Lovers of Leisure
Amelia Mather's Bohemian Summer
Photography by Anna Pihan
We meet with Amelia Mather, founder of resort wear and swim label BOTEH, on a golden summer’s day at Wylie’s Baths in Sydney. With a deep love of travel, vintage textiles, and sun-drenched rituals, Amelia brings a sense of nostalgia to everything she creates. She reflects on her Greek heritage, creative rhythms, and the places that continue to shape her world.
“My Yia Yia was a huge influence on me with her personal style that never evolved past the 60s/70s –– forever retro and chic.”
Hi Amelia! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up in Sydney’s east and have always been such a Sydney girl (except for an Ibiza girl). I’ve been avoiding winters for 20 years now. Ever since becoming a swim and resort wear designer, I decided I would dedicate myself fully to the aesthetic that has become my signature. I made it my mission to discover and experience the most summery beach destinations around the world, so I would have the best understanding of the ideal situations I’m designing for—St Tropez, St Barths, Ibiza, and Mykonos being the most iconic. But also, many parts of Mexico and South America have this electric summer energy we crave during our leisure time, and they’ve inspired me endlessly.
I now live in Coogee near Wylie’s Baths with my husband and our two girls, Paisley and Sandy. I’d say I come from a fairly low-fuss family—we have Greek heritage on my father’s side. He was an architect, and his mother (my Yia Yia) was a huge influence on me with her personal style that never evolved past the ’60s/’70s—forever retro and chic. I’ve also got some crazy talented cousins who are musicians and designers, so we come from quite a creative family. My nan was also an amazing seamstress and made many of our clothes growing up. I’d ask her to make things for me, and I remember her telling me how funny I was explaining my vision to her for my communion look when I was just eight years old. I remember duchess silk, a lace frill neckline and cuffs, and pearl buttons.
Studying fashion was always the path—there was never any doubt that I would design clothes for a living. Being a beach girl, the swimwear element naturally interested me from the beginning too. BOTEH is my first solo foray, and is a mix of resortwear, occasional pieces, and swim. We’re in our fifth year of business now and love our atelier space on Bronte Road in Sydney’s east. We've built a shop in the front of the studio, which is open Thursday to Saturday.
“Even in a tiny folk museum on a remote island, I can find colours and patterns in almost anything.”
How do you spend your leisure time?
Usually by the sea—somewhere warm and slow, with simple fresh fish and salads. These are our favourite ways to balance out the sometimes-chaotic nature of city life and running businesses. My husband loves the mountains, having spent 10 years in the French Alps, so he recently (finally!) convinced me to learn to ski (only took 10 years). Now we squeeze in some ski trips, which I’m really loving—you ski all day, are totally exhausted, then sleep so well and do it all again. It’s different to my usual preference of long summer days, siestas, and partying all night long, but I find it such a nice way to enjoy some leisure time with the whole family.
In what way is leisure time important for your creativity?
It’s most important in between designing collections, as you need to reset and have that space to do nothing—and think of nothing—before you can immerse yourself again. I’ve designed almost 70 collections in my career, so I have a bit of experience and can turn it on if I’m on a tight timeline. I’m not the kind of ‘wafty’ creative who needs a month of solitude or anything like that... I just need a few days, and I’m good to go again.
“Leisure time is my entire headspace when it comes to designing for BOTEH.”
Is there a project inspired by leisure?
Leisure time is my entire headspace when it comes to designing for BOTEH—so even when I’m not being leisurely myself, I’m still mentally there, designing colour palettes and patterns that evoke a dreamy island getaway. Regular customers will notice each collection has a nod to my Greek heritage, with evil eye trims or classical Greek key patterns. I love museums and documenting historical references when travelling. Even in a tiny folk museum on a remote island, I can find colours and patterns in almost anything. Other leisurely inspirations mostly come from the energy of coastal holiday destinations—it’s really the vibe that drives me to create BOTEH resort and swimwear.
