Travel Tips & Wanderlust with Lorna Murray

Lorna Murray’s namesake label creates the perfect travel hat; not only are they beautiful, handcrafted and provide full protection for the sun – they also fold up into a compact bundle that you can pop into your bag. I don’t know about you, but I am forever leaving my hat in the overhead compartment on planes - but not any more with my treasured Capri hat!

With an office in Sydney and studio in Indonesia, Lorna travels often. A self-professed “global bowerbird” we chat about her most treasured overseas finds and her tips for the perfect travel wardrobe and a stress-free flight experience.

Like me, you’re a “global forager”, so I can only imagine what amazing pieces you’ve collected during your travels. Can you talk us through some of your favourite pieces and the stories behind them?

I am certainly a global forager! My favourite pieces to forage for are textiles – I am seduced by the colours, textures, patterns and the stories they tell. In India, I love the market places in the North for vintage and antique textiles pieces, specifically textile panels. Usually, these textile panels have been removed from garments and sold as individual pieces. What might have been worn on a woman’s skirt is transferred onto a child’s jacket. As they are handmade they are of such high quality, allowing them to live on in other ways with other people. I love the frayed edges and I often find the back view of panels is just as interesting as the front as they carry the signature of the maker. I find the tactility of hand-dyed, embroidered and handwoven textiles very seductive. Each region often has its own symbols and motifs which communicate their own unique stories.

Your love of textiles has taken you all over the globe from the South Pacific Islands to India, Malta and the Northern Territory, what are some of your favourite techniques from around the globe?

One of my favourite techniques from around the globe is the bobbin lace making in Malta. I adore the intricate, delicate work and the way in which visual stories are created in the lace. I have been lucky enough to go on amazing trips in the Northern Territory where we could work with Indigenous women to create natural dyes for grass fibres that would be turned into dilly bags.

As a seasoned traveller you appreciate the value of going with the flow – can you tell us about a time when something didn’t go to plan, but the outcome was even better than you imagined.

I don’t make plans so I wouldn’t know! I love spontaneity so even when on the day I  have a loose plan, if and when things change I don’t tend to view it as something not going to plan because there was never a plan in the first place! One example I can give though is when I ended up travelling to India in the Winter season, not Summer. The outcome ended up better than expected as I got to see all of the different traditional winter fashions and I was able to visit Haridwar, at the top of the Ganges.

You have a head office here in Sydney and a studio in Indonesia so you’re obviously travelling between the two quite often. What are your tips for having a great inflight experience?

Taking a pashmina on the plane is my biggest tip for a great inflight experience – it keeps you warm, doubling as a blanket and can give you privacy. I also order the vegetarian option as that gets served first and I am often hungry when I hop on the plane!  That being said, I always take extra snacks and buy a bottle of water at the airport.

What 3-5 items do you always travel with?

Apart from a few Capri hats from my collection, I always travel with a pashmina (as mentioned above!), a bikini, thongs, sketchbook and a good quality DSLR camera. A small wheelie bag is key to take with you in a suitcase for any impromptu small getaways from your main destination!

Why do you think travel is important?

I believe in travel as it offers fresh perspectives, new experiences, changes of scenery and opportunities to build upon one's own understanding of other cultures and religious beliefs. 

When travelling to a new destination, how do you research and plan your trip? Are they any resources that you can share with us?

I prefer not to plan my travel!  I would rather arrive at a destination and scout things out on my own. I like to make up my own opinion and discover what’s around the next corner as it comes. 

What’s your formula for the perfect travel wardrobe? 

Any clothing that can be rolled up and is crease-proof. Also, clothing that can be easily dressed up or down, such as a sundress with sandals during the day and jewellery and wedges at night! 

What are your top 5 travel tips?

My top five travel tips are:

1. Don’t plan – perhaps controversial but I believe it ruins the fun!

2. In saying this, book the first night’s accommodation at least.

3. Always wear sunscreen every day

4. Book travel insurance

5. Ensure you have secure access to your funds from more than one channel

To shop Lorna Murray’s collection of ladies and children’s hats click here

And to follow along on her journey and ohh-and-ahh over the beautiful imagery on Instagram click here