The Xanthe Project

The Xanthe Project is SARAH & SEBASTIAN's philanthropic initiative dedicated to ocean conservation. Through creative pursuits and strategic partnerships, the project seeks to foster a deep appreciation for the ocean and commits to donating over one million dollars to conservation efforts by 2032.

Xanthe Zodiac

Xanthe Zodiac is a celestial new collection inspired by the ocean and the symbolic language of the stars. Each handcrafted pendant reflects the essence and mythology of its star sign, designed as a modern talisman to be worn close. Cast in 18 karat yellow gold or sterling silver, every piece supports marine conservation through The Xanthe Project, with ten percent of proceeds donated to protecting the oceans that inspire us.

To date, the Xanthe Project has contributed over $500,00 to its partners.

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$1 Million By 2032

Established to celebrate SARAH & SEBASTIAN's ten year anniversary, the Xanthe Project looks ahead to the next decade, which is critical for the protection of our oceans. Through product sales, sponsorships and ongoing donations it supports nonprofit organisations across policy change, entrepreneurship, education and research. The name “Xanthe” is inspired by “zooxanthellae,” organisms that live symbiotically with coral, helping it thrive. In parallel, our mission at SARAH & SEBASTIAN is to support and sustain ocean health.

Our Impact

In just over three years, The Xanthe Project has taken bold, intentional action to deepen our connection with community, partners, and the ocean, driving impactful conservation initiatives, inspiring advocacy, and reaching a major milestone in our decade-long pledge.

2024 IMAPACT REPORT

2025 IMPACT REPORT

Our Partners

The Xanthe Project is proud to support four Australian nonprofit organisations across policy 
change, entrepreneurship, education and research. Read more about our partners below.

AUSTRALIAN MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY LEARN MORE

TAKE 3 FOR THE SEA LEARN MORE

SEA WOMEN OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF LEARN MORE

INSTITUTE FOR MARINE AND ANTARCTIC STUDIES LEARN MORE

Our Mission

Put simply, our mission is to inspire wonder for the ocean and advocacy for its protection.

Through creativity, education and meaningful collaboration, we aim to deepen the connection between our community and the natural world. We work closely with scientists, conservationists and educators to support hands-on initiatives that protect marine ecosystems, while using storytelling and design to spark curiosity, awareness and lasting impact.

Now You See Me

The Xanthe Project fosters creative pursuits to deepen connection to the marine world, including the film series NOW YOU SEE ME. The collection of five short films, created in collaboration with our Creative Director Sarah Gittoes and filmmaker Alice Wesley-Smith raises awareness of the challenges facing Australia’s most endangered marine life and ecosystems.

DISCOVER THE FILMS

The Xanthe Collection

Are you an Aries Reef Shark, a Leo Sea Lion or an Aquarius Dolphin?
Cast in 18-karat yellow gold or sterling silver, discover your Xanthe Zodiac sea creatures.

ARIES THE REEF SHARKSHOP NOW

TAURUS THE SHELLSHOP NOW

GEMINI THE SEAHORSESHOP NOW

CANCER THE CRABSHOP NOW

LEO THE SEA LIONSHOP NOW

VIRGO THE MERMAIDSHOP NOW

LIBRA THE SEA STARSHOP NOW

SCORPIO THE PRAWNSHOP NOW

SAGITTARIUS THE WHALESHOP NOW

CAPRICORN THE TURLESHOP NOW

AQUARIUS THE DOLPHINSHOP NOW

PISCES THE FISHSHOP NOW

THE JOURNAL

World Oceans Day: Our Commitment to AMCS

World Oceans Day: Our Commitment to AMCS

This World Oceans Day, SARAH & SEBASTIAN is proud to deepen our support of the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), a long-standing partner of our philanthropic Xanthe Project, through a $50,000 donation to support their vital work protecting Australia’s marine environments. As Australia’s leading national charity dedicated solely to ocean conservation, AMCS has spent more than sixty years advocating for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems and wildlife threatened by climate change, pollution, and destructive commercial fishing practices. Their work — grounded in science, education, and community action — continues to play a critical role in safeguarding the future of our oceans, making them a partner our team feels incredibly passionate about supporting. Most recently, we worked alongside AMCS on a campaign advocating for stronger nature laws in Australia, helping raise awareness around the urgent need for greater environmental protection and accountability. Earlier this year, our team also travelled to Far North Queensland alongside AMCS during the filming of a new documentary exploring the legacy of Ellison Reef — the reef that helped spark the creation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Australian Marine Conservation Society itself. Witnessing firsthand the work being done by scientists, conservationists, Traditional Owners, and advocates to better understand the future of these fragile ecosystems was a powerful reminder of the importance of collective action and long-term environmental protection. Ocean conservation remains at the heart of SARAH & SEBASTIAN and The Xanthe Project. We are incredibly grateful to continue working closely with the AMCS team and to support the important work they do every day to protect the oceans that inspire everything we create. Discover more about the Australian Marine Conservation Society and support their work here.

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NOW YOU SEE ME, Ningaloo's Nursery—A SARAH & SEBASTIAN SHORT FILM

NOW YOU SEE ME, Ningaloo's Nursery—A SARAH & SEBASTIAN SHORT FILM

When we started the NOW YOU SEE ME film series four years ago, we didn’t know exactly where it would take us, only that we felt a responsibility to show the fragile beauty of Australia’s marine life, and the growing threats it faces. Ningaloo’s Nursery, our final chapter, is perhaps the most emotional and confronting journey we've taken yet. We travelled to Western Australia’s remote northwest, to a place that still feels truly wild. The Ningaloo region: Cape Range, the reef, and Exmouth Gulf, holds an ancient kind of magic. It’s home to whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs, and a tapestry of life we were honoured to witness. But it’s also a region in crisis. When we arrived, the reef was in the midst of a mass coral bleaching event. We hadn’t set out to tell a climate change story, but there was no ignoring it. One day we’d dive among radiant coral gardens; the next, we’d emerge shaken from ghostly, colourless reefs. The contrast was devastating. [featured_images1] Seeing it with our own eyes made the science real. These weren’t abstract statistics or satellite photos; they were living, breathing ecosystems vanishing in front of us. And it wasn’t just the reef. Exmouth Gulf, a vital nursery for this entire marine region, remains unprotected and is facing mounting industrial pressure. It’s excluded from World Heritage status, and still treated like an expendable buffer zone. We found that heartbreaking. We madeNingaloo’s Nursery with filmmaker Alice Wesley-Smith, whose sensitivity and sharp eye helped us tell this story with both urgency and reverence. The film premiered at the State Library of NSW on the eve of World Oceans Day. It was an intimate night, filled with friends, some brilliant environmental advocates, and leading lights from the fashion and creative industry. We hoped our audience would feel what we felt: awe, grief, and a spark to act. What we’ve learnt along the way in creating these films, is that it isn’t just about awareness anymore. It’s about advocacy. And with that in mind, we’ve launched a public petition calling for stronger national nature laws and for Exmouth Gulf to be formally protected. Because it deserves more than admiration – It needs guardianship. As this film series comes to a close, what stays with us is a deepened sense of responsibility. We can’t unsee what we’ve seen. And we don’t want others to look away. Go behind the scenes of NOW YOU SEE ME Ningaloo’s Nursery here. – SARAH & SEBASTIAN

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