Meet the mum who turned her child's eczema struggle into an award-winning business
Meet Ivona, the Indonesian-born, Sydney-based founder of Honey & Stitch, who turned her personal struggle with her child's eczema into an award-winning business that's changing how we think about children's clothing. In just nine months after launching, Honey & Stitch captured both expert recognition and parent approval by winning two prestigious Kiindred Awards, proving that sometimes the most meaningful innovations come from the most personal places.
Background & Journey: I’m Ivona, the founder of Honey & Stitch. My story starts in Indonesia, with chapters that have taken me to Penang, Malaysia where I first studied design and Melbourne, Australia where I thrived in a design-rich community, and finally to Sydney, which I now call home. Sydney is also where I met my husband and built the life and family I’m so grateful for today.
Family & Everyday Life: I’m a mum, wife, and proud allergy advocate. Family is everything to me, and my little one has been the biggest inspiration behind Honey & Stitch. Like many parents, I juggle the whirlwind of daily life: work, motherhood, and trying to squeeze in those little joys that keep me grounded.
Passions & Inspirations: I’ve always had an eye for both beauty and practicality. My love for design stems from my mum, whose attention to detail and aesthetics deeply influenced me. But I’m also a big believer that form and function should always work hand in hand. That philosophy is a driving ethos behind everything I do at Honey & Stitch. I adore simple, thoughtful design that not only looks beautiful but also makes life easier for families.
What is your business and what does it do/sell? What is the story behind your business?
My business is called Honey & Stitch, and it was born out of my own journey navigating the highs and lows of my little one’s eczema. As a mum, I was frustrated by the lack of clothing that was both gentle enough for sensitive skin and stylish enough to feel good about dressing my child in. Traditional fabrics, scratchy seams, harsh labels, and restrictive designs just weren’t cutting it. I knew there had to be a better way.
So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. After two years of sketching, testing, and refining every little detail, often with the invaluable input of my husband, who brings his medical background into the mix, I finally brought to life a collection of clothing that blends soft, breathable, thermoregulating eczema-friendly clothing with thoughtful designs little ones actually love to wear.
It turns out Honey & Stitch has also been catching the attention of parents who are clinicians themselves and chose our clothing for their own little ones. Through them, we discovered something wonderful: our designs aren’t just helping kids with eczema, but are also bringing comfort to children with sensory sensitivities.
Just nine months after launching, we were humbled (and honestly blown away!) to win two Kiindred Awards: Best Baby & Toddler Clothing, chosen by a panel of experts, as well as winning the popular vote amongst parents. Winning these awards, has given me so much reassurance that I have been on the right path and that Honey & Stitch is creating something families truly need.
Fun Fact Interestingly, many of our orders happen late at night or first thing in the morning! It seems we’ve become the go-to brand for midnight scrollers and bleary-eyed parents who can’t sleep because, well… their little ones aren’t sleeping either.
What does a day in the life of you look like? Most days start the same. I’m up early (and often tired), preparing breakfast and packing a lunchbox for my little one. After school drop-off, my day shifts into Honey & Stitch mode. That might mean packing orders, brainstorming social media campaigns, catching up with suppliers or potential stockists, replying to emails, or working on the next product release. Somewhere in between, I try to sneak in folding a load of laundry, or do a bit of meal prep before the after-school chaos begins again. It’s a juggle. Sometimes a messy one, but it’s mine, and I’m grateful for it.
What is your favourite thing about your business? Without a doubt, it’s the stories I hear from parents. Caring for little ones with eczema or sensory sensitivities can be incredibly exhausting. I’ve been there myself. When parents tell me their child finally slept better, or that mornings are easier because their kid wants to wear Honey & Stitch, it absolutely warms my heart.
The cherry on the ice cream is hearing from families whose kids don’t have eczema or sensory needs. They still fall in love with our pieces and insist on wearing them every day. Kids are the most honest critics, and knowing that they can feel the difference makes every late night and long workday worth it.
Favourite product? If I had to choose, I’d probably go with the onesie. There’s just something irresistibly cute about a little one all snug in a perfectly soft onesie. At expos and markets, we hear this all the time from parents and grandparents too. There’s this universal “aww” moment when people pick one up and imagine their baby in it.
I also love how practical it is. Our onesie is soft on sensitive skin and gives babies the freedom to wriggle, roll, and explore without any scratchy seams or irritating tags. It is a piece that feels special yet is easy for parents to use every day.
Any fun stories you’d like to share? When our little one was three, we took a family trip around New Zealand. We tried teaching him to say “kia ora,” but instead he proudly greeted everyone with a “koalala!” everywhere we went. To this day, it’s one of our favourite travel memories.
What is one thing you said you wouldn’t do as a parent, but now totally do? Before becoming a parent, I told my husband that I’d be the firm, disciplined one. Fast forward a few years, and… let’s just say our child has us wrapped around his little finger. He definitely rules the house, and I’ve made peace with it!
📌 Want to check out the Honey & Stitch products? Visit honeyandstitch.com.au or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @honeyandstitch_official.
