Family, fashion, and unique finds.

A Mosman local for nearly 15 years, Brooke—founder of accessories brand Rylan —has turned her historic home into both a family retreat and a creative sanctuary. Originally from Queensland, she shares the space with her husband Leith, a fashion entrepreneur behind brands including Zanerobe, Barney Cools, Rec Gen, and Par Kup. Their children, Franco (7) and Mila (3), keep the energy high, while their beloved cavoodle Presley (8)—the family’s “first baby”—can often be found sunbathing in a quiet corner.

“I really love living in Mosman,” Brooke tells BresicWhitney on a crisp autumn morning. “My life is always quite chaotic so it’s a nice, quiet escape from the hustle and bustle, yet still so close to the city.”

It’s that contrast between calm and chaos that Brooke embraces. “I’m a morning person—I love the quiet before the day begins. Watching the sunrise as I walk is invigorating,” she says. 

Then it’s back to the bustle of home: breakfast, school lunches, the morning scramble out the door. By 8 a.m., she’s transitioned into work mode—splitting her time between design meetings, marketing, sales, warehouse operations, and everything in between. “No two days are ever the same,” she says.

It’s the kind of drive you’d expect from the founder of a cult-favourite label, one defined by timeless, well-crafted handbags. Rylan, you see, was born in 2018 after Brooke went searching for her own handbag with clear criteria: reasonably priced, well-made, with a timeless design. Large branding wasn’t of interest to Brooke – she was most interested in quality and longevity.

Rather than settling for what was available, she chose to create what was missing. “I wanted to design bags that were beautifully made with a classic shape but not trend-driven—pieces that would last for years, and at a more accessible price point than the luxury sector,” she says.

That ethos has become central to the appeal of Rylan, helping propel the brand into international markets. “We’ve recently re-opened the wholesale side of the business and are expanding back into international markets after COVID,” she shares. “We’re showing at a market in Paris next month, launching a new category under the Rylan name, and looking at opening our first pop-up later this year,” she says when prompted about the future.

The refined aesthetic of Rylan is one that’s reflected in her everyday surrounds. Her home office is the headquarters of her creative world and the place she balances roles as a founder, entrepreneur, mother, wife, and leading digital voice.

 “I love to mix antiques, mid-century pieces, and contemporary design. I’m always drawn to a neutral palette, but I like to add subtle colour through artwork. Think earthy colours over pop colours.”

While she admits she finds it hard to describe the style her home, the aesthetic is clear: minimal by nature but welcoming in mood. Danish rosewood chairs sit comfortably alongside burl wood side tables and charming antique finds. 

 “I love investing in antiques—they have so much character and charm. I love to mix and match woods and other textures. I want our home to feel warm and homely, yet not cluttered,” she says.

Brooke’s path to design and entrepreneurship wasn’t linear. After studying graphic and web design, she moved from Brisbane to Sydney at 22 and landed her first role at luxury label Lisa Ho. A later pivot into sales and marketing at an international denim company led her to start a Blogspot—a space where she could share inspiration and express her own voice.

“I used to post content about fashion, interiors, architecture, and objects. Over time my page gained traction, so I decided to put a face to it. When I started to post personal content such as the outfits I wore to work, on the weekend, to events… that is when the readership took off.” 

What began as a side project soon turned into a full-time pursuit. “To be honest, who would have ever thought that this would become a role? I didn’t,” she says with candour.

The decade that followed was nothing short of a whirlwind: brand collaborations, travel, and now, a legacy as one of Australia’s first original bloggers and influencers. “I can’t tell you how amazing the past decade has been. I’ll be forever grateful.”

Despite a full calendar, Brooke carves out time to recharge outdoors. “We love heading down to Manly, Palm Beach or Avalon with the kids when we get the time,” she says. Weekend escapes are often local, and she’s retained a penchant for dining across the Inner City and Eastern Suburbs, the latter where she used to call home before settling on the Lower North Shore. She’s an avid supporter of local venues, too. “I love the new Analog restaurant down by the water, and Bacino as an everyday café - perfect for a caffeine fix after my morning walk.”

For Brooke, Mosman is more than a place to live—it’s a grounding force in a fast-paced life. A space where family, creativity, and purpose coexist. And one she’ll no doubt continue to share with her 120,000+ followers, thoughtfully and authentically, for years to come.

View and shop the Rylan collection at www.rylan.studio