OUR APPROACH
At SANCIA, responsibility isn’t a campaign or a collection - it’s a principle that guides every decision we make.
We believe beautiful products should be thoughtfully designed, carefully crafted and made to be worn for years, not seasons. A defining part of that philosophy is our commitment to creating apparel exclusively from natural fibres, choosing materials we believe offer exceptional quality, comfort and longevity. While we know fashion will always have an impact, we’re committed to continually making better choices across our materials, craftsmanship, packaging and partnerships.
Our approach isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, transparency and creating pieces with lasting value that you’ll return to time and time again.
We believe one of the most responsible things we can create is something you’ll love for years to come.
Our collections are intentionally designed beyond seasonal trends, balancing timeless silhouettes with thoughtful details and quality craftsmanship. We choose premium materials that are selected not only for their beauty, but for their durability and ability to age gracefully with wear.
Every SANCIA piece is created with longevity in mind—designed to become part of your wardrobe, rather than simply pass through it.
Thoughtful design is considered in every detail. Every SANCIA order is packaged using plastic-free materials, reflecting our commitment to creating a more considered experience from the moment your order leaves our studio.
From our shipping boxes and tissue paper to our garment bags, swing tags and protective packaging, we’ve carefully selected materials that eliminate unnecessary plastic while ensuring every piece arrives beautifully presented.
We continue to review every element of our packaging, seeking opportunities to refine, simplify and reduce waste without compromising the quality and care that define the SANCIA experience.
Craftsmanship has been at the heart of SANCIA since the very beginning.
Every leather bag is handcrafted by skilled artisans using premium leather, limited-edition textiles and custom-designed hardware created in-house. We work with a small team of highly experienced makers whose expertise and attention to detail are reflected in every piece they create.
Depending on the style, a single bag can involve up to 200 individual processes and take several days to complete. From hand-cutting and stitching to edge painting, buffing and polishing, each step is carefully executed using techniques that have been refined over years of craftsmanship.
When we describe our bags as handcrafted, we mean it. Approximately 80% of each bag is completed using traditional handcrafting techniques, with machinery used only where it enhances precision, consistency or structural integrity without compromising the character of the finished piece.
Our long-standing relationships with our makers are an important part of who we are. By working closely with a small group of skilled artisans, we’re able to preserve traditional craftsmanship while creating products designed to be treasured for years to come.
Every SANCIA leather piece is crafted from premium full-grain leather, sourced predominantly from Europe, including Italian nubuck, Italian suede and vegetable-tanned leather. Each hide is individually selected for its natural beauty, character and exceptional quality.
We choose full-grain leather because it is the strongest and most durable part of the hide, allowing each piece to develop a rich patina over time. Rather than wearing out, our leather is designed to evolve with use, becoming softer, deeper in colour and uniquely individual to its owner.
Many of our collections feature vegetable-tanned leather, a traditional tanning method that has been practised for thousands of years. Unlike conventional chrome tanning, vegetable tanning uses naturally derived tannins extracted from bark, leaves and other plant materials to transform raw leather into a beautiful, durable material.
This slower, more artisanal process celebrates the natural characteristics of every hide, resulting in leather that develops depth, texture and character with age. No two pieces are ever exactly the same, making every SANCIA bag uniquely its own.
We work with trusted tanneries that share our commitment to quality craftsmanship and responsible production. Our vegetable-tanned leathers are free from intentionally added AZO dyes, PCP, Chrome VI and nickel, allowing the natural beauty of the leather to take centre stage.
OUR APPROACH TO LEATHER
At SANCIA, we believe every material comes with its own considerations. Rather than following trends, we carefully evaluate each material for its quality, longevity, craftsmanship and suitability for the products we create.
Today, we choose to work with premium full-grain leather because of its exceptional durability, natural beauty and ability to develop character over time. We believe products that are designed to be repaired, cared for and used for many years offer lasting value, both aesthetically and functionally.
While we continue to follow the development of next-generation leather alternatives with great interest, we have not yet found an alternative that meets our standards for craftsmanship, longevity and performance across our collections.
As innovation continues to evolve, we remain open to new materials that align with our values and our commitment to creating products that are made to last.
Exceptional craftsmanship extends to every detail.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating products with lasting quality, we have transitioned our hardware to solid brass across all new collections. While some earlier SANCIA styles feature zinc alloy hardware, moving forward every new design will be crafted with solid brass as our standard.
