This season, our founder Emily and team travelled to Mparntwe / Alice Springs, Arrernte Country, where the vast skies, shifting light and raw beauty of the landscape became the perfect backdrop for our Iridescence collection. Shot by photographer Stephanie Cammarano at the Clay Pans just outside of town, the story of this place weaves into the garments themselves, pieces designed for travel, for ease, and for finding beauty in the everyday.

Read on as Emily shares moments from the trip, from the magic of a full moon over the MacDonnell Ranges, to her philosophy on packing lightly and which Nancybird bags she never travels without.

We planned to shoot in Alice Springs for our final collaboration for SS25/26 (more on that in a few weeks!) and we thought it would be a perfect place to also shoot Iridescence – this collection is about the colour and light found in the watercolour artworks, and that soft, clear light felt so fitting for a sunrise shoot.

We shot the collection at Clay Pans, just outside of the town, which are shallow, ephemeral pools that catch the light and reflections of the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges.

Sarah and I did a reccy for shoot locations the day before the rest of the team arrived. It happened to be a full moon, and in the evening as we were heading back from Clay Pans, the full moon was rising over the MacDonnell Ranges – it was so stunning, and the colours were so warm and soft. It is an incredibly beautiful place!

For weekend car trips, I love the Bande Tote, as the generous size means all your clothes and toiletries fit, and then the bag can double as a beach or market bag while you’re away! For plane travel I love our Pouch Backpack, with the top zip it’s secure and hands free.

For this trip I was bursting with samples and shoot gear! But usually I like to pack extra small so I don’t need to check in anything. I find I don’t wear everything anyway if I pack too much!

Natural fabrics that breathe and move with you
A clutch for evenings
A backpack for exploring
Canvas for everyday essentials
A small sketchbook to jot down ideas
A disposable camera to remember moments
A shirt or sarong to shelter from the sun and insects
Water, lip balm and sunscreen always
Clothing that easily rolls up and doesn't need ironing

I am going to get so much wear out of the Maja Dress this summer! I love an easy shirt dress, and this one uses the softest cotton voile – feels a little dressy but so comfortable.

Good bags can make or break a holiday (or even your work commute!) You reach for them so much when away from home, so they need to work extra hard. I find I want a small little crossbody for my phone and docs that is always on me (think Louanne Pouch) then something bigger in leather or canvas.