Drawing from the concept of wabi-sabi, a world view rooted in the acceptance of transience and imperfection, Aje celebrates the launch of its Spring 20 collection, ‘Impermanence’, in a year that has felt more transient than ever.

In an intimate photographic series, photographer and friend Hannah Scott-Stevenson captures a celebrated group of some of Aje’s closest collaborators, mentors and inspirational muses. Each captured with a treasured object relating back to this idea of impermanence, charitable donations were made in lieu of talent fees.

Drawing from the concept of wabi-sabi, a world view rooted in the acceptance of transience and imperfection, Aje celebrates the launch of its Spring 20 collection, ‘Impermanence’, in a year that has felt more transient than ever.

In an intimate photographic series, photographer and friend Hannah Scott-Stevenson captures a celebrated group of Aje’s closest collaborators, mentors and inspirational muses. Each captured with a treasured object relating back to this idea of impermanence, charitable donations were made in lieu of talent fees.

We were asked to bring a personal memento that held value or improves with age, I brought along a book - Windradyne – A Wiradjuri Koorie by Mary Coe & Illustrated by Isabell Coe, written and with artwork from my two Aunties, both sisters, both passed. In that book I have those two Aunties as well as my Grand aunt that all three wrote me messages, their signatures, their messages not only improved with time but will stay with me for the rest of the time I will stay on this earth. The reflections of the past and the moving forward walking with the wonderful people at Aje will can only improve with time because what we have in the present is already pretty special.

I made this ceramic sculpture on my first trip to Italy when I was 18. My best friend & I were travelling through the Amalfi coast and came across this little town called Salerno which is famous for having the ceramic museum. Being exposed to a new place and a new culture for the first time is magic. Every time I look at it, it takes me back to that blissful time and place.

The framed photo of my mother and I (pictured), I’ve had ever since I left home at sixteen to pursue a career in music. Fourteen years on it sits in perfect view, it’s the first thing I see as I open the front door to my house and never fails to remind me of change, my growth and to see the perfect in the imperfect.

My treasured object was given to me by my best friend Matt Blade in 2005. I had just moved into my first apartment. Two years later it shattered all over the floor, so my partner put it together again, piece by piece – with so much love. For a moment it wasn’t a permanent object in my life as it was shattered. Reminds you of how transient things can be and how you can always heal.

My piece is a diamond ring, gifted to me by my sister. I miss her terribly when we are apart, it reminds me that she’s only a long-haul away.  

The Magnolia is my absolute muse. Their beauty will never cease to amaze me, and they were the impetus to start my business, Grandiflora. Magnolia, like all flowers are impermanent. They are a great teacher of the transience of life and all its joys.

My object is my traditional necklace in South Sudan, and was made out of ostrich eggshell. I've had it for so long, and wear it especially when there’s a traditional dance taking place.

My treasured piece is a 1950’s Patek Phillipe gold snake bracelet watch. A mark of a very poignant time in my life - signalling both an ending and a beautiful new beginning. Every morning I have to wind it. It reminds me to take the time to be still, for in stillness, we become connected to the moment and time is no longer relevant.

My treasured piece is a black oversized sheepskin lined leather coat found at Les Puces in Paris - a place defined by the transient nature of things. In an ever changing world, it keeps me cocooned and hopeful.

My Murano vase is a new but also old treasured piece. It is a vintage vase, recently given to me by some close friends. It is imperfect in its shape but that is what makes the piece interesting and beautiful. The design of the vase will stand the test of time, and will only wear better with age. It stands on its own as a piece, but also is refreshed with flowers.

This necklace holds great sentimental value to me as it was passed on from a highly respected family-friend elder, Boio Mellor. Whenever I get a chance to bring it out, I wear it with much pride and confidence, and I think of her and the unconditional love I receive from her family.

This necklace has been woven by Elder women who collect the bark, stripping, soaking and prepare the fibre to be woven. Weaving is a long but rewarding process of women’s business where we get to spend time with our elders who share knowledge and empower us to assume our role in the kinship system. Our traditions are passed on orally so weaving creates the perfect space for this exchange of information to happen.

My treasured item is a bracelet I came across on a trip to Morocco last year. It was hand crafted by a Berber woman, and made me realise how big and amazing our world is and how we take travel and other cultures for granted.

I chose a selection of my personal jewels to wear in this portrait. These reflect the idea of impermanence to me as they have been with me on most days and many beautiful transient life experiences.

For my vessel, I actually wanted to bring a young sapling of a scribbly gum or a spotted gum - both of which we are planting at the moment. A tree is the most magnificent vessel of life, creator of the gift of oxygen on which we depend. As a tree matures, it also absorbs and sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, and helps to heal our planet. It most certainly is something that gets better with age!

I brought along my Blundstone Boots that I wear when painting all of our store floors - I love the way that every time I paint a floor another layer of paint and memories gets applied. I have become a little superstitious that I need to personally apply the paint in all of our stores for good luck!

The treasured objects I chose are my two delicate chains and hoops. They were my first gold purchases and a gift from someone, something that would last “forever” to me. Gold doesn’t fade or tarnish and holds its value over time but impermanence spreads throughout all aspects of life, even inanimate objects.

This necklace is made up of the echidna quills that my mum had since she was pregnant with me. She made me a necklace out of them when I was a little girl then when I outgrew it, I used the quills to teach myself how to paint. They are now on the necklace made with the same beads and quills for my four year old daughter.

My treasured item is actually my longstanding friendship with Adrian and Edi. We really have grown together over the years, as is our ever evolving relationship, from employer to employee to friends, to ultimately family. I am eager to see where the journey takes us in the coming years. So much to look forward to, and so much to look back on.

We have a few treasured objects between us, I’m wearing my late grandmother’s jewellery, particularly her wedding ring, bangles and necklace, and Alec has his vintage staples, and of course, Aje’s scarf with Brett Whiteley’s Starry Night artwork, a favourite of his!

Alec and I are surrounded by the idea of impermanence working at the Brett Whiteley Studio. Just like our treasured objects, enduring the journey of constant transit possession, the Studio, too, was created at a specific time but lives on, evolving and maintaining relevance.

My treasured item are these earrings that used to belong to my mother. She handed them down to me when I moved out of home at fifteen.

I bought this brush on my first trip to Paris, which was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had, working alongside such inspiring and talented people. It will always remind me of them.

I decided to bring along a camera lens made in the 1970’s. Back then, technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today. So as time passed, the protective coating that shielded the lens deteriorated. Photos shot with it are no longer pristine and perfect. They are soft, and have a slight warm glow to them. Yet, that’s what makes it quite a delight to use. It has its own personality that develops as it ages gracefully.

Self captured, Hannah is pictured with her treasured item, a vintage Leica camera.

Captured remotely in Byron Bay by Jess Ruby James.

My friend Suvira McDonald created this ceramic. I keep little things I’ve collected inside it. Naturally the moon reminds me of impermanence, the cyclical feminine nature, ever waxing and waning. I’m drawn to the sober, modest, heartfelt intelligence that is infused in the art of pottery. There is such poetry in massaging earth into beautiful unpretentious forms that warm us from the inside.

Self captured remotely in Byron Bay.

Self captured remotely in Melbourne, wearing her treasured item, a diamond shield ring from her great grandmother.