Davina Cassino is a talented, intuitive and hard working fashion designer, trend forecaster and business owner based in her hometown of Melbourne. With over two decades of industry knowledge, Davina has embarked on many fashion journeys within the sector and utilised her impressive experience to create an eco-friendly, sustainable and local luxury fashion label named, Sabine.

Armed with an in-depth understanding of product development and supply chain practices, Davina is changing the way we view sustainable fashion – creating a totally transparent luxury label that highlights eco-friendly methods and support of local at every level. Sabine is showing the fashion industry that you can still create a luxury product that is not at the expense of ethics or the environment.

What did you study at RMIT University and what was your first fashion job out of Uni?

I studied Clothing Production at RMIT, but only for a year. I then started selling t-shirts on the side (cast your mind back to the era of low rise jeans and chopped tee’s). I was making ok money, so I left uni to pursue that full time. When girls’ fashion started moving towards dresses and steering away from the ripped up ‘naughties’ tee, business started slowing down. I knew there was still so much for me to learn; I thought about going back to uni but I just couldn’t learn in a classroom anymore. From there, I got a job as a Junior Product Developer and worked my way up. I realised I learn much better from doing, and met so many amazing people along the way. You get exposed to so much more in the industry and, for me, I learnt a lot more than what was being taught in the classroom.

As a trend forecaster and designer for the past 20 years, what inspired you to start your latest label, Sabine?

It was always my plan to end up having my own label when my son started school. I believe that if you’re going to go out on your own (especially in this industry), then you should do so after a TONNE of experience. You need very thick skin to last in this game, so the more time you’ve spent working for other people/companies, the better. I wanted to create a label that was almost bespoke; slow, calm and timeless. I want to bring back ‘investment’ shopping. Pieces that may cost a little more but will last a lifetime.

What sets Sabine apart from the often over-saturated and competitive fashion market?

We have brought the beauty back to authenticity. Sabine is timeless tailoring and design in quality fabrics, made in small quantities locally and ethically. With a completely transparent supply chain. 

You place a lot of emphasis on being eco-friendly and sustainable, which is of course extremely important but a focus often overlooked by other clothing labels. Why is it so important for you to ensure your label does not impact on our environment and how do you achieve this?

There is too much of everything these days! Excess waste, chemicals, pollutants, dyes – enough is enough. We don’t have to make clothes this way! I want my son to grown up in a world where the air is breathable and the water is drinkable.

At Sabine we do not make new fabrics. All materials used on our garments are hand-picked from what is already existing. This is our way of keeping it circular. Using what’s available, not creating more. We make small production runs. We produce to sell out to ensure we have no stock left over. NO waist. NO landfill. And then it’s all about locally made. By making our garments locally we are not polluting our earth and seas by sending fit samples, etc. back and forth to overseas factories. There are many steps involved in creating a garment and when you’re manufacturing overseas, each of these steps requires shipping. Producing locally means that all that shipping is eliminated. 

The first step in sustainability is about educating consumers. How best can we do this to ensure people understand that fast fashion is a huge environmental disaster that they can help to stem?

This is a really tough one. With interest rates and the cost of living on the constant incline, it’s understandable that consumers don’t want to pay too much for anything – I get it! However, I think it’s about educating the public on the right questions to ask themselves before their next purchase:

Why is a garment so cheap? What is it made from? 

Where is it made? By whom? And how many have been produced? 

These factors play a huge part in the longevity of your garment (and the effects it has on the earth). So yeah, you might be paying less upfront, but you will end up having to replace it in the near future. At Sabine we are about cost per wear. We try and make most pieces machine washable and designed to suit all occasions. So you can throw it in the wash after the beach, gym or bed – then style it up for a night out. Consumers are starting to invest in pieces they can get the most out of. They are looking for something different than the mainstream brands and are seeking high quality and natural fibres. From what I am seeing in Europe and the UK, that seems to be where fashion is heading. 

Ethical fashion is also important. How have you managed to maintain ethical standards in your handmade processes?

