Rising Stars: Meet Stefanis Téa Sanderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefanis Téa Sanderson.

Hi Stefanis Téa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey with By Stefanis really began long before the brand officially launched. I studied Fashion Design at RMIT University in Melbourne and spent years working within the Australian fashion industry, across both design and head office roles. Those experiences gave me an understanding of not only how clothing is designed and constructed, but also how a brand creates its own world and identity.

Over time, I became increasingly drawn to the idea of creating something of my own. I wanted to build a label that felt considered rather than trend-driven and create pieces that were distinctive enough to feel special, but timeless enough to be worn season after season.

That became the foundation of the label, By Stefanis.

I launched the brand in early 2024 with a focus on creating elevated, versatile pieces that balance femininity, structure and ease. I have always loved the idea that clothing can have longevity and that a piece can be styled in many ways and worn through different seasons and become part of someone’s wardrobe rather than simply belonging to one moment or trend.

Australian design and manufacturing has also become an incredibly important part of what we do. Our pieces are designed and made in Melbourne, and being able to work closely with local makers allows me to remain connected to the process from the initial idea and fabric selection through to sampling, fittings and the final garment.

Since launching, the brand has continued to evolve. We’ve released collections, held pop-ups and events, collaborated with other creatives, dressed our customers for significant moments and built a community around the label. One of the most rewarding parts has been seeing pieces take on a life beyond how I originally imagined them and seeing how different women style them and make them their own.

I’m still very much building By Stefanis, and I think that’s part of what makes this stage so exciting. I’m constantly refining what the brand represents and where I want to take it next, but the philosophy remains quite simple, to create unique, beautifully considered clothing that isn’t dictated by a season.

For me, it’s about designing pieces worth keeping.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road and I don’t think building a brand ever really is.

We’re still navigating, learning and trialling things all the time. Fashion moves incredibly quickly, and as an independent label, you’re constantly balancing the creative side of the business with the realities of building something commercially sustainable.

One of the biggest challenges for us has been figuring out how to grow while staying true to what By Stefanis represents. We want to expand, but we want that growth to feel considered. Whether that’s finding boutiques and stockists that genuinely align with the brand, reaching new customers, expanding internationally or introducing new categories, I’m conscious that I don’t want to grow simply for the sake of growing.

Being Australian-made is something we’re incredibly proud of, but it also comes with its own challenges. Producing locally at a smaller scale means navigating higher production costs, minimums, timelines and the realities of manufacturing as an independent brand. At the same time, being so close to the process is one of the things I value most, so it’s something we’re committed to continuing.

There has also been a lot of trial and error. You can have an idea you absolutely love creatively, but then you have to learn how your customer responds to it, how to communicate it, how to market it and whether it makes sense commercially. I’ve had to become comfortable with testing things, learning quickly and changing direction when something isn’t working.

We’re now at a stage where I’m thinking much bigger about what By Stefanis could become. I’d love to see the label stocked in more carefully selected boutiques, build a stronger international presence and eventually see our pieces being worn in cities around the world.

There’s still a long way to go, but I think that’s also the exciting part. Every challenge has forced me to understand the brand more deeply and become clearer about what we’re building and not just for the next collection, but for the long haul.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a fashion designer, founder and creative director, and my work really sits at the intersection of fashion, creativity and storytelling.

Through By Stefanis, I design clothing that feels timeless but still has a point of difference. I’m drawn to pieces that feel feminine, confident and considered pieces you can wear now, but also pull out of your wardrobe years from now and still feel excited by.

My inspiration often comes from outside of fashion. I’m constantly looking at architecture, vintage jewellery, art, music, interiors and the small details we encounter in everyday life. I love noticing a shape, texture or object and imagining how it could translate into a garment.

For example, I became fascinated by the sculptural shape of tortoiseshell hair clips something so simple that women wear every day. I wanted to reinterpret that feeling within a garment. That became the inspiration behind the buckle detail featured on our Mediterranean Top and Skirt. I love that process of taking something familiar, looking at it differently and allowing it to become part of the language of a collection.

From there, I’m involved in the entire creative process. Designing the collection, selecting fabrics, developing fits, sampling and production, and then creating the visual world around it through styling, campaign concepts, photography and creative direction. I love that fashion allows so many different creative disciplines to come together.

One of the things I’m most proud of is that By Stefanis is Australian designed and made. Our garments are produced locally in Melbourne, which allows me to work closely with the people making our pieces and remain connected to the process from concept through to the finished garment. Maintaining that level of quality and craftsmanship while growing an independent label isn’t always the easiest path, but it’s something I’m incredibly proud to stand behind.

I’m also proud that I’ve built the brand independently from the ground up. Watching an idea that once existed in my head become something tangible and then seeing people wear the pieces, return for our latest collections, come to our events and make the clothing part of their own lives. It is probably one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

I think what sets By Stefanis apart is that we’re not trying to design for a single trend or moment. There’s individuality to the pieces, but also longevity. I love playing with the balance between classic and unexpected and taking something familiar and giving it a different proportion, fabrication, detail or attitude.

That idea is really captured in our philosophy, “Tradition, elevated.”

Ultimately, I want By Stefanis to feel like more than clothing. I’m building a creative world around the brand through the garments, imagery, campaigns, collaborations and experiences. I think we’re only at the beginning of what that world can become for By Stefanis.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are so many ways to connect with and support By Stefanis, and I’m always open to conversations that feel creatively aligned.

We’re currently looking to expand the brand both within Australia and internationally, so I’d love to connect with boutiques and stockists who resonate with what we’re building and want to introduce Australian-made design to their customers.

I’m also always interested in collaborating with other creatives, whether that’s photographers, stylists, artists, musicians, content creators or other brands. I love bringing different creative perspectives together and creating something that feels unexpected while still feeling authentically By Stefanis.

For stylists, we’re open to dressing talent, editorial opportunities and special projects, and I love seeing our pieces interpreted in completely different ways. We also offer custom design and love the opportunity to create something unique for an individual, occasion or creative project.

Another part of the brand I really love is bringing By Stefanis into a physical space. We’ve hosted pop-ups and events in the past, and there’s something so special about meeting our customers, having people experience the clothing in person and creating a world around the brand. We’re always open to opportunities for pop-ups, events and activations both in Australia and, hopefully, internationally in the future so keep an eye out for where we might appear next.

And, of course, one of the biggest ways people can support us is simply by discovering the brand, following our journey, sharing our work and choosing to support independent and locally made fashion. Every order genuinely contributes to allowing us to continue designing and producing here in Melbourne.

We’re still growing, so I’m very open to where the right collaboration, opportunity or conversation could lead. If you connect with the world we’re building, I’d love to hear from you.

You can find us on Instagram at @by_stefanis or online at bystefanis.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bystefanis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_stefanis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/By-Stefanis-100082835146059/
• LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/stef-sanderson-9b3294190

Image Credits
beach images are from by stefanis campaign – tradition elevated
shot by Giulia @socialietta
model with brown hair @daynawilson_
model with red hair @taylahivy_
hair @issabellastylist
hmu @anglinajade.mua