Rebecca Burrow On Business, Style, And Raising Daughters

Basketball, karaoke battles, and beach-hopping up and down the coast. Rebecca Burrow’s childhood was filled with love and adventure. The 34-year-old grew up in Wollongong, just south of Sydney, with her parents and an older sister “who felt like a second mum”. 

“I was so fortunate to have an amazing childhood,” Rebecca tells The Inarra. “I was surrounded by a beautiful Filipino community that my mum met when she emigrated to Australia. We would have huge family gatherings, and even though none of them were legitimately related to me, we would call them our aunts and uncles.” 

Coming from a large family environment, Rebecca always knew she wanted to be a mother, and it was just a matter of finding the right partner. Aged 26, she welcomed her first child, Bella, with former professional surfer Taj Burrow. Three years later, the couple’s second daughter Robbie arrived. The family of four now lives in Yallingup, Western Australia.  

“I am eternally grateful that my husband grew up here and brought me over to this slice of paradise,” Rebecca says. “Picture this: turquoise blue water, wide open spaces, and wineries everywhere you drive.” 

“I spend my time running around trying to tire out my kids, frolicking on the beach, preparing hundreds of meals, and managing my children’s clothing brand.”

The former model founded Mini Marley in 2007 with a 12-month-old on her hip. In June 2023, she announced that she plans to temporarily close the business at the end of the year to spend time with her daughters. Until then, followers of the brand will be pleased to learn that there will be a few more drops to look forward to. 

With family at the heart of the label, each garment is proudly handcrafted in Australia using sustainably sourced fabrications that will stand the test of time. 

“I want to show my daughters that women can do anything in life and there is no longer the glass ceiling that we used to have,” Rebecca tells The Inarra. “I want to demonstrate that a career and intellectual or creative stimulation really feeds and motivates your soul – it doesn’t make you a bad mother. Filling your own cup is best for the whole family.”

“I think it is possible for mothers to have it all, but you really have to understand that the word ‘balance’ does not mean that all facets of your life are equal,” she continues. “There is immense pressure to be everything to everyone, but there is physically and emotionally not enough time or space to wear all hats at once.” 

It’s not surprising Rebecca moved into the fashion industry. Listing Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Kate Bond, and Erin Deering as her muses, she has an innate sense of style. During pregnancy, the business owner kept things simple and invested in items that would be loved for seasons to come. 

“I avoided getting any maternity-specific pieces, as I wanted to buy things that I would wear beyond the six months of pregnancy dressing,” Rebecca says. “I remember I bought the SIR Aries Cut-Out Silk dress and sized up so that it fit my belly. It made me feel like myself again.” 

“I found pregnancy hard, as it was the biggest change my body has ever gone through,” she continues. “It’s important to find something that makes you feel comfortable, and it’s a bonus if it is stretchy and hugs your beautiful belly – something that should be celebrated!” 

With the school run and a business to manage, the mother-of-two continues to keep things effortless in the wardrobe department and you’ll often find her in a “great pair of jeans, plain tee, and an oversized blazer with a good knit slouched over the shoulders.”

“I don’t have the time or money (thank you to the cost of living and raising kids) to spend on outfits anymore, so I really try to focus on making the most of my wardrobe.”

The Row, Henne, and Celine are Rebecca’s go-to labels for investment pieces. However, one label has undoubtedly stolen her heart (and wardrobe space). “SIR is my all-time favourite brand, hands down,” she says. “Their style speaks to my soul. I like the way they have a feminine twist on a masculine shape. It makes me feel powerful, confident, and sexy.”

After the decision to close her own fashion business for the foreseeable, the busy mum-of-two is looking forward to slowing down and spending time with her children. She even has plans to start studying again. 

“I’m looking forward to watching my children grow. They change so much in 12 months, and I absolutely love watching them learn and flourish,” she says. 

“I am also going to start studying again, which is in equal parts exciting and daunting, but I love learning new skills and expanding my horizons, so I very much look forward to that.” 

Words by Danielle Fowler | Photography by Ella Bostelman