Interview with Holly Elgeti
Holly plays with joy and comfort, embracing textures and shapes that feel pleasant on any type of body. As a mother of two, her new journey inspires her desire to elevate women at every stage of their lives effortlessly. Founder of Carob, Holly seeks to nurture a unique connection between moms and little ones by highlighting the beauty of dressing up together in easy-to-slip styles.
1. Hi Holly, could you introduce yourself to our readers?
Yes, of course, I’m Holly, the Founder of Carob and mother to two little ones. Before my journey into motherhood and moving to Dubai, I spent over a decade immersed in the fashion industry. I studied Fashion & Textiles at Bath School of Art and Design, followed by a journey into the magazine industry as I evolved into becoming Junior Fashion and Beauty Editor at 1883 Magazine in London.
The most substantial chapter of my career however unfolded when I ventured into freelancing as a Stylist. It was an amazing chapter of my life where I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with some of the UK’s most inspirational women, building a clientele that included Little Mix, Elizabeth Day, and Katherine Jenkins. My work often earned recognition in titles such as Vogue, Elle, STYLIST, and The Daily Mail, with acknowledgments for best-dressed accolades. It was an incredible chapter in my life.
2. Having worked for many years as a stylist in London for numerous talents and magazines, what would you say is the most invaluable lesson you came away with from that experience?
Initially, I’d occasionally feel nervous before set days with big talents that I hadn’t met before. Wondering how it would all go and whether they’d like the clothes I had spent days researching and prepping. However, I learned that behind the scenes, everyone is just a person, and witnessing the genuine passion people had for their careers and the kindness on set of everyone getting involved in that campaign, or editorial, was truly inspiring.
3. Would you say that your gaze and your approach to fashion have changed since becoming a mother? How has motherhood changed your relationship with your body?
Absolutely changed 100%! The shift in lifestyle that comes with having a baby is monumental. The days of work and evening meet-ups with friends changed into messy park dates and many a half-drunk coffee! Personally, experiencing motherhood during the challenging times of COVID, coupled with back-to-back pregnancies, meant a significant portion of my life was spent in the comfort of activewear. I simply didn’t have the time, energy, or confidence in my postpartum body to wear much else. As the kids have grown, I’ve gradually been able to reintroduce elements of my pre-motherhood wardrobe. Now, working from home on our brand, I’m often found in jeans and a tank - easy, comfortable, and doesn’t matter if it gets dirty whilst I’m whizzing around with the kids. However, when I do dress up, which I absolutely love to do, you’ll find me in Carob!
4. Through your experience in fashion and the styling world, how did you know you wanted to base your work on creating a sustainable brand that focuses on motherhood?
When I became a mum and moved overseas, the days of dressing up with clients felt like a distant memory. It was during this time that I realized I wanted to channel my passion for design and styling into celebrating motherhood. My goal became making women feel effortlessly great at every stage - whether they are pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, postpartum, or well into the motherhood journey. There’s something truly special about having an outfit that you can throw on and instantly feel amazing in - a need every mother can relate to! Carob is dedicated to embracing the beautiful connection between mothers and their little ones, finding joy in dressing up together with easy-to-slip styles.
5. How has living in Dubai specifically inspired what you do?
Living in Dubai has been a massive inspiration for me. I adore summer styles, and the opportunity to design for summer weather has been fantastic. What I love most is the fashion culture here - everyone dresses up, and there’s this wonderful freedom to wear beautiful dresses without feeling out of place or self-conscious. Dubai embraces a diverse fashion scene and that’s something I truly appreciate. Designing pieces that are effortlessly stylish yet still semi-dressy perfectly aligns with the vibrancy of Dubai.
