Sun Smart Apparel

My Story: A Personal Mission for Sun Safety

When I returned to Australia in 2009 after 11 years in the UK, I was immediately struck by the intensity of the sun here. The UVA and UVB radiation was unlike anything I had experienced abroad.

Practicing dermatology and aesthetics in Melbourne, I saw firsthand the devastating effects of long-term sun exposure. Every day, I treated patients—mostly women—suffering from poikiloderma, a stubborn condition marked by redness, pigmentation, and thinning skin on the neck and lower face. I had struggled with it myself, too.

It made me wonder: why was no one talking about protecting the neck? We’re taught to slather sunscreen on our faces, but the sides of the neck and jawline are often overlooked—yet these areas are incredibly vulnerable, especially during everyday activities like driving.

As a fabric lover and frustrated seamstress (one day I’ll vlog my collection!), I began experimenting with fabrics and patterns that could truly block UVA and UVB rays, even in everyday sun exposure. I dreamed of creating a range focused on prevention, not cure. Life had other plans—babies, study and running a business came along, time flew, and while my idea was shelved—it was never forgotten.

Fast forward to now, living in Queensland for 12 years: the sun is relentless, and I see more advanced sun damage than ever before. Then, late last year, I received a personal wake-up call—a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on my own face, in an area that my sun-safe designs could have protected. That diagnosis was the final push I needed.

So here we are. After years of planning, testing, and designing, I’m launching a small, thoughtful, and stylish range of sun-safe clothing—BUF SunSmart - crafted with real-life skin needs in mind. Our focus is still on the neck and lower face—areas too often neglected—but we have beautiful, innovative, and highly protective products on the way.

This range has been years in the making—shaped by my work, my personal experience, and my belief that prevention is always better than cure.

Stay protected, stay classy.

Anita x