LOCAL BLOKE… JUAN MACIEL FROM COOGEE

By James Hutton on November 4, 2017 in People

Juan Maciel, in partnership with his wife, Katie, is the brains behind local sustainable apparel brand, Señor Seagull. Juan shares his local favourites with The Beast…

How long have you lived here? I’m from Argentina. I met my wife, Katie, in Miami and we’ve been living here for almost six years now.

What’s your favourite beach? I surf, so Maroubra is my second home. I also love Gordon’s Bay – nothing beats paddling round the cliffs, snorkelling, and chilling on the rocks.

What’s your favourite eatery? Beach Burrito is great for a cheap midweek feed, and Balusu’s Indian has the best naan in Australia.

Where do you like to have a drink? The Pavilion on Fridays – two Pornstar Martinis please! I enjoy Old Dave’s Soul for their pizza, relaxed atmosphere, and local bands.

Best thing about the Eastern Suburbs? You can go for an early surf and still make it to work on time. The coastal walk is stunning too.

Worst thing about the Eastern Suburbs? The traffic. I’ve got a good bicycle now though, so I would love to see more bike paths.

Do you have a favourite sporting team? Argentinians love rugby union, my team is the Jaguares. I also like the Rabbitohs. Our neighbour used to play for them, he’s a dude.

What music are you into at the moment? My weekend listening includes African beats, reggae, and soul. At night, I add a mix of salsa and reggaeton. I enjoy artists like Bombino, Fela Kuti, James Brown, Bob Marley, Manu Chao, and The Congos. The latest album by The War On Drugs is great too.

Who is your favourite person? David Attenborough, without a doubt. I am very envious of his life. There isn’t a corner of the earth he hasn’t visited, or a species he hasn’t been up close to.
What do you get up to on the weekends? I start the day with a swim or a surf, then a chai latté with poached eggs on crumpets from the Pavilion, or homemade pancakes with Nutella. We are often busy screen printing in our garage and doing photoshoots.

What do you do for work? My nine-to-five is in advertising, but our sustainable apparel brand, Señor Seagull, is my passion.

What’s your favourite thing about work? I find working on Señor Seagull very rewarding. It’s close to our hearts; creating products using recycled materials that positively impact the planet is important to us. It also provides an opportunity to connect with like-minded people and environmental organisations, to work towards a more sustainable future and a healthier planet.

Any other words of wisdom for our readers? Check out Señor Seagull by visiting www.senorseagull.com, or pop into By San Sebastian on Coogee Bay Road.