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sans beast

WELCOME TO THE REVOLUTION

Discover Sans Beast, the revolutionary luxury brand that offers bold and animal-free handbags. Proudly female founded, Sans Beast's collections are designed in Melbourne (Naarm), Australia by a small team of dedicated individuals. Sans Beast's name, meaning 'without beast', reflects their commitment to creating stylish and quality alternatives to animal-derived accessories.

With deep respect for the ancestral stories and history of the Kulin Nation people, whose land they live and work on and was never ceded, Sans Beast welcomes you to join their movement towards a more ethical and sustainable future.

EVOLUTION

2017

SANS BEAST is established

Founded in Melbourne, Australia

2018

Online Launch

Launches online to the world in March & appears on the runway at Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, quickly establishing a cult following.

2019

Debut at ALLTRUEIST

Alltrueist launches Sans Beast as their first International retailer.

2021

Shift to Innovative Materials

Desserto ‘Cactus leather’ joins the collection along with a move to Global Recycled Standard fabrics

2023

Collaboration with The Brave Gentleman

In partnership with Joshua Katcher from Brave Gentleman, the brand launches a capsule collection made from Appleskin

MISSION

Sans Beast's mission is to offer a stylish and high-quality alternative to animal-derived handbags, while inspiring their growing community to consider the impact of their fashion choices. By creating sustainable and ethical accessories, Sans Beast is leading a revolution towards a more compassionate and conscious fashion industry.

VALUES

Having the tough conversations is paramount. Sans Beast believes in making these conversations inspiring & accessible while encouraging frank discussion & open collaboration. The brand's commitment to creativity & their dedication to making a statement in the retail landscape is apparent, as they use their platform to speak out for a more sustainable & ethical world.

CULTURE

Sans Beast fosters a culture of open and honest communication, humor, and focus. The team is passionate about challenging each other and their collaborators to innovate and do better. They value their community, manufacturers, and partners while staying true to their diverse musical tastes and love for coffee and vegan pastries.

IMPACT - ETHICAL PRODUCTION

By working exclusively with Sedex-audited factories, Sans Beast ensures that their products are made under ethical and safe conditions. These audits provide a code of conduct for fair remuneration, hours worked, safety, and ethical management, with region-appropriate extras such as medical insurance.

Sans Beast's commitment to ethical manufacturing sets an example for the industry, encouraging other brands to follow suit.

  • RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURING
  • RESPECTING ALL LIVES
  • REFORESTATION
  • MATERIAL INNOVATION
  • ECO-PACKAGING
  • CIRCULARITY

CERTICATES & AWARDS

AWARDED TO THE BRAND OR SUPPLIERS

SANS BEAST

THE DETAILED PROCESS

Sans Beast believes in producing quality bags that last, made with respect for the people and places involved in their creation. With a focus on cruelty-free and environmentally responsible materials, the brand has established long-standing relationships with trusted manufacturers around the world.

From the early days with SingFai Handbags in the Dongguan area of Southern China to Viari in Chennai, India, Sans Beast's network of quality makers is a testament to their commitment to craftsmanship.

The production process takes around three months, during which constant communication with the factory ensures that every detail is on track. Every material, hardware, topstitch, edgepaint, lining, and pocket is carefully considered to create the perfect product.

Sans Beast is proud to work with Sedex audited factories, ensuring fair and living wages, safe working conditions, ethical management, and region-appropriate extras such as medical insurance.

MATERIALS

Recycled Content

Over 90% of Sans Beast's collection uses eco-friendly fabrics with 58% recycled content. The fabrics are water-based, solvent-free, and Global Recycled Standard certified. These include pre-consumer recycled polyurethane, post-consumer recycled polyester, recycled polyester webbing, and printed lining made from recycled PET.

AppleSkin™

Sans Beast's collaboration with The Brave Gentleman collection features Apple Leather, also known as AppleSkin. This bio-based material is created from leftover pomace and peel from the fruit juice and compote industry. Recovered apple waste from Bolzano in Italy is turned into powder before it is combined with polyurethane and coated onto a cotton and polyester canvas in a factory in Florence. The result is a durable, soft, and eco-conscious material that is perfect for small accessories. Apple Leather is not only environmentally friendly but also renewable, making it a sustainable choice for fashion-forward consumers.

ZINC ALLOY & STEEL

Sans Beast's custom hardware is made from zinc alloy and plated in a variety of tones depending on the item.

The plating is a surface layer and may fade over time depending on skin type, sweat, perfume, and other factors.

ECO-PU

A small portion of the collection, is still made from virgin polyurethane coated fabrics. The fabrics are REACH and Prop65 compliant, ensuring no toxic levels of chemicals are used in the manufacturing process.

By the end of 2023, this portion of the collection will be completely phased out.

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CATHRYN WILLS

FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Cathryn brings nearly 30 years of experience in the Australian fashion industry to the table. Her passion for animal welfare & the environment led her to establish Sans Beast in 2017 after recognizing a disconnect between her professional career & personal values.

With a dedication to ethical fashion and a design-led approach, Wills has created a compelling brand with a strong visual identity and meaningful storytelling.

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