MAFS star Jules’ next big move

She’s a reality TV star and rising business mogul. Now, former Married at First Sight favourite Jules Robinson has revealed her latest venture.

Shy and retiring? Not Jules Robinson. The hair and make-up artist who found love in 2019 with cricketer Cam Merchant on Married At First Sight now champions living loud and proud as the entrepreneur behind two successful inclusive fashion brands. In between the happy chaos of raising a toddler and preparing for her roles as VIP Guest on Everest Day and Fashion Stakes judge, Robinson talks to Stellar about her growing style empire, her plans to write a memoir and the new venture she’s keen to try next.

Stellar: You’veturned 40. You’ve built your brand around body positivity and inclusivity. When you think about the woman you are today, what would you tell your younger self and why?

Jules Robinson: I would tell her to be brave, to have the courage to believe in yourself, your self-worth and all you desire, and get to really know yourself, your assets, your so-called flaws, and be OK with them.

Why? Because at 40, I know that inner belief and self-worth, to me, are the magnetic force of all good to come into anyone’s life.

Jules Robinson: “I’ve done a lot; I’ve lived a colourful life full of experience. I’m a businesswoman, I’m a mum, a wife, and, yes, some people might see me as a reality TV star.” Picture: Todd Barry for Stellar.

S: Stellar can reveal that you’ve signed a book deal with Simon & Schuster. What can you tell us about your upcoming memoir?

JR: It will be the light and shade of my life, taking myself back to some of the moments that weren’t necessarily happy but are part of who I am and how I got to be where I am today. I’m stripping it back and will be really very honest.

Half of me is like, “Who wants to read about me?” But I actually have had an incredible life so far and I have some interesting stories to tell.

Reflecting on everything that has happened and taking myself back has sometimes been a little bit sad. Intense, to be honest. I even started to dream about it.

You really have to recall every moment and dissect how you felt to put it into words. That can sometimes not be a nice place to go.

I’ve done a lot; I’ve lived a colourful life full of experience. I’m a businesswoman, I’m a mum, a wife, and, yes, some people might see me as a reality TV star.

But whatever way you look at it, I wear a lot of hats. Hopefully the book will reflect that and if one person relates to what I share, and it makes them feel good and represented, then my job is done.

S: Do you have a working title, and is there anything you won’t include in the book?

JR: The name of the book hasn’t yet come to me. When it does, knowing me, it will wake me up at 2am.

I’ve just finished writing about our MAFS honeymoon [with now-husband Cam Merchant] and all the drama that no-one saw on TV. I’m pretty certain the people who watch MAFS for the chaos would prefer to see what I’ll be sharing than [just a tale about] two people falling in love.

S: You run two fashion brands, Moira Muse and shapewear label Figur By Jules, for which you just won gold honours as the Rising Star of NSW/ACT at the 2022 AusMumpreneur Awards. What sort of boss are you?

JR: I’m all or nothing with most things in my life, but in business, I’m very much 100 per cent all in.

As an entrepreneur, you must show a different level of commitment so that everyone can follow your lead. If you’re not excited, your team won’t be.

I’d never put my name to something I don’t believe in, so integrity and transparency are key.

I have an amazing team who are like family, whom I trust and love. We all need the support of good people, especially in business.

Cam Merchant: “My wife is a force; I’m one proud husband’ Picture: Todd Barry for Stellar.

S: You worked in hair and make-up long before Australia met you on television. We hear you have plans to expand into that field?

JR: I’m about to open a salon in Sydney. It’s a further piece of the puzzle that ties everything together for me.

Hair and make-up is in my blood; I’ve been painting my mum’s face and doing her hair since I was five years old. I love it and I’m looking forward to making this business Sydney’s new hotspot place to go.

It’s a cocktail bar, but it’s also a hair salon, so it’s going to be very cool, fresh and exciting. I’m also looking at starting my own shampoo and hair-product brands that fit together with my other businesses.

S: Cam, you joined the Stellar shoot, and you’ve appeared together previously on the cover when you exclusively revealed you were expecting your first child in April 2020. What is it like to work with Jules, and with your own projects in the cricket world, how do you juggle your schedules?

Cam Merchant: It’s such a privilege watching Jules’ journey. I pinch myself about where life has taken us. I just sit back and watch her do her thing. My wife is a force; I’m one proud husband.

Communication and linking our diaries is key. Trust me, we collide, but we always make it work somehow. As busy parents, we always give each other the space to be the individuals that we are, and our son [Ollie, who is now two] always comes first.

S: Jules, you lived in the UK for 14 years and said recently that you would like to move back. Why is that?

JR: The UK has really been there with open arms for me from day one. I always looked at London as a city of so much opportunity, and I do, to this day, feel that way.

I just returned from a work trip [there]; I was still busy attending to my commitments here, though. I had to record my podcast The Juggling Act at 5am UK time – literally a juggling act!

But it was great to share my experience with the passing of the Queen there with listeners. If the right opportunity arose, my family would definitely move to the UK.

MAFS aired in the UK, where it was extremely popular, and I’ve already extended work opportunities there. I’ve been in talks with some UK TV stations as presenting is something I’d like to explore.

Jules Robinson reveals she plans to release her own hair-care products, alongside her new salon in Sydney. Picture: Todd Barry for Stellar.

S: We understand that you’re still a member of the Royal Ascot racecourse in the UK. What do you love about racing?

JR: Obviously, I really appreciate the sport of horseracing and having a flutter, but I also love the fashion, of course.

At Royal Ascot, there are very strict rules with attire. For women, you can’t wear dresses above your knee and your straps have to be no less than 2cm, and I just love that tradition and the formality of it. I so appreciate that all walks of life attend the races.

It doesn’t matter who you are, your age or profession – everyone is welcome in racing. It’s just the best day out.

S: The Sydney Everest Carnival is upon us (until November 5) and you’ll be visiting The Glam House on Everest Day at Royal Randwick. What is that?

It’s such a great concept. It’s a new precinct on all carnival days at Royal Randwick, including Everest Day, to help racegoers look and feel their best with hair and make-up touch-ups, live music, fashion illustrations and a perfume parlour.

Racing just got better in my eyes. I can’t wait to pop in for an express massage.

S: How will you be involved on the ground?

JR: Spring racing is one of my favourite times of the year. I’ll be there to judge the Spring Fashion Stakes competition, which has $30,000 in prizes, and returns on Everest Day and Golden Eagle Day.

It will showcase the best-dressed female and male, while also introducing the new showstopper category to celebrate the bold and diverse without any gender constraints.

Anything that makes things more inclusive is something that I think is amazing and something I very much represent.

S: Does that make you more excited to return as a Spring Fashion Stakes judge?

JR: A category with no gender constraints is very important. While I love the tradition of fashion around the races in general, I think it’s important that we move with the times. Inclusivity is key and new generations will be brought to the [races].

My motto in life is, “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed”, and, as Australians, everyone is generally quite casual. The races are a wonderful opportunity to express yourself through fashion.

Jules Robinson stars on the cover of this Sunday’s Stellar. Picture: Todd Barry for Stellar.

Everest Day on October 15 is a highlight of the Sydney Everest Carnival, featuring the world’s richest horserace on turf, The TAB Everest, at Royal Randwick. For more information, visit australianturfclub.com.au.

Originally published as MAFS star Jules’ next big move