At Sontse, we believe that beauty, fashion, and self-expression should be effortless, meaningful, and sustainable—values that resonate deeply with our latest Golden Hour Chats guest, Lorna Murray.
A true creative force, Lorna has built a globally recognised brand that fuses artisan craftsmanship, sustainability, sun-consciousness and timeless elegance. Her designs aren’t just fashion—they’re artful, considered pieces that reflect a lifestyle of thoughtful luxury.
Join us as we step into Lorna’s world—where creativity meets sustainability and where fashion is more than just a trend but a statement of purpose.
Q. Lorna, it's Thursday, and here at Sontse, it's our weekly evening of self-care and our self-tan ritual is high on the agenda. We understand self-care is quite personal what does this look like for you?
Personal nourishment tends to be an ever-evolving and changing practice dependent upon the season, whether travel is involved and what the schedule looks like for the week ahead. For me, it tends to embrace simple luxuries, enjoying the sunlight, whether it’s early morning light or golden hour, savouring a quiet moment with a mug of hot water and ginger, or feeling the coolness of linen on my skin in summer or the warmth of woven textures during the cooler months.
I enjoy pilates, serums for the face and décolleté, warm salt baths in winter and lots of water throughout the workday. It’s in the little things that nourish both body and spirit that I most cherish.
Q. What do you look for in your beauty products?
I gravitate towards natural, nourishing elements that align with a sustainable ethos. Lightweight packaging for ease of travel is also important as I am regularly interstate and overseas. Texture and lots of hydration are something I’m mindful of, and I’m always looking for products with minimal to no perfumes, which is why I fell in love with Sontse as my go-to sunless tanning routine.
Q. Did you always know you wanted to be an artist/designer?
Creativity has always been a part of me; it’s how I see and engage with the world. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through design, texture, and form.
Q: Your gorgeous brand has been in the market for over 10 years now. Congratulations! This is such an incredible milestone! We also saw you have been making art and designing for close to 20 years. Can you take us through how the brand came to life? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Thank you so much! It’s been a very fulfilling journey so far, and reaching this milestone is both humbling and rewarding. My love for art and design has always been at the heart of everything I do, and Lorna Murray was born from a desire to blend craftsmanship, natural materials, sustainability, sun protection and timeless style.
Q: You have had phenomenal collaborations, from Kelly Rutherford, Apolina, Misha & Puff to your most recent – The Dress Circle – with Kathy Hilton, a truly spectacular experience. Can you share how such a wonderful collaboration takes place with someone as iconic as Kathy Hilton?
Collaborations are such a special part of the creative journey, and each one brings a unique synergy. Our collaboration with Kathy came about organically; her love for timeless chic elegance and effortless luxury aligned perfectly with Lorna Murray’s design philosophy.
She embodies a true sense of grace and style, and together, we created a collection that feels both classic and contemporary, capturing the essence of sophisticated summer living. At the heart of every collaboration is a shared vision and a mutual appreciation for craftsmanship. Bringing ideas to life is always a joy, and seeing the way people embrace these pieces makes it all the more rewarding! You can view the collections here.
Q: Can you take us through your creative process and how long a collection takes to come to life?
My creative process is an evolving journey that starts with inspiration, whether it’s a particular place, a moment, or even a feeling. I tend to draw from nature, art, and the textures I encounter in my travels, allowing these elements to guide the direction of a new collection. From there, I begin sketching and experimenting with materials, to bring ideas to life visually. I focus on every detail, from fabric selection to colour palettes, to ensure the story of the collection unfolds seamlessly.
Typically, a collection takes 12-18 months to come to life—from the initial concept to the final designs. There’s a lot of back-and-forth between sketching, dying, weaving, sourcing materials, and perfecting the samples. I work closely with our artisans to ensure the quality, fit and craftsmanship align with my vision, which adds another layer of depth to the process. The journey is long but incredibly rewarding, especially when the final pieces are ready to be shared with the world.
Q: Business journeys and success are often so unique for everyone. What leads one founder and brand to success looks different to another. Was there a pivotal moment for you that you feel led to your success?
I believe that the initial success of the Lorna Murray brand came about after a long period of combining creative thinking, consistent effort, a vision, curiosity and passion for what I do. A pivotal moment came when I started to focus on crafting pieces that were not only beautiful but also functional. This shift in focus was a defining moment for the brand’s growth. Success has never been a single moment but a series of decisions that have built upon each other, all grounded in staying true to good design, workmanship, and my vision and values.
Q. On that note, what does success mean to you?
To me, success is about staying true to my vision while continually evolving. It’s not just about achieving goals but about creating something meaningful that resonates with others.
Q. In beauty and fashion, we see SO many moving trends. What is a beauty/ fashion trend you'll be happy to kiss good-bye forever?
I’m personally ready to kiss fast fashion ‘disposable’ trends goodbye. Fashion and beauty is more special when there are elements of timelessness, craftsmanship, quality, and sustainability. Pieces that bring longer-term joy rather than fleeting fads that fade quickly.
Q. Can you share any hints of what is on the horizon for Lorna Murray in 2025?
We’re thrilled to be working on new collections and special projects that I can’t wait to share with you all. The horizon looks full of possibility, and I’m excited to take our journey to new heights while staying true to our core values of craftsmanship and thoughtful design.
Q. Lastly, a piece of business/life advice and mantra that you live by?
I prefer not to give advice as each of our journeys are unique to ourselves and our experiences. I do believe in trusting your intuition and staying grounded in your values. Our personal and career journeys are not always linear, but staying true to who you are and what you believe in will guide you through the ups and downs.
As for a mantra, I guess I have many, but one I have always lived by is to pursue life with curiosity, heart and soul. Almost every important decision I make is rooted in these principles, both in business and in life. It’s about being intentional, embracing the process, and finding joy in the journey.
Our sunlit reflections?
As our Golden Hour Chat with Lorna comes to a close, we're left inspired by the parallels between her approach to design and our philosophy at Sontse. Just as Lorna creates pieces that protect from the sun while celebrating individual style, we've crafted sunless tanning solutions that honour your skin's health while enhancing its natural beauty.
There's something profoundly meaningful about choosing how you glow—whether it's through the protection of a beautifully crafted hat or the warm radiance of a sunless tan. Both represent a conscious choice to care for your skin while expressing your unique style.
We're grateful to Lorna for sharing her Golden Hour with us, illuminating the importance of intentional choices that honour both our bodies and our planet. In a world of fleeting trends, there's timeless wisdom in choosing quality over quantity, sustainability over disposability, and protection over damage.
As you settle into your own self-care routine tonight, perhaps applying your Sontse sunless tan as part of your weekly ritual, we hope you'll remember Lorna's words about finding joy in the little things that nourish both body and spirit. After all, how you choose to glow speaks volumes about the future you're creating—for yourself and for generations to come.
Looking for more inspiration?
Read our past Golden Hour Chats with Rebecca Burrow, Lili Aghaei, and Chris Dylan. Each story is a testament to authenticity, artistry, and innovation in beauty and fashion.
Written By Liana Pantalone – Beauty & Skincare Copywriter at Climbing Vine Co.
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