Collaboration by The Life Style Edit

COLLABORATION THE LIFE STYLE EDIT

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Curated, written and designed by The Life Style Edit (TLSE).

HEIDI ALBERTIRI Editor + Founder CLAIRE-ELLEN DATH Art Director XANTHE BENNETT Art Director MADI WEBB Graphic Designer LUCY FRANCIS Features Writer FIONA KEOGH Brand Director + PR HANNAH STEELE Brand + Marketing Manager HANDE RENSHAW Stylist + Content Creator BRITTANY ROSS Digital Content Creative Be in touch.

ADDRESS Studio 3, 249-271 Princes Hwy St Peters, SYDNEY EMAIL hello@thelifestyleedit.com.au PHONE +61 (0) 423 521 954 WEB thelifestyleedit.com.au INSTAGRAM the_life_style_edit FACEBOOK thelifestyleedit PINTEREST tlsesydney TLSE would like to acknowledge and pay respects to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of the place we call home - Sydney - where this magazine is produced.

TLSE also pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Images The Life Style Edit Styling Heidi Albertiri, Hande Renshaw Photography Bec Hannaford

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contents C O L L A B O RATIO N - ISSUE 03

00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

INTRO with Heidi Albertiri NEIGHBOURHOOD Berry T R AV E L + C U LT U R E Design + Hospitality Meet C R E AT I V E S Sage + Clare Incy + Kip&Co Stacey Benson + Freedom MOTHERHOOD Natalie Angel CAREER Heidi Albertiri SHOP

HOME + BEAUTY

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EDITOR’S LETTER

collaboration You either love it or loathe it. However you feel about it, there’s no denying that the best type of collaboration is that which just comes naturally - it’s a match made in heaven for everyone involved.

Us, we love it. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, sometimes has you sharing things you aren’t sure you should, but when you let go and allow people to be involved, collaboration takes on a life of its own. This issue, we wanted to highlight some of the beautiful collabs that are happening right now, and showcase brands, people and things we love. The mag for us is just another way to share the love and bring awareness to some of the amazing people we know.

Anything is possible with a bit of collaboration, so this issue, take a moment to explore and imagine just what could be possible for you too.. and maybe make a few purchases and connections along the way.

Want to see how we collaborate with brands? Check out our Instagram Friday at 4 pm as we go live to celebrate Rosé Friday with a special guest every week.

Happy reading!

Let us know what you think.

Love Hides x

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Product Maison Blanc Image The Life Style Edit Creative Team

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A house by The Life Style Edit, in the NSW south coast village of Vincentia, Casita is the perfect house for photo shoots and for weekend escapes.

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE FIRST ACCESS | OPENING JUNE 2021 INSTAGRAM @STAY.CASITA

neighbourhood

Image Far Meadow Table

S T A Y / E AT / D O / S H O P

NEIGHBOURHOOD / the collaboration issue

A SOUTH COAST TOWN WHERE COMMUNITY IS EVERYTHING...

Berry, Shoalhaven Heads &Numbaa THE LITTLE SEMI-RURAL TOWN OF BERRY SITS JUST OFF PRINCES HIGHWAY ON THE DRIVE FROM SYDNEY DOWN TOWARD JERVIS BAY, situated inland between Gerroa and Shoalhaven Heads. Having grown and evolved away from its former reputation as a tourist stop over hot spot, Berry has steadily gained traction and become one of the must-visit destinations of the NSW South Coast. With its gorgeous homewares stores, charming cafes, and beautiful homes set against a backdrop of almost unbelievably green rolling hills dotted with cows, it’s not difficult to see why this town is so well loved by visitors and residents alike.

In a publication dedicated to singing praises of collaboration, Berry was an obvious choice. Its business owners, visitors, residents and local personalities all contribute to what truly is an ecosystem that thrives off partnerships and mutual respect. We spoke to some of our favourite Berry business owners to gain an insight into what it’s like to exist within a space where community and collaboration are paramount.

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Image Bangalay Luxury Villas

Stay BANGALAY LUXURY VILLAS, Michelle Bishop @bangalayluxuryvillas I grew up in Shoalhaven Heads (the same postcode as Berry), but moved to Manly at the age of 18 to study Interior Design and ended up staying for 14 years. I moved back to Shoalhaven Heads in 2013 - I couldn’t stay away!

I understand small towns very well. I grew up with my grandparents and great grandparents in town and attended pre, primary and high school with the same people.

I then went on to marry my husband, Tom, whose family have been farmers in the area for generations. 6 degrees of separation doesn’t usually apply when it comes to people in rural towns! I love being able to run a business in the place I adore, and I love seeing visitors enjoy it too. In Shoalhaven Heads, everything has been built by volunteers the surf club, golf course, pump track, skateboard park, native botanic gardens and footpaths. The community and the village deserve to be respected. I see the uniqueness of the village as part of the success of Bangalay.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD / the collaboration issue

Eat FAR MEADOW TABLE, Kath Smart @farmeadowtable I’ve been a Berry local for 4 lovely years.

I feel so lucky to be part of the Berry and Shoalhaven community. Since opening Far Meadow Table, we have felt nothing but support from the local community. The network that exists in this area is so incredible, not only between our customers but other businesses too. There are so many clever people running awesome businesses in Berry and the Shoalhaven and we feel honoured to work amongst such a high standard. It is extremely important to support one another in such a small community and that support is definitely an advantage of living in a regional town that you might not get in a larger city.

