Julia Busuttil Nishimura is one of our fave cooks, not to mention a true style icon. We were so happy to take some snaps in her beautiful home to showcase the bold, tonal prints of the UNIQLO x Marimekko Autumn/Winter collection, which is inspired by the tradition of autumn foraging with friends and family. Comfortable clothes, comfort food… tell us there’s a better combination for the cooler seasons?

Hi Julia! Tell us about what you do. I’m a cook, author and presenter. My food is influenced by my Maltese heritage, the ebb and flow of the seasons, and by my time spent living in Tuscany where I learnt the joys of the Italian kitchen. I write for several publications and am the author of four bestselling cookbooks. I live in Melbourne with my husband, Nori, and two boys, Haruki and Yukito.LEFT Uniqlo x Marimekko Heattech t-shirt $29.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Fleece Cardigan $59.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Drawstring Bag $49.90 RIGHT Uniqlo x Marimekko Lambswool Crew Neck Long Sleeve Sweater $59.90

What sparked your interest in cooking? I have loved cooking since I was really little. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my mum, baking and helping her prepare Sunday lunch which was always a big occasion. I loved reading her cookbooks and then began to cook from them myself and create my own version of recipes. I think why I loved it – and continue to love it so much – is the satisfaction that comes when you cook, how grounded it makes you feel and the feeling you get when you have cooked for people you love.

What are you inspired by when dreaming up recipes? I’m usually inspired by a certain feeling or trying to capture a certain feeling. It might be a memory of a dish I ate, a story surrounding that recipe or just trying to really celebrate seasonal produce. For me, the seasons really underpin how I think about and cook food. My year is punctuated by the coming and going of different ingredients.

What are you most proud of when it comes to your career? Writing books is so joy-bringing and writing my first one in 2017 was the biggest moment in my career for sure. I’m not the most likely person to step back and say that I’m proud of myself, because I feel like I am always working towards the next thing, but I am really proud of how I work and the kind of work I put out there. I am proud of how I stay true to myself and my values in my work.LEFT Uniqlo x Marimekko Lambswool Crew Neck Dress $99.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Drawstring Bag $49.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Padded Hat $49.90 RIGHT Uniqlo x Marimekko Knee High Heattech Socks $9.90

What has been the biggest challenge of your career? I think juggling motherhood and my career has been the biggest challenge. But I am always working hard to reframe it into something positive. My work is so intertwined with home which can be chaotic but also so wonderful. I also find myself making far more concise decisions about what I do want to be spending time on. I think I doubt myself less simply because I just don’t have as much time to really overthink things.

Do you have any food-related traditions you want to cement in your family? Yes, so many! My husband is Japanese so we celebrate many of the Japanese holidays which have celebratory food. On New Year's Eve we make toshikoshi soba and on New Year's Day we eat a meal made up of many small auspicious dishes called osechi-ryori. It takes us days to prepare but it is such a lovely tradition. I like to make figolli at Easter time, which is a Maltese tradition that I used to do with my mum and family.

LEFT Uniqlo x Marimekko Heattech t-shirt $29.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Fleece Cardigan $59.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Drawstring Bag $49.90 RIGHT Uniqlo x Marimekko Lambswool Crew Neck Dress $99.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Drawstring Bag $49.90

What does relaxation time look like for you? Relaxation time for me is really simple things – taking a long walk, going out for a coffee, watching a show or reading.

Your cookbooks talk a lot about buying produce in season. What’s your favourite season? Each season is so joyful and special by itself, and there is something especially so lovely about Autumn and Winter produce which feels cosy and generous. I love how tomatoes cross over with figs and plums which then makes way for celeriac, broccoli, fennel and oranges. I adore radicchio and a local farm called Ramarro Farm produces varieties in all hues of pink and burgundy and it’s what I look forward to the most. The house is kept warm from cooking long slow meals and the markets filled with winter produce are always a source of inspiration.

What are your favourite ingredients to grow? I do dream of a really big veggie patch but now I love growing broadleaf rocket which is so different to what you can mostly find in the shops. It’s very peppery and I love it in my salads. I also grow lots of herbs – dill, coriander, shiso, parsley and mint, to name a few.LEFT Uniqlo x Marimekko Lambswool Crew Neck Dress $99.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Lambswool Crew Neck Long Sleeve Sweater $59.90 (on chair) RIGHT Uniqlo x Marimekko Heattech t-shirt $29.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Fleece Cardigan $59.90, Uniqlo x Marimekko Drawstring Bag $49.90 

What are your tips for people who want to cook more but perhaps lack confidence? Keep it really simple. Good food doesn’t need to be complicated. And choose seasonal produce – when ingredients are at their best, you really don’t need to do too much to them.

How would you describe your personal style? My personal style is whatever makes me feel good. Sometimes I love really floaty floral dresses and other times it’s a structured oversized denim jacket with a knit and sneakers.

What are your favourite items from the new UNIQLO x Marimekko collection? I love the fleece cardigan. It’s cosy, versatile and feels like a warm hug. I love the pocket detail and can see myself wearing it for years to come. The Kimalainen pattern is just so lovely and nostalgic which I love.

UNIQLO’s LifeWear range is designed to make everyday life better. How does what you personally wear impact your everyday life? I think what I wear contributes to how I feel. It’s an expression of myself and I change that expression all the time, depending on mood, occasion or moment.

These lovely pics were snapped in partnership with UNIQLO and their new collaboration with Marimekko. Discover the nature-inspired range from May 1 in-store at UNIQLO and right here.