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
Born out of an appreciation for the natural world and a love for the outdoors, SHAPES IN THE SAND is an Australian swimwear and lifestyle label that has been contributing to sustainability within the industry for over a decade.
In 2012, Alex Dash founded SHAPES IN THE SAND while studying Fashion Production and Textile Design at Sydney’s Ultimo TAFE. Recognising the environmental impact of the fashion industry, Alex dedicated her final year to exploring circularity and responsible manufacturing, establishing the foundation for the distinctive playfully Australian identity that SHAPES IN THE SAND embodies today.
With a Diploma in Sustainable Living, Alex has not only crafted a unique brand but has also played a role in encouraging responsible practices within her community and the broader fashion landscape. SHAPES IN THE SAND stands as a testament to her commitment to both purpose driven design and environmental responsibility.
"Our commitment is to sustainably shape exceptional Australian made swimwear by implementing purpose driven approach. We strive to foster a movement towards thoughtful fashion decisions, empowering people to make choices that benefit both themselves and the Earth. Our purpose is to encourage and support the protection of native wildlife and habitat through community-based conservation partnerships." - Alex Dash
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Recycled fabrics form the lively canvas for the imaginative Australian textile prints of SHAPES IN THE SAND, each design celebrating the natural world with attention to detail and vibrant, colourful considerations. Since the very beginning, SHAPES IN THE SAND has consistently centred its values around reducing waste, local Australian manufacturing, and community-based conservation.
Fibres are sourced from diverse materials, including plastic waste destined for landfills, discarded ghost fishing nets, and other pre and post-consumer items like carpet fluff.
Fabrics, originating from Italy, adhere to the OEKO-TEX® recycled standards, ensuring sustainability throughout our supply chain. Printing takes place locally in Sydney, Australia, using a method that is water-free and avoids harsh chemicals. This commitment not only guarantees the durability of our prints but also reflects our dedication to minimising environmental impact. Through this eco-friendly approach, we assure you of vivid, enduring, and colourfast prints, inviting you to embrace both style and sustainability in every piece from SHAPES IN THE SAND.
Environment
SHAPES IN THE SAND swimwear is made locally in Sydney, Australia. We propel a minimal waste approach across all areas of the business. We consider the environmental impact of each process involved from the sourcing right through to the distribution of our capsule collections.
An outstanding commitment towards local conservation is recognised through the valuable partnerships we have formed. Supporting local not-for-profit organisations including WIRES Wildlife Rescue, BirdLife Australia, Aussie Ark and OceanWatch, Shapes in the Sand has provided critical support towards helping to protect vulnerable native species and habitat.
Local production
SHAPES IN THE SAND collections come to life through our partnership with a local swimwear manufacturer. A production house, run by the skilled artisans Raymond and Ivy, is a small family-run business based in Sydney. Operating with a commitment to sustainability, patterns are meticulously cut using minimal waste practices to minimise leftover fabric remnants. Any remaining fabric is taken back to our studio and repurposed.
Each SHAPES IN THE SAND collection is crafted to be unique and is produced in small quantities, a choice to prevent garment waste and overproduction. We firmly believe in the philosophy of choosing garments thoughtfully and ensuring longevity. By adhering to these principles, we aim to make a positive impact on both the fashion industry and the environment, providing our customers with pieces that are considered and made for their intended purpose.
Our packaging
SHAPES IN THE SAND has a zero plastic packaging policy. Your swimwear is packed using only recycled, circular and sustainably sourced materials. All packaging comes from responsible certified sources.
Swing tags are made from 100% recycled card using non toxic inks for printing. Logo and Care Labels are made from regenerated fibres derived from recovered materials.
Swimwear bottoms and one pieces are lined with compostable hygiene liners, replacing the plastic ones that are widely used in the industry.
We're a Global Commitment signatory - part of the Plastics Economy to help eliminate problematic plastic especially within our manufacturing ; supplier to business where it's a little more challenging. Our Commitments are:
1. Take action to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging by
2. 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable
3. 100% post-consumer recycled content target across all plastic packaging
