Kowtow Loves is a regular series that spotlights intellectual crushes, thought leaders and humble challengers. In this series we speak to people we love, admire and are inspired by.
Loneliness is a shared experience that often goes overlooked. After experiencing this herself, Sophie McIntyre founded Club Sup - a supper club for people to make authentic and lasting connections across Melbourne and Sydney.
The idea of shared connection through food, music, literature and art is something we often discuss at the Kowtow Workroom and Sophie’s approach to fostering community and connections is one we admire.
We spoke to Sophie about the inception of Club Sup, her experience at these events and the most worn piece in her wardrobe.
How do you get dressed in the morning?
I work from home a lot so truly, I wear activewear throughout the day. Although when I have things to do or events to host, I consider what I am feeling that day and then align it with what I will be doing/ where I am going.
If I have meetings with new clients it's always my best foot forward with something put together. If I am hosting events it must be something that feels comfortable because I am moving a lot, packing things up and doing trips to the car. When I say comfortable I mean it has to fit well. There is nothing worse than trying to go about your life and you are tugging on a piece of clothing because it doesn’t fit – to me it always feels like it’s a slippery slope to feeling insecure in your body and I hate that!
Can you describe your style in three words?
Considered, classic & well made.
What is the most worn piece in your wardrobe?
It is hard, because I wear nearly everything I have. A lot of pieces are on high rotation (we love a capsule collection), although I would say I wear my Frisson Knits jumper the most at the moment – it is handmade to perfection, and I saved up for it forever.
Tell us about Club Sup - what inspired you to embark upon bringing people together?
Club Sup started from my own experience with loneliness. In my early 20’s I was so busy studying/ working and figuring out a new city that it left little time to really put a lot of focus on friendships.
I naively put a lot of effort into a romantic relationship and after a breakup, I realised how lonely I was without platonic love there to support me through it - the symptoms of loneliness really had me good. I thought, enough is enough and I made some changes in my life that thawed me out and I began to be happy again and make some great friends along the way.
Then the pandemic hit, and I met some of my closest friends and it was revolutionary in my mind. I felt a level of confidence and happiness that I had felt only a few times throughout my twenties and I thought there must be a way for everyone else to feel this too.
So, I started Club Sup - a supper club for people to make authentic and lasting connections. We started with a twelve person sit down supper in Melbourne once a month. It’s grown to now we host six events a month in Melbourne and three in Sydney, ranging from lunches, suppers, and book swaps.
What have you noticed about the shared experience of like minded people meeting for the first time?
That the room gets loud very quickly! I am always shocked when we host an event at how loud it gets and how quickly people find something to talk about.
I think often the most shared experience is the vulnerability it takes to show up. Everyone in the room is there to just make a new friend and it is amazing to see strangers look after each other in that way. It’s like there is a shared relief that everyone feels, they are not alone in who they are and what they are feeling.
The power of holding a rich conversation with a stranger is an extremely rewarding experience. I also love watching people's body language and facial expressions when they arrive and when they leave. At the start they are stiff with blank or cautious expressions only to leave standing tall, fluid, smiling and excited.
Shop Sophie's Collection below.
