Image features beach umbrella by The Salty Merchants
Image features Lach and Megan of The Salty Merchants
We chat with Lachlan of The Salty Merchants as they prepare for their first ever Finders Keepers market stall at our Sydney market this weekend! In perfect time for summer too!
Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to begin your label
My name is Lachlan Leckie. I have been a graphic designer and mixed media artist in the surf and beach industry for over 15 years. The Salty Merchants started as a hobby and an outlet/excuse for me to make and experiment with surf products I liked (mainly surfboard fins to start) and over the past five years it has developed into the reality it is today.
In the past two years we have launched a sub label for more beach and lifestyle related products, this is called BOUTIQUE BROLLIES and is founded on our high quality beach umbrellas.
Who inspires you and your creative process?
The past is a huge inspiration, we like to reference the days when things were made well and made to last. I like to think it’s the future and the trend is starting to pull away from disposable consumer goods and we would like to contribute to that movement.
Our aim has always been to put the time and energy into doing things that the big companies wouldn’t (probably because it doesn’t make good business sense haha).
Image features beach umbrella made locally in Coolangatta by The Salty Merchants
Image features beach umbrella made locally in Coolangatta by The Salty Merchants
Tell us something exciting that you have planned for your label
Everything is exciting at this stage. We have gained some traction overseas and have distribution in Japan, EU and UK and have began setting up our own base in the US. All of it is daunting but exciting at the same time.
On the product side, there has been the most amazing response to the umbrellas part of the business this past year and we have began to expand the range including some very cool and very large out door cushions and deck chairs.
Image features beach umbrella made locally in Coolangatta by The Salty Merchants
Image features beach umbrella made locally in Coolangatta by The Salty Merchants
Name one resource that your label could not live without.
A beautiful environment is key. Specifically sunshine and waves haha. We notice a huge slump in sales when the weather goes bad or the ones goes flat so we are always praying for good weather.
Tell us about your favourite product from your collection.
My favourite product would have to be the Cashmere canvas umbrella from our latest range. The print crosses the surf side of the brand with the beach lifestyle side and the finish and look of it make me feel like going on a mystical and very salty adventure some place in the unknown.
Image features beach umbrella made locally in Coolangatta by The Salty Merchants
Image features beach umbrella made locally in Coolangatta by The Salty Merchants