In Life & Home our special guest is Sarah Silverton, founder of the homeware and accessory brand that carries her name. It is a story about her combined loves of photography, Australian beaches and creating a business that is as vibrate as it is creative. Sarah’s life is beautiful coastal moments.
BEHIND THE STORY
Sarah grew up in Sydney, Australia, spending her childhood swimming and exploring the rock pools and coastline around Tamarama and Mackenzie’s Bay. It created a lifelong love of the sea. Her passion for photography developed after she was given a Canon SLR camera for her 11th birthday. Sarah took it everywhere, capturing the beaches, surfboard riders and sunbathers, as well as family and friends.
Following a career in broadcast journalism in Australia and then at the BBC in London, Sarah moved to New York with her family. There, she returned to photography, establishing a family portrait and fine art studio. Now, back in Sydney, Sarah has turned her eye to creating distinctive works of art for the home – stunning framed prints for the wall, as well as handcrafted accessories and homewares, all featuring her images of the sea, all designed and made in Australia.
SARAH’S BRAND INSPIRATION
BLM: Why and when did you decide to create and launch your brand? And the inspiration behind your concept?
Sarah: It all happened organically. I was looking for a new direction with my photography when I moved back home to Sydney and spent time rediscovering favourite coastal spots and exploring beaches and coves that I hadn’t been to before. There are just so many beautiful stretches of sand on our coastlines and I was accumulating quite a body of work. I was going over my shots one evening, thinking about printing some large canvases, and this was segued to print on silk and linen
THAT FIRST PIECE
BLM: What was the first piece that you created and how did you go about launching your emerging brand?
Sarah: I swim every day and live in sarongs, so naturally that was one of the first collections in my range. I can still recall how stunned I was when I saw the first samples – the way the water seemed to move on the featherlight fabric, draped around the body. It was magical. l love to cook, and linen tea towels are a staple in my home. I thought I’d try beach scenes on the linen. I made up a batch and gave them as gifts to my friends. They were such a hit that I decided to work on a few collections, so it really expanded from there.
I’m fortunate to have some wonderful creative friends in my life who are incredibly helpful and generous with their time and advice. With their support, I was able to quickly get my branding and identity solidified, a Shopify website up and running, and socials on the way. I booked a stall at Bondi Markets, and that was a fantastic launchpad for my brand. This allowed me to talk to customers and potential buyers all day, getting their feedback and seeing them buy was really the best way to begin my brand’s journey. I still go back to Bondi from time to time. It’s a fabulous way to connect in a personal way with customers.
THE LIFESTYLE LOVES
BLM: What are three things that you cannot live without?
Sarah: Mornings, always. I love the sunrise, and I love that feeling of a new day ahead. So much energy, so much promise. There’s a special feeling being in the surf or ocean pools in the mornings; people smile, exchange pleasantries and we all know we are in an amazing place. There is no better way to start the day. I have a soft spot for Tamarama and Mackenzie’s Bay, followed closely by Bronte Pool and the Bogey Hole at Bronte Beach, and Camp Cove.
AUSTRALIAN BEACH INSPIRATION
BLM: You are inspired by our Australian beaches – which is your favourite and why?
Sarah: I grew up on Tamarama Beach and Mackenzie’s Bay, so those two places will always be special to me. As a child, I fossicked in the rock pools at Mackenzies for hours, collecting shells and starfish and dutifully returning them before my dogs and I walked home. I’ve got two brothers and a sister, and we’d often dash down to the beach before school, and then race back down again in the afternoon, swimming until it got dark. Tamarama has such a community feel, and back then we knew everyone. It was idyllic really. I can honestly say that kind of experience growing up really shaped me.
THOSE BEAUTY ESSENTIALS
BLM: You spend a lot of your time outdoors. What are your skincare essentials to keep your skin protected?
Sarah: I have tons of hats – soft cotton bucket hats, straw hats, Akubras, waterproof hats – a hat for every situation. And I always carry one with me. I use La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra Face SPF50+ (either tinted or invisible) for my face, and their Anthelios XL Wet Skin SPF50+ for my arms and other exposed areas. I also use Rationale’s #3 The Tinted Serum SPF50+ if it’s not such an outdoorsy, swimming kind of day. It has a lovely finish and nice sheer coverage.
