Occasionally with, Saasha Burns
My first Occasionally guest is creative consultant Saasha Burns. Discover how she preps for big moments and special occasions, and everything from what she's wearing to how she's hosting.
Saasha is a Paris-based Australian creative consultant, writer of lifestyle Substack Holiday, and mother of three (Atlas (four), Ocean (two) and Velvet (3 months). Saasha and I first met on a plane to Cambodia for work and instantly bonded over being expats in France. Her style is built on foundations of subtle elegance yet she really knows how to pull out a bold look when the moment is right. Read on to discover some of her favourite evening wear brands, skincare prep and more.
Take us back to one of your favourite Occasions. Why is it a favourite and what were you wearing?
Oh, there are so many wonderful occasions that I have the best memories of! Our wedding at Casa Angelina in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast, Italy will forever be one of the best weeks of our life. It was a small intimate black tie wedding with 38 of our closest family and friends, with the reception on the same rooftop that Sammy proposed two years earlier. I custom made the dress with an Australian bridal designer, who hand drew the pattern and hundreds of tiny beads were sewn on the dress. It was very sheer, and caught the light beautifully at golden hour.
Another very special occasion would be the Venice Film Festival with Moët & Chandon in 2019. I was 15 weeks pregnant with our first baby, Atlas, at the time and we hadn’t told anyone yet. I wore a floor length Alex Perry gown, classic Bottega Veneta Knot clutch and Tiffany jewellery. I was on cloud nine the whole day with my husband (even running around Venice as soon as the stores opened trying to find him a white shirt for his tuxedo, as he had accidentally left his in Australia). It was the last occasion where we both got very dressed up before becoming parents, Covid hit and we couldn’t travel again for a few years.
What was your most recent occasion and what did you wear?
My husband and I recently went to Champagne for one night for a little baby moon. It was just ahead of Paris Fashion Week and such a busy month with work; we were also getting ready to travel to Australia for a few months for Velvet’s birth. We found one night that we could get away, and drove across France to the beautiful Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa. It was harvest time in the Champagne region which was very special to see. Being the start of Fall and drizzling with rain, I wore a Khaite trench coat with Almada cashmere cardigan, my favourite Illouity black maternity leggings over my bump, black croc embossed over the knee Studio Amelia boots, Louis Abel silver earrings and my Saint Laurent black sunglasses. I loved getting dressed up when pregnant — I only had the energy to do this a handful of times throughout my pregnancy, but it was always special to look back on the occasions that I did.
What’s one occasion you wish you could go back and re-do, and would you dress differently?
Next year is our ten year wedding anniversary and I’m very much looking forward to celebrating with our two beautiful boys and baby girl by our side. We are still unsure if we want to host an intimate gathering again, possibly back in Italy, the south of France or Mallorca —or if we should just have a quiet special day, just us as our little family of five. My dream is to wear a cream Saint Laurent suit for this day, but I equally would love the opportunity to wear a beautiful gown again, possibly vintage if I could source something incredible in Paris. After three children, I would wear something with a little more structure and drama than my original wedding dress, but still a timeless and classic silhouette. We were married early September, so there are endless possibilities for a beautiful warm summer evening.
What would you wear for:-
Your own birthday event
On my actual birthday, I always love keeping it super casual. Ideally, I would head out to breakfast as a family or get a takeaway coffee and all go to the park together. If I could be in denim jeans I would be happy! My birthday is mid-May, so maybe with fine knitwear and blazer. I have my eye on this off-white wool-cashmere polo from Róhe and I would layer with a white t-shirt underneath.
A best friends birthday party
I have a good friends 40th birthday coming up by the beach in Byron Bay, Australia. The theme is Byron/Texas, and I am thinking of wearing this resort style silk zebra slip dress from Paris Georgia with a Lack of Color black cowboy hat.
A dinner with friends
Bouguessa pieces are always my go to for effortless style. I love their two-tone grey and light blue blazer and matching pants.
A date night
My favourite date nights are when we walk home from a restaurant, so being comfortable would be best. I love this leather collarless blazer from House of Dagmar. I would wear with a pair of tailored pants or denim jeans, and kitten boots or heels.
A summer wedding
I do love a good suit — the fit of The Andamane hourglass blazer is perfect, I have it in two colours and wear them endlessly. This champagne colour of this satin suit is perfect.
A winter wedding
I love this Stella McCartney draped open back satin gown in dark cherry. I would pair with a black clutch such as the 8.30PM from The Attico or Alaïa Teckel clutch bag and statement earrings.
A black tie event
How beautiful is this monochrome white look from The New Arrivals Ilkyaz Ozel styled with silver statement jewellery. So elegant.