QUEEN STREET EATERY, Louise and Bec Riles @queen.st.eatery

Image Sam Riles

Our extended family has been in the local area for a few generations, but we have lived in Berry itself from the late ‘90s and into the early ‘00s when Bec was attending high school. Bec moved to Sydney to study interior design, eventually returning to Berry in 2007 to open Roots & Wings Design, a fashion and lifestyle boutique. The whole family has lived in Sydney, but they have all moved back to live in Berry at various times. Brother Ben (who worked for six years at Rockpool B&G) came back as our first head chef when we opened Queen St Eatery 3 ½ years ago. (He will be the new head chef at the Ovolo hotel in South Yarra, VIC, set to open next month).

We believe small businesses really need to work cooperatively and collaboratively in small towns like Berry. Sometimes that can be a challenge when people view one another as merely competitors rather than a business community. Berry really survives on domestic tourism, and we all benefit from this trade. The stronger each of us is, the more the community will thrive. p 11

Do MERRIBEE, Lucy Marshall @merribeehouse We bought Merribee, our 7 acre garden, events venue and accommodation, in 2000 - so technically 21 years. Originally, we commuted to and from Merribee (from Sydney) in the middle of every week for 20 years - it was only last year during lockdown that we finally became full-time residents!

Having been open to the public on Wednesdays since August last year, we have found collaboration and community to be everything. From finding wonderful staff to people bringing us cuttings for our gardens, a real sense of community has grown for us in such a short time. People order their roses online every week from us and collect them the next morning. We find we have old men standing in front of a rose bush crying suddenly in joy, because of a smell they have not encountered since they were 5 in their grandmother’s garden. People tell us they feel a sense of generosity and community in the garden. We are delighted to help celebrate 100 year olds’ birthdays, we know the names of people’s children and their dogs when they arrive, and people are made to feel special. I think this is lost in a city. It is terribly important to us all here and it is repaid ten times over. p 12

NEIGHBOURHOOD / the collaboration issue

IV COFFEE, Nick Crowther @ivcoffeeberry

BERRY DONUT VAN @berrydonutvan

My family had a farm in Berry when I was a teenager but I only properly moved to town around 2 years ago.

These guys simply get an honourable mention because well… Berry Donuts! If you haven’t tried one of these puffs of deliciousness before, make sure you get your hands on one on the way through next time. (Pro tip: try to get there as soon as they open to avoid the long wait!)

It’s great working in such a collaborative and community-driven environment, but obviously it comes with its challenges - not everyone is on the same page! Because everyone knows each other and fellow shop owners are your friends, the collaboration between members of the community is very natural.

The pros are that businesses can bounce off each other both in terms of support and by sending customers to each other. We think it’s important to respect what the community has achieved so far, but things need to be challenged always and change needs to take place in order for a small town to grow and develop.

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Images Lean Timms (Left), Jodi Ward (Right)

Shop

SHADY FIG, Michelle Collison @shadyfig

JUNIPER HEARTH, Catherine Bollen @juniper_hearth

We’ve been located on our corner in Berry for seven years now, however Shady Fig has existed in some form for over 14 years.

I have been a Berry local for four and a half life-changing years, and I’ve never looked back! Juniper Hearth first opened in Berry in 2002 and has been a destination for lovers and collectors of textiles and textile inspired fashion, accessories and homewares ever since.

Feeling supported and having open conversations with other shop owners about business is a plus of the small town community. We have also introduced hampers into our online and in store offerings and have collaborated with Mountain Ridge Winery, The Berry Tea Shop and The Berry Chocolatier to add a local touch to the hampers.

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Berry is a special community – I didn’t have a retail background, so I thank my lucky stars to have landed here. Right from the start I found the locals to be friendly, loyal and supportive (and I really learnt how much so in 2020!), and the local business owners are the same. As I work collaboratively with designers and textile artisans both here in Australia and around the world, being a part of a community that respects the creative spirit and collaboration makes Berry the perfect fit with my ethos. All the retailers in town work hard to offer something different, and being respectful of each other allows us to ensure that Berry offers a unique shopping experience. I think that’s what sets us apart as a destination and keeps people coming back!

NEIGHBOURHOOD / the collaboration issue

FEW & FAR, Tara Solberg @fewandfarhome It has been such a wonderful and heartwarming experience working in and being a part of the Berry community. Since opening our store here in 2015, we have made so many beautiful friends and have met so many welcoming people, which is exactly what makes Berry the unique and incredibly special place that it is. Collaboration has played a key role in both the development of our business in the Berry area, but also the town itself. Unlike many other areas, Berry has built an engaged and loyal community who continue to collaborate together to foster ideas and creative ways of thinking, and who come together to build a supportive and encouraging environment. There is definitely a strong feeling of ‘community spirit’ which we feel so grateful to be a part of.

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TRAVEL & CULTURE

When design, art and hospitality meet…

WE ALL KNOW THAT ANY KIND OF TRAVEL REQUIRES SOMEWHERE TO REST YOUR HEAD WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN, RIGHT? Sure, you could pull into the closest dingy motel or overpriced chain hotel, but we’re here to put a stop to that. With so many amazing spaces available, a night spent in less than average accommodation is a night wasted (in our books, anyway!).

While all accommodation is a joint effort of sorts, Australia is home to some pretty ingenious projects, where innovative minds, communities and interdisciplinary creatives meet. From pavilions that spotlight artists to boutique hotels that are illuminated by their surroundings, there’s something to satisfy every facet of mindful partnerships.

Sticking true to our spotlight on collaborations, we’ve searched high and low to discover some remarkable projects that have creative partnerships and alliances at their core. Feast your eyes, hit the websites and press that booking button - this is an excuse for a mini vacation if there ever was one.

