Kia ora, Sassa here. With the relaunch of my Sassa Moon slow-fashion label, it feels like the perfect moment to introduce myself and share the journey behind the brand — a journey shaped by decades of textile craft, plant dye, organic materials, and the soulful rhythm of creating intentionally.
My story began over 30 years ago in the vibrant markets of Cape Town, where I spent my early twenties customising, dyeing, and selling handmade pieces. Those beginnings taught me everything the hands must learn: patience, intuition, and a deep respect for traditional natural-dye processes. Working with natural color at such a young age shaped the foundation of what would later become Sassa Moon — clothing connected to nature, craft, and quiet beauty.
Through the 2000s, I opened two boutiques in Cape Town, immersing myself in a community of women who valued intentional, slow-made clothing long before “slow fashion” entered the global conversation. Bali eventually became another creative home — a place where two of the most meaningful collaborations in my career began and continue today.
Every Sassa Moon garment is designed by me and sewn by my tailor Gusti and his wife Ayu, who have been crafting my pieces with extraordinary care for 18 years. My plant dyer and his family in the northern hills of Bali, also by my side for 18 years, color each textile using time-honored plant-dye methods passed down through generations. I regularly visit their dye house, seeing firsthand where the plants are grown sustainably — and often getting my own hands into the dye vat. These relationships are the heart of Sassa Moon: ethical, human, long-standing partnerships built on trust and shared craft.
I choose only the highest-quality certified organic fabrics, including our signature organic French batiste cotton, loved for its gentle satin sheen, and organic European flax linen, renowned for its breathability, strength, and natural luxury. These fibres carry an elevated energy — clothing made from them feels grounding, intentional, and high-frequency, honoring both the wearer and the planet.
Now designing from the Far North of Aotearoa, the coastline and soft shifting light are constant sources of inspiration. While my designs are rooted here, the heart of the craft continues to be shared with the artisans who have grown alongside me for nearly two decades. And now, a new chapter unfolds: my amazing husband is building my own dye shed, where I’ll begin experimenting with local possum–merino wools and native plant dyes for the upcoming Sassa Moon winter collections. Returning to hands-on dye work here in Aotearoa feels like the next natural evolution of the brand.
Sassa Moon is, and has always been, a collaboration between land, craft, and people — a celebration of plant-dyed textiles, organic materials, and the timeless beauty of slow fashion.
Thank you for being here.
Ngā mihi nui,
Sassa