Billabong is proud to announce their first official collaboration with renowned lifestyle influencer, Halley Elefante, or as she is best known, The Salty Blonde. We first met Halley in Hawaii, a place she called home and an island close to Billabong’s heart. Not only did her sense of style feel so at home for us, but her ‘don’t-take- yourself-so-seriously’ angle on life and social media was beyond refreshing…and a voice we are happy to celebrate!
We’re not sure if it’s her New Yorker roots or her days spent soaking up sunshine on the North Shore of Oahu that truly made her salty…but whatever it is, we dig it, and apparently so do her 576K Instagram followers! Salty is one of the original beach lifestyle influencers, and one that continues to stand out from the crowd with her quirky commentary and relatable personality. With tousled hair, a welcoming grin, (and maybe a slice of pizza in hand), Salty always reminds us of the importance of having fun.
In this partnership, Billabong and Elefante came together to create a collection that combines Salty’s signature wit with her elegant-meets-tomboy style, through a lively assortment of eco- friendly pieces that feel like the breath of fresh air that we—and the earth—could use.
What resulted was a candid and real visual campaign that showcases the Salty Blonde’s personality while inviting our audience to join in on the fun. Taking a page from Salty’s book and embracing the art of taking ourselves a little less seriously, the campaign delivers a clever story told through original memes, welcoming Salty’s fans to interact and share. Shot on film in Hawaii by celebrated street photographer Ben Pier, the campaign channels the happy nostalgia and sun-soaked hues of a vintage photo album.
Billabong is also proud to share that the collection is composed nearly entirely of eco- conscious pieces, as the brand continues to make forward progress towards more sustainable options. All wovens and denim pieces in the collection are made from either FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified rayon or consciously-grown cotton, free from pesticides and sourced from farmers who are practicing more environmentally and socially sustainable agriculture. The tees and fleece feature a blend of recycled cotton yarns that are gathered from the factory floor, and would otherwise end up discarded in landfills. Canvas accessories are crafted from organic cotton (certified organic from mill to factory level), and all swim is made from recycled knits. Down to the hang tags and poly bags, (which are 100% recycled and recyclable), Billabong is embracing positive shifts at every level.
Humor, easily-achieved style, a dreamy destination—a few things we’d all gladly take right about now. This campaign delivers all three in a way that embraces Salty’s upbeat attitude while also celebrating that levity itself can send a meaningful message.
ABOUT THE SALTY BLONDE:
Halley Elefante, the creator behind The Salty Blonde, was born and raised in upstate New York, but has always been on the hunt for sun and sand. Halley moved from the island of Manhattan to the island of Oahu seven years ago and that’s where The SaltyBlonde was born. She currently bounces between her home in Orange County as well as Hawaii. Halley’s down to earth attitude emanates from her photographs, each a mix of luxe fashion, beautiful travel designations and down to earth, stripped down, effortless, beauty inspiration.
ABOUT BILLABONG:
Billabong began its long, amazing ride in 1973 on the Gold Coast of Australia. It all started with a single, humble pair of boardshorts and a crocheted bikini crafted on Gordon Merchant’s kitchen table. Today, Billabong is the leader in surf-inspired apparel and accessories for men and women with a simple mission: to inspire youth through progressive surf culture. Billabong’s authenticity and brand integrity is woven into everything they create. Billabong women’s apparel and swimwear are beach loving, spirited, effortless, lived in and playful, and inspire women everywhere who share the deep connection with the ocean and beach lifestyle.
