If you’ve ever slipped on a Porter piece, you’ll know there’s a certain magic to it. A quiet confidence, timeless polish, and that feeling of this just works with everything. It’s a brand that somehow nails elevated essentials without ever trying too hard. So for our very first Behind the Brand feature, we sat down with the woman who built it all: founder and creative force, Shelley.

Where it all began.

What inspired you to start Porter?

Porter was born from a really simple idea - creating beautiful, considered jewellery that felt elevated but still accessible.

When I started the brand, I couldn’t find pieces that balanced quality, timelessness, and everyday wear in a way that aligned with my personal style. What began as a passion project quickly turned into something much bigger once I realised how many women were looking for the same thing.

A beautiful kind of chaos

How did the early days of building the brand look and feel?

Like every great brand story, Porter’s early days were messy, in the best possible way.

Chaotic, exciting, scrappy but full of purpose. I was doing absolutely everything myself, from design and QC, to packing orders on the floor of our Bondi store. It was intense, but it also taught me every inch of the business. Looking back, those early days shaped the DNA of Porter.

What achievement or milestone are you most proud of?

Ask Shelley what she’s most proud of and she doesn’t hesitate: evolution.

Honestly, it’s the evolution. Watching Porter grow into a brand that women genuinely love as well as our expansion into watches, belts, and now a more elevated rebrand. This has been the most rewarding part and watching the brand hold its own alongside some of Australia’s most respected retailers, always feels surreal.

And doing all of this with a tiny team of five incredible women is something I’m really proud of. It’s proof that a powerful brand doesn’t need hundreds of people, just the right ones.

Porter, distilled into three words

Timeless. Considered. Elevated.

So, what’s next!

2026 marks a new chapter.

Next year is all about refinement intention. We’re focusing on strengthening our core, expanding into new categories in a really meaningful way, and elevating every part of the Porter experience. We’re also putting a huge emphasis on our DTC channel and continuing to build a brand that feels considered, warm, and genuinely connected to our community. The next chapter feels incredibly exciting.

From where we sit, watching this evolution up close is nothing short of inspiring. Representing Porter at The Collective Showroom is a privilege; and witnessing Shelley’s clarity, discipline, and creative instinct translate into one of Australia’s most compelling brands is even more so. We’re proud to champion a label defined by integrity and timelessness, and we cannot wait to continue into the new year!

Thank you Shell for sitting down with us! x