Sharna wears the Theodora dress
I'm so excited to feature Sharna, designer and owner of swimwear label, Salté, www.salte.com.au. This gorgeous girl is an absolute ray of sunshine, beautiful inside and out. She was kind enough to show me around her beautiful Queenslander home which sits on a hill looking out to the sea. Her home and designs are a wonderful reflection of her contagious, creative energy which needs to be shared with the world.
Tell us about your background - what has led you to here?
Art was always my fave subject in school, I guess it’s no surprise having an artist for a Father. After school I studied Digital Media at university, and graduated with a photojournalism degree, while dabbling in a bit of graphic design and marketing. I used to make candles and sew little tops to make extra money during uni.. but I never really thought I’d end up in the fashion/design industry... but here I am.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Sunshine. The ocean. Fresh air.
Luckily, all of the above are at my fingertips.
Sharna wears the Fable blouse & Theodora dress
You are the owner and creator of dreamy, swimwear label Salté, how did that come to be?
Aw thank you. I’m glad you think it’s dreamy. After uni, I landed a couple of jobs designing prints and textiles for various labels. I got to a point where I felt like I was giving a lot of my time and creativity towards other people’s ideas and hadn’t really given my own dream a shot. I am head over heels obsessed with designing textiles, and have an addiction to Summer... so, I decided to combine the two and pursue my own dream.
How on earth do you balance everything?
Balance... that word kind of makes me anxious. I’m still constantly learning… and by no means, have I actually mastered the skill. I work 4 days a week and run Salté on my days off. I try my best to exercise when I can and catch up with friends. This keeps me sane. I also try and keep Saturdays free. I usually spend the day with my boyfriend or my family and just immerse myself in sunshine & nature. That keeps me grounded and less stressed and overwhelmed.
There are some new and exciting things happening for Salté would you like to share?
Yes! Salté is flourishing and evolving... I’m so proud that I recently dropped my debut clothing designs! The response has been amazing so far. I feel very grateful.
Sharna wears the Fable blouse
What would be your advice to others wanting to start their own business?
Do it ~ you will regret it if you don’t try.
Research ~ google will become your best friend
Ride it ~ it’s a rollercoaster. Up & down, but it should be fun if you love the ride.
How would you describe your style?
Beachy, chill, and bohemian?... Maybe? I’m a bit of a hybrid when it comes to style. I am currently wearing an oversized blue, daffy duck tee that says ‘Define normal’ haha.
During the day when I’m way less dorky I am usually wearing warm tones, and bright colours… I love intricate textiles and embellishments. I’m not really into fancy brands, the glitter and glam isn’t really for me. I love simple, comfy, and flowy. Over half my closet is from the op shop or second hand from the markets. I like it like that.
Sharna wears the Theodora dress as a kimono
What’s your mantra?
“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.”
- Emerson