Meet Julia, an Aussie expat and the Founder/Designer behind Lassanai, a sustainable jewelry brand making waves in New York City. From the beaches of Sydney and Byron Bay to a formative stop in Sri Lanka and now the fast-paced energy of Manhattan, Julia’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Along the way, she’s collaborated with design agencies, startups, brands, and publishers, honing her skills in copy-writing and editing, while also channeling her passion into creating jewelry that pairs natural, ethically sourced gemstones with precious metals.
We caught up with her to chat about her favorite NYC hangouts, staying connected to her roots, and how she keeps homesickness at bay, while building her own brand in a foreign city she now calls home.
What are three words you would use to describe New York?
Spontaneous. Inspiring. Energetic.
Why did you move to NYC?
I’m originally from Sydney’s east, and also lived in the Byron/ Bangalow region during
my 20s. From there I went to Sri Lanka to manage an Australian-owned resort. It was a
magical time that led me to create my jewelry brand, Lassanai, and inspired a desire to
live an adventure… which ultimately led me to NYC. Sydney wasn’t cutting it after living
abroad, and an impossible-to-ignore inner voice had me plotting my way to NYC. It’s
now 12 or 13 years on, and I’m still here!
What do you do?
I’m a copywriter by trade, and the founder/ designer of sustainable jewelry brand,
Lassanai, which features natural, ethically unearthed gemstones with precious metals.
Meaning ‘beautiful’ in Sinhalese, Lassanai jewels are designed by me and handcrafted
by talented artisans in Sri Lanka (my former home). I sell online, through private events,
and have retailers in the Hamptons and Palm Beach. Australians love my pieces for
their organic beauty, so if any Aussie here loves anything, contact me directly as I
always look after my peeps!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about living/working in
NYC?
“Just wing it. If there’s anyone who can wing it in New York, it’s you.” So that’s
basically what I did.
What’s your hidden gem of the city?
Boom Boom Room at the top of The Standard. Not exactly a secret, but never fails to
impress.
Favorite NYC brunch spot
I’m more of a late lunch person, and only really do brunch when seriously hungover
(which is rare these days), but for that I hit French bistro, L’Express, on Park Ave South.
Their harissa lamb burger with goats cheese and an extra spicy Bloody Mary is the
ultimate cure.
Favorite NYC cocktail spot & cocktail of choice
Spicy mezcal margarita is my happy place, but lately on occasion I’ve been reverting to
a good old Cosmo, because they’re so darn refreshing! Oceans on Park Ave has
become my new happy hour go-to for the fabulous cocktails and lovely big, marble bar.
Where do you live? Why did you choose that area?
I live in Gramercy Park and have been in the same lovely pre-war apartment for 10
years. It’s stupidly expensive, but my place is so special it’s impossible to leave! It’s
beautifully sunlit, full of old world character, and feels rather Parisian. I chose Gramercy
after living in East Village for 2 years, and was keen to upgrade from “college kid
central” to adult and sophisticated. Literally everything is within stone’s throw, from
trains galore to farmer’s markets, all manner of restaurants, and there’s now even an
Aussie café, Hutch and Waldo, on my street!
What do you like about being part of AWNY?
Despite having lived here for 12 years, my Aussie network is tiny. It was so refreshing
joining an AWNY drinks recently and meeting wonderful, welcoming Australian women
who are really established here and doing so many fabulous things.
What things do you do to keep home sickness under control?
Eat spag bol and lamb roasts with my dearest Aussie mate, Matt.
What are your favorite ways to connect with Aussie culture in NYC?
As above. And I’m obsessed with watching koala joeys on Instagram. Those little guys
are so cute and calming in times of stress. I also spend a lot of time on the North Fork
which reminds me very much of the Northern Rivers region, so that nature access gives
me a little taste of home.
What do you like/dislike about living in NY?
Like: The worldliness. Spontaneity. Inclusive nature of New Yorkers. Willingness of
literally everyone to connect you and open doors – it’s a productive mindset that is so
uniquely special to this city. The support and encouragement from women here has been truly amazing. I moved here alone, as have many other New Yorkers, so friends
become family for each other, which is really amazing. Dislike: Bottle collection at night sends me bonkers!!!
Any advice for people moving to NY?
Say “yes” to everything. Always be kind – what goes around comes around, even in a
big city like NYC. Bring you’re A-game, and always act quickly. It’s a fast city, so if you
dawdle, you’ll miss out! Also, know what you want – it’s amazing what this city can
deliver if you can articulate exactly what you need.
Any advice for other Professionals working in NYC?
Remember to smell the roses, and on occasion take a step back to admire how far
you’ve come in the world’s best city. I always forget to do that… until people I know
remind me of what I’ve achieved!
What’s your favorite New York spot?
Sitting on the deck of my vintage boat out on the North Fork. It’s my little floating home/
escape on the water that makes me feel like the luckiest person on earth. It comes with
stunning daily sunsets, lots of baked clams, and a fab little marina community. I can be
at vineyards within 5 mins… and in Southampton/ Westhampton within 30 mins, which
offers handy access to my retailers in summer. All up, it’s a magical escape from the city
bustle which maintains my sanity. In fact, the coastal-meets-rural vibe really reminds me
of Australia’s Northern Rivers region so I guess it feels like a little piece of home!
Anything you miss about Australia?
Of course! Many things… our amazing nature, diving into the surf, that super direct and dry Aussie sense of humor… A consistently amazing morning cappuccino, the sounds of nature -especially those monsoonal-like downpours on the roof. Although, these days, I do get to
hear the rain when staying on my boat which is pretty wonderful.
What are your top 3 tips for friends visiting NYC?
- Get the tourist stuff out of the way, so you can discover the real NYC.
- Be spontaneous; venture down random streets and discover gems of boutiques
and bars that you never knew existed. - Don’t stay anywhere near Times Square!!!
You can follow Julia and her jewelry brand Lassanai on Instagram.
Do you know of any wonderful Aussie women we should profile as part of our Faces of AWNY Series? Email us at awny@aaanyc.org.
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 