Q&A | All things St Agni with Lara Fells
Lara Fells, owner of St Agni chats to us about all things St Agni and the key sustainability points and goals within the business.
Alterior Motif: What is your go to St. Agni style for everyday wear?
Lara Fells: I'm actually a very simple dresser, I like to invest in pieces I can wear over again and not just wear once or twice. Each season I invest in two pairs of shoes and some new pieces to add to my casual wardrobe. This season I love the Basik Slides for a casual every day look and the Ines for those times that I might feel like dressing up more. I'm living in the Bamboo knit collection at the moment, it's so comfortable but also really chic and perfect for WFH.
AM: How would you describe your brands aesthetic & ethos?
LF: One of our key philosophies is that less is more and that has stayed true from the beginning. I love neutral tones and classic designs, using natural materials -- these are the three things you can expect to find in each collection. We work with Artisans in Indonesia and India who handcraft all of our footwear, and this is incredibly valuable to our brand ethos and aesthetic. I love that each piece is raw and unique in its creation.
AM: What are the key sustainability points for St Agni?
LF: The biggest thing for St. Agni when it comes to the topic of sustainability is responsibility. Being a part of an industry that is based around consumption is challenging and I think it's about insuring we are responsible in the decisions we make, from the finer details such as internal systems of recycling and our packaging to the fabrications we choose to use and production processes. Since the beginning of 2020 our HQ and Byron Bay studio are fully run on solar energy. To offset our carbon footprint and emissions we have partnered with Carbon Neutral, an organisation that carries Australia’s largest revegetation project based on carbon capture and biodiversity. For every purchase made online, a tree is planted in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. We are proud of the changes we have implemented but also believe in the significance of continuous improvement.
AM: How do you further want to build upon your sustainability?
LF: Having more time at home recently has made me reflect on direction that I want for St. Agni and how important and personal this is to me. I've been working with our head designer Erika to source the most beautiful sustainable fabrics. You will be seeing a lot more hemp and recycled fabrics in future collections. Another objective for 2021 is to become 90% plastic free.
AM: Who inspires you when you design your new collections?
LF: Each collection has its own forms of inspiration and it's a mixture of both mine and Erika’s ideas. For me, inspiration generally derives from places such as architecture and vintage design.
Shop St Agni online here.