Sade’ Farrell caught my undivided attention at the Clothes Show Live 2014 where she was one of ten lucky finalists handpicked by a panel of industry experts to retail in the Graduate ASOS Marketplace.
Her designs are the “Skool”! Quirky how we like em’, funky how we like em’ and 100% unique. That’s just how we do!
Describe the general process you go through to conceptualise and design a garment.
Now I have a very unusual design process in comparison to when I studied fashion design at university. I used to pick a theme, research and then sketch designs ideas. Now my ideas are emerged from a muse, the muse for my latest collection is Rita Ora. I love the way she is willing to take risks in what she wears and this is reflected in the collection. After picking a muse, I research current styles and take elements from them. For this collection it was leopard print and the composition of mixing fabrics. After research, I go to a fabric store and choose the most outrageous fabrics and then start developing my designs.
When did you realise your desire to become involved in the fashion industry?
It wasn’t until college when I was studying Art and Design that I realised I would like to study fashion, for most people this is quite late. I always knew I had a passion for art and creating things I loved it from a young age, but it wasn’t until I started studying different modules in art that I realised how much I could express myself in fashion.
What elements do you believe make your designs unique?
I am a big fan of print design and I use this quite a lot throughout my collections. I even design my own prints which are the most unique part of my designs, they won’t be found anywhere else. I put a lot of different fabrics and textures together probably more than your average designer would!
“I even design my own prints which are the most unique part of my designs, they won’t be found anywhere else.”
How would you define the Sade’ Farrell style?
A mix of conventional silhouettes incorporated with bold bright prints and textures to give you the‘new’street style look.
Who are some of your favourite brands / designers and why?
I like very unconventional designers. Carri Mundane‘s prints are amazing she is a big inspiration of mine along with Anish Kapoor and Jeremy Scott.
From personal experience, where are the best places to gain fashion / design skill and knowledge?
I can’t personally list any specific places. I think design is a creative skill where people can either sink or swim. You can pick up a lot of things on the fashion journey, I am still learning a lot of the practical elements of design, but a lot of it has been self-taught and you manage to find your own way of doing things.
What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?
Don’t give up. Starting your own fashion brand is one of the hardest things you can ever do but at the same time it is so rewarding and the sleepiness nights are worth it!
For more information on Sade’ Farrell:
Website: www.sfdesigns.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sadefarrellclothing
Twitter: @shardaiee
Instagram: sfdesignssade
