Mid May marks 8 years since the establishment of Sans Beast.  I’ve been reflecting on the road thus far - and the learnings that have underpinned the journey.  Nothing like an earthly rotation of the sun to remind me to take stock, reminisce + make plans for what comes next. 

From the initial preparation of sourcing, design, marketing planning, to setting up a raw (but wonderful) nook in Clik Collective co-working space, to navigating supply chain, to COVID shutdowns to team building....the last 8 years have offered plenty of opportunities for personal + professional growth.   Sometimes I’ve been grateful for the learnings, other times I’ve wanted to run away + live in Bali unencumbered by the weight of driving this little beast forward.  Sometimes I've felt successful, other times like a failure.  I think this is the biggest lesson for me - to balance these opposing views + still make the decision to keep going. 

My friends (and fortunately for me, primary manufacturing partners) in China tell me that 8 is the luckiest number.  I’m holding on to that notion, and sharing eight thoughts about the why, where + how of Sans Beast.

1.        What’s in a name?

The name Sans Beast was conceived in Bali in July 2016.  I was no longer employed, having resigned from the top job at a large Australian accessories brand + I was attempting (sort of) to relax by the pool.  The name came to me as I pondered what a business that didn’t use animals as raw materials might be called.  I shelved it soon after, thinking it was too blunt, too emotional….too vegan.  Still, I registered the name, as my inner voice said it was a precious concept, just waiting to be brought to life.  Fast forward to February 2017.  Ready to embrace the name, the notion + the ethos of creating beauty without the beast, I commenced walking the path of business + brand setup.

2.        Designing

I’ve worked with freelancers, in-house designers + solo over the years.  I have learnt that I am often not an ‘easy’ person to work with.  Fortunately, age brings some wisdom + I’m only now learning how much I impeded the progress of some creatives who entered + exited the Sans Beast world.   It’s a fine balance between striving for excellence + allowing room for experimentation.   None of us are perfect + the more I embrace this concept + loosen the grip on ultimate control, the happier I am, the calmer the people around me are + the better the brands’ creative output is. 

3.        An OG style. 

The Bandolier has been in our collection since Series 01.  Unsurprisingly, our first collection was inspired by a rebellious spirit – namely women of the French Resistance in WW2.  I’ve always liked military receptacles + uniforms – the function, discipline + utilitarian spirit.  Yet, I’m also partial to elements of eclecticism + surprise. The Bandolier is petite yet carries the essentials.  Trimmed with eyelets, a pin buckle + dogclips inspired by a bag from the 1940’s I found in Rome….it encapsulates the right mix of practical + play that underpins the brand.

4.        Sourcing

Hunting + gathering takes on new meaning in a vegan fashion brand.  I had the privilege in my early career years working in brands that valued raw material knowledge.  With incredible mentorship, travel opportunities + visits to mills over the last 30 years, I developed a deep appreciation for the art of merging materials with shape.  When I started sourcing materials for Sans Beast, the landscape for non animal ‘leathers’ was narrow – I went for fabrics that were REACH + Prop65 compliant, yet it took another 3 years before certified recycled materials were readily available to us, simultaneous to aesthetically viable biobased leather alternatives being commercialised.  Sourcing will always be a key focus, and our intention is to build on the biobased alt leather options in our range – while managing the price/value equation our community expects from us. 

5.        Manufacturing

Factories, manufacturing units, ateliers, makers, machinists, pattern masters…they’re the unsung heroes of the fashion industry.   The joy of figuring out how things are built in order to achieve a desired outcome + then working with the clever folk to bring ideas to fruition, is real.  I’m so grateful for Tony Lee + his team for the early years of Sans Beast, and our partners in handbags for the last few years – the power teams of Willie, Joan, Lena and Abel.  Visiting the factories to review samples, work on new ideas, walk the production line + discuss business, is the only way I know how to work.  I will always celebrate the makers, the machines, the hands that create.   

6.        Provenance

We are based in Brunswick in Melbourne / Naarm – Victoria, Australia.  This country is ancient, and while I’ve come across views during my travels suggesting our history started as a colony – we know otherwise.   We live + work on Kulin Nation country, where people of the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Wathaurrung, Taungurung + Dja DjaWrung gathered.  True reconciliation with Australia’s bloody past is a work in progress for this country + while it is a humble contribution, we Pay The Rent monthly, recognising the land always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.   

7.        Giving

We’re proud to have been a brand that gives back since day 1.  We’ve donated just shy of $60K to Edgars Mission, planted approximately 34,000 trees with One Tree Planted + donated to Sea Shepherd on a monthly basis.  May 2025 sees us taking a more holistic + inclusive approach – our monthly donations will be evenly split across three entities doing good in the world : Edgars Mission, Sea Shepherd + the Bob Brown Foundation. 

8.        The Animals 

There are easier + less costly ways to make a living than starting a fashion brand.  There are more direct ways to support animals than building a vegan fashion business.  Yet, the fashion industry is sadly lacking in key players refusing to use the skins + body parts of exploited animals.  We exist for this reason : to say no to baby animals being made into handbags, to rabbits + birds being live plucked, to crocodiles being held captive in concrete bunkers until their brutal slaughter, to cows, horses, sheep, pigs, buffalo, mink, geese, living + dying with no agency, no freedom + then dying a brutal death.  My vision for Sans Beast remains resolute – to offer non-animal derived alternatives to those seeking to wear or carry with style.  We are making handbags for loving arms, and we are also building a platform that inspires + educates.   

As always, I appreciate those who follow us, buy from us, support us + cheer us on.