Designer Sarah McNaughton from Sarah Bell. Image supplied.
Sarah McNaughton is the designer and founder of eco conscious womenswear label Sarah Bell which she relaunched in 2020. Sarah enjoyed a successful career as an in-demand patternmaker in London for the likes of Jenny Packham and Clements Ribeiro. Sarah took time out to raise her family of four children, working part-time for Karen Walker and Penny Sage. With her family growing up, Sarah decided the time was right to start making her Sarah Bell label again. Relaunching it in a way that is more true to her nature and closer to her values of small and sustainable. Each style is ethically and locally manufactured in limited editions. Sarah Bell offers elegant, timeless fashion that is designed to appeal to women of any age.
We caught up with Sarah to find out more about her brand, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
Sarah Bell Cruise 2021 has just been released online and is stocked at Muse boutique, and selected retailers around NZ. A smart blend of utility and restrained sophistication has met with exceptional workmanship to produce a small, hardworking edition of wardrobe essentials that will bring coolness and originality to the hottest days.
What made you become a designer?
I come from a family of craftspeople, for as long as I can remember I’ve been designing and making with cloth. I started out with dolls clothes and moved onto teen fashion, then womenswear. I just love it, it’s strong in my blood… the joy of finding a beautiful piece of fabric, draping it on the dress stand and realising your ideas.
What inspires you?
I love the detail and craftsmanship of vintage clothing. The solidity and texture of things that last. Fabrics are often a starting point, the way they drape, the endless possibilities. Practically speaking though, necessity is the mother of invention and I’m often inspired to make the things I want to wear. I hope my clothes inhabit certain values. The jeans are named after my father John whose hard work ethic and resilient nature has been an ongoing source of inspiration to me.
Looks from Sarah Bell’s Cruise 2021 collection.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your designs?
I find it hard to describe my own style, it’s inherent… Artisanal, vintage modern, unique but classic. I love quality, fabrics and construction, and I’m very practical by nature, so things I wear need to be stylish as well as functional.
What is your all-time favourite purchase?
I purchased very little clothing as a make most of my own right down to knickers and camis. So it would probably have to be shoes… Hard to choose just one pair, I love beautiful shoes… I do have some amazing Maison Margiela platform suede shoes with a detachable stretch leather boot from my London days, they are pretty amazing and still cool 20 years on.
What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?
You can’t go wrong with a well cut pair of jeans and a great coat. A coat needs to be just right for the season. I love a spring trench or anorak, and for winter a tailored or oversized wool coat.
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
Good shoes. Know how to dress your body shape, and get your clothes tailored to fit. I often alter things until I’m completely happy. I’ll even pull apart old vintage and remake it to fit. Be true to yourself. Buy less and buy better. Quality is lasting style.
Looks from Sarah Bell’s Cruise 2021 collection.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Working with Clements Ribero back in London and going to Paris with them to work on their show stands out in my memory. I loved working with Kate Megaw at Penny Sage, she’s super talented and super lovely which is a good combo.
What can’t you live without?
My family, they keep me grounded.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Track pants. I know, I know, super controversial answer as everyone is talking about them and wearing them right now! I even designed quite a cool, well-cut pair a few years back when they started coming in, thinking how practical they would be, but I just couldn’t bring myself to wear them. Maybe they are not flattering for my body shape or maybe it’s my disdain of elastic waists… blame it on the tailor in me!
Images supplied.