SARAH & SEBASTIAN
'THIS IS NICE’ CHATS WITH SARAH & SEBASTIAN CO-FOUNDERS SARAH MUNRO & ROBERT GRYNKOFKI ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY, WHERE THEY DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AND THEIR NEWEST odyssey COLLECTION.
Photography provided by Sarah & Sebastian.
‘this is nice’: When Sarah & Sebastian started in 2012, what did you envision the brand to be?
Robert: Our vision is to challenge the concept of ‘traditional’ jewellery, an ethos manifested from designing conceptually whilst championing local artisanal craftsmanship. The past, present and future discourse surrounding SARAH & SEBATIAN is drawn to innovation as we continue to evolve into different categories and reinvent our signature pieces.
‘Tin’: Our Co-founder and Fashion Director remembers her first experience with your brand, she was at uni, saved up for the piece, and when she opened the box it said it was “Made in our studio by _______”. She really loves that personal touch. What do those personal touches mean to you?
Robert: Both Sarah and I come from design backgrounds with a strong respect for craftsmanship and a passion for manufacturing in Australia. Of course, jewellery itself is also very personal, often used to commemorate occasions or gift loved ones. For us, it’s important to celebrate the handcrafted, in respect to the meaning or moment it will embody for the wearer.
‘TIN’: One of our favourite collections you’ve created is your Oyster Collection. As a recreational diver, Sarah, how much inspiration comes from the ocean for you?
Sarah: I’ve been passionate about the ocean ever since I can remember. Its presence can be found in every collection through subtle nuances or more explicit representations. As a recreational diver it’s incredible to form these memories into pieces our clients attribute their own meaning to.
‘TIN’: We are so excited for this new collection. What inspired the pieces? We love the human form pieces, as well as the garnets - do they have certain significance?
Sarah: I rely on travel for design inspiration and last year, the pandemic made this almost impossible. For escapism, I began listening to audio books on ancient Greek mythology which ultimately inspired the Odyssey collection. In Odyssey, we’ve featured body silhouettes, inspired by the strength, intelligence and power of female deities such as Gaia, the ancestral mother of all life. We also worked with garnets, to stir up imagery of Homer’s description of a ‘wine-dark’ sea and used wave like shapes to interpret the ocean, which is frequently referenced in mythology.
FAST FAVOURITES
‘TIN’: Last thing you bought and loved?
Sarah: A poplin shirt in periwinkle from The Row.
‘TIN’: Song?
Robert: Musique de France by Acid Arab
‘TIN’: Statement piece or everyday?
Sarah: Statement for everyday
‘TIN’: Place to visit?
Robert: Lamma Island, Hong Kong
‘TIN’: Fashion era you relate most to?
Sarah: For jewellery design, the Classical Era; centred around Ancient Greece and Rome.
‘TIN’: Place in Sydney?
Sarah: Gordon’s Bay for diving and afterwork swims.
‘TIN’: Collection you’ve created?
Robert: ROSA, the first time we experimented with organic materials, creating jewellery from rose petals.
‘TIN’: Color?
Robert: Pantone 6C
‘TIN’: Dinner Spot?
Sarah: Una Mas in Coogee
‘TIN’: Muse?
Robert: My fiancé, Dominique
A piece from Robert’s favourite collection, ROSA
Sarah’s favourite dinner spot, Una Mas
Photograph by Steven Woodburn
‘TIN’: What attracts Sarah & Sebastian to a certain creative?
Sarah: It’s a very personal process for me. It’s in those unscripted moments where I’ll be reading a book at home or visiting a gallery exhibition and a particular narrative will stick with me. From there, it’s an instinctive collaborative effort in the studio to bring to life the creative inspiration derived from these moments.
‘TIN’: if you had a uniform what would it be?
Sarah: Tailored trousers, a crisp oversized shirt and trainers with a statement ear.
‘TIN’: The idea of mentorship is something we love. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Robert: Work hard, trust your intuition and build a team who share a passion for the brand vision.
‘TIN’: WE always love looking back on fashion memories. What is your first design memory?
Sarah: My first memory is actually around furniture design, which I studied at university. I remember creating minature marquette furniture, with inlays inspired by the epicurean philosophy of friendship, freedoom and thought. I’ve always been drawn to conceptual design and making things by hand in small scale.
‘TIN’: ‘this is nice’ is always looking for ways to weave sustainability into our lives. What does sustainability in fashion look like to you?
Robert: In jewellery, it’s about being conscious of the entire production process; from the ethical and environmental impact of raw materials, operating as made-to-order to reduce waste, manufacturing locally and fostering the artisanal skills of our jewellers. We also offer a refurbishment and repair service in our workship to extend the life of our jewellery.