Image James Tolic, The Sunseeker

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T R AV E L & C U LT U R E / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

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THE SUNSEEKER, Byron Bay Byron’s newest cool kid on the block, The Sunseeker, really is nostalgia incarnate. The boutique, bungalow-style accommodation is a creative reimagining of an ‘80s brick motel (here we go again with our obsession of redesigned motels!), offering a secluded hideaway just far away enough from the hustle and bustle of Byron’s main hub.

It’s not just the look of this super cute accom that has it sitting at the top of our must-visit list, the purpose of it as an institution is to spotlight the community within which it exists. Byron is notoriously jam-packed with colourful personalities, creatives, makers, artists and craftspeople, and the thoughtful team behind The Sunseeker have made it their mission to honour this trait; whether it be through the landscaping, interiors, or their design and branding.

Images James Tolic

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T R AV E L & C U LT U R E / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

HOTEL RAVESIS, Bondi With a smack-bang beachfront location, a palette of “millennial pink”, peach and green, arched doorways and windows, classic WWI/Art Deco characteristics, and some absolutely superb room styling, Hotel Ravesis is a Sydney icon in more ways than one. But make no mistake, it was far from a one-man job to (re) design this hotel and achieve the status it holds as a cultural landmark. Interior designer Carina Hicks was welcomed on board the Ravesis team to create pure Miami/Cuba-inspired magic, with furniture sourced from Vela Living and MCM House, and artworks by Daimon Downey, Akila Berjaoui, and Mel Vugich lining the walls. Beachside, boutique, Bondi, beautiful - this collaborative project truly has it all!

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T R AV E L & C U LT U R E / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

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HALCYON HOUSE, Cabarita Beach From its very conception, Halcyon House is a collaborative project to the core. Originally purchased by two sisters in 2011, Halcyon House has come a long way from humble beginnings as The Hideaway, a rundown surfer’s motel. The site was first intended as a family refuge, however it wasn’t long before Siobhan and Elisha Bickle decided to allow others to share in their creation. Two years of planning and fifteen months of building later, Halcyon House opened its doors. With the build led by Sydney-based architect, Virginia Kerridge, and each room designed by Brisbane-based interior designer, Anna Spiro, the beautiful space that results is truly the byproduct of a meeting of creative minds.

The interiors are furnished and decorated with a combination of vintage pieces, sourced collectively by Anna, Siobhan and Elisha.

Images Kara Rosenlund p 21

OVOLO NISHI, Canberra Formerly Hotel Hotel, Ovolo Nishi is the product of a collaboration between Ovolo Hotels and interior design and architecture firm, Luchietti Krelle. Featuring 17 micro-rooms, the creative design was guided by Ovolo’s ethos of effortless living with a twist on what we come to expect from “hotel aesthetic”. Upon entering the building, it’s immediately clear that every aspect of the interior space has been carefully considered - the entrance staircase is seriously a sight to behold, and true to its promise, what follows is equally charming and innovative in every sense of the word. 14 ‘Snug Sun rooms’ and two ‘Original sun rooms’ make up the accommodation - sundrenched, intimate spaces filled with industrial timbers, exposed concrete, brass, leather and a palette of soft burgundies and bottle greens.

Simple and chic, the perfect place to rest your head in Canberra - the city set to become one of Australia’s newest cultural destinations.

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T R AV E L & C U LT U R E / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

ALEX HOTEL, Perth “...the inside of our hotel is only part of our story”.

Thoughtfully designed and socially aware, the creators of the Alex Hotel understand the value of and have a deep respect for the surrounding community. Located within Perth’s bustling and vibrant cultural centre, the creativity of the neighbourhood acts as an ecosystem within which the accommodation sits - each restaurant, gallery, museum, bar, event and exhibition breathes life into the other. Within its walls, the hotel itself is also full of life. Guests are encouraged to spend time in the cooperative, collaborative communal spaces. From workspaces to the bar and lounge, and all the way up to the rooftop terrace the hotel is a community in itself.

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T R AV E L & C U LT U R E / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

MONA PAVILIONS, Tasmania No - not the actual Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, but staying in the MONA pavilions is as close as it gets. The museum itself has to be experienced first hand to truly be understood - amongst a list of things, it’s described as ‘Disneyland with cocktails’, ‘a purveyor of cheese toasties’ and ‘a really elaborate marketing stunt’. But let’s get to why we’re really on the topic of MONA - this playful spot hosts some seriously flash ‘luxury dens’ that are equally as quirky and culturally rich as the museum.

Located on a private peninsula overlooking the Derwent River, each pavilion is named after an influential Australian artist or architect and features artworks from the Mona collection (by the likes of Brett Whiteley, Sidney Nolan and Arthur Boyd). Each pavilion boasts bespoke furniture by Tasmanian designers and furnishings from Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola and Ron Arad.

A collaboration match made in art world heaven, really!

Images Jesse Hunniford

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creatives

Image Armelle Habib

S A G E + C L A R E / I N C Y + K I P & C O / S T A C E Y B E N S O N + F R E E D O M / N AT A L I E A N G E L / H E I D I A L B E R T I R I

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C R E AT I V E S / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

SAGE x CLARE phoebe bell WHETHER YOU’RE A MEMBER OF THE HOMEWARES UNIVERSE OR NOT, YOU’VE LIKELY HEARD THE NAME SAGE X CLARE. Perhaps you’ve scrolled through their Instagram feed, lusting after their bright and beautiful products, maybe you’ve pinned them to a mood board, included them in a feature... perhaps there are even some of their pieces within your home.

