Bundles
Alex Dash launched SHAPES IN THE SAND in 2012, driven by her love for nature and a spirited commitment to sustainable style. While studying Fashion Production and Textile Design at Sydney’s Ultimo TAFE, Alex was already set on making a difference, dedicating her final year to exploring the potential of circularity in fashion. The brand has since grown into a celebration of all things playfully Australian, blending vibrant designs with a serious dedication to protecting the planet. With a diploma in Sustainable Living, Alex is not just shaping swimwear; she’s helping shape a more responsible future for fashion. Shapes in the Sand embodies her vision—a brand that's all about style with purpose, for those who love both the beach and the earth.
“At SHAPES IN THE SAND, our purpose is to create exceptional, Australian-made swimwear and Earthwear with intention. We’re here to inspire thoughtful fashion choices, empowering people to choose styles that respect both themselves and the planet. Through our community partnerships, we aim to protect native wildlife and habitats, bringing conservation to the heart of everything we do.” – Alex Dash
Eco-Conscious Prints: Our Commitment to Sustainable, Vibrant Australian Swimwear
At SHAPES IN THE SAND, recycled fabrics form a vibrant canvas for our unique Australian textile prints, each piece crafted with intricate details and a lively colour palette that reflects the beauty of nature.
From the beginning, we have focused on reducing waste, supporting local Australian production, and contributing to conservation within our community. Our fibres come from repurposed materials, including plastic waste, ghost fishing nets, and other discarded items. Crafted in Italy, these fabrics meet OEKO-TEX® recycled standards, ensuring sustainability throughout our supply chain. Locally printed in Sydney through a water-free, chemical-free process, our prints are designed to endure, reflecting our commitment to minimising environmental impact.
Our journey continues as we explore new ways to reduce and eliminate synthetics from our collections. This year, we are launching our Hemp Earthwear essentials, alongside utilising archived regenerated fabrics from our suppliers, a more conscious choice than relying on newly produced synthetics.
You can read more about these updates in journal here. Celebrate style with purpose, knowing that each piece is crafted with respect for the environment.
Environment
At SHAPES IN THE SAND, our swimwear is crafted locally in Sydney, Australia, with a focus on minimising waste throughout every part of our business. We carefully consider the environmental impact at each step—from responsible sourcing to the distribution of our limited-edition collections. Our dedication to supporting local conservation efforts is reflected in the meaningful partnerships we've built with not-for-profit organisations like WIRES Wildlife Rescue, BirdLife Australia, Aussie Ark, and OceanWatch. Through these collaborations, we actively contribute to protecting vulnerable native species and their habitats.
Local production
Every collection is thoughtfully crafted through trusted partnerships with local makers. Our swimwear makers, Raymond and Ivy, are skilled artisans behind a family-run business based in Sydney. They use minimal waste cutting techniques, ensuring fabric remnants are kept to a minimum. Any excess fabric is repurposed and returned to our studio for future use.
Sublitech and Publisher Textiles bring our signature print stories to life, collaborating with us to ensure each design is crafted with care and precision, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.
Each Shapes in the Sand collection is produced in limited quantities to prevent overproduction, ensuring that every piece remains unique. We believe in choosing carefully designed garments that are made to last, creating a positive impact on both the fashion industry and the environment. Our customers receive pieces that are intentional, durable, and created with purpose.
Fabric and Printing Partners
Our fabric and printing partners are integral to our small business, contributing their expertise and dedication to help bring our collections to life with quality and care. Discover who they are.
Packaging
At SHAPES IN THE SAND, we are committed to eliminating plastic from our packaging. Your swimwear is carefully packed using recycled, circular, and sustainably sourced materials, all from certified responsible sources. Our swing tags are crafted from 100% recycled card and printed with non-toxic inks. Logo and care labels are made from regenerated fibers derived from recovered materials. To replace the commonly used plastic liners in the industry, we use compostable hygiene liners for our swimwear bottoms and one-pieces. Our postage labels are fully compostable.
