An overview of 2020 + the lessons learnt for Sans Beast, from the perspective of our founder Cathryn. It's been one hell of a ride + we feel we've come out the other side wiser, braver + more resilient - ready for all 2021 has to throw at us. One key lesson out of all of this has been to reaffirm our mission + recommit to the business of Sans Beast. We can't wait to show you what we have in store for the year ahead + hope you'll continue on this journey with us.
Starting in our home town of Melbourne we’ve compiled our list of our favourite vegan eats all around the country. Whether you’re in the mood for brunch, a sweet treat or even sushi (yes you heard us, vegan sushi) we have options sure to impress even your most carnivorous of friends. Most we've tried ourselves, others we just know by reputation - we'd love to keep building this list (and satisfy our own hunger) so let us know who we're missing.
Joanne Lee is an animal advocate who operates a vegan micro sanctuary in The Dandenong Ranges, around an hour outside of Melbourne. Her most notable residents are The Weetbix Gang - a flock of rescued sheep who have found sanctuary, fun + friendship together.
We've been a fan of Karissa's style + authentic approach to telling her story, since day 1 of Sans Beast. As Creative Director of fashion + lifestyle blog, Tomgirl + Threads, Karissa Sparke believes in a conscious lifestyle. This involves plant based eating, slow living + treading lightly on our planet. She's renowned for her effortless style, her travel + beach adventures - and her growing menagerie of furry friends, including Bean + more recently, the heavenly Peanut. We caught up with Karissa to talk life, inspiration + how an avid traveller has adjusted to living life in lockdown.
2020 has been tumultuous so far + Sans Beast has not been immune to the challenges. As a niche, vegan handbag brand celebrating our second birthday in March, it was a rude awakening to follow the blowing out of the birthday candles with a new acronym + lifestyle - WFH. However this post is not about doom + gloom, it's about celebrating creativity, getting excited about a new collection, recognising the power (and importance) of collaboration + enjoying the notion of blooming again.
When we think about freedom for everyone on the planet, we tend to think of humans only. But did you know there are people fighting, every day, for the freedom of intelligent, thoughtful, sentient beings who have been mistreated by humankind? Mickey Suzuki is one of these people. Her story of how she came to work with the Non human Rights Project, the ongoing struggle to win rights for non human animals + her inherent compassion for all living beings, is a compelling one. Read on to learn more about the NhRP, what the difference between animal welfare + animal rights is, and discover encouraging stories about how cases are being fought + won, through legal avenues.
We've put together a vegan gift guide of some Sans Beast bag suggestions, along with a list of favourite vegan + ethical small businesses in Australia, that would no doubt love your support in these (still) challenging post pandemic times. Happy festivus from us to you.
Emma Hakansson has been a friend of Sans Beast, as well as an occasional face of the brand, since 'the beginning'. She is a woman who wears many hats, and applies her talents + time, to making a difference in this life. A passionate advocate for animals, a soon to be published author, a model + a content creator, Emma is someone who walks her talk. We hope you'll enjoy reading about this inspiring creative creature.
EDUCATION: SHOULD TANNED LEATHER BE CALLED 'NATURAL'?
By Cathryn Wills
A few weeks ago, we threw a notion out into the universe that perhaps all this talk about leather being the 'natural' option when it comes to fashion, was not entirely true. We said we'd discuss the manufacturing, the environmental impact, the biodegradability, and yes, even the ethics around the industrial level raising of animals on the planet. We asked our community if they wanted to know more. The answer was a resounding YES. Co-authored by Cathryn Wills + Emma Hakansson, with as much research as they could gather to illustrate the point that 'faux' may be a dirty word to many, but modern leather has its own grubby secrets.
With a collection called Beast Bloom, it was inevitable that some floristry magic would be needed. We reached out to the talented India Robinson, creative director + founder of BLOSSM BBY + asked her to create something otherworldly + spectacular, to sit with a selection of our Sans Beast treasures for a street shoot. India brings her unique eye + floral artistry to her business - and it was such a joy to work with her on this project. We spoke with India about all things flowers, anime, aliens + spreading love, particularly during these stormy times.
Pam Ahern is the founder + owner of Edgar's Mission. A former equestrian champion, a chance encounter with a trotter named Edgar Alan Pig saw her give up her full time job + create a haven for farm animals which she built from the ground up. We caught up with her to talk about her incredible + inspiring journey.
Nick Pearce is Co-founder + CEO of HoMie, a Melbourne based retail brand that uses its profits to provide training + employment opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness. We caught up with Nick to talk about how HoMie came about + the challenges facing young people living rough.
