LIMEDROP INTERVIEW: Sara Bailes March 30 2016

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Sara Bailes, the fashion designer behind our January residency. 

Who you are? What do you do/ believe in? I am an independent fashion designer from Melbourne, Australia. I launched my eponymous label in July 2015 after a 10 year education in the fashion industry designing for both Karen Walker and Gorman. I now split my time between Melbourne and Bali where I manufacture my clothing working with a small and insanely talented group of people to produce an ethical product that I am proud of. I believe it is so important to support and encourage small business, local trade and specialized skills. I believe in creating a product that is fun, wearable and current – so that, season after season, the SB aesthetic is able to grow and change organically.

What are your top two tips for starting an independent fashion label? Be educated. Not only did I learn so much studying both Business and Fashion Design, I learnt the most working for other labels. I always had a plan that I would absorb as much information as possible from designers I admire before ever going out on my own. You can learn so much from the successes of other businesses, and also their failures! Every label is different and unique, and the best part about working for other people is taking away with you the bits of each label that you want to replicate and the bits that you definitely don’t! Have perseverance. I hate to use this proverb, but it’s true: “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. It’s a hard slog, and success requires determination, consistency and stamina with sporadic gratification! Like any small business these days, the fashion industry relies heavily on social media and marketing, two things I learn more and more about every day. Stick it out and have a strong identity!

What is something that you never thought would be possible that is now possible? The freedom to work from anywhere in the world. It’s the dream right?! Well it was always my dream! The Internet has really changed the world - no matter where you are, you can answer emails, design, research and update social media. I feel so lucky that I can split my time between Australia, Indonesia and beyond and still run a business, something I never thought would be possible that is now a reality.

Check out more of Sara's work http://sarabailes.com/