For our most recent collection, PORTÀ, we went to India to visit our makers and sightsee the majestic forts and palaces. Without even intending to, we came back with a suitcase of fabrics and trinkets that inspired much of the colour palette and fabrications for the collection. Bright marigold yellow and amber tones with pink and reds—our brightest ‘Euro Summer’ collection yet.
What's your favourite leisurely destination?
Ibiza, of course. It's probably the single destination I’ve spent the most time visiting, and we even moved the family over in ’22 for six months. I really needed some proper time there after launching BOTEH, and I’m so happy we did it. That time really cemented the BOTEH aesthetic and vision for me. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but I just feel at home there and have so many incredible memories with family and friends over the years. My first visit was in 2003, and I know I’ll continue to visit for years to come.
Have you ever travelled to a place that completely exceeded your expectations?
Yes! I love Sayulita. I’d been to lots of other parts of Mexico before—Tulum, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Mexico City—but little Sayulita is worth the journey. The food is incredible (they use lots of black corn, which looks more like purple), and the people are beautiful. It’s colourful and village-like—almost a Mexican Byron Bay—as it’s a great surf spot and very relaxed.
Dream hotel you’ve stayed at? What made it special?
I loved the Menorca Experimental. The colour palette and finishes are very me—yoga, campo hikes, pool time, and tomato salads. I went there for a rare few days on my own last year and felt so rejuvenated and inspired.
Sunrise, midday or sunset?
Sunset! The best time of day... I love nothing more than watching the sun set over mountains or into the sea. We don’t often see this in Sydney, so anytime I’m travelling I think it's the most magical thing ever.
Have you ever taken a leisure trip specifically for the purpose of pursuing a creative endeavour?
Yes, I like to call them ‘work trips’ but my husband is onto me.. I took my best friend with me to Ibiza last year for our first pop-up at this incredible beach club. It had its stressful moments navigating customs in Madrid with all the stock but despite that and once we launched the pop up we were able to enjoy some new chiringuitos, we shopped at markets, people watched and swam everyday. I get more out of this sort of experience, I find I’m rejuvenated and super inspired post my ‘work trips’.
Most treasured souvenir from travels in your home?
My collection of evil eye charms and ceramics.
Three things you always travel with?
- Bikini (in my carry-on just in case my luggage goes missing)
- Anti-frizz hair products as my Greek curls unleash with heat and salt
- Air Pods (I can entertain myself for hours with good music)
If you could have a super power while traveling what would it be?
For my suitcase to always come out first. For some reason mine is usually last or lost.
If you could only travel to one type of destination for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
This is not possible now that I ski... beach and mountains for life please!
If you could spend a day with any artist or creative person, who would it be and why?
Dries Van Noten. He’s a designer I’ve admired since my Uni days. Not only his aesthetic but his ability to remain relevant for over 40 years in fashion, is inspiring and admirable.
“I like to call them ‘work trips’ but my husband is onto me...”
What do books mean to you, what makes you buy them and how do they inspire you creatively?
My book collection is largely made up of travel photography, I have a large collection of Assouline, along with my favourite ‘The Pleasure of Leisure’ book we often flick through for inspiration when stuck in the studio and can’t travel physically. We reference books for our mood boards too so they are an important part of our creative process.. I’m always very pleased to receive a book for a present––I cherish print.
What is magique for you?
Beach days with long lunches at fish shacks or beach clubs with Rosé and great company..
What does photography mean for you?
Photography is a major part of the creative design process.. I start thinking of the imagery when I’m designing. Having been a creative director as well as a designer for so many years, it trained me to think of the narrative from the very beginning. Sometimes it’s really clear and then there’s definitely looser themes but having a plan with how the photography could eventuate by thinking of certain photographers aesthetics that align definitely helps with a more cohesive collection and storytelling.
Shop Amelia's Favorites
