IN CONVERSATION WITH STUDIO AMELIA
interview JANA LETONJA
photography BRUNA VOLPI for Studio Amelia
Studio Amelia has quickly become a quiet power player in modern luxury accessories, redefining wardrobe essentials with precision, restraint, and purpose. Founded in Sydney in 2019, the brand occupies the sweet spot between accessible luxury and true craftsmanship—offering impeccably made footwear and handbags that feel timeless yet distinctly modern. Best known for its iconic red carpet moments and cult-favourite designs like the Wishbone 50 sandal and Alexandra drawstring clutch, Studio Amelia has built a global following driven by organic demand from stylists, editors, and design-literate women who value quality that endures.
Studio Amelia began with the idea of crafting the “perfect sandal.” What did that mean to you at the start?
At the beginning, the idea of the “perfect sandal” was deeply personal, particularly as an Australian navigating a climate that demands practicality without sacrificing style. We wanted to create something luxurious and beautifully crafted, but still attainable, something women could genuinely live in. Above all, it was about designing pieces that feel inclusive and adaptable, acknowledging the many layers of who we are without ever alienating the wearer.
How did founding the brand in Sydney shape its identity and design sensibility?
Sydney inherently shaped our approach. Heat is such a defining part of life here that you’ll often see people barefoot in places you wouldn’t, and shouldn’t, expect. That reality naturally pushed us toward clean, uncomplicated designs that feel effortless and intuitive. Comfort became non-negotiable, and from there we considered how that relaxed, functional way of living could resonate with women internationally.
Your pieces are often described as wardrobe staples. What makes an accessory truly essential?
To me, something essential is what remains when you strip everything back to only what you truly need. It’s about versatility, creating pieces that can be worn multiple ways and move easily through different moments of life. Quality is key. An essential should feel timeless and be made to last, not replaced.
Why was it important for the brand to focus on tightly edited collections rather than volume?
A tightly edited collection allows us to be very clear about who we are and what we stand for, rather than trying to please everyone. It also plays a significant role in our sustainability goals, producing only what we believe we can sell helps combat overproduction, which has plagued the industry. Ultimately, we want our pieces to be cherished long-term, not discarded as trends move on.
Production in Spain and Portugal signals a commitment to craftsmanship. How do you maintain quality across scale?
Quality is maintained through meticulous planning, constant communication, and very clear benchmarks for success. I often say that if something isn’t measurable, it isn’t achievable, so we define quality in thoughtful, sometimes non-traditional ways. By caring for each element throughout production, we ensure the final product feels luxurious both as a whole and in its smallest details.
Studio Amelia sits between accessible luxury and traditional high-end. How intentional was that positioning?
That positioning has been intentional from day one. We were conscious of a market that often presents two extremes, contemporary products designed for accessibility and speed, and traditional luxury that is exquisitely designed, but not within reach for most women. Our design team, led by the incredible Marion Anais, approaches each collection from a thoughtful, design-led perspective, drawing inspiration from art, culture, and the world around us. We intentionally place our brand in space between, offering carefully crafted, sustainably produced pieces that feel elevated and considered, while remaining a meaningful and most importantly, attainable investment.
Why do you believe modern consumers are gravitating toward fewer, better-made pieces?
I think people are becoming more emotionally aware of the impact overproduction has on the world around us. There’s a growing discomfort with excess, owning more than we need, and knowing so much of it ends up wasted in land fill. Choosing fewer, but more well-made pieces feels more intentional and respectful, both to the environment and to the way we live, and that shift is beginning to feel less like a trend and more like a shared responsibility.
The Met Gala moment with Kendall Jenner became iconic. How did that exposure impact the brand?
On a personal level, it felt like a moment of validation from an industry that can be incredibly insular. We are still a small brand from a relatively quiet corner of the world and that visibility felt transformative. Thanks to Dani Michelle’s support of independent designers, we were suddenly placed on a global stage we never could have accessed alone. This shifted how Studio Amelia was seen within the industry, reinforcing that we are not a moment or a trend, but a considered, long-term business committed to quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design.
Sustainability is core to your mission. How do you integrate ethics without compromising design?
Good design requires flexibility. If a concept leads to unnecessary waste or compromised materials that don’t align with our values, we adapt, even if the original idea was strong. Sustainability is really about paying attention, staying informed as technologies evolve, and being willing to adjust rather than stubbornly pushing forward.
Can you tell us more about your partnership with i=Change and the causes you support?
We’ve worked with i=Change for over five years, and during that time our focus has always been on supporting communities around the world, particularly women and the issues that affect us all. This aspect of our business is something that sits very naturally alongside what we create, and it matters deeply to us that our impact goes beyond just the product itself.
Alongside this, we try to stay responsive to what’s happening in the world, often fundraising through the donation of proceeds of sales when urgent situations arise, whether that’s environmental disasters or humanitarian crises.
Who is the Studio Amelia woman, and how do you imagine her wearing the pieces day to night?
She’s cool, effortless, and confident without taking herself too seriously. She’s adaptable, moving seamlessly through her day, and embraces her sensuality in a way that feels authentic to her. Our pieces are designed to follow her rhythm, rather than dictate it.
The brand has grown largely through word-of-mouth. How do you protect that sense of intimacy as you scale?
We’ll always consider ourselves a small business at heart, regardless of growth. Every order genuinely matters to us, and we never lose sight of the trust someone places in us when they choose to spend their money here. From handwritten notes to thoughtful customer care, we’re deeply invested in making sure each client feels seen and valued and that they love their Studio Amelia product and get to enjoy it long term.
How do you see the brand evolving over the next few years?
We’re focused on expanding further into European and US markets at the moment and setting out sights on redefining our Accessories collection. We also love collaborating and it’s a big part of our vision to continuing collaborating with independent brands and artists to create unique products and moments.