A summer garden party
I love this matching wool twill set from Anna Quan in chocolate. I’d pair with the Alaïa Le Teckel in ivory and kitten heels. I might actually steal this look for Atlas’ 5th birthday party...
In general, what are some of your favourite brand(s) for occasion wear?
I love wearing The New Arrivals Ilkyaz Ozel, Nué Studio, Rowen Rose and Zimmermann. I also love the way Stella McCartney pieces make me feel, the tailoring is always perfect. I wore some great Christopher Esber fitted dresses for occasions whilst pregnant. Magda Butrym always have the most stunning pieces. Fine jewellery and bags from Bulgari. René Caovilla heels for some sparkle.
Favourite dresses or other pieces that you own?
My vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust circa 1983 that Sammy bought me in Paris in 2018 to mark our ten years together. I still remember when he walked into our apartment in Le Marais holding the dark green leather box. It feels so surreal to now call Paris home, it has always been our favourite city.
I also have a vintage small Chanel black double flap bag that I bought at 3am one morning when Ocean was about four or five weeks old. I had been searching for the perfect one in a great condition, and was so excited when it became available on Vestiaire. It will always remind me of those sleepy newborn days and I wear it so much in Paris. Vintage finds are always the most treasured.
And what’s your most cherished piece of clothing or accessory?
My Ceylon sapphire and diamond engagement ring (and wedding band) that Sammy designed. It’s so unique, and I still absolutely love the design, over a decade after he proposed. I also recently had a beautiful necklace made by one of my favourite Australian fine jewellery brands, SARAH & SEBASTIAN. It’s a 18k solid fine gold necklace with two diamonds between the letters A, O and V for my children. It’s a forever piece and very sentimental.
Let’s get into accessories. What are your favourite pieces and which brands do you go to for jewellery, bags or shoes when you have an event or occasion coming up?
I always love a statement earring, especially clip on ones. Sammy surprised me with some beautiful Saint Laurent earrings for my birthday last year. He bought them in store with Atlas which is extra cute. I also wear a lot of jewellery from Paola Sighinolfi, Louis Abel and Julietta. For bags, I love BOYY, Elleme, Yuzefi and DeMellier. Saint Laurent sunglasses and belts are timeless and will elevate any outfit. For shoes, I love Australian brands Studio Amelia, Nelson Made, and A.Emery (their black leather Kinto slides are my favourite). Paris Texas heels and boots are always incredible. I also have a few pairs of boots from Anine Bing that I wear endlessly.
On your Wishlist?
The Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas single spiral watch in stainless steel with silver opaline dial.
What special occasions do you have coming up, and what looks are you planning?
It’s my son’s fifth birthday next month, he’s a Valentine’s Day bébé. We are currently on the Gold Coast in Australia and it’s very humid. He would love a safari themed birthday party, outside in our backyard. I am thinking of wearing a Rowen Rose leopard print midi dress that I have with me or the Anna Quan set I mentioned earlier for a more relaxed feel.
What’s your ultimate confidence-boost kind of outfit?
A good pair of denim jeans, a slightly oversized black or white tee, a blazer (Bouguessa do my favourite ones), a good belt, boots or kitten heels and my favourite jewellery.
Which outfit or items always attract the most compliments?
I wore the black Matteau shirred bodice dress endlessly whilst pregnant over summer with my Carolina Santo Domingo black woven bag and Nelson Made sandals. I would be constantly complimented on my outfit, especially on my bag. It was a look that I would put on without thinking, but I always felt put together, even running around with the boys and wearing no makeup.
What’s your favourite era for occasion wear? Do you have a most iconic fashion moment / style icon / red carpet look that inspires your formal wardrobe?
90s forever. Power dressing, strong shoulders, cinched-in waist. Hair with lots of volume. Brown- nude shades of lipstick. Pretty Women is one of my all time favourite movies and style references. Princess Diana will always be my style icon. Elsa Hosk also has the most incredible style, both day-to-day as a mother and for events, and I feel she sets the tone for what girls want to wear that season. I love what she has created and built with Helsa.
Let’s move into beauty and, more specifically, make up, for special occasions. Do you have any favourite products or a go-to look you love to create for evening occasions, and how does it differ from your everyday make up?
Day to day I don’t wear any makeup at all — I really want to try and change this, and get into a routine of just a couple of products to make me feel fresh each day such as a light base, bronzer, cream blush and brows. My makeup is never really complete without lipliner and lipstick. My all time favourite lipstick shade is Dior Rouge Dior 100 Nude Look with the Charlotte Tilbury lip liner in Iconic Nude. For occasion makeup, I love a liquid winged eyeliner using Tarte Double Take. I love the ‘full makeup, no mascara’ trend that is appearing as I often wear this look, especially if I know I will just be wearing sunglasses. It feels very fresh and definitely saves time as a mama!