An overview of 2020 + the lessons learnt for Sans Beast, from the perspective of our founder Cathryn. It's been one hell of a ride + we feel we've come out the other side wiser, braver + more resilient - ready for all 2021 has to throw at us. One key lesson out of all of this has been to reaffirm our mission + recommit to the business of Sans Beast. We can't wait to show you what we have in store for the year ahead + hope you'll continue on this journey with us.
We've put together a vegan gift guide of some Sans Beast bag suggestions, along with a list of favourite vegan + ethical small businesses in Australia, that would no doubt love your support in these (still) challenging post pandemic times. Happy festivus from us to you.
Starting in our home town of Melbourne we’ve compiled our list of our favourite vegan eats all around the country. Whether you’re in the mood for brunch, a sweet treat or even sushi (yes you heard us, vegan sushi) we have options sure to impress even your most carnivorous of friends. Most we've tried ourselves, others we just know by reputation - we'd love to keep building this list (and satisfy our own hunger) so let us know who we're missing.
Emma Hakansson has been a friend of Sans Beast, as well as an occasional face of the brand, since 'the beginning'. She is a woman who wears many hats, and applies her talents + time, to making a difference in this life. A passionate advocate for animals, a soon to be published author, a model + a content creator, Emma is someone who walks her talk. We hope you'll enjoy reading about this inspiring creative creature.
Joanne Lee is an animal advocate who operates a vegan micro sanctuary in The Dandenong Ranges, around an hour outside of Melbourne. Her most notable residents are The Weetbix Gang - a flock of rescued sheep who have found sanctuary, fun + friendship together.
EDUCATION: SHOULD TANNED LEATHER BE CALLED 'NATURAL'?
By Cathryn Wills
A few weeks ago, we threw a notion out into the universe that perhaps all this talk about leather being the 'natural' option when it comes to fashion, was not entirely true. We said we'd discuss the manufacturing, the environmental impact, the biodegradability, and yes, even the ethics around the industrial level raising of animals on the planet. We asked our community if they wanted to know more. The answer was a resounding YES. Co-authored by Cathryn Wills + Emma Hakansson, with as much research as they could gather to illustrate the point that 'faux' may be a dirty word to many, but modern leather has its own grubby secrets.
We've been a fan of Karissa's style + authentic approach to telling her story, since day 1 of Sans Beast. As Creative Director of fashion + lifestyle blog, Tomgirl + Threads, Karissa Sparke believes in a conscious lifestyle. This involves plant based eating, slow living + treading lightly on our planet. She's renowned for her effortless style, her travel + beach adventures - and her growing menagerie of furry friends, including Bean + more recently, the heavenly Peanut. We caught up with Karissa to talk life, inspiration + how an avid traveller has adjusted to living life in lockdown.
With a collection called Beast Bloom, it was inevitable that some floristry magic would be needed. We reached out to the talented India Robinson, creative director + founder of BLOSSM BBY + asked her to create something otherworldly + spectacular, to sit with a selection of our Sans Beast treasures for a street shoot. India brings her unique eye + floral artistry to her business - and it was such a joy to work with her on this project. We spoke with India about all things flowers, anime, aliens + spreading love, particularly during these stormy times.
2020 has been tumultuous so far + Sans Beast has not been immune to the challenges. As a niche, vegan handbag brand celebrating our second birthday in March, it was a rude awakening to follow the blowing out of the birthday candles with a new acronym + lifestyle - WFH. However this post is not about doom + gloom, it's about celebrating creativity, getting excited about a new collection, recognising the power (and importance) of collaboration + enjoying the notion of blooming again.
Pam Ahern is the founder + owner of Edgar's Mission. A former equestrian champion, a chance encounter with a trotter named Edgar Alan Pig saw her give up her full time job + create a haven for farm animals which she built from the ground up. We caught up with her to talk about her incredible + inspiring journey.
When we think about freedom for everyone on the planet, we tend to think of humans only. But did you know there are people fighting, every day, for the freedom of intelligent, thoughtful, sentient beings who have been mistreated by humankind? Mickey Suzuki is one of these people. Her story of how she came to work with the Non human Rights Project, the ongoing struggle to win rights for non human animals + her inherent compassion for all living beings, is a compelling one. Read on to learn more about the NhRP, what the difference between animal welfare + animal rights is, and discover encouraging stories about how cases are being fought + won, through legal avenues.
Nick Pearce is Co-founder + CEO of HoMie, a Melbourne based retail brand that uses its profits to provide training + employment opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness. We caught up with Nick to talk about how HoMie came about + the challenges facing young people living rough.