The year has been a challenge for small business - on so many levels the year has been the hardest we've faced, but we remain convinced there's great value in celebrating our successes, and in moving into the new year with a spirit of reflection, refinement + re-focus. Here's our wrap-up of 2024.
Series 13 + 14
2024 saw saw the release of our 13th + 14th collections, with an expansion of styles made in Italian Uppeal™ Appleskin as well as a continuation of our signature pieces.
We release just two ranges a year + with each one, it's never a case of all new, new, new. Our ongoing signature range is the foundation of the collection, with a slower design + production cycle our priority. Any new style has to earn it's place in the tightly-curated edit, and in 2024 we welcomed a sprinkling of fresh shapes including the Transit, the Gemini and the Sanctuary.
We collaborated with like-minded vegan brands NoSkin + Twoobs and had the joy of working once again with talented creatives for our photographic campaigns - always a pleasure working with Jess Garcia at Cubed Studio and Charlie Ashfield.
Visiting the Makers.
Our founder Cathryn visited our manufacturing partners in Hong Kong + China twice in 2024, and as always was energised by the expertise of the team. Design is so much more than a pretty sketch, and we could not do what we do without the support + talent of our makers.
"From concept, to sketch, to prototype, to production, to delivery of our Sans Beast collections, it's a 10-11 month process. I believe ideas require time to percolate + resolve. Sometimes what we start with is not what we end with - sometimes a misunderstanding in a spec sheet, becomes a win in the final sample.
We rely on our makers to bring technical prowess + skilled hands to our bags. There are many details involved in bringing a handbag to life - I am always in awe when I visit the factory as to how eagle eyed the team are + the quality standards they uphold every day." - CW
- Planted over 7300 trees with One Tree Planted
- Donated nearly 10K to Edgar's Mission
- Donated 2K to Sea Shepherd
CW also visited Milan for the Lineapelle trade fair, walking the material + accessory halls that cover newgen bio-based 'leathers' + a variety of synthetics. Plant-based 'fur' from BioFluff, recycled zippers + trims from YKK, leather alternatives made with olives by Oleago plus catching up with the team from Desserto organic cactus 'leather' were just a few of the highlights.
The Sans Beast materials journey started with a non-negotiable 'no animal products' ethos, and it continually evolves to incorporate new bio-based + recycled fabrics as more become available + commercially viable for small businesses - you can read more on Cathryn's Lineapelle visit + what's happening in the non-leather materials space here.
Community + Giving.
In 2024, we continued our charity alignments with like-minded organisations + with your help, we have:
- Planted over 7300 trees with One Tree Planted
- Donated nearly 10K to Edgar's Mission
- Donated 2K to Sea Shepherd
Our small team has both contracted + expanded this year, and we finished December off with a glorious plant-based feast at SHU in Collingwood. We're grateful to be able to continue to grow this values-led, independent business, and it was a treat to share a meal, some stories + a lot of laughs together ahead of a little downtime over Christmas.
From our SB family to you + yours, we wish you a safe + peaceful festive season and new year ahead.
XO,
Studio Sans Beast