However you know the name, we think it’s fair to call Sage x Clare legendary within the world of homegrown design. Their innovative and creative approach combined with their nostalgic colour palette is truly iconic to their brand. But we’re not just here to talk about Sage x Clare’s mark on Aussie design. We’re also here because founder Phoebe Bell has built her empire in a way that perfectly showcases the benefits of a collaborative approach to business ownership and creative processes.

From her journey and her highlight moments, to her favourite work to date and Walt Disney, we sat down with Sage x Clare creator Phoebe Bell to chat about all things collaboration - and her answers are as colourful as her wares.

Images Armelle Habib p 29

Sage x Clare has become something of an Australian design cornerstone - but for those who may not be familiar with your story, can you tell us about the brand?

Sage x Clare is a lifestyle brand that designs colourful, textural and handcrafted pieces that are both unique and joyful. It’s been running for almost 8 years now and we work closely with artisans in India to produce collections that span from resinware to cushions, bedlinen to dresses. We are based in Melbourne and have a phenomenal team who are equally passionate about what we do.

What has been your creative and business journey and how has working collaboratively been a part of it?

It certainly has been a journey! I’m a lawyer with no experience in the homewares space and no technical qualifications either. Much of my business journey has p 30

been self teaching and being prepared to give things a go, hoping it works out but also knowing that it could fail. The cornerstone of this has also been collaboration… whether that means officially partnering with another brand, employing super clever people to bring my vision to life, or unofficially reaching out to other biz owners/creatives to ask how they’ve navigated all the weird and wonderful challenges that are part of small business life. I try to be as open and transparent as I can in the way I work and operate and I’ve had the benefit of meeting others along the way who work with the same ethos. In a culture of competition over collaboration, it’s been wonderful to find others who also believe that sharing knowledge doesn’t mean you’re giving something of value away… sharing knowledge means you both have that something of value.

C R E AT I V E S / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

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C R E AT I V E S / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

You have a really strong following of loyal customers with whom you often have direct conversations (like on Instagram). How important is the give and take between your business and your followers? What’s that dynamic like?

I love the conversations we have with our followers.

Without our audience and their loyalty, we simply wouldn’t exist. They’re also the source of love, challenge, learning, and accountability and for that I’m really grateful. It’s not always easy to read the feedback but I feel very lucky to have conversations with customers that take the time out of their day to cheer us on, tell us where we could do better, suggest a product idea, share a joke and just generally share, sometimes incredibly vulnerably.

Tell us about some of the design or product collaborations you’ve done in the past.

It’s been an absolute pleasure to be involved in some product collaborations that I’m really proud of. We worked on a collaboration with Thankyou and designed two hand wash labels for their best-selling and world-changing hand wash. It’s not often that we get asked to collaborate with a partner that aligns with many of our own values but that is also making a very real difference in the world. We’ve also worked on an incredibly fun shoe collaboration with Rollie… and for a lover of shoes, it was every bit as fun as it sounds! We designed shoes with colour, pattern, pom poms and tassels that literally brought new meaning to the term ‘happy feet’.

Favourite of all those projects and why?

Gosh it’s hard to choose favourites. They’ve all been very diverse and I’ve drawn on different skills for each of them.

Last year, I was asked to contribute to a book, Passion Purpose Profit by Fiona Killackey. To be considered and asked as a business owner to share my story for publication was a project that I felt incredibly fulfilled by and proud to be a part of. For years I’ve just chipped away little by little, bit by bit, showing up with discipline and commitment each day.

At times, it’s felt solitary and even futile, wondering if anyone

IT REALLY MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND...

IT’S HOW WE DO BETTER, BE BETTER, INNOVATE, EVOLVE AND CONNECT.

else sees value in what it is that I’m creating. I’ve far from ‘made it’ (what does that even mean?!) but it felt really special to be considered of value in this space.

In your opinion and experience, what’s the power of collaboration?

It’s really what makes the world the go around… it’s how we do better, be better, innovate, evolve and connect. My experience in small business (and life generally) would be far less enriching without these shared projects and knowledge. As marketing guru Seth Godin says, “Ideas in secret die. They need light and air or they starve to death.”

What’s your favourite collaboration of all time - music, design, art or otherwise?

My kids! Ha ha! A fusion of my husband and I as well as all the generations before us. Sorry to be cheesy, but it’s the truth!

If you could work with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?

Hmmm interesting question. The first person that popped into my head (talk about big thinking!) was Walt Disney.

Obviously no longer with us, but wow, what a legacy. To draw on that depth of imagination to create whimsical stories and characters that tap into the minds of kids of all ages… what an incredible gift to the world.

Any upcoming exciting projects we should be watching out for?

YES!!!! You’ll be waiting a good few months but we’re working on perhaps our biggest project to date at the moment. It’s not even in production yet, but it’s fair to say I want ALL THE THINGS.

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Image The Life Style Edit Creative team

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C R E AT I V E S / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

INCY & Kip&Co kristy withers AS WE’VE GROWN AND CHANGED WITHIN THE INDUSTRY, WE’VE COME TO REALISE THAT MANY BUSINESSES (OURSELVES INCLUDED) ARE CONCEPTUALISED FOLLOWING THE DISCOVERY OF A BIG GAP IN THE MARKET. In the case of Kristy Withers, founder and creator of Incy Interiors, the market gap was a serious lack of tasteful kid’s beds available on the Australian market.

Incy has grown from a modest offering to a fully fledged furniture brand championing unique, Australian design that appeals to not only little people, but big people too.

