Yesterday I shared a stage and a lunch table with one of my favourite designers – Sacha Drake. Regular Styling You readers will be fully aware of my borderline obsession with her designs. And after yesterday’s Pacific Volvo Women with Drive event, which was a part of the Sunshine Coast Business Expo, I’m sure she has few more fans from the 165-strong audience as well.
Styling You's Nikki Parkinson and fashion designer Sacha Drake
Sacha is the real deal. She’s engaging. She understands her customers and which boutiques will work for her product.
Yet she openly admits to failing fashion school and she proudly tackles the often fickle fashion industry in a different way to most other designers. At the core of her business is her love for frocks (she remembers trying to design her first as a child) and the fact that no matter how slow the economy, there will still be weddings, engagements, 40ths, 50ths etc and that women will mostly look for a dress for those occasions.
From that business base she’s set out to make it easier for women to track down a dress to suit their body shape – not only in pre-production but also in after sales. Sacha doesn’t work from a theme for a new collection; rather she gets inspired by the fabric, working with that fabric to create the best designs to suit.
Four business women yesterday received a Sacha Drake makeover at the event. Check out my interview with Sacha below (sorry, it’s 20 minutes but the information is great, so make a cuppa!) for her advice to these women plus more on the way she tackles the business of fashion.
Some photos from the event:
Comments 14
All garments featured are available at Zambezee Mooloolaba for the next seven days!
Author
Styling You readers, Zambezee boutique at Mooloolaba and Noosaville is a must-visit if you are ever on the Sunshine Coast – one of my faves! Thanks Nat and the team for working with Sacha Drake to showcase the designs for this event. http://www.zambezee.com.au
Loving you in your SACHA DRAKE Calliope Dress, so glad the day went well, and loving the customer makeovers! What a super idea! X
Author
Thanks for helping me select Calliope – not normally something I would wear but I love it!
Wonderful Nikki.
Sacha is such a clever, clever designer and I loved the section at the end where she dressed the real women.
x Felicity
Author
It was great to see her work with them, Felicity. She was determined to have them feeling comfortable in what she had chosen them to wear.
She really makes gorgeous dresses. And you look fab in them Nikki! Wish I was there to hear her speak – I love listening to inspiring, strong, business savvy women x
Author
Thanks Bianca. I too love listening to women who have done it their way and are successful at it. Lessons for us all. x
I have checked out her website and LOVE her designs…
Author
In person she is every bit as amazing as her designs – authentic and engaging.