Solari Studio’s boutique is a hub for Melbourne’s emerging creative scene
IMAGE VIA @solari_studio/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
“The store brings together our individual talents and passions.”
Step into Solari Studio and you’ll find a space dedicated to building community and championing the emerging artists driving Melbourne’s creative scene. Originally a shopfront and workshop for cofounder Scarlett Bronte’s label, Sable Jewellery, the store has expanded to house a number of local creatives (like Anabelle Stonehouse, Grace Scharf Designs, Kenza Iatrides, Not Sew New), all of whom were eager to join Solari Studio when it was just an idea.
Some of the boutique’s biggest collaborators have been friends and family. Both Scarlett and her business partner, Ryan Witcomb, called upon loved ones to lend a hand in creating the physical space since it opened its doors in July of this year. Though they were behind much of the store’s transformation, you would never know it was partially a DIY job.
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Ryan and Scarlett have partnered original details – like the store’s original concrete floor – with grayscale tones, tonal walls and brutalist and sci-fi influences to create a soft, moody and unique atmosphere. Nestled on Johnson Street in Abbotsford and still a work in progress, the space is a labour of love and a celebration of community.
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How did the vision for Solari Studio come about?
Scarlett has been working away at her label, Sable Jewellery, over the years and has always had her eye out for a shop space with a workshop. It seemed like the natural next step for Sable Jewellery but we wanted to build something new together. We value platforming the creativity and innovation of local and independent designers alongside our own designs, so when the right space came up, Solari Studio was born.
The store brings together our individual talents and passions. We can focus our efforts on Scarlett’s jewellery and my design while helping push interesting labels into the limelight with the space we have created.
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How would you describe the store’s aesthetic?
The store space came with a concrete floor full of character and we’ve built on that. Grayscale tones feature heavily throughout the space. We’ve created a soft, moody, atmosphere through the textured walls and we have plans to do the same with the cabinetry. There are certainly hints of a range of inspirations, such as brutalism and science fiction, which will continue to be woven into the store’s concept as we make improvements and developments.
What was the process like putting the store together and were there any challenges or roadblocks along the way?
The store has come together slowly but surely. We’ve operated on a tight budget so far, so there’s been a DIY element to the construction. We’re continuing to make changes and improvements as we’re able to. It was most challenging balancing Sable Jewellery with the needs of a new store which was essentially a new business, but with much of the set-up complete, we’re finding our rhythm.
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Who did you collaborate with when bringing the store to life?
We’ve called in favours from friends and family to create the physical store, however, the heart of the store has been the brands eager to join us when it was just a vision! We appreciate their support and faith in us during our early stages.
We’ve hosted market-style pop-up weekends where we’ve welcomed a wide array of labels, designers and creators who really made our first few months possible. We’ve made some great connections in such a short space of time and it feels really rewarding to be involved with so many talented and passionate creatives.
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What’s your favourite feature or area of the store?
We’re proud of our dusty, moody walls – particularly when we really got the hang of painting. If you check back with us in a few weeks we’ll be chuffed with our dressing room and cabinets, which we have plans to render and texture.
What do you like about the area and the Melbourne creative scene in general?
The immediate local area has a lot going on that we’re really glad to be a part of. Our side of Johnston Street feels like an up-and-coming area and the locals are so supportive of what we’re doing. There’s a great sense of community here. Community is central to our reason for creating Solari Studio and a big part of why we care for the Melbourne creative scene in general.
Head here to see Solari Studio’s range.
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