If business has taught Kristy anything, it’s the potential power of a collaboration, and with six (!) under her belt and counting, creative partnerships are something she’s naturally found herself gravitating toward. We consider ourselves pretty lucky to call Kristy and the Incy team clients and friends and have, in fact, collaborated with them ourselves on several occasions.

We caught up with Kristy to talk business beginnings, pyjamas, the best remedy for a tough day, and her recent partnership with colourful homegrown homewares brand, Kip&Co.

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Image The Life Style Edit Creative Team

...THE ONLY WAY A COLLABORATION CAN WORK IS IF BOTH PARTIES BRING SOMETHING TO THE PARTNERSHIP AND HAVE GENUINE ALIGNMENT.

Let’s start at the beginning; tell us a bit about your background and how you conceptualised and built Incy Interiors.

The idea for Incy started brewing back when I was pregnant with my son, Oscar, in 2008. I couldn’t find any beautiful nursery furniture and just settled on a basic white cot. I was working at eBay at the time and in the midst of a Corporate Marketing career so I didn’t give it a lot of thought until Oscar turned 2 and was ready for his first big boy bed.

Whilst at eBay, I was doing lots of travelling to the US and Europe and I was seeing all of these amazing products that weren’t available here in Australia. After lots of research, procrastination and stalling, my husband got sick of me talking about it and just said ‘shut up about it and do it’ - and that’s how Incy began!

Tell us about your collaboration with Kip&Co. What was it like to produce a range in partnership with another brand?

This is the second collaboration we have done with Kip&Co. Many years ago we produced a furniture collection. It was our first collaboration and it was so great to get an insight into how other brands work. This latest collaboration came about after we contacted the Kip&Co girls to see if they would be interested in doing a PJ collab. Operationally we couldn’t make PJs work but they suggested we jump on board with their Field of Dreams launch as it was a print that we both thought would resonate with the Incy customer.

Tell us about the process you went through with Kip&Co to produce the collection - from conception to finished product?

I’m sure there is a process that should be followed in these instances but we like to consider ourselves rebels. For us, it was as simple as shooting the Kip&Co girls an email about our ideas. They came back with some other suggestions and then we just kept going backwards and forwards with ideas/concepts until we landed on an idea that worked. From there we went into sampling. This particular product took a long time to sample as it was the first time we had custom printed fabric and we just weren’t happy with the results we were getting... so we just kept pushing until it was perfect. p 36

C R E AT I V E S / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

Are creative partnerships something you’ve explored much before in your career?

This is our 6th (I think?) collaboration, so yes, it is something I have explored, but I have never spent lots of time working on or pursuing one.

Any of the collaborations we have done have all come naturally, we have never strategically sought out a brand to partner with.

In your opinion and experience, what is the power of collaboration?

Collaboration is a word that gets thrown around a lot and maybe I am old skool, but my belief is that the only way a collaboration can work is if both parties bring something to the partnership and have genuine alignment. Consumers are smart and can see through a deal that is done just for financial gain. When a collaboration is done well, it is amazing. Combining two complimenting brands/creatives together can be so powerful. 1 + 1 can equal 100!

What would be your next dream creative partnership?

I would still really love to do a PJ partnership or a bedtime story, so if anyone is out there keen to do the same we would love to hear from you!

Favourite collaboration of all time?

That’s like picking your favourite child! I have genuinely loved all of our collaborations, for all different reasons. It is really special to work with people you admire to create something for people to love.

Anything exciting on the horizon for yourself personally or for Incy?

Personally, we are just about to embark on our forever home build…. something that has literally taken forever. At Incy, we do have another collaboration in the works launching later this year - and it might just be my dream partnership!

Best remedy for a tough day at the office?

For me there is nothing better than a glass of wine and a giggle with one of my beautiful girlfriends.

Leave us with some final words…

This is a shameless plug but we are so grateful to the TLSE team for the beautiful images they have created, not just for this collaboration but for a number of our shoots. We love working with you guys and you make it so, so easy… and beautiful! p 37

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C R E AT I V E S / t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s s u e

STACEY BENSON x FREEDOM FREEDOM FURNITURE - YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF THEM. Huge Aussie furniture and homewares brand?

We’re pretty sure they don’t need an introduction. What you may not know about the brand, however, is that behind the scenes, a lot of time goes into sourcing and collaborating with artists, designers and makers to produce their seasonal collections.

Hailing from the UK, multi-talented Stacey Benson’s professional career began at the Abercrombie & Fitch global headquarters where she saw the first days of her career as a graphic apparel designer. Having worked with various famous designers and celebrities then and since, it’s fair to say that Stacey has a lot of international-grade experience under her belt. However, Freedom Furniture here in Australia is where she now resides, designing textiles and capturing beautiful imagery for their print collections.

We spoke to Stacey about her creative journey thus far, working solo (and the cons of it!), her projects with Freedom and, finally, what her future holds.

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Your creative journey has been one with a bit of history. Tell us about it (and don’t be afraid to drop a few names!)

After studying in the UK, my creative journey officially started at the Abercrombie & Fitch global headquarters in the US where I began my professional career as an apparel graphic designer. I spent almost 4 years working across multiple womens’ and kids’ product categories and eventually was given the task of heading up female accessories and sleepwear. From there I moved back ‘across the pond’ to Germany when presented with the opportunity to work for PUMA at the Headquarters in Herzogenaurach. It was at that point I was given the chance to work on collaborative projects with artists and brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, the Kooples, Balmain Paris, the Weekend, Shantell Martin and Sophia Webster... to name drop a few! A few years on, after much thought and deliberation, I decided to take the plunge and start up my own design studio. Starting off with a team of me, myself and I, I sought out clients from my short list of industry connections and somehow managed to land some pretty exciting projects from brand identity design, to editorial illustration, to custom wallpaper design. My proudest moments to date would include seeing my work featured in magazines such as Vogue, GQ and Elle France.

