of experience in the fashion business, Kortbawi was hired by leading design house Oscar de la Renta as international sales manager and later by Carolina Herrera as international sales director. Although Cortobawi was well versed in evening wear, he realized that customers around the world lacked elegant everyday clothing options that were affordable and followed the philosophy of slow fashion.

Eager to fill the gap, and with an innate entrepreneurial spirit, she went back to school and enrolled in intensive design courses at Central Saint Martins and the London College of Fashion, filled with patternmaking and draping classes. 2016 , Cortbawi launched Merlette, named after the mythical bird that is always in motion. The line focuses on fine natural materials, embroidery techniques, and artisanal details.

The collection initially started with 12 dress styles in three colors and two fabrics, exclusively in Moda Operandi. Five years later, the collection expanded to seasonal knitwear, handcrafted bags, and a variety of core styles produced by a small team at Cortbawi based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We sat down with the designers to talk about the importance of slowing down, finding a support system, and why simplicity is the best philosophy when it comes to clothing.

Marina Courtbawi: This year marks the fifth anniversary of your brand. Not only did we survive the pandemic, but our sales actually increased. Our clothes are great for washing and can be worn as a house dress, but they are also something you can love forever. It has been a blessing to have time to slow down a bit, to live more creatively, and to collaborate with people like the tie-dye artist I just recently worked with who specializes in dyeing techniques. In the last few years, the temptation to expand rapidly and diversify has lessened. I really needed that. If we keep adding new things just because there is a buzz, we risk losing our footing.

I've also enjoyed spending more time with my family. I had a child this past year and I started to think about more important things outside of my job and career.

Marina Courtbawi Starting a business is something you can do on your own, but you can't really do it alone. I have found the courage to do my work by connecting with other women who have gone on to unconventional careers. It's important to have someone to call every day when you're looking for answers to your questions or when you're feeling a little self-doubtful. I think it's really important to have a mentor who not only gives you advice, but who elevates you and lets you speak up.

Marina Courtbawi: But I worked at Oscar (de la Renta) and Carolina (Herrera) and really thought about the clients I knew. I design for freedom, which happened to be something I craved in my own life as well. I used to wear Manolo Blahniks with tight pencil skirts and high heels in my old job, but not anymore.

I also love the duality of masculine and feminine. At Merlette, we have free silhouettes and feminine tiers, but we also have clean lines. I get inspiration when I travel and observe what people are wearing. My work has taken me to Russia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, and I often think about how different cultures dress and style their clothes, including religious significance and modesty.

Marina Courtbawi My style has really evolved with the brand Merette. I wear different colors, textures, and embroidered fabrics depending on my mood. As a new mom, my style has also changed out of necessity. I began to seek out beautiful pants with elastic waists, and before the birth of my baby, I didn't have buttoned shirts for nursing. I realized that I had only designed one button-front dress in my collection. From now on, you will see more (button-front) dresses throughout the line.

I'm now obsessed with children's clothing, but when I shop for myself, it's mostly vintage. Amacord Vintage in Williamsburg is my favorite place to shop, and I love minimalist designers like Jil Sander and Maison Margiela. I love minimalist designers like Jil Sander and Maison Margiela. The less you do when you wear an outfit, the more likely you are to wear that item over and over again.