Here to romance you

Many months ago, inspiration arrived to plan a shoot around an old grand piano. Inspired by muse Morgannah's history of having a period of studying classical piano, Sunshine Symbol's designer Melissa Mikletic embarked on the search for a space, feeling uninspired by more austere, formal spaces, seemingly reaching a standstill.

Over many years, Melissa has also made music alongside her label and had the thought to call Bakehouse studios, where she has often rehearsed and recorded.

Bakehouse is owned by Quincy McLean and Helen Marcou who fell in love with Melbourne's live music scene during our great city's punk explosion in the late 70's. They also celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary not long ago.

Quincy and Melissa chatted at length, swapping stories and it was revealed casually that Quincy had spent the lockdown period renovating a space he called 'The Belfry'- formerly filled with dust and storage, now housing an old wooden grand piano and overlooking the bell towers of the church opposite.

Melissa's heart skipped a beat.

Over the year, there have been many false bookings for this shoot as it was pushed time and time again through Melbourne's lockdown.

Serenade is a small capsule of limited run pieces, entirely made in Melbourne (as always) by small run machinists. It has been suggested that Melissa is a romantic, an identity she has now surrendered to.