We are captivated by the colourful, nostalgic and joyous world of Landhaus – a slow-made clothing brand designed by effortlessly cool Mother of two, Tara Kehoe. Living a simple life on Bunurong Country, Mornington Peninsula with her young family, Tara is a warm and creative soul who, despite referring to herself as somewhat “dishevelled” since becoming a mum – most definitely, wears motherhood well.
Tara’s childhood was spent in the suburbs of Melbourne playing games inspired by books from Scandinavia and Bavaria that her mother translated as well as drawing – in particular, drawing people and their clothes.
Landhaus found its name after Tara spent several years acquiring vintage materials that had ties to Bavaria. Growing up surrounded by her Oma’s ceramics and textiles from this region further inspired her to connect back with the crafts of her heritage.
This, in turn, sparked an interest in using household textiles that no longer functioned for the home. Akin to its name, the sourcing, design and making process of Landhaus evokes a slower way of life – like moving to the country – prioritising our Mother Earth, beauty and comfort.
Being a mother will always be the most important role for Tara and watching her children evolve and the infinite love she feels is incomparable, however dreaming, designing and creating clothes gives her a sense of balance.
Tara’s clothing is designed to make people feel unique, comfortable, happy and understatedly elegant. I know first-hand a lot of mums, in particular new mums, experience a bit of an identity crisis, which I believe is heavily due to brands and well, society in general, depicting an un-relatable and outdated image of motherhood.
I remember for me personally feeling as though I had to dress, talk and behave a certain way once I became a mother and in my opinion Tara, along with the clothing she makes and the fact that it’s liberated from seasonal trends, gender and age, inspires mothers in particular to stay true to who they are and not be afraid to stand out.
As mothers we can still be fun and playful, we can wear vibrant colours, quirky ensembles and bold prints – you don’t have to lose your identity when you become a mother, and in Tara’s case, it can even instil a stronger sense of self and make you feel confident enough in your own skin to give things a go without a fear of failure. Becoming a mother doesn’t mean you stop being who you are, you are simply a bolder, brighter version of you.
Get to know Tara below.
Name: Tara
Age: 32
Location: Bunurong Country, Mornington Peninsula
Occupation: Mother/designer
Who is in your family? Minnow, Vivian, Michael
Life story in 1 paragraph, go!
I was born in Melbourne to a loving couple in their early 20’s who met as teens just after my mother moved over from Germany. My childhood was spent in the suburbs of Melbourne playing games inspired by books from Scandinavia and Bavaria our mother translated to us. I moved out of home at 18 and studied creative writing, media and film studies and spent much of my early 20’s writing last minute essays and dancing in nightclubs. I met my husband in 2014 at the age of 23. We had a fortuitous meeting on Helier st Abbotsford. We spent two days together before he travelled around Australia for 5 months. When we were reunited we spent every day together for a few weeks before deciding to get married. We had a huge and theatrical wedding which was so much fun and felt so right. Here we are nine years later with two hilarious kids and a lot of love.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A singer until I recorded myself singing Baby Boy by Beyoncé on a cassette and played it back – maybe it was just the wrong song for my voice. I shifted my focus to drawing. I was always drawing as a child and most of the time I was drawing people and their clothes.
Something not many people know about you: I played the cello for ten years.
Era you wish you had lived in and why? The 1980’s and the 1950’s for the fabric.
Describe your personal style: Comfortable, simple, homely, and since becoming a mother somewhat dishevelled.
What makes you smile? The sun, my family, time with friends.
Tell us about your day job? My day job is raising my children – everything Landhaus fits in to the gaps.
You’d quit your day job for: I don’t think I’d quit it for anything!
How did you get to the place you are at now? I spent a lot of my early teenage years drawing figures in clothes I’d see in magazines. I found it interesting to read about clothing designers and I began collecting fashion magazines from an early age. I took textiles as a VCE subject and wanted to apply to study fashion design being a Virgo I decided not to because I thought my textiles portfolio wasn’t good enough. I applied instead for creative writing, was accepted and decided to give it a go. I loved all the subjects so much – philosophy, film, literature but I had no desire to write a novel. I took a little time out to travel the following year before transferring to film studies and media and communications. I love films. Watching so many films kept the little flame for clothes making burning for sure. Straight after graduating Michael and I got married and traveled to the Isle of Wight where he is from. We spent some years working in hospitality and heading back to England in the Summer. Those years were true bliss and I made many friendships I treasure. It was only when I moved to the seaside with my husband and my sister and her partner that I started to think about making clothes again. I began collecting textiles over the years and in the midst of lockdown in 2020 I found a card with a telephone number for Leanne who ran sewing classes and did repairs. I called her to see if she knew of a local pattern maker and it turned out she had trained as one. Her sewing classes couldn’t run in lockdown and so she found the time to help me create some patterns. Leanne sewed all the first Landhaus pieces and continues to do most of the sewing for me today.