Can you tell us a bit more about the company you created in Australia?

Moving to Australia in 2019 was my first ever ‘non-career move’.

Relocating to the other side of the world for myself and not for a job felt terrifying! After landing in Australia with a semi-established start up business and a small handful of clients scattered around the world, I worked solo for over 6 months before bringing onboard other designers and collaborators. Seeking creative input from others allowed me to open up my client reach and also learn more about areas of design I knew little about.

What did you overcome to create that company? How important was collaboration in that process?

Overcoming my habitual need for teamwork was a huge challenge I faced in my first year of business. Going from an environment where I was constantly surrounded by fellow creatives to then working with clients who had very little awareness of the creative industry and thus the process was a fast learning curve. I experienced moments of extreme self doubt and relied on fellow designer friends for reassurance and feedback. If I learned one thing, it would be the importance of collaboration for creation!

Tell us about some of the design or product partnerships you’ve been a part of in the past.

The first collaborative project I exclusively worked on at PUMA was with New York based visual artist Shantell Martin. Shantell was an incredible creative to work with and despite being an established artist, gave me an unexpected amount of creative freedom. The process was fast paced, experimental, slightly unconventional but extremely collaborative.

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C R E AT I V E S / t h e d e s i g n i s s u e

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If I learned one thing, it would be the importance of collaboration for creation!

Image Stacey Benson

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C R E AT I V E S / t h e d e s i g n i s s u e

Now can you tell us all about your work with Freedom?

I have now been with Freedom for just over 12 months.

Despite having a background in textiles, there was (and still is) a lot of learning to be done. I am fortunate enough to work closely with some experienced industry leaders such as Kate Hopwood (Head of Design) and Christie Maartenz (Head of Homewares) which has undoubtedly helped me transition into this role and industry. Wall art was a category I had never dreamed of working within. It all began when the team were looking over the submitted photography samples for the new season - we were after something specific and struggling to find it. It was at that moment I hesitantly offered to capture the photographs myself. With a small amount of photography experience under my belt I took the challenge on and went out to capture the images for two briefs: 1. Architectural Coastal and 2. Deep Shadow Florals.

The following morning I set my alarm for 5am and drove over to Bondi beach with the aim of shooting the iconic Icebergs pool. Walking up to the viewpoint overlooking the pool I was devastated to see it was in fact empty. Turns out Thursdays are pool cleaning days at Icebergs! Luckily for me, the following morning turned out to be a glorious sunrise overlooking a spectacularly full and very clean Icebergs pool. My second brief for that season came with its own challenges. I had bought a bunch of poppies - still in their bud form- and was patiently waiting for them to open. Being August and a little chilly in Sydney, their stubbornness to open up and show their petals was getting the better of me.

After a long week and multiple poppy purchases I finally had three or four open poppies to work with. Now I just needed a perfectly sunny afternoon to shine light on my balcony to create the ‘deep shadow’ look I was after! It’s challenges like these which make the creative process at Freedom so exciting and fulfilling.

What has it been like for you as an individual to work with big companies like Freedom?

Working within big brands like Freedom is something I really enjoy as I find myself surrounded by people from different backgrounds with different experiences. Despite finding a creative space in North Sydney, working in isolation with designers based in other countries left me feeling disconnected from this new country I was calling home.

There is a feeling of unity and a strong support network, something I deeply missed when working for myself.

While we’re on collaborations, what’s the best wine and cheese pairing?

Literally? Isn’t all wine and cheese amazing!?

Who would be your dream creative partner?

Having worked with some big names, I am genuinely excited to work with more undiscovered creators. At Freedom we are constantly on the lookout for our next collaborator and we enjoy the experience of working with creators and artists to develop beautiful products.

What’s on the horizon for you?

I am excited for a continued journey with Freedom. Being able to witness and be a part of the turnaround plan is something I am incredibly grateful for. There is a lot of work to be done and equally as much fun to be had. Exciting things are on the horizon! p 43

MOTHERHOOD

NATALIE ANGEL INSTAGRAM - A PLATFORM WE LOVE FOR MANY REASONS. From the value it holds for businesses, to the communities it creates, you could certainly say that we’re big fans of unlocking its many opportunities. However, anyone who’s spent any time on social media platforms will know how easy it is to get caught up in the unauthentic. Heavily edited images, airbrushing, and dream lifestyles that are (we hate to break it to you) unattainable for the vast majority of us are the norm.

So, on a platform where appearances are not always as they seem, discovering an account that’s not only entertaining, but authentic, is a real joy.

Enter Aussie mum and influencer, Natalie Angel.

As a body positive advocate, Natalie channels her energy into making every woman feel understood, heard and confident - and she’s definitely hit the mark.

With a highly engaged following of almost 123k, @letmetrybeforeyoubuy has totally exploded and if you’ve viewed any of her content, it’s not hard to see why. We spoke to Natalie about how collaboration has driven her journey, where she found inspiration, and what she hopes to pass down to her son.

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MOTHERHOOD / the collaboration issue

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We are long time fans of yours, but for those who may not be familiar with you, tell us all about Natalie Angel.

I am 41 years old, married and a mother of a 5 year old son living on the Sunshine Coast. I am a digital creator on Instagram and Facebook. My passion (after my family) is body confidence; women all over Australia - and the world actually - are too tough on themselves. We should be proud of our lumps, bumps and curves. We are normal and need to be kinder to ourselves!

