The Creative Type Alexandra Heard and Heleena Trahanas.
This duo’s online lifestyle and clothing store, Alex and Trahanas, was inspired by their shared love of Mediterranean summers: the seaside trattorias, the delicious food and wine – and the linen garments and ceramic pieces to match.
Heleena (pictured left): My grandparents came
to Australia by ship in the 1960s. They created a wonderful life here, and their drive and passion for living has influenced me greatly. I have been surrounded by a family that loves to live life to the fullest and celebrate every moment of being. My childhood was filled with mountains of Greek food shared with loved ones – both my grandmothers were very good cooks. I began travelling at a young age and have always been curious about culture and the way people live.
Alexandra: My mother and grandmother were both strong, creative women who shaped my love for design, food and fashion. My grandmother, an artist from New Zealand, designed and made all her own (very chic) outfits. She taught my mum – who went on to have a few small fashion labels – and my mother taught me. I was brought up surrounded by rolls of fabric, trims and cutting tables, and we made weekly car trips to suppliers and makers around Sydney. My mother loved to cook and entertain, which was always so exciting to me. It feels very natural to be working among all these things now. The thrill of a finished garment and a beautifully laid table is never lost on me.
H: Each day in the office is different, depending on what requires the most attention. But it has to begin with espresso! And something delicious picked up on the way. We’re always discussing what’s next for us – curating and designing new collections, meeting with our local garment makers, planning travel and photo shoots.
We’re constantly seeking to create and the days unfold, marked by lunch served in our ceramics out in our courtyard. This truly makes us happy.
A: We love listening to music, but we also both enjoy silence – it’s almost meditative when we are deep in the work zone. It depends on the job.
H: The biggest challenge was having the confidence to start our own business. Once we launched, we went at it with full force and momentum soon followed, but overcoming the initial self-doubt of ‘will anyone love this as much as we do?’ was really our biggest challenge.
A: Our greatest achievement so far is celebrating three years of Alex and Trahanas and also our collaborations with some incredible people and businesses we truly admire, including Louise Olsen with a jewellery collection and Masseria Moroseta with a collection of linen garments.
H: We find that work and life are intrinsically intertwined. Both of us love a quote by Charles and Ray Eames, which is ‘take your pleasure seriously’. We seek to do this by constantly creating opportunities to dress up and entertain with our loved ones, which in turn educates, fuels and inspires our brand and work.
A: What nourishes our creativity? Time spent resting, cooking, being in nature or at the beach, travel and seeking out hidden gems, and of course culture in its many forms.
H: There are so many artists, architects, and designers we admire. To name a few: John Olsen; Rothko; Pablo Picasso; Rei Kawakubo; Issey Miyake; Cy Twombly; Josef Albers; Giorgio Morandi; Jean Arp; Karl Blossfeldt; Chris Rhodes; Zaha Hadid; Dries Van Noten; Axel Vervoordt; Phoebe Philo; Rick Owens; and Martin Margiela.
A: We both love reading Yolo Journal, a US magazine that is currently providing a heavenly escape in lieu of European travel. Our dear friend and avid reader Julie Gibbs also inspires our nightly reading with regular posts of her bedside stack of books.
H: My favourite fashion pieces? Our Ischia summer dress in Limone, or the Fruittivendelo unisex shirt and drawstring striped shorts, worn with Louise Olsen x Alex and Trahanas ‘Chifferi’ earrings.
A: I love our classic navy travel essentials shirt dress, made from a lovely Italian aloe-verainfused linen. I am also loving the quintessential Italian-summer feel of our Fruittivendelo striped dress, worn with Marni sandals.
H: True luxury comes in many forms. There’s the luxury of time and freedom to do the things you love, as well as items or experiences that are authentic, thoughtful and impeccably made.
H: A destination we found inspiring was Masseria Moroseta in Puglia, Italy. A sun-drenched, contemporary masseria (country house) set in a landscape of ancient olive trees with views of Ostuni and the Adriatic sea – truly inspirational.
A: Our brand is all about experiencing summer year-round. One day, we would absolutely love to make this a reality with a base in both Italy or Greece and Sydney, so we can chase the sun.
H: In Sydney, our favourite cafes and bars include Sean’s Panaroma, 10 William, Lucio’s, Dear Saint Eloise, Omeio, Penny’s Cheese Shop and Kindred.
“The thrill of a finished garment and a beautifully laid table is never lost on me.” Alexandra Heard