September 09, 2014
DESIGNER SARAH FISHER
There’s an increasingly diverse range of homewares coming out of Byron Bay right now. One of the recent success stories has been from Sarah and Kane Fisher and their lighting brand Fromage La Rue. They design fonts and hand make lights taking inspiration from vintage marquee letter lights and symbols. The pair set up the business in 2009 after working in various areas of the design industry. Sarah headed up digital operations for an advertising agency while Kane has worked in architectural illustration, 3D design and animation. Sarah shares their story.
Which five words best describe you? Impulsive, driven, creative, communicator, thrill-seeker.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I got my first job in marketing as an account executive but the studio manager left suddenly and I was promoted within a week. Big scary shoes to fill and I had no idea what I was doing. I learned to think fast and kind of bluff my way.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Don't over-commit yourself - still learning this one. I tend to want to do all things immediately, especially if I think I have a great idea. I have learned the hard way that it's not the best way to approach something.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Creating Fromage la Rue with my husband. Second to that would be my final corporate role in digital before I went on maternity leave, as head of digital operations. I was really proud of that role because I had no formal training in that area, but I loved every second of it. I worked with a team of writers, developers and creatives and I was really in my element.
What’s been your best decision? To stop working in digital and focus on our own business.
Who inspires you? Other female entrepreneurs, especially small businesses going out on a limb. I would also have to say Steve Jobs, even though he wasn't known for his kind demeanor, he was such a visionary and I loved his passion for detail, usability and beauty in design.
What are you passionate about? My family, good design, good books, good wine!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would have loved to meet one of my favourite authors, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
What dream do you still want to fulfill? My husband and I want to visit the Vegas Boneyard, or Neon Museum as it is sometimes called, in Las Vegas. Short term I'd like to get the wholesale side of our business up and running, and not so short term, I want to spend three months in the Italy over summer in an old farmhouse before my last child starts school. Doing nothing but cooking, eating and swimming.
What are you reading? I'm just about to finish The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. Supposed to be Victorian literary realism but to me it was just a fantastic tale set in nineteenth century New Zealand - South Island - during the Gold Rush years.
images courtesy of fromage la rue; styling vanessa colyer tay