What was the inspiration behind Let Me Try Before You Buy? After the birth of my son I struggled both emotionally and physically.

I recognised my body was a different shape and I needed help to find my way. I couldn’t find anyone online to relate to, so I plucked up the courage to do it myself. I then found more women who, like me, have struggled to buy with confidence and buy online so I organically grew my followers by focusing on helping them.

How important is collaboration in your line of work and in your life in general?

I am always amazed by the kind emails and DMs I receive about how I have helped many women feel confident and better about themselves.

Working and collaborating with fashion brands that cater for the average Australian size 16 woman makes my job so much easier. I try to be real and authentic in every setting, I truly believe being yourself enables you to connect with everyone.

How did you build and foster relationships with brands and with your audience?

My followers are amazing, really they are. I have pictures of women in swimsuits for the first time in 5 years after watching my videos. Women trying new styles, adding necklaces and bangles, the list goes on - and it is so, so amazing. I am as authentic as they come. I stand in front of 3000 women doing a live video in my bra and knickers - it doesn’t get any more real than that!! Brands have come such a long way since I started, my page offers them an opportunity to get close with women, build a relationship and see real time honest feedback. That type of collaboration is vital, it helps the brand make design changes to become more successful and the followers get better clothing that fits!!

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MOTHERHOOD / the collaboration issue

We should be proud of our lumps, bumps and curves. We are normal and need to be kinder to ourselves. p 47

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MOTHERHOOD / the collaboration issue

Be honest, be kind, be thoughtful.

What are your values & mission?

Be honest, be kind, be thoughtful.

Positivity is a big factor in your personality and influencer profile in many ways, what’s the biggest message you would like your son to learn from your values?

Be open to everyone, regardless of sex, race or age, instead, ask yourself: are they kind? How do they make you feel?

Collaboration holds value in more scenarios than just the workplace.

What’s something you’d like to teach your son about its importance?

Together, we are great.

What’s your go-to remedy when you’ve had “one of those days”?

Kiss my husband and my son, go for a walk and have a kebab :) Has your collaborative way of life influenced your role as a mum (and vice versa)?

What have you learned from one that you transfer to the other?

Motherhood brings so many highs and lows, but of course, the highs outweigh the lows. I think life is very much like that.

Leave us with some final words…

Whatever your shape, whatever your age, you can dress to be confident and sassy. Buy clothes that suit your lifestyle and of course, watch me to help you.

More importantly - be kind to yourself and others around you.

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CAREER

HEIDI ALBERTIRI AS OUR VERY OWN LEADING LADY, MANY OF YOU WILL ALREADY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE NAME AND FACE OF HEIDI ALBERTIRI. Would-be high school sports teacher, child care worker, florist, senior style editor for a major interiors mag, Bali local, renovator, mother, ideas master, ambassador, workshop leader, content creator, and founder of The Life Style Edit. It would not be totally incorrect to say Heidi has lived about a hundred lifetimes.

Heidi put on her first ever pair of business boss shoes when she was just 19, buying her very own flower shop in Newtown, realising her passion after rearranging a less-than-pleasing posy she had purchased for a friend. The rest - as they say - is history. However, like most things in life, Heidi’s journey to The Life Style Edit was not a straightforward path; it took hard work, persistence, sweat, tears, and probably a fair share of sleepless nights. And while Heidi has spent her career and indeed much of her life miles away from codependency, to own The Life Style Edit and manage the creative women that work under its title has been to truly learn the impact of collaboration.

To be a woman in the world of business is a challenge all on its own, but to have built a successful digital agency upon strong relationships (with her team and clients alike) takes real perseverance. Somehow, between day-to-day business tasks, managing her creative flow, her team and her life, we managed to grab Heidi for a quick minute to chat all things TLSE and - you guessed it - collaboration.

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CAREER / the collaboration issue

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You’ve no doubt answered this question a million times over; but what was the spark, the “ah-ha” moment, that inspired you to start The Life Style Edit?

Working in magazines I would witness daily the resistance to embrace digital aspects of the industry. The value that my co-workers were placing on it was next to none, they weren’t evolving quick enough and I was frustrated. After my role finished up I took time out to sit with what my next move was. I simply tapped into what my skills were and looked for a gap in the market. At that time, digital was still moving fast and with Instagram becoming a thing, I knew people needed imagery and at that stage no one was really servicing brands directly. So it all just fell into place. Ironically, I had registered the business name long before and forgot about it, but somewhere, a light bulb flicked on and I went back to it and it seemed to actually fit. So there it was, The Life Style Edit. It started as a blog; an edit for your life and style, featuring and creating content for brands I loved. It kind of just evolved from there as I added extra services as we needed them for client demand.

How important have alliances and connections been in the creation and growth of The Life Style Edit?

In the beginning, people trusted me with their products because of my established relationships - and then it switched to working in collaboration because of the added value. Connection for me is everything, it can make or break a working relationship. You need to work on maintaining those relationships all the time - it’s not a set and forget thing! We all need to feel valued and it’s important for us at TLSE that we feel like that and our clients feel that in return - above and beyond whatever service we are providing.

How do you find working in a team of creatively distinct women?

We have such a talented team but communication is what makes everything come together. It takes effort every day to ensure we are all on the same page and that we all get the direction we are heading. I am pretty lucky to work with a team who gets my thinking, can interpret my crazy ideas and work with me to get shit done. It’s crazy what we can all achieve when we work together.

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CONNECTION FOR ME IS EVERYTHING, IT CAN MAKE OR BREAK A WORKING RELATIONSHIP. YOU NEED TO WORK ON MAINTAINING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ALL THE TIME - IT’S NOT A SET AND FORGET THING!