I usually wear a long sleeve rashie when I’m shooting or swimming during the day – nothing is better protection than covering up. My Rip Curl one is fitted with a lot of stretch, and I barely know I’m wearing it. And I just love my new sunglasses – Mykita from Berlin. I found them in Greece and they’re the best sunglasses I’ve ever had.
FOR TRAVEL INSPIRATION
BLM: If you could travel anywhere for work or life inspiration where would that destination be?
Sarah: I recently went to Salina off the island of Sicily and was blown away by its charm and rugged beauty. Diving off rock platforms and looking up at dramatic cliffs looming out of the sea was breathtaking. I felt equally awed by Anti Paros in Greece. We hired a boat and stopped at so many beautiful coves with turquoise water and the smoothest pale stones. It didn’t feel cliched or predictable in the slightest – we saw few people and it was simply stunning.
Enjoying quiet meals in the local towns afterwards was a reminder of how restorative and inspiring life by the sea can be. I’d quite happily return to either of these places for work or play. Honestly though, I’d be equally happy renting a little shack by the water on the South Coast somewhere, or on a windswept island off Tasmania or South Australia. So long as there was the ocean bumping up against a wonderful natural landscape, and I could have my camera with me, I’d be happy.
THAT FASHION STYLE
BLM: Your style icon?
Sarah: I love Phoebe Philo’s simple, edgy style. Pared back, elegant and unfussy. And Jackie O’s way with scarves – stunning. Her jeans and tee look paired with a printed scarf is incomparable.
BLM: If you had to pick vintage or new?
Sarah: Oh gosh, this is tricky. My wardrobe is simple and tightly edited. I tend towards a particular colour way and having a uniform of sorts saves so much time, effort and money. Most of my clothes are newly purchased – and are on heavy rotation. Having said that, I’ve recently discovered Lawsons online auctions and have picked up some lovely vintage pieces that way.
THAT TOTE BAG
BLM: What is your favourite bag style and what would be in it?
Sarah: A tote. Always. I need lots of room! (I still use my JCrew Leather tote purchased years ago in New York). Sunscreen, wipes, hand sanitiser, a camera,, sarong, activated almonds (my go-to homemade snack), water bottle, note pad and pen (sometimes a sentence comes to mind or I see something that just needs to be written down), sunglasses, readers, Band-Aids, lip balm, keys, a portable charger, my favourite handkerchief (from primary school days), a one piece swimsuit (in case I decide on a quick dip somewhere) and micro towel – in it all goes! Every time I decide to down-size and take a little cross-body, I usually regret it. There’s always something I need, and it’s back to the tote!
FROM THE COLLECTION
BLM: The must-have clothing essential from your latest collection?
Sarah: Currently my sarongs during the warmer months, I keep one in my tote (they double up as scarves) and one in the car – perfect to cover up if I want to make a quick dash to an ocean pool for a swim when I’m out running errands or shooting. And I can drape it around my shoulders if I’m wearing a tank and find myself out in the direct sun or when the weather cools and I need a layer.
SARAH AT HOME
BLM: For your own personal home moment – how do you like to set a table when entertaining?
Sarah: I love the look and feel of different textures on the table. So I’l have a linen placemat or tablecloth, plain flatware (usually Mud or an oversized white plate), and linen napkins. Sometimes the napkins are ironed, and sometimes if they’re straight off the line (I line dry everything), I’ll just shape them somehow or loosely fold them. I usually try to tuck in some foliage from the garden. I’ll use simple wine glasses and interesting tumblers. In amongst the serving dishes, I’ll place a scattering of votives (always an odd number) and I love the look of vintage silver serving utensils – I have a special collection from my mother.
IN THE FUTURE
BLM: On the horizon what do you see as your next key brand moments?
Sarah: I’m really looking forward to seeing some of our new ideas being realised this year. We’re sampling some beautiful silks for tunics and cover ups. For the home, I’m working on some special pieces for the celebratory table, and a fresh take on a couple of essential items. We’re keen to start incorporating various recycled materials and see some new collections in our growing stationery range. There is a lot to be excited about!
MAKE A START
BLM: If you could offer one piece of advice to someone wanting to start up a new brand or business what would that be?
Sarah: Mark Twain said the secret to getting ahead is getting started. I often think about that. Just get on with it. Make a start. Today. There are a million different ways to talk yourself out of doing something, but you won’t know if something works or doesn’t have legs until you give it a go. You can always adapt and tweak and change, but you’ve got to start.
That’s a wrap! Beauty Life Moments would like to thank Sarah Silverton for sharing her story.
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