A wild revival: Three Braidwood creatives join forces to launch SALOON Emporium

Posted on 4 June, 2026

Dressmaker Dena Pharaoh-Pezzano has always designed for the wise, the wild, and work-hardy, but as she prepares for the release of her new winter collection, 2026 also marks a moment of creative clarity.

The seasonal drop coincides with the launch of SALOON Emporium – the latest collaboration between Braidwood locals Sarah Dyball and Mags Stewart.

“This new venture will find a variation on the old store – still strong with fashion, with art and homewares to elevate the experience,” explains Dena.

“There will be great opportunities for new creative collaborations moving forward, bringing together independent designers, small producers and artists across Australia and internationally. I feel that these all relate; it all makes sense to bring all these aspects together, meshed with SALOON to create a unique Braidwood experience.”

Dena’s SALOON has been interwoven with Braidwood for close to a decade, launching as a label in 2017 and opening a Wallace Street shopfront in 2020. It has always celebrated life in the rural town, both past and present.

With a background in the fashion and theatre costume industry spanning over 30 years, Dena specialises in pattern making and couture dressmaking. SALOON designs have always come to life with strong women in mind – those she refers to as “the muses and the matriarchs, the artists and entrepreneurs, the divas and daydreamers”.

Dena draws from counterculture across the decades, with almost all the pieces made in-house at the Saloon studio and in Sydney. Iconic Liberty of London prints continue to be a hallmark of the brand, along with a focus on achieving the perfect fit, with everything able to be customised and tailored to the female form.

Dressmaker Dena Pharaoh-Pezzano at work.

A true ‘slow fashion’ label, Dena says that SALOON has evolved in a slow, sustainable and creative way.

“Each garment that has been previously made is re-worked and adapted, with patterns and styles continuing with new colours. Each season I add new designs and one-of-a-kinds; they all intertwine and carry on the SALOON look,” says Dena.

“The design, colour, pattern and texture dominate the collections. Textiles have so many moods, I’m often like a colour squirrel – stashing away new and vintage swatches, inspiration, anything that takes my eye. This helps me tell a story each season.”

After closing the shopfront for renovations and stepping away from the bricks and mortar store, Dena has spent the last year hosting pop-up events and focusing on custom orders.

She’s now coming back to the Wallace Street space with fresh ideas, and with the help of Sarah and Mags, SALOON Emporium will continue to focus on the label’s trademark femininity with a feminist edge – just with vintage and artisan-made treasures thrown into the mix.

“For the last few months, we have casually talked about what could be next for all of us. It was only recently that the lightbulb moment happened; the old SALOON building was still vacant and was calling out to be revived again!” explains Dena.

“This time around sharing the space as EMPORIUM will be Sarah, bringing a Pretty in Pink vintage collection, focusing on ‘80s bold colours and styles. Along with Mags, she will curate a gothic wonderland with Idiom Home, a delicious mix of style and creative, collected beauty.”

The 2022 Wonderful Wild collection.

Dena’s newfound inspiration could be attributed to the break, which allowed her to re-immerse herself in the fresh air and the wild spaces of Braidwood. Or it could be thanks to the new collaboration rooted in authenticity and passion. Whatever the spark, the result is a collection called NEW ANGLES – a refreshed take on what has made the label so loved.

“NEW ANGLES is a mix of my ready to wear, one of a kind, and made to order pieces. Along with experiments, classic items such as jeans and pieces from previous collections.”

The last time Dena spoke to HerCanberra was in 2022, when she launched her Wonderful Wild collection. Three years later, she continues to keep her vision for SALOON alive by paying tribute to her origins.

“This year our SALOON short fashion film, For The Rebels And The Righteous by Dale Bremner, was shown at this year’s Melbourne Fashion Festival,” she says.

“Independent designers and makers are always at the forefront and visionaries of change. I have always stuck with my beliefs; my ethics have always been my best friend…I will always keep designing with these things in mind. Limited edition, quality fabrics, local manufacturing with me, myself and I – SALOON will continue to stay true to these values.”

SALOON Emporium will launch alongside Dena’s winter collection this Friday 5 June, and the public is invited to celebrate with a special red carpet event.