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WALK YOUR OWN PATH. IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA, TRUST IT, TEST IT OUT, MAKE IT WORK.

In your opinion/experience, what is the power of collaboration?

TLSE would not exist without it. The whole business started because we worked with brands to create a win-win. We shot content, shared content on our socials and the Edit, those brands shared it and linked it back to us. It snowballs, and eventually you get everyone working together for the greater good. The Stay. Casita project we are working on is the next level of collaboration for us. You are only limited by your imagination and that’s what you have to connect to - imagine it, do the work and make it happen.

If you could work with anyone on a project, who and what would it be, and why?

I just love having my fingers in a few pies (in case you hadn’t noticed).

I would love to have a show that would be like an actual live version of our Edit where we meet and chat to inspiring people, work on projects, show people how to do things, talk business, and share our favourite shopping products. I just love information, sharing, beautiful people and things. It would be so much fun!

Favourite collaboration of all time, design or otherwise?

Marc Newson - anything he touches is gold in my mind. His design runs across a broad range of mediums and I love his fluidity. He is proof that you can do what you love and turn it into something successful and meaningful. From designing pens for Mont Blanc to Louis Vuitton bags, to kettles and toasters, his design is iconic as well as diverse.

Leave us with some words of wisdom...

Walk your own path. If you have an idea, trust it, test it out, make it work.

Ask questions. Reach out to people and get people on board, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and push some boundaries, nothing extraordinary happens without that little bit extra… and stop bloody asking every man and his dog what they think of this or that.

Just do it!!! p 55

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Our current favourite products draw on natural hues and soft shapes with a touch of pattern. Materials such as natural stone and earthy tones like olive and clay shine bright this season, with a strong focus on cocooning indoors during the cooler months..

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SHOP / the collaboration issue

02 02 SECTION TITLE FENTON + FENTON Travertine Archie Arch, Travertine Marco Bowl and Travertine Sandy Bowl 01 LIGHTHOUSE LANE Henley Pendant 02 CAPRA DESIGNS Peaches and Cream tableware

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03 JARDAN Nightshade Honey painting 04 JARDAN Wrap Knot in Amber 05 ADAIRS Vases p 60

SHOP / the collaboration issue

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SHOP / the collaboration issue

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06 JARDAN Nelly Table Light in Olive 07 IN BED 100% Linen Duvet Cover and Pillowcases in Khaki 08 TRIT HOUSE Varia Sculptural Vase

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09 TRIT HOUSE Ethnicraft Oak Geometric Side Table p 63

A digital, editorial and content agency bridging the gap between creativity and business.

It’s simple really, we love working alongside brands to bring out the best in them and we have a very clever knack of seeing clearly how your brand appears to the world and where we can help you. We can ‘get you’ pretty quick.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT | PHOTOGRAPHY | BRANDING | GRAPHIC DESIGN WEB DESIGN | BRAND STRATEGY | DIGITAL ADS + MARKETING | SEO | COPYWRITING

www.thelifestyleedit.com.au

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Image The Life Style Edit Creative Team

Home & Beauty

HO ME We simply do not have enough fingers and toes combined to count all our favourite local homeware designers. Suffice to say, it was a bit of a challenge to narrow down our pick this season.

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HOME & BEAUTY / the collaboration issue

Products sourced & photographed The Life Style Edit Styling Hande Renshaw Photographer Bec Hannaford

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Monsieur Escargot The Snail from Maison Balzac, Wave Soap Dishin white from Makers’ Mrkt, L70 Mug in Butter from Makers’ Mrkt p 68

HOME & BEAUTY / the collaboration issue

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HOME & BEAUTY / the collaboration issue

Grande Pauline and Petite Pauline candle in amber/pink/white colour way from Maison Balzac, L70 Mug in Butter from Makers’ Mrkt and Small Totem from Makers’ Mrkt

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La Rose Candle from Maison Balzac, The Bubble Candles from Studio Billie, Small Resin Branch vase in Pink Guava from Dinosaur Designs, Bella Candle from Studio Billie, Margot Candle in Rouge from Maison Balzac

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HOME & BEAUTY / the collaboration issue

Have a product you want photographed by our team? Get in touch

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BEAU We share the latest in beauty products for pampering ourselves at home - and it’s never looked so good! Think masks for relaxation, creams to pamper and serums to restore.

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AUTY HOME & BEAUTY / the collaboration issue

Dream Oil, Scent Australia Home To Save Face SPF30 Physical Zinc Sunscreen Stick, Mecca Cosmetica Ultra Facial Cream, Kiehl’s Products sourced + styled The Life Style Edit Creative Team

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Face Hero Extra, Go-To Skin Care Rose Quartz Roller, Beauty Bio Face Hero Extra, Go-To Skin Care Butterball Bath Bomb, Lush Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser, Glow Recipe Transformazing sheet masks, Go-To Skin Care The Ultimate Hydrating Hypervitamin Cream, BeautyBio Restoring Hand Lotion & Wash, Jurlique p 76

HOME & BEAUTY / the collaboration issue

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Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, Kiehl’s Sleepy Body Lotion, Lush Original Lip De-Luscious with SPF 25, Mecca Cosmetica Transformazing sheet masks, Go-To Skin Care Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-tight toner, Glow Recipe

HOME & BEAUTY / the collaboration issue

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the END NEXT ISSUE Stay Casita. Come with us on the journey of creating Casita. In the meantime follow us @stay.casita @thelifestyleedit

Beauty Flash Balm, Clarins Restoring Hand Lotion & Wash, Jurlique