In Conversation With Violette Kirton - Mud Australia

IN CONVERSATION WITH.VIOLETTE KIRTON

We spent a morning with Violette, daughter of Mud Australia founder Shelley Simpson, at their Marrickville studio. Dressed in pieces from our summer collection, she reflected on her earliest memories and life within her family's renowned ceramic business.

You've grown up surrounded by creativity through Mud Australia - what are some of your earliest memories of being part of that world?

Mum went back to work just a few days after I was born, with me on her back while she unpacked kilns. So, most of my childhood nostalgia is tied to the sensations of the studio. There's the smell of a firing kiln, the feel of wet clay, the sound of packing peanuts! I have such vivid memories of Marrickville in the early 2000s. Running around the studio during school holidays, playing and making pieces... or going to the Supre outlet (for those that can relate).

How has working within a family business shaped the way you see design and collaboration?

Since discovering my own creativity, I've found that the best creative projects come from collaboration, whether through conversation or working across different disciplines. Growing up in a creative household, we were always making, talking about making, or brainstorming the next project.

Now, in my role as Art Director and Brand Manager at Mud, I work really closely with Mum. We trust each other's eye and instinct, and it's become a really special collaborative relationship. The same goes for our partnerships outside the business, whether with artists from APYACC and Studio A, or brand collaborations like this one. They're always fun, refreshing and deeply rewarding because they take us outside the everyday and allow us to experience what we do through a new lens.

Mud Australia has such a distinct design philosophy - how would you describe it in your own words?

To me, they're warm, soft and tactile. Our design is all about people, from the hands that craft our pieces to the hands that take it home. It's understated, quiet, honest and just... really nice. Internally, we like to say that we're making nice things for nice people.

Everything we do is thoughtful, practical, and meant to fit into real lives - but hopefully make the special, quiet moments a little bit more lovely too. Over the past decade, we've been able to weave social and environmental sustainability into out design decisions, which has been incredibly rewarding.

What part of the creative process brings you the most joy?

It has to be the buzz of brainstorming a new design or creative concept - ideas bouncing around the brain and across the table. I'm lucky, with the size of Mud at the moment, that I get to ideate, shoot and work on bringing imagery and product to market.

What inspires you outside of work - art, places, people, or moments that fuel you?

I've recently moved home from living in the UK, so being back in the Australian sunshine and bush is such a treat. It is filling my cup. I love popping into small galleries or spending a lazy day wandering through AG-NSW. Live music always gets me buzzing, and there's something so perfect about moseying around my neighbourhood with a friend on a Sunday, coffee in hand. Little moments of calm that really stick with me.

Now that it's Spring I'm loving Malabar Boat Ramp with my pup!

Working alongside your mum, Shelley, must be special - what's something you've learned from her that's stayed with you?

Cheesy, but - growing up with Shelley as my mum has taught me that I really can do anything - I just have to do it! She has this bold confidence that I'm trying to channel as I near my 30s - trusting her gut and just going for it. It's inspiring, a little intimidating to some, but also very motivating to be around.

How do you balance maintaining Mud Australia's heritage while evolving it for a new generation?

Our collection is simple, refined, and beautiful, timeless pieces that feel like little heirlooms, a modern, Australian version of fine china people inherit from their parents/grandparents. Our community, especially here in Australia, has so much love for our pieces, and it's really exciting to see a new generation discovering Mud.

I always love to play with and reframe the collection through fresh lenses - thinking about how people are eating, entertaining and living at the moment. We do this mainly through shoots and collaborations which keep the collection feeling current while honouring its timeless essence.

As we prepare for our festive season collaboration, we'd love to hear your thoughts - how do you see the synergy between Jac + Jack and Mud?

I'm so excited about this collection! Atticus is such a unique colour that pairs beautifully with so many hues in our permanent collection - from warm neutrals like Milk and Sand, to a playful, almost retro vibe when combined with Orange or Mist. Beyond being friends for years, both Jac + Jack and Mud are all about colour, fine materiality and form, so the collaboration felt like a natural fit.

How would you describe your personal style?

I love dressing for a cooler climate, tailored jackets, great denim and a good leather boot. Come summer, my wardrobe is a lot simpler with great tees, skirts or Havaianas. I'm living in my new Atticus coloured t-shirt. My style is simple and classic so that I can get a lot of wear out of the pieces I invest in.

What does the future hold for Mud, and is your intention to carry on your family's legacy?

The future feels exciting! We've just opened our first retail concept in Toronto, marking an important step in Mud's international growth and joining our North American stores in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Looking ahead, 2026 is already shaping up to be another dynamic year of expansion and creative development. No matter what projects lie ahead, I'll carry forward my family's legacy in valuing slow craftsmanship, local manufacturing and a commitment to thoughtful design - all of this results in a strong connection to community.