The Making of a Larissa | Design Stories

For the last 45 years, we’ve been perfecting our craft: clothes woven with stories of life by the sea, made for quality you can feel. Every collection is designed with care and attention to detail. Responsibly sourced fabrics. Fits that feel as good as they look. Timeless designs that will last, love and layer for seasons to come. One piece that embodies this is our Larissa Shirt. 

The Larissa Shirt is a Seasalt take on a timeless staple. Simple, lightweight and easy-to-style. Made from organic cotton voile. We first introduced it to our collection in 2009. Today, it’s become one of our longest-standing favourites. 

“Back then we were a really small team. There were just a handful of us in a little Falmouth studio.” Our Director of Design and Styling, Sue Simpson, sets the scene. She has been a key designer at Seasalt for 22 years, working on some of our earliest collections when we only had a few shops in Cornwall. 

“Sophie designed the prints, I designed the shapes.” Sophie Chadwick is one of Seasalt's cofounders. Her early print handwriting shaped who we are today. “We loved the idea of having a storytelling piece in the collection: a shirt that spoke to the theme of every season.” 

When we ask about the design process, Sue says “We knew we wanted the Larissa to be a wardrobe staple. Something versatile and comfortable, and equally easy to care for. 

“The fit and feel of our garments have always been important to us. The Larissa is a great example of that.” Sue goes on to tell us that every part was well thought out. The classic collar, the button-through placket, the button loops at the sleeves that make the cuffs easy to roll up. A soft fitted shape that’s more relaxed than a formal shirt, dried in a twist for a gently crinkled texture that’s light, airy and doesn’t need ironing to look good. “It’s all been there from the very beginning.”  

“Every season, the Larissa Shirt showcases some of our most-loved prints, created by our talented in-house textile designers who are inspired by Cornwall. From softer tones and floral patterns to bolder shades and statement prints, we always strive to create a Larissa for everyone.  

"Larissa always receives overwhelming love from our customers.” This love spurred the decision to grow the family and create our very own Larissa Scarf, made with the same breathable fabric and crinkled texture. And now, we’ve introduced a plain Larissa Shirt. 

“After looking at our customers’ love and feedback, it only felt right to introduce our first plain colour in 2026 – perfect for those who love the spirit of the original, but now without the print.” 

Like everything else in our collections, the Larissa was designed to the highest standard. Today, it's one of many garments crafted with premium, responsibly sourced fabrics. Every piece is carefully tested for the perfect fit, ensuring shapes and silhouettes that feel as good as they look. 

We’re a registered B Corp™ and with every choice we make, we want to take a step towards a more circular future: a future that's better by design. As a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), we also require every supplier to adhere to an internationally recognised labour code covering fair and safe working practices, reasonable working hours and living wages.