In Conversation with Mud Australia

What inspired the creation of Mud Australia, and how has the brand evolved since its founding in 1994?

Mud Australia was born from my love of working with clay. When I started in 1994, I was simply creating pieces that I wanted in my own home - tableware that felt both practical and beautiful. What began as a small, hands-on endeavour has grown organically over the past 30 years, always guided by the same ethos of functionality, craftsmanship, and community. Our studio has slowly expanded, and we now ship around the world and have opened 13 stores globally. Despite this growth, we have remained committed to hand-making every piece in Sydney. Our journey has been one of continual refinement - honing our designs, perfecting our processes, and staying true to the values that have defined Mud from the very beginning.

How does Mud Australia build community and connect with customers worldwide?

Community and people are at the heart of everything we do. Our stores aren’t just retail spaces; they are places of connection where we engage with our customers in meaningful ways. We actively collaborate with artists and designers, host talks and events, and foster a sense of care through thoughtful gestures - whether it’s beautifully curated window displays, intimate team lunches, or our monthly massage program for the studio team. Uplifting those around us, from our staff to our customers, has always been central to our business philosophy.

Your porcelain pieces have a distinctive look and feel. What makes your clay and glazing process so unique?

Because I wasn’t classically trained, I approached ceramics in my own way - learning through experimentation rather than tradition. That freedom led to the development of our processes, which balance a delicate look with surprising durability. Our pieces are made with clay that is tinted at the slip stage and glazed on the interior with a clear glaze. I love the contrast between a matte exterior and a shiny interior. Every piece is handmade in our Sydney studio, and because we control the entire production process, we can ensure the highest quality and craftsmanship.

How does your latest lighting collection build on the brand’s design values?

We’ve been making porcelain pendants for nearly a decade, but our latest lighting collection, designed in collaboration with Zachary Hanna, takes things a step further. At Mud, we don’t follow seasonal trend cycles - we prefer to do things our own way. The lamps are an extension of our design values: refined, subtle, and deeply beautiful. They capture the interplay of translucency and organic handmade forms, making them both captivating and playful.

What are your future goals for Mud Australia, and can we expect any new product categories or collaborations?

I’m always excited by the possibilities of working with new forms and exploring new ideas. One of our recent projects is the Number collection, a sculptural series of porcelain house numbers designed with Vince Frost. Due to many requests, we’re currently developing a matching series of porcelain letters to complement them.

LEARN MORE https://mudaustralia.com