Home for the Summer: Meet Stylist Jesse Arifien's Family of Four

After four years working abroad, stylist Jesse Arifien and photographer Trevor King have made a move back home to Byron Bay.

Here, we gain a glimpse into the lives of the creative duo alongside their two young children, Leo and Freja, and speak to Jesse about what she’s looking forward to for the summer ahead.

You recently settled back in Byron Bay after four years living in Los Angeles. What has that transition been like for you and your family?

It was actually quite seamless for us. We were living in Venice Beach surrounded by a beautiful community and the lifestyle we were living there wasn’t too dissimilar to that here. There were, of course, some challenges with the kids and adapting at first to the change but overall, they handled it so well and now it feels as if we've been here forever. We’re so grateful to live amongst a melting pot of creativity and be immersed in nature at the same time. The community here has also been overwhelmingly amazing and our friends have become family.

You’re a stylist and your husband Trevor is a photographer. Can you talk us through your creative process—where do you find inspiration?

My creative process varies on what the project is. I am most inspired when the process is more collaborative. Trev and I have been lucky enough to work with many high-profile creatives both in Australia and Los Angeles and we love to engage in conversations with them and really capture those feelings through styling and photography. Most people have a fairly strong vision of how they want to come across so when there is a connection to a singular vision, magic happens

How did you find working in Los Angeles?

Working in the industry in Los Angeles was such a highlight in my career as a stylist. There are endless places to evoke inspiration and the locations are so iconic and aesthetically pleasing—from the desert to the mid-century architecture in Palm Springs and Echo Park.

You recently embarked on a trip to Europe with little Leo and Freja. What were some of the highlights?

We were working for half of the holiday and the other half was spent in Greece and Croatia with the kids. Our time on the island of Corfu in Greece was definitely a highlight. We also had the luxury of experiencing the pace of a European summer which really forced us to slow down and be much more present as a family.

What do you miss most about home while you’re away?

During the last week of our trip, we were so ready to come home. We really missed the space and quiet lifestyle we lead. I also really missed the coffee!

What are your plans for the summer ahead and what are you looking forward to most?

I am looking forward to those balmy afternoons spent at the beach with the kids on their surfboards. I am also working on a personal creative project which I am very excited to reveal soon.