Deborah Sams on Purposeful Style and Conscious Motherhood

This month on Verse Mothers, we meet Deborah Sams, mother, creative, and co-founder of Australian fashion label bassike. Born and raised on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Deborah has built a career around effortless tailoring and sustainable design — but at home, she’s centred around simplicity, wellness, and connection.

Name: Deborah Sams
Date of Birth: 27 February 1971
Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
Occupation: Creative Director & Co-Founder of Bassike

1. What is the best mothering advice you have received?
The best piece of advice I’ve received is to trust my instincts. No one knows your child better than you do, and you’re doing better than you think.

2. How do you grow your creativity?
Spending time in nature, going for long walks, and travelling to new places always re-energises me creatively. I also love reading and listening to music to spark new ideas.

3. What energises you?
Ocean swims. Without fail, diving into the sea makes me feel alive and clears my head like nothing else.

4. What has surprised you most about being a mother?
How much love your heart can hold — and how that love only grows. Also, how deeply intuitive and empathetic children can be.

5. Is there a moment or event that radically changed the way you saw the world?
The birth of my son. It shifted everything. Suddenly, the world felt more fragile and more beautiful all at once.

6. How do you ground yourself in stressful times?
I take a step back, go for a walk, breathe deeply. I try to slow everything down and focus on what truly matters.

7. What are your favourite mid-week dinner treats?
A beautiful pasta dish made with whatever fresh produce we have. And I love making a big salad with a few indulgent ingredients like burrata or grilled peaches.

8. What is your biggest fear as a mother?
That I won’t be able to protect him from everything. But I try to remind myself that he’s growing into his own person, and all I can do is support him.

9. What is your morning routine?
Wake up early, stretch or do some yoga, and have a coffee before the day begins. I always try to carve out a few quiet minutes to myself in the morning.

10. When did you realise you were no longer a child?
When I started Bassike. Taking on that kind of responsibility — for myself and others — made me grow up quickly in the best way.

Deborah Sams wears One Letter & Diamond Heart Necklace here 

Film photography: Jett Jackie Sams (9)