The Isolation Diaries: Monique Chiari
Image Clumsy Cooshions
By Ruby Staley
We know isolation can get a little lonely.
In honour of staying home, we’ve decided to take some time to chat (via the internet) to some of our favourite creatives to find out how they are dealing with this very new and strange state of being.
To remedy our lack of human interaction, one Melbourne designer decided to create hand made cushions and pillows “that feel like a human hug”.
Available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, each of Monique Chiari’s cushions are made with the signature double sided comb-like design, perfect for cuddling up against.
Just looking at the Clumsy Cooshions fun and funky range is an instant serotonin hit, a feeling I’m sure would only intensify when actually nestling in bed or on the couch with one.
I chatted to the young designer about her time in isolation, how Clumsy came to be and her survival tips for the lockdown period.
Tell me how you came up for the idea for your funky cushion creations?
Since I can remember I’ve always been the one who spills over all the liquids on the table and falls over my own feet while trying to walk in a straight line. In time I’ve learnt to embrace my haphazardness and try and see it more as a feature of endearment. I think my cushions really reflect this part of me, they’re a bit squiggly and imperfect, but loveable because of it. Clumsy began as a kind of absurd obsession made to fill the time. It was so silly, it cracked me and my friends up and NGL it still does.
Lockdown has driven a lot of us to the edge, so I’m sure I’m not the only one that has found solace in something ridiculous. I’m so stoked with how Clumsy is evolving and that I’m finding a method in my madness. It’s been equal parts hilarious and surreal.
Obviously soft and comfortable things are exactly what the world needs right now but what has the reception to your products been like so far?
There’s a whole lot of people busting out for a hug right now and if they’re not hugging, then they’re probably home decorating. Thankfully, Clumsy can fill both of those voids and perhaps that’s why they’ve been received so well since I started. With so much weird and uncertain energy going around, I’ve loved seeing Clumsy make everyone a lil’ bit comfier. I only launched the online store about 3 weeks ago, so it’s pretty wild how busy I’ve been with it already.
Walk us through your daily routine and how it’s changed since being in iso.
I’m one of those people who don’t really know when to stop. This has been a challenge at least at the beginning of lockdown, as I felt as if I didn’t have much to do.
Now my daily routine consists of — waking up, looking at my cushions, maybe giving a couple of them a cuddle. Watching the news, having a quick cry about it. Doing the Age crossword and consulting my very passionate crossword group chat if I don’t know all of the answers (Shoutout to Bridget, Henry, Hannah, Emma, Dainty, Tinieka, Druff, Nosley & Josh). Then I’ll get deep into my cushion activities and ride all the deliveries around for the day when I’m done. Have a wine, call a friend, maybe go for a run if I’m feeling super fruity and then go back to sleep with my cushions.
How have you been staying sane during isolation?
I’m doing the best I can. Perhaps it might look strangely similar to watching all twelve seasons of Ru Paul’s Drag Race (including all of the Untucked/spin offs) three times over, but beyond that there isn’t a whole lot of time left over to go insane, so I guess it’s doing the job.
What does your ideal WFH outfit look like?
Overdressed. I’m pretty gung ho with my working from home outfits. It’s got to be suitable for riding around my deliveries, but if it’s not suitable I’ll wear it anyway -- so as long as it’s too much, it’s probably just right.
This is how you’ll usually find me working from home. Overdressed on Zoom with my best friend and soulmate Morgan. This is us after she’s just come back from topping up her ice-less Aperol spritz, ready to do some remote crafting.
Give us your isolation recommendations; what have you been reading, watching, listening to, eating?
Reading:
My Apartmento Magazine collection over-and-over, those I will never get sick of. Junkie by William Burroughs was incredibly entrancing and disturbing, one I had been saving to read for a while. All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks had a huge influence on me at the beginning of lock down as well. The Enthusiast Issue #1/Efficient Space is great too! My good friend Bridget wrote an article in there, amongst other talented Melbourne creatives.
Listening:
The soundtrack to a lot of my iso time has been Erika de Casier - Essentials. Anything and everything Scott & Charlene's Wedding, to remind me of all of the mundane and nostalgic things I used to love about living in Melbourne share houses pre-this whole pandemic downer. Sui Zhen, King Krule, Yo La Tengo, Lajudu Sisters, always — for when the sun crawls into my room in the morning, waking me up. Synthesize Me on PBS to get me in the mood for dreaming. Sleaford Mods to remind me when it was normal to be moshing with hundreds of strangers, sweating, sharing drinks and pushing people around. Cardi B - WAP of course as well, on constant loop.
Watching:
RuPaul’s Drag Race on repeat. I have no clue how I’ve gone throughout my 23 years of life without watching it before this pandemic. I’m also a massive scary movie geek, especially the kind of trashy 80’s ones that look like 90% of the budget was spent on fake blood. My current favourites are; Carrie (1976), Oldboy (2003), The Return of the Living Dead (1985), The Lighthouse (2020), Rosemary’s Baby (1968).
Eating:
I pretty much solely eat different variations of poke bowls for every meal (eek sorry to my Italian family). I don’t eat poke bowls when my housemate Tom lets me eat some of his dinner.
What’s something you’ve learned during this time? This could be a new skill or simply something you’ve learned about yourself.
That my friends are the best people in the world and living without them is a life I did not sign up for!
I’ve also learned the really valuable quality of slowing down a bit. Since moving to Melbourne from Perth a few days after I turned 18, I hadn’t really stopped being on full power. I usually work way too many jobs than a normal person should, while trying to study, socialise & be wholesome… which I’m now realising is maybe too much. Although this pandemic has slapped so many of us in the face with huge obstacles, especially those within the arts community, I’ve been trying to focus on how lucky I am to live in a safe, comfortable home, with people I love and make the most of this time off.