THE HOOPER COLLECTIVE
As part of the Pisces collection we have partnered with The Hooper Collective, a non-for profit established to support the conservation efforts of shark activist and filmmaker Madison Stewart. As part of this partnership to help raise awareness of the importance of sharks in our ecosystems $10 from the sale of every swimsuit sold from the Pisces collection at our online boutique will go directly to The Hooper Collective to help with their current Project Hiu.
The Hooper collective aims to inflict change and shed light on laws exploiting sharks, change the human perception of sharks and fight the trades decimating sharks around the world, while improving the quality of life for humans at threat from these animals. Ever since her first shark encounter as a child, Madison has seen population declines in Australia.
It was when I finally left school to home school and spend more time diving that I returned to this reef, to find the same population of sharks had disappeared. This lead me to discover the presence of legal shark fisheries inside The Great Barrier Reef, and that was the first thing I ever fought against which lead to my first documentary 'shark girl'.” - Madison Stewart
The aim of Project Hiu is to slowly introduce opportunity to a community that has only ever known shark fishing. By hiring shark fishing boats to engage in tourism activities, we offer an alternative income that simultaneously and effectively protects sharks. Project Hiu is founded on the recognition that the very solution to saving sharks, lay with the men raised to kill them - Project Hiu
Australia’s natural world is unlike anywhere else. SHAPES IN THE SAND is a reflection of this, bursting with vibrant designs and meaningful collaborations. Each piece celebrates the wild beauty of Australia, with conservation woven into every step.
SHAPES IN THE SAND was founded by Alexandra Dash, driven by her love for nature and a desire to bring Australian inspired designs to life, with a playful take on Australia's vibrant and unique flowers and landscapes. The brand is designed with purpose to draw attention to local environmental issues and support meaningful projects. Over time, SHAPES IN THE SAND has evolved into a vibrant celebration of all things Australian, blending playful designs with a strong commitment to protecting the planet.
Our purpose is to o create exceptional, Australian-made swimwear and earthwear with intention. We’re here to empower people to choose fashion that respects 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.
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.