And how do you prep before a big occasion?
Lots of coffee! I love putting on a playlist on Spotify (Sammy curates them, find the most recent one Velvet here) to slowly do my hair and makeup. If I have time, I will put on fake tan the night before. I always try and make sure my nails are done, and I will get my hair freshly cut and coloured. The Susanne Kauffman Glow Mask is always my go-to to hydrate and brighten my skin. I also love LED treatments, and try and get regular facials when I can at Cible Skin in Paris.
You're hosting at home - how would you dress, what would you serve, what’s on your playlist and who would you invite?
I would wear this zebra print skirt from The New Arrivals Ilkyaz Ozel and my favourite Wolford black bodysuit — we always leave our shoes at the door, especially living in Paris. We would have new and old friends, anyone who is in town, hopefully with some of our favourite Aussies! Sammy and I are really enjoying not drinking at the moment, so I would have some great non-alcoholic drinks, as well as natural wine. We would buy produce and flowers from our local market on Saturday morning, and I would put together a large grazing board that everyone can help themselves to throughout the night. Fresh baguette of course! Cherries if they are in season! I also love cooking fish and making salads, tossing together seasonal produce. To end, we would have our favourite tarte aux framboises from La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac.
Quick Fire:
Staying in or going out?
Mostly I love staying in, unless I am going out for a special date night with Sammy.
Heels or flats?
Mama life is always flats! But, I do love wearing heels for special occasions.
Out late or home early?
Home early and awake very early.
Colour, print, black or white?
I’ve been drawn to wearing black recently, but I’m looking forward to wearing lighter shades again for spring, such as pale pink and beautiful florals. I think because now I’m a girl mama, I feel like dressing a little softer and matching with Velvet. I do always love animal print too.
Silk or embellished?
Can I say leather?
A little early or a little late?
I try my best to be on time, but I’m always late. Often very late. I always think I can get a million and one things done before I need to be somewhere. Also getting out of the house with three little ones is near impossible...
Planning ahead or dressing last minute?
Oh I would say I get dressed two minutes before I have to leave! Denim jeans or leather pants, and a t-shirt, cardigan, and blazer or coat and I’m out the door. At the moment, I am wearing lots of SESSEI shirts, they help me feel put together with a newborn and I can still easily breastfeed. These cardigans from Sézane are my absolute favourite, and I have them in multiple colours. I usually wear with the buttons at the back and tuck them in to pants. For occasions, I will always plan ahead and love the process of pulling a look together, deepening on my mood at that time, the location and season.
Vintage or new?
Both, styled effortlessly together.
Bold statement or understated elegance?
I love a bold statement moment for the right occasion.
True elegance is always understated — it’s a feeling; when you dress for yourself and no one else. You can be elegant is pyjamas, with messy hair, just making coffee. Elegance is treating others with kindness and respect.
Comfort first or style first?
Wear what you feel most comfortable in for that occasion. My style is constantly evolving, especially moving from the small coastal town of Byron Bay to Paris, and after each baby. I love being able to reinvent myself time and time again. Some years I love wearing bright colours, and others I’m drawn to a predominantly black wardrobe. There are no rules — invest in pieces you love and suit you, and wear what makes you feel most confident at the time. Great style, like art, is always subjective.
Statement jewellery or subtle jewellery?
Either, depending on the occasion and how to best finish a look. I love wearing fine jewellery day- to-day and statement pieces for events.
Fun and creative or classic and timeless?
It really depends on my mood, the season, and the location. I will usually be inspired by a particular colour and print at the time, or even fabric, and go from there.
And finally; what's always your finishing touch before leaving the house? And what's one thing you never leave home without for special events?
I will always add my jewellery last, I feel it always completes a look and creates a sense of balance for my outfit. I always try and carry a hairbrush with me if I am wearing my hair out, I love the small Le Bonne Brosse one. I will also have lipstick, lip liner and powder with a little mirror with me. If there is room in my bag or Sammy’s pockets, we will always take our film camera too.
Some of Saasha’s Favourites:
1. Black cowboy hat 2. Black sunglasses 3. Brown vest 4. Brown trousers 5. Nude Lipstick 6. Zebra dress 7. White bag 8. Hairbrush 9. Silver watch 10. Glow Mask 11. Woven bag 12. Black dress 13. Silver earrings 14. Cream blazer 15. Black clutch 16. Black sandals