Saraden Designs
Oceanic Nature
20.07.19
Sarah O’ Rourke of Saraden Designs will feature an 8 piece Millinery and Clothing Collection at the Angelman Syndrome Awareness Presentation on July 20th 2019 in the Park Regis Birmingham.
Oceanic Nature is the theme of this collection. Sarah began to look at the words oceanic and nature separately. She examined the physics, chemistry and biology of marine systems before she began designing to understand the movement of the sea and the elements below the water. Nature could be interpreted in many ways, the nature of the ocean, its creatures, the movements and the nature that surround us in everyday life.
The colours of the ocean and the colours of nature are very similar. Both use blues, greens, greys and these were the primary colours chosen to use in this collection. Saraden bespoke fabric was created in house by Sarah and then sculpted into the desired designs. Using her sculptural background Sarah has sculpted each of these pieces, they have all been shaped by hand and secured through hand stitching methods. Each is an intricate piece of art and captures the elements of the theme.
Sarah created her bespoke dresses to compliment the designs. They are simple yet elegant keeping the focus on her millinery designs.
The setting for the imagery ties into the nature theme, the colours in the foreground and background complement each other. The structure of the scenery lends similar qualities to the interpretation of Oceanic Nature.
the collection
Flora Subnautica – is also know as The Sea Crown, it is the rarest types of harvestable flora in Subnautica, with only a small number in existence.
Kelp – Takes inspiration from seaweed under the see, how it flows with the motion of the water capturing similar qualities to how the design flows.
Morphology – Studying the form and structure of organisms and taking one specific form and recreating it various times with each one still having a unique identity.
Equilibrium – The calming nature of the ocean and echoing a state of balance.
Pacific – The ocean and the shape of it waves lent itself to the structure of pacific.
Luidia – Echo’s a starfish and its slim tapering arms which are attached to a small circular central disc.
Juliidae – The inspiration for this design was the shell of the sea snail. The overall shape and the curves of the lines are echoed beautifully in this design.
Coral – The colonies of the Coral reefs were the inspiration for this piece with its repetitive nature and shaping.
about Saraden Designs
Saraden Designs is an Irish Design company founded in 2016 by owner Sarah O’ Rourke. Sarah began Saraden Designs with a vision of creating unique millinery pieces which really capture the eye of the audience.
The fabrics used to create these unique pieces have been handmade in-house by Sarah herself and is called Saraden Fabric. Once a sheet is created it cannot be replicated, making a Saraden Designs piece exclusive to its owner. It is often questioned how the fabrics are made but it is not something which will be divulged to the public. It has become Sarah’s niche and is what sets Saraden Designs apart from other milliners.
Sarah has an extensive design background having received a degree in IADT Dun Laoghaire in Fine Art Sculpture. Sarah herself has said that this background has influenced how she makes her Millinery creations. Sarah firmly believes ‘there is a millinery design to suit everyone you just have to find the right creation to suit you’.
Wearable Art is a term which has been used to describe Sarah’s work and is a term which has been welcomed. With her background in Fine Art Sculpture it isn’t difficult to see where this term has been drawn from. Year to year it is evident in the designs that Sarah has become more experimental and confident in her work and is not afraid to take risks.
Sarah became a part of Fashion Revolution Week in 2019. It is an important event as it questions who made your clothes? Saraden cut off fabrics are reworked back into designs leaving no waste behind. Also with all pieces made in-house you can trace exactly who has made them.
The Collection
