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12 Signs. 12 Stories: Behind the Xanthe Zodiac Campaign

12 Signs. 12 Stories: Behind the Xanthe Zodiac Campaign

For the Xanthe Zodiac collection, we cast twelve friends of SARAH & SEBASTIAN whose connection to the ocean feels as intrinsic as their connection to the stars. Photographed by Samuel Armstrong across Clovelly, Camp Cove, Maroubra and Hermit Bay, the campaign is a love letter to Sydney's coastline and the people who find meaning in the water. ARIES, Sarah Gittoes, Co-Founder and Creative Director of SARAH & SEBASTIAN. “Make your own momentum.” A diver and ocean advocate driven by instinct and momentum; Sarah begins most mornings with a swim at Clovelly. TAURUS, Mana Mackay, model and creative. “People say Taurus is stubborn. I don’t think that’s true. I just need a compelling reason to change my mind.” New Zealand-born and nature-grounded, Mana moves with quiet determination and conviction. Once committed, she doesn't waver. [featured_images4] GEMINI, Olia Burtaev, Olympian and creative. "Work with the water, not against it." Selected for the Australian National Team at 14 and representing Australia at the London 2012 Olympic Games, her life has been shaped by discipline, precision and the constant interplay between control and flow. CANCER, Annalisa Ferraris, culinary artist. “I love bringing people together. Hosting. A table full of food.” Trained at the National Art School and Central Saint Martins, Annalisa’s work brings together visual art and food into immersive experiences guided by intuition as much as craft. LEO, Nathan Brook, dancer and creative. “After a swim, I feel most like my highest self.” Raised in Avalon Beach, Nathan trained at The Australian Ballet School and performed with Queensland Ballet and The Australian Ballet, where he rose to Senior Artist. He moves through the world the same way he moves on stage; with openness and feeling. VIRGO, Laura de Wit, model and fashion personality. “What brings me back to centre? Nature. Long walks. The ocean.” Thoughtful and guided by intention, her mind is always running; building, connecting, bringing people together. At the time of our shoot, she was expecting her first child — and wore it the way she wears everything. Lightly, and with grace. LIBRA, Astrid Holler, model and freediver. “Beneath the surface, everything aligns.” As a freediver, Astrid’s relationship with water is both physical and meditative; a place where everything slows, and she returns to herself. Balance, for Astrid, is something continually moved towards rather than fixed. [featured_images1] SCORPIO, Liv Parsons, model. “There's nothing more important than who you love, and who loves you.” Private, loyal and deeply considered, Liv approaches the ocean — vast and powerful — with both respect and caution. What matters most is community, and the people closest to her. SAGITTARIUS — Nikki Van Dijk, professional surfer. "Enjoy every moment like it's your last." Competing on the World Surf League tour, Nikki has spent years travelling, moving and chasing freedom — but always returns to the ocean. CAPRICORN, Mikka, artist. “If I dream something, I'll make sure to live it.” Born on Christmas Day, Mikka works across digital and 3D mediums with relentless focus and drive. The ocean slows everything down, offering perspective between where he is and where he knows he can be. [featured_images2] AQUARIUS, Nicole Warne, creative director. “Float like a cloud, flow like water.” Nicoles work spans fashion, travel and lifestyle, guided by an instinctive ability to connect ideas, people and places. Japan, where her heritage lies, and the ocean both bring her back to calm and centre. PISCES, Roberta Peroraro, model and cook. “We don't chase, we attract.” Roberta moves through life with ease and instinct, finding expression through food and stillness near the water. Even just seeing the ocean is enough. [featured_images3] Together, they embody the spirit of Xanthe Zodiac, a collection inspired by the symbolism of the stars and the wisdom of the ocean. Crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and sterling silver, each pendant is inspired by a sea creature chosen to reflect the mythology and energy of its zodiac sign. Through the Xanthe Project, every piece purchased contributes to the protection of marine life through our Xanthe Project Partners. SHOP THE COLLECTION

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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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Artist Sarana Haeata on the World of Xanthe Zodiac

Artist Sarana Haeata on the World of Xanthe Zodiac

To celebrate the launch of XANTHE Zodiac; a celestial collection of pendants inspired by the astrology of the stars and the wisdom of the ocean, SARAH & SEBASTIAN has collaborated with Australian artist Sarana Haeata on a series of twelve original artworks. Based in Margaret River on the southwest coast of Australia, Haeata is known for her abstract figurative paintings exploring femininity, movement, motherhood, and shared human experience. Created in response to the sea creatures that symbolise each zodiac sign within the collection, the works bring an emotional and deeply intuitive layer to the storytelling behind XANTHE Zodiac. We visited Haeata at her studio, nestled amongst the lush countryside of Margaret River and shared alongside the workshop of her partner Tom Lee’s practice, Biscay Studio. Surrounded by nature, the space reflects the elemental energy present throughout her work. “In all of my paintings, there is a really strong sense of movement,” says Haeata. “The reason for this fluidity is a Māori term called the wairua. I love this idea of surrendering to this current, this force of life that we have.” This sense of surrender, motion, and calm became central to the visual language of the collaboration. "THE REASON FOR THIS FLUIDITY IS A MĀORI TERM CALLED THE WAIRUA. I LOVE THIS IDEA OF SURRENDERING TO THIS CURRENT, THIS FORCE OF LIFE THAT WE HAVE.” For each zodiac sign, Haeata created an original painting inspired by its corresponding sea creature using layered brushwork alongside 24-carat yellow gold and 12-carat white gold leaf. “Creating these creatures in this beautiful gold foil — I’m finding these ways to really give reverence to these sea creatures and how they relate to the descriptions that we know of our star signs,” she explains. Each artwork appears as a tarot-sized collectible card accompanying its corresponding pendant, featuring an original zodiac reading on the reverse designed to deepen the ritual and symbolism of the piece.[featured_images1] Alongside the collaboration, Haeata and Lee have also created a series of precision-engineered aluminium frames designed to house the original artworks. Designed and fabricated by Biscay Studio, the sculptural frames draw on brutalist forms and object design, transforming each work into a collectible piece for the home. “These are much more like an art sculpture in their own right,” says Haeata. “How a person interacts with that in a really intimate way in their home, I think that’s a really beautiful aspect to it.” The original artworks are now on display in select SARAH & SEBASTIAN boutiques and available to purchase online, with profits from the sale of the artworks supporting our Xanthe Project partners and the protection of fragile marine ecosystems. “HOW A PERSON INTERACTS WITH THAT IN A REALLY INTIMATE WAY IN THEIR HOME, I THINK THAT’S A REALLY BEAUTIFUL ASPECT TO IT”. Discover the Xanthe Zodiac Collection or shop the original artworks.

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