Journal

Jewellery designer & porcelain ceramicist, Kathleen Whitaker is best known for her simple geometric designs––most notably her original staple and sequin studs. Originally from New York City, Kathleen studied Russian literature and ceramics in New Orleans before moving to Los Angeles, where she developed her jewellery practice.

Kathleen’s work celebrates modern sculptural shapes & simplicity. Her namesake line is worn and loved by many, with a following that’s quickly spreading across the globe. Working exclusively in 14-karat solid gold, sterling silver and more recently with gem stones, her pieces are created for a lifetime of wear –– something which we greatly admire about Kathleen's design ethos.

Captured in her chic studio in downtown Los Angeles by Nastassia Brückin, we are excited to share Kathleen’s rituals for life + holiday season…

Jade Sarita Arnott first founded fashion label Arnsdorf in 2006, relocating it from her hometown of Melbourne to New York. It was a success, showing at fashion week, featuring in the pages of Vogue and worn by Cate Blanchett. But after moving back to Melbourne, taking some time off, and growing her young family, Arnott felt that if and when she reentered the fashion industry, she wanted to do it on her terms, upholding her values, and disrupting a wasteful and oversaturated paradigm in the process.

She set out to explore her interest in production transparency, ethics and the environment as much as her background in sculpture, photography and art history, which has always inspired her designs. The result is a quiet but statement-making new direction—eschewing traditional wholesaling and retail to create new ways of connecting directly with women, and doing away with traditional seasons and the prolonged cycles of waste that follow. Everything is made in Arnsdorf’s Collingwood factory and customers can clearly see who produced each garment and at what cost. You can even have your measurements taken for a bespoke experience.

It’s an ethos that attracts us to Arnott, and one that we share: at Sans [ceuticals] we aim to disrupt the beauty industry, creating a minimalist, multifunctional collection of products, made in small batches with full ingredient transparency and sustainable packaging and practices. So, of course we couldn’t wait to learn the rituals that shape Arnott’s days. Without further ado…

Photographer Daniella Rech started her career as a model, and was encouraged to get behind the camera after shooting portraits of her first son. Now she spends her days capturing candid pictures for magazines and fashion labels in Australia and beyond. With an inherent sensuality and honesty, Rech’s images strike a sweet balance between romantic and real.

Recently, with her sister Crystal, the mother of two started Summer + Storm, a refreshingly minimalist, understated, tactile and natural childrenswear line. S&S Women came next, an offshoot of gauzy cotton robes. Here, Rech shares intimate self-portraits of her and her son photographed as a little love letter for Sans [ceuticals], and the rituals that get her through life. 

Steering away from some of the hullabaloo that goes along with living in a city like Los Angeles, Claire recently decided to move back to her hometown of Austin which has allowed her to indulge in yet another sense of relief. In this interview, focusing on Claire's most tried and tested practices, we find that Claire applies this notion of refinement to not only her work but also to her everyday.

With a flowing portfolio of film and television, she maintains a refreshingly grounded and holistic approach to her life and work. Melanie chats with us about the life-long development of her craft and the implications of being on screen.