My MUSE | Janet Milne
Hello everyone,
Olivia here, thrilled to introduce this week’s MyMUSE: the effortlessly stylish, kind-hearted, and impressively clever Janet Milne.
Janet is a leading figure in neuropsychology, renowned for her dedication to helping patients manage and overcome cognitive impairments. Her commitment to her field is matched only by her passion for making a positive impact in others’ lives.
When she’s not busy making strides in her professional life, Janet, a former competitive swimmer turned fitness enthusiast, focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys hitting the gym and cherishes time spent with her family and gorgeous dog, Teddy, who is a beloved presence at our MUSE Ponsonby store.
We’re fortunate to have Janet as a long-time friend of MUSE. Her impeccable sense of style and love for all things chic, especially her fondness for Tibi’s timeless tailoring with a modern twist, make her an enduring inspiration. Janet’s elegance, warmth, and unwavering determination are truly motivational.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Janet to discuss her work, her love affair with Tibi, and the importance of finding your personal style.
Hello, Janet! Your career as a neuropsychologist has been truly impressive. Could you share some insights into your journey and how you’ve reached this point?
My journey to becoming a neuropsychologist began with the influence of my time as a competitive swimmer. The self-discipline I developed from training 3-4 hours per day from the age of 10 translated into my academic studies at university. I remember making the conscious choice to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to study instead of going to the swimming pool. I was surprised by how this positively impacted my achievements at university, and psychology seemed to come naturally to me.
Ultimately, it feels like neuropsychology chose me. I fell in love with studying the brain, measuring brain functioning, and exploring what this could offer for individuals who had suffered brain injuries. I was driven and beautifully supported every step of the way by colleagues and the few senior practitioners in the field in New Zealand at that time (30 years ago). They took me under their wings and mentored me. My career is a touchstone for me—an ongoing gift of personal human connection and experience, for which I am eternally grateful.
You have an incredible style that seems to come so naturally to you. Was there someone in your life growing up who inspired your love of fashion?
I remember being drawn to fashion from a young age—loving my knee-high (flat) boots at about 7 years old and wanting a bright yellow satchel for my school bag at 5 years old! To be honest, I have no idea where this passion came from; it seems I was born with it. Even during my time at Otago University, with minimal finances, I would save up and buy that beautiful top from Zambesi or Carlson, the only high-end fashion stores in Dunedin at the time!
It’s taken me a long time to accept that it’s okay to love fashion. I’ve struggled with how it fits with my values and personal ethics regarding consumerism and the human and environmental cost of the clothing industry. This is why I’m so passionate about investing in high-quality forever pieces and steering clear of fast fashion. I’m someone who asks those questions before I make a purchase. I love supporting clothing brands that are conscious of these issues.
How did you discover your personal style, and what advice would you give to anyone struggling to find their own?
I’ve found that much of my development came from the Tibi brand and the advice of its founder, Amy Smilovic. I’ve followed her journey since I first discovered her via MUSE almost a decade ago. I’ve noticed my confidence in my style emerge over the years, evolving from making mistakes as ‘a bird who loves shiny things’ (ha ha) to a holistic understanding of what brings balance and feels like me. I still make mistakes, but they are rare now.
My advice for anyone struggling to find their personal style is to understand yourself—what feels good, what you want to convey with your clothing—and then apply guidelines about creating balance in your look (colors, shapes, textures, layers). Trusting your instincts is crucial. For instance, I often feel drawn to wear a specific item of clothing without a logical reason and build my outfit from there. When I trust this process and don’t overthink it, everything falls into place perfectly. More recently, I’m also embracing the dynamic aspect of style, feeling confident with change, and experimenting with inspiration from fashion, seasons, and others. If I were to summarise my style, I’d say it leans towards classic, balanced with a touch of individuality or edge.
We all know and love you for your devotion to all things Tibi. What is it about their designs that you adore so much?
My love for the brand extends beyond the founder. I find the quality and shape of Tibi’s designs outstanding, as well as the range, thoughtfulness, and understated elegance.
You have been a loyal friend to MUSE for many years. Over that time, what has been your most memorable purchase?
This is a hard one to answer! Perhaps the most influential MUSE purchases for me have been my Tibi jeans—in all styles, from my first Sam's, Sid's, Ryder, Tuck, and now Barry’s. They’ve transformed my relationship with jeans!
What’s currently on your MUSE wishlist?
Too many things! But to name a few... The Tibi Alec Slouch Jean (how many jeans is too many?), Magda Butrym Rose Earrings, a pair of Magda sunglasses, the Classic Silk Shirt in Blue (also Magda Butrym), and lastly, the Christopher Esber Minette Crystal Micro Heel in Slate—perfection!
