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Why did you begin the brand? 

Honestly? I had just gone through a really shitty break up and I think during the toughest times in your life you really come out of your comfort zone and do things you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have the guts to do previously. Also, another reason is obviously because I love resort wear and sarongs in particular. I felt there was a gap in the market for brands that specialised in sarongs at affordable prices with beautiful prints.

Celebrating the brand's first birthday, is it where you thought it would be?

Listen, starting a brand is hard work, and I think Sea & Sarong is exactly where it should be. Slowly and steadily reaching people who love it. From little things, big things grow. I am not wishing to be a millionaire overnight, I just believe in my brand and it makes me happy.

Any advice for people wanting to take the plunge and start a business?

Hmm, well this is something I kind of battle with my business partner over, I really believe that you need to become good at one thing or one category before branching out to tonnes of other products. I don’t like to jump ship from one thing to another too quickly, to me it’s about finding your niche and putting all of your time and energy into that so it can grow. Explore other avenues down the track.

Who is your business partner?

My mum! She takes ‘silent partner’ to a new level haha…but don’t tell her I said that. But in all seriousness, she is great for bouncing ideas off, is good with the books, and gives me full creative reign which is epic.

Sea & Sarong are official donors for Take 3 For The Sea, why was it important to you to create that relationship?

I am really transparent about where our product comes from, how it gets here and also what it’s made of, I know it isn’t absolutely sustainable and I really needed to attempt to balance that out so to speak and give back to a cause that resonates with me. The ocean has given me so much and we need to do our part to take care of it, even if it’s a tiny bit at a time.

Ok some fun stuff, beer or wine?

Wine for sure, I used to drink a lot of beer but now I am mostly all about the vino. Red in winter and white in summer. Gotta change it up!

Saturday or Sunday?

Umm Friday? Haha. That’s a tough one, Saturday I am super productive which always feels nice but then Sunday I fully sloth about and nap which I love also. Can I say both?

Sarong or Sea Cape?

Man you are coming out with the tough ones! They are both so versatile, just because of the mood I am in I am going to say Sea Cape, I always feel like such a glam mermaid when I am wearing one.

Dog or cat?

Dog 100%! I have a dog, Lucy, the brand ambassador! Haha. She is my best mate hands down.

Point break or beach break?

Point break! I find beachies so difficult, they're harder to read and I always seem to have a shocker! A nice mellow point break is just unbeatable! 

Hiking or sippin' cocktails by the pool?

Sippin’ by the pool any day, I don’t hike, it’s never been my thing, I’m that lazy friend haha.

Ok one last question, a serious one, your hopes and dreams for S & S?

I would be stoked to see it stocked in boutiques, and just to see really healthy and happy girls wearing the product, knowing it makes them feel confident and kick ass. If I can make someone more comfortable in their own skin, then that’s enough for me.  

Sea & Sarong was born from the love of our beautiful coastlines and the ocean we get to dip our toes in daily. But with that love comes responsibility, as a brand we owe it to that big beautiful blue sea to speak of and raise awareness of one of it's biggest enemies, plastic. Take 3 For The Sea is a global movement to stop plastic pollution killing wildlife and damaging the planet. Through education comes participation. We were lucky enough to have the team from Take 3 tell us much more about what they do. 

Imagery via @take3forthesea

Let’s assume for a moment that some people may not have heard of Take 3, can you give us a run down on what the organisation is and what it stands for?

Take 3 believes in simple actions to address complex problems.

How can we stop plastic pollution from killing wildlife and suffocating our planet?

In 2009, two friends set about answering this question. Roberta Dixon-Valk and Amanda Marechal developed an idea where a simple action could produce profound consequences. Joining forces with environmentalist Tim Silverwood, the trio established Take 3 as an organisation and launched it publicly in 2010. Simply, Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway or...anywhere, and you have made a difference. The Take 3 for the Sea movement was born.

Since 2009, Take 3 has delivered education programs to 350,000 students from 400 schools, 40 surf clubs and countless communities around Australia. Take 3’s consistent efforts in sparking behavioural change has seen its global movement of over 300,000 followers remove over 10 million pieces of rubbish from the environment every year.

Imagery via @take3forthesea

Can you tell us a little about the founders and how the organisation is run as it’s a volunteer based program?

Take 3 is founded by Tim Silverwood (CEO), Amanda Marechal (Head of Education) and Roberta Dixon-Valk (Head of Programs). Take 3 is run by a small team, with a volunteer base of over 100 passionate and inspiring volunteers.

Can anyone volunteer?

