It's time to 'Escape to Paradise'... 5 minutes with founder Sacha Alagich
Escape to Paradise was founded 12 years ago in Sydney's Iconic Manly Beach and the brand has captured the imagination of the world with its vibrant island lifestyle offering and it’s goal to bring holiday bliss to everyday life.
Escape to Paradise designs a wide range of premium luxury homewares and accessories, from bags to cushions to beach towels. Founder Sacha Alagich is a global gypsetter and surfing enthusiast who travels regularly to exotic destinations around the world to help build the narrative behind her brand.
Sacha has always felt that there needs to be more to a label than for it just to be pretty, the brand needs to be a vehicle for change. 'I want to use the brand to be able to make a difference and support causes that I am so passionate about, such as environmental projects to plant trees in rainforest regeneration areas or marine conservation programs, so it isn't just about the products but about the difference we can make in the world' she says.
How/when did Escape to Paradise begin?
My initial dream for Escape to Paradise began when I was only 7 years old on a holiday to Fiji where I made tropical flower decorations to sell to guests at the resort I was staying at, from that moment onwards I always knew that one day I wanted to have my own business, especially something inspired by beautiful tropical destinations…then 10 years ago that dream finally came true when I launched our first collection of handbags and travel accessories. We had humble beginnings at the Bondi and Kirribilli Markets as most brands begin this way, shortly after we discovered the world of trade shows and from there the brand grew over time to now be a truly global brand where our designs can be found throughout the US, Canada, Europe, South East Asia, New Zealand and of course Australia.
How would you describe your current collection?
Our current collection is inspired by the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki Beach. I just love the vibrant colours and tropical feeling when visiting this iconic hotel, I wanted to translate this into a collection where everyone can have the feeling of paradise in their own home.
What inspires you when designing a new range?
I think of the most beautiful destinations around the world and ways to translate this into products through the colours and patterns associated with the feelings from these destinations.
Your top 3 tips for creating a luxurious tropical space?
1. You can’t go wrong with palm trees. Having either real palms or décor items with palm tree motifs will always set the tone for a tropical space.
2. Use furniture in natural materials such as cane or wood to create an earthy feel.
3. Let the sun shine in. Having lots of natural light in a space will always make a space feel more coastal. Use lots of white for the walls, upholstery and light shear curtains so the light will bounce off these surfaces and give the room a fresh tropical feeling.
Where can we buy your beautiful products?
We have over 300 stockists Australia wide in all of the major coastal locations so our products can be found at most beachside suburbs, such as Swish in Warriewood, NSW, Coasting Home, Forster, NSW, Whitebeach in Perigean Beach, QLD, Biku Furniture in Bundall, QLD. We also have an online store www.escapetoparadise.com.au
What can we expect next from Escape to Paradise?
Our next collection will be inspired by the islands of Tahiti, so keep a look out for beautiful aquas, teals and coral motifs to reflect the beauty of these islands.
We love that you give back by donating to not for profit charities, why is this so important to you and your business?
I always believe in helping to make the world a more beautiful place and by giving back to charities who help conserve the environment this is a way to help have a positive impact on the world. For every item sold on our website this helps plant trees in rainforests around the world where they have been depleted.
What is your favourite tropical holiday destination?
I have so many favourite tropical destinations around the world it is hard to list them all, but my top places to visit are Tahiti, Hawaii, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.