After collaborating with Talisa Sutton for our spring collection, we’ve been captivated by her as a creative, and successful entrepreneur as the founder of Badlands Studio. Continuing our conversations with like-minded individuals, we took a moment to speak to Talisa about her creativity, what fires and inspires, and day-to-day life…

Tell us a little bit about yourself, how did you get where you are today?

I'm an Art Director & creative living in Sydney with my husband, Rohan, and three-year-old daughter, Lua. I have always had a love of fashion, and started interning straight out of high school, both at brands and magazines while I furthered my studies. I ended up studying fashion business, graphic design & communications, and then Fine Arts before leaving university to take a full-time role at the soon-to-be-launched Elle magazine. I loved having the experience of working in print, while at the same time dabbling in the online world during my free time. I had a blog from a very young age that evolved into a side business, and later, when Instagram started gaining traction, I was able to start my own business, offering both freelance content creation and graphic design services. That was seven years ago, and I'm so lucky to still be able to work with great clients across both my personal Instagram, and my design practice, Badlands Studio. 

What do you love most about living in Sydney? 

Being able to connect with nature, while still being so close to the city. We have such beautiful national parks and beaches, and I'm forever discovering new beautiful pockets.

Which Australian creative are you particularly coveting at the moment, and what inspires you about their work? 

I love the work of Australian artist Skye Jamieson - her paintings are abstract, with beautiful gestural brushwork. I am very lucky to own one, and it's a piece I'll always cherish. 

Where do you source inspiration, and how does this affect your creative process?

I love fashion, art and architecture books, old movies, and visits to galleries and museums. I always found travel the biggest source of inspiration, but I am much more of a homebody these days, so exploring the archives and getting back to traditional mediums is a great way to stay inspired day to day. I also love a walk, whether it's by the beach or through one of my favourite parks. Sometimes the fresh air and space to think can help me refocus and come up with new ideas.

What is your favourite way to unwind and relax? 

Going for a walk and listening to a podcast, a reformer pilates class, and a good book in bed.

What are your tips for those wanting to embark on a more sustainable lifestyle?

The little things all add up - see if you can repair old clothing and accessories rather than replace, look at how items are packed and try to avoid single-use plastic, take your own keep cup to cafes and your own tote bags to the shops. Start by making small changes to your lifestyle and routine, and over time you'll notice a big difference. We are loving having a little herb & veg garden!

What is your signature dish or drink?

I love making fresh, herby pasta with basil and parsley from the garden, olive oil, lemon zest, parmesan, and chilli.

Explore Talissa's picks of the season.