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travel
What I Take On Holiday… With Marilou Dadat, Creative Director Of Kowtow
27/06/23
Author: Divya Venkataraman
DOCUMENTED BY: Taylor Hallett and Sarah Canavan for RIISE
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Much like long-distance running, the challenge of packing for a summer holiday is mostly one of the mind.
Will one slinky black dress be enough for all of the balmy evenings you plan to stroll the streets, preferably with orange wine in hand? What if these shorts refuse to go with this shirt, even though you’ve worn them together many times before? How many hats really is too many hats?
Never fear: Marilou Dadat, creative director of New Zealand-based seed-to-garment label Kowtow, is an expert when it comes to packing within your means—and packing to reduce your impact on the environment. Her philosophy is about simplicity, modularity and monochrome hues: she packs a carryon as often as possible, even when she’s going away for multiple weeks. “When I travel I want to take the time to be in the moment so not having many options is very freeing,” she explains. “Pared-back looks mean I leave room for being inspired by what’s around me.”
It’s a philosophy she follows in her design for Kowtow, which also specialises in staple pieces that can be reworn time and time again. “I want people to shop and outfit with ease.” Below, read more about Dadat’s summer travel packing list—and maybe even challenge yourself to follow her lightly-trodden path.
Documented By: Taylor Hallett and Sarah Canavan for RIISE
RIISE: What are your summer travel packing essentials?
MD: Usually when I go to Europe, I am heading home to France. In an effort to be minimal, I only pack a carryon and rewear as I go—even for a month-long trip.
I always take an easy, throw-on black dress, like our Kowtow Tank Swing Dress and a few white t-shirts or shirts (the Kowtow Everyday Shirt is a great piece to take on the road). The only outerwear I take is a trench that I carry on with me on the plane. I leave my city shoes back in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington and take my Birkenstocks or sneakers.
I like to dress my casual looks up while travelling with earrings from our collaboration with Monarc Jewellery. They don’t take up too much space in my bag, so I can bring a few pairs.
And most importantly, my sketchbook!
RIISE: Are there particular fabrics and materials you opt for?
MD: Wearing natural material when travelling is very important for me. Every Kowtow garment is made from 100% certified Fairtrade organic cotton which is easy care and versatile on holiday, not to mention lightweight on the skin.
After washing my clothes, I line dry them, which is always a pleasure when visiting my parents in the French countryside.
RIISE: Dreamy. Do you pack full outfits in advance, or do you just pack pieces you love and work out combinations later?
MD: As a hyper minimalist, my wardrobe is super modular, it’s mostly black and white. Everything can work together so I don’t pre-plan outfits in advance, I just know they'll work. And this is how I design for Kowtow. I want people to shop and outfit with ease.
When I travel, I want to take the time to be in the moment so not having many options is very freeing. Pared-back looks mean I leave room for being inspired by what’s around me.
Documented By: Taylor Hallett and Sarah Canavan for RIISE
RIISE: Yes! That’s also a better option for the environment, as we know packing light can help to reduce our impact while travelling. What are your tips for making the most of your pieces while on holiday?
MD: My biggest secret to packing minimally is to accessorise, so you feel like you’re changing it up. I always bring two pairs of earrings and two lipsticks. You can feel like you are dressy quickly by adding either to your ensemble.
RIISE: What are your travel plans this year?
MD: Later this year, I’m heading home to France to visit family and friends with my son and partner. We’ll mostly spend time in the countryside enjoying the stillness and then contrast the quiet life with a few days in Paris. I like having a bit of both in my travels for full immersion back into the culture.
RIISE: That sounds delightful. My last question is a trickier one. We know that travel is not inherently a sustainable enterprise, given the resources it takes—so how do you factor the question of sustainability into your travel plans?
MD: It is the stark reality of living on the other side of the world and still needing to go back to see family. I try to mind my footprint as much as possible in my day-to-day life by composting and not driving a car. When I’m in France, I either take the train or walk everywhere.
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