We had the good fortune of connecting with Sahara Aldrich and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sahara, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Sunny Side Studio was a covid business born out of the summer quarantine of 2020. Inspired by the emotional healing of sunlight, I tried to capture that feeling into wearable shapes . During the instability and fear of 2020, I wanted to spread joy to my loved ones through colorful accessories. The hobby turned into a business that has continued to grow.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up in sunny Los Angeles has informed the aesthetic of Sunny Side Studio’s designs. Our objective is to harness the energy of a sunny day and shape it into wearable art. We’re about the energy of color and the therapy of light. I am often inspired by the the desert formations of Southern California, mixing elements of these landscapes with a colorful lens. There are many things that sets Sunny Side’s jewelry apart from others, one of them is the mixed material usage, combining colorful acrylic with metal and tortoise shell. Sunny Side is as much whimsical as it is sophisticated.
Although the concept of Sunny Side Studio is about harnessing the sun. The beautiful irony of Sunny Side is that it was born out of darker times. I never realized that starting a brand would be as therapeutic for me as it is. Having a brand is a special universe you can escape into. Creating a space for myself is sacred and I want to encourage anyone thinking about beginning a business, to make the leap.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am back and forth between New York and Los Angeles. My favorite areas of both cities are the wholesale districts. Being a product maker, I feel most comforted and intrigued when surrounded by materials. There is alway so much to discover! Whether you’re learning about the people behind the industries or discovering new materials, it’s always fun to get lost in the different shops.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family and friends! Sunny Side has only grown because of how strongly my family and friends show their consistent support. Special shoutout to my sister Jelita Aldrich for working by my side on the brand identity and art direction of Sunny Side Studio.
Website: https://www.sunnysidestudio.shop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnyside_studio_/
Image Credits
Photography by Carlo Velasquez @leftf0otforward Models: Jelita Aldrich, Kelley O’Leary, Tara Walpola, Helina Nadew, Hella Abebe