Macleay: Where the Charm Never Fades

Sydney’s long been called the Emerald City, and Potts Point is its crown jewel. Art Deco facades line its streets, eclectic locals animate tucked-away cafes, and the quiet flow of the harbour outlines daily life. Macleay Street sits at the centre of it all. A place where elegance meets ease, refinement blends with energy, and where things are alive yet intimate.

When I first moved to Sydney nearly ten years ago, Potts Point was the first place I called home. Over the years, I’ve shifted around different neighbourhoods, but for the last couple of years, I’ve returned here, drawn back by the streets that pulse with character and the sense of connection the area offers. From neon signs lighting the corners of Kings Cross to early morning walks around Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point has a rhythm all its own.

The Macleay design captures that spirit. Tailored structure and clean lines mirror the Art Deco architecture that defines the street, while an emerald green glimmer nods to Sydney’s nickname. Deep blue and off-white accents reference the harbour and subtle geometry, grounding the design in place and personality. It’s refined without being stuffy, confident without asking for attention and to me, that's an accurate reflection of Potts Point itself.

Art Deco goes beyond shapes or colour because it’s also about proportion, balance, and understated glamour. The buildings and the shops along Macleay Street have that sense of precision and flair, and the swim brief reflects it in miniature. There’s a quiet confidence in wearing something that celebrates form and structure without shouting, which is what Smithers is about: design that communicates character subtly but unmistakably.

Macleay is part of my story, part of Origins, and a way to share a piece of Sydney through swimwear. These Smithers are my reflection on that formative city, carrying the pulse of a place that shaped how I see design, business, and life.

Even if you’ve never been to Potts Point, Macleay speaks to anyone who knows a street, a corner, or a city that has an impact. It's that place that shapes perspective, grounds your character, and offers space to breathe. Origins is about carrying those places forward, letting them live in the fabric and design choices of Smithers.

Slide into a pair of Macleay swim briefs and let the elegance, subtle glamour, and energy of Potts Point accompany you. Clean, confident, and effortless — just like the street that inspired it.