A week in work outfits with Darl Skincare and Poodle Fitzroy Founder, Zoë Rubino

Working in a creative role, it can be difficult to know how to dress for the day. Instead of having a set uniform of crisp white shirts and tailored black pants (as much as I love both), an ever-changing schedule means every morning requires a set of questions. Am I running around, or just sitting at my desk? Do I need to dress specifically for a project? And most importantly, will I be in the background of someone’s TikTok?

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Zoë Rubino is the walking embodiment of a multihyphenate. The Melbourne-based mum wears more hats than is humanly possible. She’s the owner of Poodle, a renowned Fitzroy eatery, and its sibling shop, Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca. On top of all that, earlier this year she co-founded the skincare brand, Darl’.

With a work schedule that teeters between working on the restaurant floor, attending meetings, setting up events and other ad-hoc tasks, Zoë needs to be dressed to expect anything (like her daughter’s food getting all over her). Part of her work outfit rotation includes her mum’s well-loved coat and various pieces from London-based label, Raey. Read on to discover Zoë’s love of Matches sales and repurposing anklets as necklaces.

Tuesday

Tuesdays are the start of the working week for me. Emilio and I have our daughter Gloria with us all day and normally start the day working from home [before] walk[ing] to the office and pop[ping] our heads into both restaurants after G’s afternoon nap. Tuesday is my only day that is 100 per cent in-house (not customer-facing or meetings outside the company) so I’m keeping it casual and machine washable; I’ll be wearing half of Gloria’s food by the end of the day.

I am also hoping to make it to a Pilates class at Good Times next door to our office so I have planned ahead with my outfit choice today. Today I’m wearing my mum’s vintage Escada coat. It’s older than time itself and has been a favourite in my wardrobe for more than a decade. It’s more moth holes than coat these days, but I can’t let it go. Under my favourite coat, I’m wearing the bottoms of a plisse pyjama set from Sleeper, an R.Sport x Poodle soccer jersey (available at Poodle) and Nike Vapormax [sneakers].

Wednesday

Wednesdays are always jam-packed! We have a full day of care for Gloria so it’s always our meeting day for both businesses. We spend most of Wednesday dotting between Poodle, the office and Rocco’s. Most of my meetings are in-house, with all of our management team, followed by one-on-ones with the Head Chef and Venue Manager of both venues. We also have a PR meeting, sometimes suppliers and potentially a Zoom with the Darl’ team. My vibe is boss, but comfortable enough for my walk to daycare then up and down Gertrude Street and back again.

Today is sunny but freezing! I’m wearing a pair of knitted pants from Dissh that have a white stripe down the side, a merino turtleneck (I cut the tag off… I’m sorry I can’t tell you where it’s from) and a silk chiffon slip dress from Raey because I’m enjoying my first-year uni dress-over-pants revival. Shoes, I’m wearing silver Air Max 97s because I find it hard not to wear them exclusively (I love 97s so much). Coat is from Acne, purchased on sale at Matches when I decided that my mum’s vintage Escada coat was no longer fit for respectable rotation. Sunnies are Linda Farrow from Winkoptom and a Weird Bits anklet is worn as a necklace.

Thursday

Thursday is a catch-up day. I generally don’t have any meetings but use the day for any overflow from Wednesday (Wednesdays are turbo). Today we are also meeting our accountant at their office. I’m wearing an oversized shirt from E Nolan (visiting Emily’s studio in Fitzroy is such a pleasure!), a Weird Bits Rococo Work Jacket and a tutu from Raey. Have I been influenced by Barbiecore? Yes. Am I mad about it? Absolutely not. I went fancy with my feet today as I’m not walking around too much so I’m wearing Margiela Tabi flats and an anklet from Weird Bits.

Friday

Fridays are always busy! It’s the nature of the beast. Between setting up for events, menu or cocktail tasting[s], and generally running around, every Friday is different. Full disclosure, we have care for Gloria until 7pm each Friday so if I’m not required to lend a hand at either restaurant, Emilio and I try to leave work early and have a quick martini (or two) and a bite-out somewhere before we head home.

I plan my outfit for somewhere between casual Friday, working on the floor and date night. This dynamic equilibrium is brought to you by a Cecilie Bahnsen ruffled collar mini dress (purchased on sale at Matches), a Miu Miu Bomber (bought from the LA outlet as a holiday splurge), Adidas Sambas because I am not immune to a trend and a Weird Bits anklet.

Saturday

Tonight I am hosting at Poodle. I love working on the floor and hosting the door is my favourite. I like to dress up when I’m working in service… I think it’s really special that people choose to spend their weekends at my restaurants; I really enjoy reading their reservation notes and am humbled that guests are choosing to celebrate their birthdays or anniversaries or any moment in a place that I have curated. I think it’s only fair to reciprocate and acknowledge people [are] coming to celebrate by dressing up too.

I also might have a suit complex; I have never been required to wear one at work so love to whip one out whenever I get the chance. Tonight, I am wearing an oversized suit from Raey. I am obsessed with this outfit and must stop myself from wearing it so much. This is not a very good photo but there were so many people booked at Poodle tonight that I had a very small window to take this photo.

Hosting a two-story restaurant in anything but sneakers isn’t an option so I’m wearing a green pair of Adidas Gazelles. I wanted the Gucci ones but I also wanted lunch money so I bought these instead. Oh, and I’m wearing a bow on my hair from Jennifer Behr because why not?

To keep up with Zoë, follow her on Instagram here.