Nikki Poulos
Nikki Poulos
Some people just seem to exude joy and that’s exactly what drew us to Nikki.
Nikki is an artist and fashion designer who has led a storied and fascinating life [Ed: baby clothes designer -> marine biologist -> fashion/TV anyone?].
What is your Bondi story?
I grew up out west on a 54,000 acre cattle farm and boarded at St. Catherine’s in Waverley. As teenagers, we stole away for steamy summer days at the south end of Bondi. It was quite rough and tumble then. The crowd was mixed, the ocean was crisp, and the waves always dumpy. We quickly learned how to dive to the seafloor to avoid being whooshed around in the washing machine and being ground into the sand.
I first moved permanently to Bondi in my early twenties. It was still really quiet then with only a few cafes. I remember the Lamrock Cafe and the Creperie, Max’s shoes and Bates Milk Bar. I did laps at the old Diggers Club and used their steam room on a daily basis. I’ve lived in countless places along Campbell Parade. They always had a view of the beach and I loved nothing more than looking out at the moonlit ocean at night when all was quiet on the street. I’ve always done the Bondi to Bronte walk, and back then I’d be the only person on the path!
At that time, I had an eco-friendly baby clothes line called ‘ecobaby’ which I started at the Bondi markets. As my business grew, I opened my ecobaby shop on Glenayr Avenue. So often there was a ‘gone to the beach’ sign on the door. I loved living and working in such close proximity to the beach, and being able to pop down for an ocean dip throughout the day. They were fun times. We felt like real pioneers creating this very tight community on the fringe of the world.
I left Bondi in the late 90s to pursue a degree in Marine Biology and that career led me to the US where I stayed for 20 years. Later, a second career in fashion and television via the home-shopping network TVSN, brought me back to Australia. COVID kept me here and that was a really tumultuous change for me as I hadn’t lived here for most of my adult life.
I moved back to Bondi three years ago when I enrolled in a BFA at the National Art School. North Bondi is my favourite spot these days and I spend many days sunning myself on the rocks. It thrills me to jump off the rocks into the ocean and swim back to the boat ramp. It makes me feel like a teenager again. I love that I can surf or swim in the mornings and then go into the city and be in a creative space all day. Balance is key. It’s taken some time but I feel quite settled now, and Bondi feels like home, again.
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I never set an alarm. It’s one of my secrets to success. Waking naturally, I head first to Ben Buckler for the sunrise and I always grab a coffee from Speedos. Depending on the ocean conditions, I either surf, or swim across Bondi with my swimming group. Most mornings, I snorkel on the north end. There’s so much wildlife to be discovered in the ocean here. It’s very special, and to explore and experience it, feels like a gift from nature. Being in the ocean is my way of reconnecting with the divine and my divine self. It’s a beautiful but humbling reminder of the magnitude of the cosmos. I’m very grateful.
Is there one thing you’d like people to know about you?
There’s so many things to know about me!
My energy is magnified by my engagement with the people and the world around me, and it’s where I draw my inspiration for my life and my work. I’m fascinated by people and I love that everyone has a unique story. I believe that as humans, we’re here for the experience, and to share our stories is our gift. I’m always up for a chat, so say hi!
