SOPHIE ROBERTSON
Sophie Robertson is a luxury resort style label of scarves and sarongs inspired by Australia and beyond, made with beautiful silk, chiffon and cashmere, established in 2013.
Born on the south coast of England, Sophie moved to Australia after completing her Fashion Photography BA degree at Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion. Sophie started her accessories label based on underwater photographs taken whilst living on board a boat in Cairns on The Great Barrier Reef. With a focus on luxury and style, Sophie's other collections have included Atoll II (a silk chiffon range designed to be worn as a sarong), Local, based on Sydney landmarks (skinny scarves, designed for the city slicker), Hamilton Island (based on aerial shots of Hamilton Island and surrounding islands) as well as custom for various clients.
TELL US HOW SOPHIE ROBERTSON SCARVES BEGAN?
My first collection of scarves was created in 2013. I had just moved from London and had been living on board a boat on the Great Barrier Reef where I became a certified underwater photographer. I had amassed a huge collection of underwater photographs, which I wanted to use in a way that was accessible to everyone. I had exhibited Fine Art prints before, and wanted to do something different with these photographs. I studied Fashion Photography in London, and previous to that I studied fashion design and pattern cutting, so making prints, fabrics and clothing seemed like a natural progression for me. My first collection was based on my underwater photographs, which I had abstracted and multiplied. It was a process that I greatly enjoyed, and I had a lot of control over, so I was immediately excited to make the next collection… and the next, and the next…
Most recently I created the local collection that was based on my favourite Sydney landmarks. Unlike my previous pieces, which were small silk scarves or large chiffon sarongs, these were skinny scarves that were designed for the city slicker. I did a Hamilton Island collection that was based on aerial shots of Hamilton Island and the surrounding islands. I also do custom projects for various clients including Revlon, Halcyon House and Greenpeace.
What do you love the most about working for yourself?
I love the freedom that working for myself brings. I am able to travel wherever and whenever I choose, and I can plan work around other commitments, hobbies and people. Having this flexibility is amazing – time is the certainly the greatest luxury.
Where DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM?
Australia - there is such beauty in nature - as well as Gary Vee.
TRAVEL IS SO INTEGRAL TO YOUR DESIGNS. WHAT PLACES ARE ON YOUR WISH LIST?
I am desperate to go to the underwater spa and restaurant in The Maldives after working for my client Addicted to Maldives. My sister went to Copenhagen recently and has been raving about it ever since – so that has to go on the list, and finally the Ice Hotel in Sweden.
Where have you just come back from?
I recently travelled throughout Europe – I went to Greece and Italy with a friend and then to my parents place in Spain, which was such a treat! I met my family in England and then set off from there. My highlights were Aegina in Greece, where I stayed with friends who took me to all of their favourite spots – we ate in the most delicious restaurants and saw some of the island’s hidden treasures – such as the Hermes olive trees. Italy was fabulous – the Wes Anderson cafe in Milan has been on my list of places to visit for a while, as was the Blue Grotto in Capri which was even more beautiful than I was expecting. The whole trip has inspired me to create a new scarf collection on this summer’s experiences.
HAMILTON ISLAND HAS INSPIRED YOUR DESIGNS, TELL US ABOUT YOUR TIME THERE AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE GREAT BARRIER REEF?
Hamilton Island is absolutely stunning. I took the seaplane over Heart Reef with my boyfriend, which was truly spectacular – it’s a must see, go before the reef disappears. I donate a percentage of each scarf sold to the charity, Barrier Reef Foundation, which is used to conserve the reef. It is very special and we must do everything we can to try and save our Reef.