Any one over the age of 18 can register officially as a Take 3 Volunteer. They’re invited to join the Take 3 Team at beach clean-ups, school education programs, film screenings, festivals and more! We love joining forces with like-minded and passionate people to help spread the awareness of the plastic pollution crisis and inspire people to make simple changes.

Imagery via @take3forthesea

A huge part of your ethos is that education encourages participation, how does Take 3 educate?                                                   

Take 3 delivers school incursions to primary and secondary schools with programs that are aligned with Australia's National Curriculum. Take 3 educators raise awareness of plastic pollution and explore simple actions to prevent it. We’ve now educated over 350,000 students from 400 schools.                                                                 

Our approach is to provide students with a compelling reason to act before encouraging the development of original ideas to solve the global plastic pollution problem in their local community.                                                                    

Students are led to develop solutions that will:                                                    

• Implement source reduction initiatives to prevent litter in their school and community
• Reduce waste sent to landfill from their school through a tailored and specific action plan
• Track and share their impact to educate and inspire the broader community

Take 3’s Surf Life Saving Program educates Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSCs) around Australia about plastic pollution with a focus on coastal and marine environments. Working closely with ‘Nippers’, Take 3 leads surf clubs to develop original solutions through learning, hands-on participation and clean up activities.

Take 3’s Corporate Program works closely with commercial enterprises in waste reduction strategies and beach clean-up activities. We also run an early childhood education program and regular community events such as film screenings, presentations and clean-up activities.

Imagery via @take3forthesea

Obviously the reduction of plastic bags is a huge step forward for the anti-plastic movement, but what are other super simple ways that we can help in our everyday lives, ways that we may not have thought of even?

We recommend to look closely at each purchase you make and question the quantity of resources and energy it took to create this product, along with the waste output.. For instance, clothes made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, spandex and lycra can pollute over 490,000 pieces of microfibres into our waterways and ocean. This is the most polluted plastic item in Australian waters which is causing horrific damage to marine wildlife. Simply by choosing organic fibres such as hemp, bamboo, rayon and cotton, you can stop the devastating impacts of microplastic pollution!

Take 3 advocates for a circular economy that is regenerative and renewable by design. Recycling has long been championed as the solution to consumption but we’ve realised that the system needs a redesign.

The circular economy is entirely regenerative as it recovers used materials and makes them into something new again. Through the unification of recycling, renewable technology and sustainable production, the circular economy can end the need to produce items from finite resources. Take 3 promotes the circular economy as a sustainable solution for the future of our planet.

We must reduce our synthetic fibres and single-use plastics while promoting the circular economy!

The ocean is an amazing playground and we are so lucky to have it, it gives us so much so how can we give back?

Every time you visit the ocean, or anywhere in nature, you can give back by living the Take 3 message through education and participation, which is our global mission. As you know, if everyone simply takes 3 pieces of rubbish when they leave the beach... or anywhere, they've made a difference! We call this action a 'micro-cleanup'. By conducting micro-cleanups you are actively living the Take 3 message!

We urge you to share your micro-cleanups with your online social communities and become a part of our international Take 3 community. Share images and videos of your cleanups on Instagram and Facebook and tag us #Take3forthesea and @Take3forthesea! This spreads the Take 3 message and inspires others to do the same.

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Jade Sewell-Robertson is the founder and owner of Two Sparrow. A swimwear label that designs and makes bikinis from recycled plastic. Not only are they environmentally friendly in a crazy high standard, but they're hot as hell. From high waisted silhouettes and leopard print to sleek and chic one pieces, Two Sparrow is a game changer. We recently collaborated and caught up with Jade. 

Tell us how Two Sparrow Swimwear was born? 

Specifically, it began when I saw the waste from large global online retailers with friends purchasing large amounts of low cost swimwear, with only a few actually fitting and throwing away the rest. This kind of waste immediately was a driving factor in wanting to make a change. It made me think there would have to be a better way to make sure swimwear would fit, first time round and was made of sustainable, recycled fabrics.

After abundant research into sustainable fabrics and ethical production, I found Econyl, a fabric made from 78% recycled Nylon (made from plastics & fishing nets) and 22% elastane (to give it the stretch). I also discovered that this fabric even though it is sustainably made is not necessarily sustainable at the end of it’s life as it is very difficult to recycle.

This is why I have created the Recycle Your Kini Program where you can send back your kinis to Two Sparrow free of charge (in an eco mailer bag) and we will send them back to Italy to be recycled. 

Overall, our aim in our manufacturing, production, delivery and recycling of our products is to do so in a manner that considers the effects on the environment and what we can do to minimise this. This is why in our fabric, packaging, manufacturing, post-use and community contributions we have considered the alternative to what other organisations do.

