While it’s sometimes difficult to get a sense of what inspires or influences brands, that’s never been the case with Alex and Trahanas.
Since its arrival in 2017, the Sydney-born fashion and lifestyle label has wholeheartedly embraced the Mediterranean way of life, with its breezy linen shift dresses (made in one of Italy’s oldest mills), handcrafted Apulian vases, pasta-inspired jewellery, and striking Italian-made handpainted ceramics.
Its new collection transports us once again to Italy – to sunny days frolicking at the beach and long lazy lunches of pasta, seafood and wine.
Called La Spiaggia (“the beach” in Italian), its 10th collection includes table linen made in Tuscany, a new line of apparel, handpainted ceramics from Puglia, and jewellery and candle holders made with long-time Alex and Trahanas collaborator, Dinosaur Design’s co-founder Louise Olsen.
“This edition is especially joyous, with ceramics in vibrant new colours and shapes that celebrate a quintessential Italian summer spent at la spiaggia,” co-founder Heleena Trahanas tells Broadsheet. “There’s also new chic striped garments cut in a lightweight Italian cotton, which has a cool, soft touch, and two Mediterranean print sarongs to see you through your summer adventures.”
No trip to the beach is complete without a scoop of ice-cream, and there’s a fun striped, footed gelato cup in the range. Trahanas and fellow co-founder, Alexandra Heard – who headed to Salento, on the Adriatic coast in the south of Puglia, to shoot the campaign during our winter – have also introduced some new colours.
“We worked with our ceramicists to create a custom scallop-shell handle for an oval platter that has been handpainted in a sunny yoke yellow palette, designed to served vongole or heaped crispy fritto misto,” says Trahanas.
The Alex and Trahanas La Spiaggia range launches at 8am on Wednesday October 26, online and in its Sydney store at 257 Oxford Street, Paddington.
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Looking for some more beautiful homewares? Check out this new range by Melbourne designer Corey Ashford.