With great difficulty! [laughs] Manufacturing locally has proven to be much harder than I originally thought. Covid killed off many of the last local manufacturers (heartbreaking, I know), so it took me about a year of searching and trialing, but I got there in the end. All of our makers are paid a high hourly rate and work in beautiful conditions at times that suit them. They’re happy and I’m happy. 

Each limited edition garment is made in your hometown of Melbourne. Why was it imperative for you to have the clothes made here at home, and do you see a future where majority of clothing is manufactured back on Australian soil?

It was a MUST for me to have my pieces made in Melbourne as there is so much talent and experience here. I think it will be a very long time before local manufacturing is the norm, but I hope that I’m wrong. For me, it’s paramount to give back to our economy and create LOCAL jobs.

Masculine yet feminine, chic yet laid back, luxurious yet wearable. 

Sabine focuses on luxury and comfort with a stylish edge. How would you best describe your ‘sleep to street’ style ethos?

I roll with the belief that it’s always better to be underdressed than overdressed, hence the ‘sleep to street’ ethos of Sabine. Also being a 90’s kid, the ‘model off-duty’ look was everything, so I guess it’s just what I love. I believe that true style is purchasing pieces that you can make your own. Our customer knows who they are and knows their style, so it’s my job to give them pieces they can wear from sleep to street or anything in between. 

Your Ultimate Shirt is set to become a cult piece in every fashionable woman’s wardrobe. What inspired you to design the shirt and what do you love most about the style?

It’s a must have! Everyone needs a good quality man-style shirt that is built to last. I have always dressed like a tomboy and have many man-style shirts in my wardrobe, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve noticed the need to curate more. It’s all well and good to wear something three sizes too big for you when you have youth on your side, but as you get older you need a little more curation and tailoring. I wanted the appearance of oversized and baggy, but I needed it to be sleeker on my arms and designed to not make me look frumpy. I couldn’t find anything like this… thus Sabine was born. 

Your first two collections are named, ‘Who Is Sabine’ and ‘Blue Hotel’ respectively. What was the inspiration behind the collections?

My first collection ‘Who Is Sabine’ was an introduction into the brand, showing how you can dress from sleep to street – really emphasising the beauty, durability and wearability of natural cottons. 

‘Blue Hotel’ (named after the 90’s Chris Isaac song) is where I expanded into fashion fleece (in the colour blue, hence the collection’s name). Keeping the cottons but showing how trackies can be worn as a fashion staple. I’m a big fan of pop colours grounded in monochrome, so this is something ongoing that you will see at Sabine. 

What trends do you anticipate for our current Winter season, and what can we hope to see for Spring/Summer 23/24?

Bold primary colours will be around for a while, as will shirting and cotton dressing. The emphasis on easy care garments (wash and wear) is a big factor, with light flowing silhouettes for summer. 

What is next for Davina Cassino and Sabine?

I really want to play around with more silk fabrications and hemp. I also plan to extend my size range to be more inclusive. We will be popping up at Tough boutique for the month of August, with some great new essentials, so that should be fun. 

QUICK RANDOM ONES:

Which celebrity would you most like to style?

Miley Cyrus and Angelina Jolie. I love how Miley has really come into her own. She takes risks with her style and is unapologetic about who she is. Angelina is a classic sensation. I love strong women who know how to mix and match. Women who can make any piece their own and wear it THEIR way. That’s what Sabine is all about. 

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Jon Bon Jovi – and it lasted thirty years! 

Your ideal date night outfit?

I believe life is better with sunnies on, so I’d prefer a ‘date afternoon’. For me, its always about boots and layers. The Sabine Ultimate Shirt under a blazer (or leather jacket) with a mini skirt or jeans, depending how dressy the date is…

Favourite piece in the current Sabine collection?

The Ultimate Shirt – I literally wear it to the beach then dressed up with leather pants. It really is the ultimate shirt. 

Style icon?

Caroline De Maigret and Anja Rubik.

Most treasured piece of clothing in your wardrobe?

A vintage leather jacket I bought in Florence when I was 22. It gets better with age.

Favourite Aussie designer?

Sabine! 😉

To check out th latest from Sabine, click here.