Bringing back the dress
Portland-based designer Sarah Seven adds romance to her collection
By Petra J. Canan
Published: March 26th, 2009 | 1:35pm
When Portland, Oregon based designer Sarah Seven decided to begin her own clothing line, creating flowing, romantic gowns was a testament to her own personal style.
“I don't wear pants,” she said. “I don't own a single pair.”
After attending the Art Institute of Portland for two years, the 21-year-old designer set out to make fashion a line that was more than just clothes, offering up five percent of her profits to charity. She has since expanded her line into three distinct collections: ready to wear, special occasion and bridal. Her designs best suit a woman who is proud of her personal style and isn’t afraid to add a burst of color in her outfit. Finish it off with a great pair of shoes, she said, and you have the Sarah Seven woman.
How did you get into fashion?
Well my grandmother and my great-grandmother were both fashion designers, so it's something I’ve wanted to do since I was little. Basically, it’s the only thing I ever wanted to do.
Why did you want to start your own business?
I love that I work for myself. I don't have a boss, I can make my own hours and basically, other than that, I wanted to create something that was beautiful.
What inspires you when you are designing?
Usually, I start with color. Because I live in Portland, we don't have a ton of fabric, so I have to start by getting fabric. Then I usually start with a certain element – whether it is side cowls or a flower …
Explain your current collection.
My current collection is my spring collection. It's different, I think, from a lot of the things I've done. There's more structure to it than normal, there's a lot of ruffles, bias-cut ruffles, and flowers.
How did you get into bridal gowns?
Well, it started out as a recession thing. I figured, people always get married, so there is no way it’s going to be slow, and it's not at all. I love gowns now; I am obsessed. They’re so romantic; there are so many elements to them.
What type of woman wears your clothing?
I think it's for the woman who wants to get back into the dress; someone who is looking for something that's not easily found.
What influences your personal style?
I love old movies, basically anything vintage. I love the way that fabric ages and I love the way that they feel.
Why did you get involved with the charities?
As a Christian, I think it's our job to take care of people. It's important to raise awareness to horrible things. If one person looks at International Justice Mission or Compassion, I feel like I have done my job, even if they don't buy a dress from me.
Where do you see yourself three or five years from now?
Well, I would like to be living in Portland. I would like to be showing in Portland Fashion Week and New York – just somewhere in New York in spring and fall, and I would like to have the three lines separate from each other. I would like to have some employees who are doing all the custom design for me, so I can be designing all the time.
What are three essentials in your daily life?
Coffee. Definitely coffee. I am discovering that I love yoga, so that's an important one to relax, and then I would just say reading my bible and relaxing is really important because it's so hectic every day.
View the collection online at sarahseven.com. Select pieces are also available for purchase at sarahseven.etsy.com
Issue #35
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