We chose solid brass for its exceptional strength, durability and ability to age beautifully over time. Unlike plated hardware, solid brass develops a rich natural patina through use, adding character to each piece while maintaining its integrity for years to come.
It’s a considered investment in the longevity of our products - one that reflects our belief that the smallest details often make the biggest difference.
Materials are the foundation of every SANCIA collection.
Across our apparel collections, we work exclusively with natural fibres. Linen, Organic Cotton, Cupro™, Ramie and TENCEL™ Lyocell are chosen for their exceptional quality, breathability, comfort and longevity, reflecting our belief that beautiful clothing begins with considered materials.
We don’t use synthetic fibres in our apparel because we believe natural fibres create garments that not only feel better to wear, but are designed to be treasured for years to come.
Our swimwear collection is the only exception. Technical fibres are essential to achieve the stretch, fit and durability required for garments designed to perform in the water. We carefully select these materials to ensure they meet our standards for quality and longevity.
As innovation continues to evolve, we remain committed to exploring new materials and technologies that align with our values, without compromising on craftsmanship, quality or design.
Every SANCIA collection is brought to life through long-standing relationships with skilled makers who share our commitment to quality craftsmanship.
We work closely with a small network of trusted manufacturing partners, many of whom we have collaborated with for years. Together we focus on exceptional construction, responsible production practices and creating products we’re proud to put our name to.
We believe strong partnerships create better products—and we remain committed to building relationships founded on trust, respect and transparency.
Guangzhou Baiyun, China
Established in 2005
Certified by:
AI, SMETA / SEDEX
Disney International Labour Standards Group
Hasbro Ethical Sourcing
Verified by SGS.
100 employees
Dongguan, China
Established in 2001
Certificated by:
BSCI, ISO 9001.
Alibaba SKA supplier.
Verified by SGS.
150 employees
Guangzhou, China
Founded in 1985
Gold Certificate of compliance (WRAP)
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
Verified by SGS.
60 employees
At SANCIA, our partners must be transparent in their policies, processes, and standards which govern their operations and which are related to their compliance with the code. SANCIA engages with external third-party quality control and ethical standard auditing to ensure our factory partners ethical standpoint is in line with our code of conduct.
All work should be voluntary and not performed under threat of penalty or coercion.
Employees should not be younger than the minimum employment age of the relevant country, or the maximum age of compulsory education, whichever is higher. Not under any circumstance should workers be younger than 15 years of age.
All employees must be treated with respect and dignity. In other words, the workplace should be free of emotional, verbal and physical abuse.
Moreover, employees must not be subjected to discrimination in hiring, compensation or discipline, on the basis of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, nationality, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation.
Employee compensation – including wages, overtime pay, benefits and paid leave – must meet or exceed legal minimum and/or industry standards and/or collective bargaining agreements, whichever is higher. Wages for Traineeships and apprenticeships should also meet at least the legal minimum. Disciplinary deductions from compensation are not allowed.
Working hours should not exceed 60 hours per week. All overtime must be voluntary, mutually agreed, and compensated at a premium rate. Employees should be given at least 1 rest day in any 7-day period.
EXOTIC ANIMALS
We do not support the use of any endangered species, the use of fur, wool down and exotic animal skin, animal hair or angora. Sancia only uses cow or goat leather, any patterns on our leather is embossed using a stamp.
Suppliers must respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining as permitted by law.
Suppliers must operate with high ethical standards and should not be involved in any corruption, extortion, bribery, fraud, false declarations, counterfeiting or insider trading.
Suppliers should promote and maintain a safe, hygienic and healthy working environment and residential facilities, where provided. Adequate measures, systems, protections and training must be implemented to prevent harm to employees’ health, safety and well being.
CONTINUALLY IMPROVING
Responsibility is an ongoing journey.
Every collection gives us an opportunity to ask better questions, make more considered decisions and continue improving the way we design and produce our products.
Our current focus includes:
• Prioritising natural fibres across our collections
• Reducing unnecessary packaging and waste
• Strengthening long-term partnerships with our makers
• Exploring lower-impact materials and emerging innovations
• Designing products with longevity at their core
We know there is always more to learn, and we’re committed to evolving thoughtfully as better solutions become available.
Since founding SANCIA in 2013, our philosophy has remained the same: create beautiful products with intention, craftsmanship and longevity at their core.
Responsibility isn’t something we see as a destination - it’s something we strive to improve every day through thoughtful decisions, meaningful partnerships and a commitment to making products that are designed to be loved for years to come.
Thank you for being part of that journey.