Running a business is pretty hard work but worth it right!? Being a young entrepreneur, what’s some advice for other Aussie creatives or aspiring designers?

Right! To say it is hard work is an understatement but it is always worth it. I have learnt more in the last few months than I could have ever imagined and I’m so appreciative for it. I think for all those also doing it alone without a business partner the best advice would be the quicker you bounce back when things go wrong, the stronger you will be.

In a way I feel lucky that I have had quite a few curveballs come at me since I started Two Sparrow and my ability to take on a situation and figure out a game plan in a matter of minutes instead of dwelling for days is one of the best skills I have ever learnt.

Also, making sure that you have a few people or mentors in your life that have or are currently experiencing something similar to what you are. Whether it is in your industry or not, it’s those people that when things go right or wrong who are there to support you.

Let's talk about ‘Making Sustainability Sexy’?

Coming from a background in corporate marketing we often would call particular marketing tactics as ‘sexy or unsexy marketing’. For example there are sometimes more glamorous sides of marketing, though with the same strategic goal or brand messaging a label can be just as cool or ‘sexy’ as the next. 

This is what we mean by ‘Making Sustainability Sexy’, trying to change the perception of sustainability and show it is cool and is something we should all be trying to do, that we can all make a difference. Whether that be taking your own mug to the local coffee shop or using your recycled bag at the local shops, every bit counts. There is no planet B! 

What is the Two Sparrow One Planet Fund?

We don't just ensure sustainability in our fabrics, manufacturing and packaging but we also contribute to the Two Sparrow One Planet Fund. The One Planet Fund has been created to ensure we are also giving back to the community and contributing to a variety of projects.

Our current project is contributing to cleaning the ocean and coastlines of plastic while working to stop the inflow of plastic by helping to change consumer consumption habits.

Every single purchase contributes to this important cause, and as we evolve so will the projects that we contribute to, so far we have helped remove 1 pound of plastic from the ocean. 

We all know it can be pretty tough to find swimwear that fits just right, any tips for choosing the right bikini?

Absolutely! I think the best thing is to check the size guide, or if you are on the Two Sparrow website use the DigiFit. The DigiFit was created to help you predict your size and the best fit in Two Sparrow bikinis all at the click of a button.

The DigiFit translates your sizing in other brands to our sizing all in seconds and suggests what colour and style would best suit you. At the end of the day, no one wants to receive a bikini that doesn’t fit and have to wait for shipping and returns. We help you find the right size, the first time.

Oh we’d love to know what piece or print from the Sea & Sarong collection is your fave?

I think this answer is threefold:

• The Cali Sarong: The shell detailing! How beautiful
• The Cabana Sarong: Leopard is always in style, especially when it is this beautiful
• The Jags Sarong: The black can easily be worn from day to night which I love

Both S & S and Two Sparrow have some really fun prints in the collections, what prints would you pair together?

Is it fair to say them all? I LOVE the Sea and Sarong collection. I think the Bondi Top and Hamilton bottoms in white rib would go so well with the Cali Sarong.

I also love the shell detailing on the sarongs, I think they pair perfectly with our sustainable snake collection or the sustainable leopard collection. I can’t wait to pair mine together!

I think as Aussie’s its natural that we’re beach bums, what are some of your favourite beaches across Australia?

Funny you say that, me too! That’s why all our swimwear is named after some of my favourite beaches across Australia. The only one that’s missing is my real favourite though: Sandy Gully in Aireys Inlet, along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Also, our first photoshoot was shot on my second favourite: Wategos in Byron Bay.



Finally, what do you see for Two Sparrow Swimwear in the future?

Part of what I learnt previously working in Marketing is the importance of research and development and the need to continually innovate, which will always be our future. A few specific things would be moving into menswear and other clothing made from sustainable, recycled fabrics.

Also, a strategic sustainability objective would be to bring all post-use recycling to Australia to encourage the ‘Recycle Your Kini’ program amongst other swimwear designers.

Running our label means we are lucky enough to work with some creative minds and all around amazing women. Across Australia we have joined up with ladies in the industry who have huge talent and even bigger ambitions. India Payne from Philip Island in Victoria reached out to us earlier in the year as she could see that her photography and our brand aligned. We're stoked that she did. Here's our interview with the woman who is India Payne Photography. 

Who is India Payne?

I'm a 25-year-old surf photographer from Phillip Island, VIC. Having grown up traveling the world surfing from a young age the ocean has been a huge part of my life, which has now transitioned into my passion of photography and sharing my world with everyone.

