A quiet introduction

I’m Bodie – the one behind Recess.

I grew up in Western Australia, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to clothing. Not in a loud way, but in a way that’s become more considered over time. What started as instinct has slowly turned into a clearer understanding of what feels right — what I reach for, what lasts, and what fits into everyday life.

Along the way, it became obvious that this way of thinking wasn’t mine alone. There’s a shared appreciation for pieces that feel easy, familiar, and well-made – the kind you don’t have to second-guess.

Recess grew from that understanding. A place to create and share garments that reflect it.

I hope these pieces invite you to slow down, feel at ease, and settle into your day with a familiar comfort.

Where it began

Recess didn’t begin with a plan – it began with a subtle frustration.

The kind that builds over time. Searching for pieces that feel just right, and coming up short more often than not. So I stepped away from it. Dusted off my mum’s old sewing machine, and started learning how to make things for myself – slowly, from the ground up.

At first, it was just about filling the gaps. Pants that fit the way I wanted. Shorts I’d actually relax in. A shirt that felt easy to wear. A cap that softened over time. Simple things, but strangely hard to find done well.

Those pieces found their way into everyday life. Worn often, noticed quietly. The response made it clear that the feeling wasn’t mine alone – others were looking for the same sense of ease and familiarity in what they wore.

So I kept going. Following instinct, making what felt right, and letting each piece come together with care. What started as something personal gradually opened up into something shared.

And from there, Recess took shape.

The thinking behind Recess

Recess is a name that’s always felt familiar.

For many of us, it traces back to the schoolyard – a break in the day that felt lighter. Time spent with friends, moving without structure, stepping away from seriousness, if only for a moment. It was simple, social, and quietly freeing.

That same feeling carries over into how I’ve always seen getting dressed.

At its best, it’s a moment to step back. Standing in front of the mirror, trying things on, revisiting pieces you haven’t worn in a while – not rushed, not overthought. There’s a sense of ease to it – even a kind of play, reminiscent of those earlier years.

Somewhere along the way, that feeling shifted. What was once simple has become complicated – reduced to the idea of not having the right thing, or nothing that feels quite right at all.

Recess is my way of returning to that earlier mindset. To create pieces that bring ease back into the process – garments that remove friction, soften routine, and make space for a calmer kind of confidence.