In a way, Canvas has grown up with Sara Phillips. We met Sara when she presented her first collection during fashion week 2008. We were still only quite young ourselves at the time. What I saw in that first range was something very sweet; floral prints, clean lines, soft cottons. Although it wasn’t outstanding there were pieces to the collection where you just knew it would lead Sara to bigger things. And I certainly saw something interesting that was worth keeping a close eye on (and I must note, the Wind In The Willows dress I have from that first collection practically sells itself whenever I wear it).
We featured her second collection on our site, so impressed were we with the growth from one season to the next, and interviewed Sara after her debut show success at this year’s fashion week. Quite often it can be difficult for a young designer to follow up such a well received range with something as equally outstanding but, bold as it may be, I think she’s bettered it! Take that!
Essentially Sara is showing the same aesthetic identified in her very first season but the details and proportions are becoming more interesting, the collection more replete. Winter is driven by memories; the idea of dressing in your memories. The focus has shifted towards a more masculine, tailored silhouette but the shapes are still uniquely feminine. What I admire about Sara is her independence, which I think becomes increasingly obvious with each new season. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Sara has finally grown up.
