Celebrating Australia’s Natural World with Purpose
Australia’s natural world is unlike anywhere else, and SHAPES IN THE SAND is a celebration of that beauty. Bold designs, meaningful collaborations, and a commitment to conservation reflect the wild landscapes and unique wildlife of Australia.
Founded in 2012 by designer Alexandra Dash during her final year at Ultimo TAFE, the label began with a vision to create swimwear that challenges industry norms while reducing environmental impact. Inspired by her love for print design, swimwear, and the outdoors, Alexandra experimented with regenerated fibres in her graduate collection, a responsible alternative to virgin synthetics that became the foundation for the brand.
Today, SHAPES IN THE SAND works with certified regenerated materials and organic plant based textiles such as hemp and organic cotton, with hemp activewear available and hemp swimwear in development. Built on quality and garments made to last, the brand chooses low impact fabrics and partners with skilled local makers to reduce waste, protect Australia’s environment, and create apparel for people who care about the planet.
Honest Textile Design & Manufacturing
We create sustainable swimwear and activewear that blends our signature aesthetic, purpose, and environmental responsibility. Using recycled fabrics and natural fibres, we bring our unique Australian textile prints to life, each piece crafted with intricate details, rich colours, and inspired by Australia’s remarkable biodiversity.
Our mission is to reduce waste, support local Australian manufacturing, and contribute to wildlife conservation. Our regenerated fibres are made from repurposed materials such as plastic waste, ghost fishing nets, and other discarded items. Crafted in Italy to meet OEKO-TEX® recycled standards and locally printed in Sydney through a water free, chemical free process, our fabrics are designed to endure while minimising environmental impact.
In 2025, we expanded our commitment to natural materials with the launch of our Hemp Earthwear essentials. Alongside this, we are using archived regenerated fabrics from our suppliers, a more conscious choice than relying on newly produced synthetics. Our goal is to continue reducing and eventually eliminating synthetic fibres from our collections, without compromising on quality or style.
When you choose SHAPES IN THE SAND, you support ethical production, sustainable materials, and Australian wildlife projects such as BirdLife Australia’s Powerful Owl Project. Celebrate style with purpose, knowing every piece is crafted with respect for the planet.
Environment
Our swimwear is made locally in Sydney, Australia, with a strong focus on reducing waste at every stage of our process. We consider the environmental impact of each step, from sourcing responsible materials to the distribution of our limited edition collections.
Our commitment to conservation is reflected in long term partnerships with not for profit organisations including WIRES Wildlife Rescue, BirdLife Australia, Aussie Ark, and OceanWatch. Through these collaborations, we help protect vulnerable native species and safeguard their habitats, ensuring Australia’s unique biodiversity can thrive for future generations.
Local Production
Our collections are created in collaboration with trusted local makers. Our swimwear makers, Raymond and Ivy, are skilled makers running a family business in Sydney, Australia. They use minimal waste cutting techniques to reduce fabric remnants, with any excess repurposed and returned to our studio for future designs.
Our signature print stories are brought to life by Sublitech and Publisher Textiles, who work closely with us to ensure each design is crafted with care, precision, and a strong commitment to sustainability.
We believe in garments that are thoughtfully designed and expertly made, creating a lasting positive impact on both the fashion industry and the environment. Each piece is intentional, durable, and crafted with purpose.
Packaging
At SHAPES IN THE SAND, we are committed to removing plastic from our packaging. Each order is packed using recycled, circular, and sustainably sourced materials from certified responsible suppliers. Our swing tags are made from 100% recycled card and printed with non-toxic inks, while our logo and care labels are produced from regenerated fibres made from recovered materials.
Instead of the plastic hygiene liners commonly used in the industry, we use compostable liners for our swimwear bottoms and one pieces. Even our postage labels are fully compostable, ensuring your purchase arrives with minimal environmental impact.
