In Conversation with Martine Ho

With multiple brands within the Sunnies Group, how do you show up across them all and do those worlds feel connected to you creatively?

At the core of everything is the same philosophy: making good design feel approachable and bringing beauty into everyday life. Whether it’s makeup, eyewear, coffee or fragrance, we’re always asking how we can create products that feel easy, intuitive, and bring a sense of joy to someone’s daily routine.

How has your relationship with personal style evolved over time?

I’ve worn some version of bodysuits, t-shirts, and jeans at every price point for years. Now it’s less about experimenting and more about knowing what works on me, leaning into that, and investing in pieces that I know I’ll wear constantly. I think about cost per wear more than anything.

Has motherhood changed the way you think about beauty, style or the spaces you create around you?

Completely. Everything has to be child-proof, modular pieces that can move, no sharp edges, materials that can handle stains and jumping. But beyond that, our home is the backdrop of my daughter’s childhood, so I want it to feel inspiring. We’re always building forts, having dance parties, doing living room sleepovers, it needs to support imagination as much as it looks beautiful.

As the founder of a beauty brand, what does your daily routine look like right now?

My days usually start with movement, reformer, a PT session, or a walk followed by red light therapy. We have a trampoline in the living room for my daughter, but I’ve started using it myself as a quick way to get my lymphatic system going. Then it’s a few hours of meetings and creative work with the team, school pickup, and back home for emails and dinner.

What makes you feel most like yourself?

Being with my family, laughing, and working on something creative especially when you start to see those ideas come to life.

Are there certain rituals or products that anchor you when life feels busy?

Massages and blowouts. Touch is essential.

Your Melbourne home was featured in ELLE Australia it feels incredibly personal and thoughtful. What makes a space feel emotionally grounding to you?

People have described my living rooms in both Melbourne and Manila as feeling like “wombs,” which I love. I want spaces where people feel comfortable enough to sit on the floor and just be. I’m very particular about lighting, and almost every object or artwork has personal meaning.

What are the pieces in your home that carry the most meaning?

I have a portrait of my mom that I grew up admiring, painted by my aunt. I also have several works by my grandmother, who was an artist. Those pieces feel like they carry my family history.

At Kate & Kole, we think about jewellery as becoming part of someone’s story over time. What pieces in your life hold memory for you?

My mom kept all my journals from when I was growing up. Going back to them brings me instantly into different chapters of my life.

You’ve built such distinct visual worlds across Sunnies. What makes a brand feel emotionally resonant rather than just aesthetically beautiful?

When something becomes part of your everyday something you rely on it turns into a kind of companion. It’s not just about how it looks, but how it supports you through your day, whether that’s your glasses, your makeup, or something as simple as staying hydrated.

Is there a part of the creative process you love most?

Honestly, all of it. From concept to development, design, sampling, and then building the world around the product, I like being involved in every step. That’s the part I enjoy the most.

When people experience something you’ve created, how do you hope it makes them feel?

If it brings a little more beauty and ease into their everyday, then I feel like we’ve done our job