I hope that through my images I can share the worlds beauty with you all. I want to inspire everyone to get outside and enjoy what our incredible world and ocean has to offer. Photography has taught me it’s not just the image but everything that happens alongside it, the fun surfs, the amazing people, the travel, the lifestyle and most of all the happiness that an image can bring.

When did photography come into your life?

Photography came into my life roughly a year ago when my partner and I were coming home from living in Canggu for a few months and I wanted someone to shoot my surfing and then I thought well why don’t I give photography a try and now the rest is history.

Do you have a favourite type of photography and what’s the most challenging part of your job?

It’s hard to say if I have a favourite type of photography. I absolutely love shooting surfing in the water, just the happiness it can bring someone to get a great shot of what they love doing most is really special. In saying that I've really gotten into fashion/lifestyle photography lately as well, I’m excited to see where it all takes me.

The most challenging part of my job at the moment is the weather, coming off a Victorian winter it makes is pretty difficult to get out there and do what I love when its 10 degrees and pouring with rain haha. 

You’re from a little slice of paradise called Philip Island, tell us about it?

Phillip Island is a small Island around 1.5hrs from Melbourne I’ve lived here my whole life, it is a really amazing place. Summertime is my favourite with endless sunsets, beach days and fun surfs. Winter is pretty freezing down here averaging around 10 dregrees a day but I'm very fortunate to escape to Indo throughout each winter. 

IM Glamping is a cool bizzo you’ve started up with model and friend Melodie Shakespear, what’s it all about?

IM Glamping is a beachfront glamorous camping accommodation we have set up in San Remo just before the bridge to Phillip Island. It’s a 4M Lotus Belle tent that accommodates couples looking for a weekend away or up to three girls wanting a girl's trip away. We have been open for roughly a month and it’s been so much fun having a business with my best friend. You can check out the tent and our slice of paradise at @imglamping on Instagram

Ok, most important question, favourite piece from the Sea & Sarong current collection?

How do I choose just one from the collection, they are all so stunning. Although if I'd have to choose one it would be The Cabana Sarong, I can’t say no to a little bit of leopard.

We’ve joined the movement of Take 3 For The Sea to help reduce plastic pollution, tell us a few simple ways that you reduce your use of plastic or any tips for doing so?

This is something really important to me as the ocean is a huge part of my life. A few simple ways I reduce my plastic use are; I always make sure I’ve got my reusable drink bottle, always say no to the use of a plastic straw, string bags for the weekly shopping and a keep cup for my coffee runs.

For the aspiring photographers out there, what advice can you give?

The biggest piece of advice I can give is you don’t know if you don’t try! Get out there have fun and do it for yourself, you never know what amazing opportunities are around the corner.

My love affair is not so much specifically with the sea and the ocean but more so with this truly remarkable place in space that we live in, and all that it encompasses.

However if I ask myself ‘what symbolizes Australia’ the short answer would be ‘our beaches’. 

Of course I know that there is much more to our beautiful country but the truth of the matter is that all the world and his wife know of our beaches and the opportunity to kick up a clothing brand that dresses all the world and his wife in readiness for our sublime coastline was one ride I wasn’t going to miss.

More importantly, though, was that the invitation from my daughter to join forces with her on this journey was the most exciting invitation that I have ever received. I can’t wait to work with my creative soul of a daughter, Millie.   

Her tenacity & energy towards Sea & Sarong continues to impress and delight me. The quote from B.C Forbes could have been written of her….” To succeed, we must have the will to succeed, we must have stamina, determination, backbone, perseverance, self reliance and faith”.

In a world that throws some curved balls at times, Sea & Sarong is always delivering something fresh and exciting.

I am very much looking forward to a trip of a lifetime on the Sea & Sarong train.

Much love

Rosie 

“Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements”.

Why Sea & Sarong?

I can only speak for myself on this one, as Rosie probably has her own story to tell. S & S was the byproduct of a pretty solid cross road in my life -- a job resignation and a super fun break up (good times!). So I went home to take some time out. But as we know, the devil makes work for idle hands and the mind can go a bit crazy. So I turned to mum and said, "I want to start a business, do you want to do it with me." Rosie’s a goer so of course she said yes. Love you ma...

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Cabana in Cabarita

We’re live! SO much love and many late nights have gone into this brand and our first collection. Each piece is the essence of all things that drive the passion and pursuit for paradise. Paradise may be in your backyard, it may be a place you’re saving and saving to go to or it may be just somewhere you feel the most comfortable. Every sarong is named after places that we love and people in our lives that mean so much. 

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