The Interview: Sarah Ellison

Image: Australian Designer Sarah Ellison

Sarah Ellison is a celebrated designer whose journey has taken her from the world of fashion to styling for leading magazines and ultimately to establishing her own furniture and homewares brand. Known for her sculptural designs, bold proportions, and innovative use of textures, Sarah has carved out a distinctive space in the design world.

We spoke to Sarah about her journey and what floats her design boat.

Sarah, your career has taken you from fashion design to styling for magazines and then to launching your own furniture and homewares brand. How has each stage of your journey shaped your approach to design?

Each stage of my journey has played its own part in shaping the designer I am today, from the early days of fashion I learnt a deep knowledge of the history of design through the different eras, I still draw on this knowledge today. The magazine world taught me about relationships, working in a team and about the importance of marketing and PR. As a stylist I honed my own personal style through hundreds of photo shoots. Each stage has been important in its own way, adding to the alchemy that has made me what I am today. The journey does not end here though, as I move into my new business Sarah Ellison Creative everything keeps evolving, moving forward, adding to the path untraveled.

You spent eight years as Style Editor for Real Living What did you learn during that time about design trends and the furniture market that influenced your own brand?

I learned that trends come and go but if you don’t lean into them too heavily and give them your own spin then you can use them to your advantage. I’d prefer to be “influenced” by a trend and then work out a way for that trend to feel Sarah Ellison. That way you are flipping it on its head and making to your own.

Sarah Ellison’s Mood Board

Your designs are known for their sculptural shapes, bold proportions, and mix of textures. What inspires these elements, and how do you ensure each piece remains both beautiful and functional?

I’m inspired by design that is visually strong but also has a simplicity to it, I like to create forms that are loud in a sculptural way and then I like to strike that balance by making sure there’s an overall minimalistic feeling to it. It’s all about duality. Hard and soft, sharp and round, shiny and textural. I always start with aesthetics but then I work hard with my team to make sure there’s an equal amount of function. A design isn’t going to be successful if it looks good but isn’t comfortable, so the balance is important.

Can you share any exciting projects you’ve been working on recently?

I have just completed Light Years restaurant in Perth alongside Studio Plenty and I am working on some exciting interior design product collaborations that shift outside of my usual furniture practice. We are currently fitting out a new design studio in Byron Bay where I live, focusing on product design and custom interior design pieces.

Explore Sarah Ellison’s creative work here. This article first appeared for Decor + Design.