Sonja was born in Te Kopuru and graduated from Elam Art School, University of Auckland in 1987. She did a dye workshop with Susan Holmes and in 1988 attended Fabric Printing at Auckland University of Technology (AIT at that time).

"The inspiration for our clothing comes from our environment - the bush, our wildlife and birds and from the Pacific."

In 1990 she set up Scampi Handprinted T-Shirts. The success of this business enabled her to expand into Lava Designs which puts out a range of fashion clothing.

In 1992 she travelled through Europe and the United States studying design, specifically in the field of textiles.

Sonja has always had a concern for the environment, reflected not only in her designs but in the use of non-toxic inks and dyes.

The company sees protection of the habitat as a priority and her work has featured prominently among conservation organisations.

Lava designs have a distinctly New Zealand flavour gaining inspiration for the clothing from the local environment- the bush, the wild and bird life. It promotes a Pacific identity.

She has lectured at AUT in colour theory and dye techniques. Sonja also does free-lance illustration and design work for companies producing a range of products including greeting cards and calendars, place mats, blankets, T-shirts and more.

"After a period of large scale production of T-shirts and clothing, I'm now refining that down to more exclusive fabrics and small scale production."

She retailed through two collective Fine Craft / Art shops in Auckland: Katipo in Newmarket and Artisanz at Victoria Park Market.

Sonja no longer runs this business as she now has a young family.

Jean Clarkson, POI Research Team,1999