Steph Adams is an accomplished name in fashion and publishing industry. She is a #1 best-selling author who has nine published books. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing, advertising and communications, Steph began her career as an international model before changing into a career of an Art Director in the publishing industry. As an Art Director, Steph had to create creative concepts for high end brands, winning accounts over the various magazines she was working with, from Loreal, Chanel and more.
Launching www.stephadams.com over a decade ago, Steph has been called in for event appearances, appointed an ambassador and fronted social media campaigns for luxury brands. Her latest book: Fashion & Style recently hit number 1 on the best-selling list in France and best-selling in the US.
Over the course of her career, as a celebrated art director Steph Adams has overhauled the image of Net-a-Porter’s very first magazine and lent her eye over other high end publications from British Vogue, Vogue Australia, Harpers Bazaar UK, Marie Claire Australia, Elle UK and Conde Nast Traveler.
Steph has been featured across Vogue as “best of front row” and various other magazines as well as news networks and online from, Sky News UK, World News, ABC America, The Daily Mail, Good Morning America, BBC, CNN, Fox Sports, Channel 7’s Daily Edition, ABC Radio as well as magazines including; Vogue, Tatler, Glamour Spain, Vanity Fair Italy, Harpers Bazaar, Elle and more.
Women On Topp spoke with Steph about her experiences as an incredibly motivated, business-minded woman.
Can you share a story about what brought you to this particular career path? How did you become an art director and what has made you turn into an author as well?
Growing up in Perth, Western Australia is such a beautiful part of the world. I was very lucky to have such a great childhood. I’ve always been inspired by my Grandfather who had a strong work ethic. He was a Queens Counsellor, who brought the drinking age down from 21 to 18 in Australia. He was always been called for advice from Politicians. We were always meeting different incredible people from all walks of life and I think this is really important for people to have. I’ve enjoyed always listening to other people’s stories, even in my early teens been taken to Broome when my father had business up there and I would sit and listen to the older Aboriginals who would talk about their love for the land. I love having conversations with people who can open up to you and I think this is what has inspired the many interviews I have shared across my books over the years.
After I finished a Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising, marketing and communications. I moved to Sydney and into the world of publishing, where I started working with Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire, Instyle and more. I created my first coffee table book for Harpers Bazaar and then I started my own design studio where I would be creating books for clients and interviewing them. I would be working around the clock. Working a day job in publishing and then designing for clients all through the night when I got home.
What was (so far) the most exhilarating or fulfilling experience you’ve had as an art director and an author?
Working with Net-a-Porter in London was one of the most incredible experiences because it was the beginning of the digital space and was only just starting to take off. I was able to see the power of the internet and how many people were actually buying online. It was an incredible insight and that’s when I decided to move into the digital landscape, becoming a digital influencer and interviewing people across my website, which ultimately led to producing books and collaborating with luxury high-end brands. I’ve met so many incredible people on this journey and I have a lot of people around me to be thankful for. If it wasn’t for them I may not be in the position I am today.
What was the craziest, weirdest, wildest experience you’ve had as a bestselling author?
Been called onto Sky News to give an interview on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding.
What does a writer need to know if he/she wants to become a bestselling author?
It’s best not to think about the outcome, do it because you love it and because you want to do it for yourself. Your passion is apparent in everything you do, what makes you so passionate about your work? I think that with anything you do, it needs to come from somewhere inside you. Passion comes from loving what you are doing, which is key to being creative.
What do you think goes into making a great book?
Knowing what people want and doing things differently. Producing unique and quality content.
What are the biggest challenges you have been through when publishing your book? How did you manage this?
I published my first book in 2016, and there were many challenges. Different publishers would not take on the book. The way to break through is to self-publish and then see how well the book does before going to a publisher.
What tips do you have for aspiring authors?
To remember that every story that is told is unique and that you need to tell your personal story because no one else will, and you never know who’s life you could be changing.
What tips do you have for writing a bestseller?
Be consistent, be unique and know what people want. How would you go about figuring out what publishing route is best for you? You never know, you just have to do whatever it takes.
What advice can you give our readers to become more creative and how can they find better inspiration?
It’s important to take time out for yourself. I had to go into a creative space where I didn’t speak to anyone for months last year. It was the only way that I could produce the books through the lockdown of 2020. Just remember to follow what you are most passionate about and keep moving forward to achieve what you need to.
There are many people who discover their passion for writing, even when they already have a job in another field. What would you tell them?
To spend some time each day even it’s for 15 minutes and just write for themselves.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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