How do you want your creations to make people feel? Unique, comfortable, happy, understatedly elegant.
What/ who inspires you? My family, a warm day buzzing around running errands, talking to strangers, movies.
What are you currently reading, watching, listening to? I’ve been reading Consumed by Aja Barber, I watch a film with my husband from time to time when the kids are asleep. I’m enjoying listening to Tex Crick… Live in New York.
Things you can’t live without: My family, a warm fire in winter, walking in nature.
Brands / accounts that inspire you: My sister who formulates incredible perfume and skincare @cygnetperfumery, my sweetest friend – an incredible stylist and maker @theabebe one half of @tlcworld___, @tlc_shoots Marita who takes beautiful photos often for me, @sealalokollo who creates beautiful jewellery and ceramics and looks wonderful in Landhaus, @bynyejewels incredible jewellery and eye for beauty, @nell__pearson paintings and @milesmyjavec paintings.
Can you tell us a bit about your motherhood journey so far? I am coming into my 5th year of motherhood. So far, and I feel very fortunate to be able to say, that it has been a very positive experience for me. I had two wildly different home births (both empowering) and no trouble with breastfeeding. Becoming a mother instilled in me a strong sense of self and gave me the confidence to have a go without worrying about failure. This is something I definitely struggled with for a while. It’s slowly giving me a higher tolerance for chaos also which I love. Like any new experience motherhood has me constantly evolving. I’m forever learning from my children and I cherish this time I have to be with them.
Describe motherhood in 3 words. Laugh, Love, Cry.
What surprised you about becoming a mother for the first time? The love I felt and how it keeps on growing.
“Acknowledge all the feelings and emotions.
Trust your intuition.”
Best thing about being a mum? Watching your children evolve, the funny stories they tell, the hugs and love.
Hardest thing about being a mum? Waking up on the early mornings! There are many challenging things about motherhood, finding the time to nurture yourself is one of them. I love spending time as whole family so much that I often forget to pave out time for myself to do some exercise or read on my own. Finding the time for this and also getting enough sleep both make nurturing others a little more effortless.
How has motherhood shaped who you are today? In every way possible really.
Best / worst advice you have received as a mum? Best: Acknowledge all the feelings and emotions. Trust your intuition. I don’t think I’ve necessarily had any bad advice – maybe advice that didn’t fit with my values.
How do you attain balance? Designing and creating clothes with other makers gives me a feeling of balance. If I go a while without dreaming, cutting and sourcing fabrics – then I do start to feel a lack of balance in my life. Connecting with my husband also restores a sense of balance in my life – it’s hard to find time for each other at this busy stage of life but when we do everything feels right.
Greatest mum hack? Food on time and go outside.
Go-to meal? Dhal and rice
What does ‘me time’ look like? A film, a shower on my own, a dive in the ocean, a walk, a coffee and a magazine in bed.
What do you need to remind yourself of more? To drink water.
What have you learnt from your own mother and what would you like to pass down to your children? My mother made sure we felt comfortable enough to share all our concerns with her. We had a great sense of trust in each other which allowed me many freedoms as a teenager and in turn I was extremely honest with and respecting of my parents. I would love to pass down this kind of openness and trust with each other.
“Becoming a mother instilled in me a strong sense of self and gave me the confidence to have a go without worrying about failure. This is something I definitely struggled with for a while.”
How will you be spending Mother’s Day? Look, I really indulge in this day. I think I’ll start w a celery juice in bed followed by coffee and then maybe I’ll get up for breakfast because I don’t like crumbs in bed.
Finish these sentences:
I’ve always wanted to: make a film
I never thought that: I would/could live out of the city
I wish I could: speak many languages
One day I will: live in a little hut on a mountain by the ocean with a little stream running through my most beautiful and edible garden and many animals. Down the road I’ll have a little shop and studio.
Biggest lesson I have learnt in life so far: Be more present, worry less.
All time favourite quote? Go with the flow.
How do you keep it real? Be honest, find the beauty and humour in the day to day.
Tips to living a happy, ‘authentik’ life? Get sun on your face and arms, always learn, spend time in nature and with people, make the time to nurture yourself, put your phone down.
