/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/16-other/alumni-images/alumni-stories/alumni-stories-sophie-and-dali.jpg)
We’d like this planet to not only be here long after we leave it, but to be in a liveable state for our foreseeable future.
Sophie and Dali became friends a few years ago and bonded over their love of animals, the planet, art, music and fashion then put it all into their business! Read their story below.
Please can you tell us about SATM and yourselves?
Sage Against the Machine was created in the summer of 2022 when we decided we were fed up of seeing everyone on the Tiktok shop and Primark hype. These brands and ways of buying are so unsustainable, they lack creativity and individuality. The clothing they sell look awful most of the time and yet people still seem hell bent on supporting them. We want to educate people on why where you shop and what sorts of items you buy is so so important, not just for the planet but for the sake of your fashion sense too!
I studied Game Art & Illustration, and my business partner Dali studied Photojournalism however, we both have backgrounds in fine art as well as music (and a passion for fashion since we can remember) which is why we want SATM to not only provide wicked clothing, but promote and support local creatives to try and boost the arts in our community.
Why is being sustainable important to SATM?
To put it simply, we’d like this planet to not only be here long after we leave it, but to be in a liveable state for our foreseeable future. For us, our families and future families, our friends and loved ones, and everyone else on this beautiful planet. We want to educate as many people as we can whilst we can so that when we get old and grey and slightly less fabulous, we know that we tried our best to help the Earth. We just hope that others will start to care as much as we do too so that its not in vain.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Currently there is no coherent work day! A few months ago I was on USW’s Launch programme which helped fund the business initially. We’ve been to a few markets since finishing the course in February and we have just created an online shop, so we’ve been making and photographing as much as we can on our SATM work days. We set up our first photoshoot with local musician and artist Loafus recently, which meant dressing up the set, styling her in SATM and/or thrifted clothes and jewellery. Although with the fun we have together it certainly doesn’t feel like work.
Where do you see SATM in the future?
We’d love to be a worldwide known brand that can make an impact across all stretches of the planet, putting on sustainable festivals and gigs all over rhe world and seeing people from different walks of life wear our fashion and garms proudly.
What are your top tips for running a sustainable business?
If you’re a USW grad, join the Stiwdio first and foremost. Everything you’ll need to know about businesses can be learnt there for free so make use of that if you can! Most importantly though - always keep your morals and ethics in mind when purchasing fabrics and materials, it can be so easy slipping into a fast fashion mindset when you see a gorgeous piece you want but if its not good for the planet its not good for you! Leave it be!! Also, don't under value yourself, our mission is to keep our fashion affordable and try to rival fast fashion prices so people can choose a better alternative, however if you’re making gorgeous sustainable clothing that it worth hundreds of pounds, CHARGE WHAT ITS WORTH! Don’t sell yourselves short.