In this episode of “D Sustainability Issue” Dessie welcomes Sabrina Satzinger.

Sabrina is the founder and maker behind Saborka - a Vegan Bag brand based in Vienna, Austria. Saborka makes timeless, unique, and high quality accessories for all walks of life, fairly produced in-house by the founder, Sabrina, herself.

Craftsmanship, local production, responsible use of resources and materials are at the core of everything Saborka does.

Sabrina went to fashion school at the age of 14, but it was not until later in life that she went back to fashion and created her first bag on the side and “by accident”, as she says. We talk about sewing and bag making as a craft, and the importance of elevating that image of the seamstress, since nowadays we have been so disconnected of the idea that is taken human hands to make pretty much every piece of clothing or accessory.

With her brand Saborka Sabrina wants to give people the opportunity to buy something that is locally produced, and show the importance of preserving the skill and the craft.

Furthermore, Sabrina and Dessie discuss transparency, and the responsibility of the brands, suppliers, politics, and consumers for a more sustainable, conscious, and transparent industry.

Sabrina shares her take on real versus vegan leather, which has been extremely refreshing, and one of the most honest conversations about this topic I have ever had. She shares ways that enable one to prolong the life of vegan leather, and debunks the myth that real leather is a waste product of the meat industry and thus does not drive demand.

Sabrina works with pineapple-based vegan leather Piñatex and other innovative leather alternatives, as well as headstock materials.

Lastly, one of the most important points Sabrina addresses is how important it is to show up and have an uncomfortable conversation without perfect knowledge (which, by the way, doesn’t exist). We learn and get better by having conversation about the topics that are important. I am for sure extremely grateful that she decided to have this one with me.