Sarina Mantle has some powerful ideas. She’s a fashion designer, a singer/songwriter, the creator of eco-luxury brand Wildsuga, and she is perpetually glowing with the inspiration that she gathers from every aspect of the world around her. The pieces she creates – vintage inspired, delicately put together and yet full of reckless abandon – seem to encompass her spirit entirely. ‘The core philosophy of Wildsuga is to design and create quality pieces with a conscious heart,’ she explains, ‘which are friendly to the environment, and made to be treasured for life. My mantra is “wild spirit, strong mind, soft heart”.’
I asked her a couple of questions about about her stunning new vintage inspired-collection and the short film that showcases it, the evolution of Wildsuga, and her plans to make the world a more beautiful and more environmentally-conscious place.
How did you first get into designing clothes?
I loved making things as a child – you would rarely find me without a pair of scissors, pen or paper in my hand. My mum was a dressmaker from St Lucia so I often found buttons, thimbles and pieces of fabrics, and my older sister collected various pattern blocks and sketches which i remember being fascinated by. Slowly my sketches improved, and I learnt to translate 2D drawings into 3D samples on a mannequin, by draping and pattern cutting.
How did this evolve into Wildsuga?
A few years after I finished university I decided to follow my love for designing, and sought help from the ELSBC (East London Small Business Centre) to help me set up Wildsuga. I then received funding from the NES (New Entrepreneur Scholarship) and bought hangers, fabrics, a rail and so on in order to start my first collection, which I sold at the market.
During this time I was planning and developing the label, and testing the market with various styles of design. My passion for eco-recycling was at the forefront of my mind, so with another source of help from LYST (London Youth Support) I bought loads of curtains and transformed them into a quirky geek-chic collection, and showcased them. I made cute waistcoats and dresses with large collars, playsuits and vintage inspired pieces. The response was so positive that I decided to rebrand Wildsuga into an eco-luxury vintage-inspired label. And Wildsuga was born…
Why the name Wildsuga?
When I chose the name Wildsuga I based it on what I felt represented two attributes of a woman. I would often think of a woman who is so commanding that she can send chills down your back, yet so gracious and beautiful that her femininity was as light and alluring as the petals of a flower. I felt it was a great balance of total reckless abandonment; a wanderer, an adventurer, yet equally something so sweet, beautiful, and alluring to the mind.
What’s your aim with your brand?
I aim to create one of a kind vintage inspired designs for individuals who love wearing garments which no one else has. I believe in handmade clothing made by the designer’s hands, or a small creative team, with a conscious responsibility to help the environment along the way. My love for music (I’m a songwriter and singer in my other world) allows me to network with singers; I have a deep passion for artists who grace the stage and bare their soul, so combining music and fashion allows me to collaborate on bespoke projects with artists.
What are your main points of reference when it comes to designing?
I tend to reference Edwardians, black Victorians, nomadic lifestyle, africa, mexico, peru, india, world travel, eras such as 1920′s, 40′s, 70′s, 80′s, music, art nouveau, films and nature… I do a lot of research – from vintage teacups to ageing door handles, covered in floral patterns. I’m always inspired by the vintage and handmade fabrics I find in hidden charity shops which are crocheted, embroidered, patterned, etc.
My mother was a dressmaker, and I am greatly inspired by her, home and family life. She taught herself how to design and dressed up in her creations everyday; something which I aspire to do. I have pictures of her in the 1960s in beautiful dresses that we would now consider vintage, and I love how precious and sentimental these photos are to me. I draw most of my inspiration from my family home, the ideas of struggle and poverty, and what it means to experience opulence. I love the idea that poverty can create wealth, that people can make something from very little. It drives me to stay curious.
How important is the environmentally aware aspect of fashion to your work?
It is the core of what I do, who I am and how I live. It’s more than fashion to me; it’s a lifestyle which I hope to pass onto my children. We are our environment, and the choices we make affect our present day and future, so I hope for the world to continue to awaken to the reality that we cannot continue taking from the earth with out heavy consequences. I believe in recycling, reusing and cutting back on wasting in general. There’s still a long way to go, but for me it’s getting better every day, and I’m still learning.
What can we do to give environmentally-aware British designers the shout out that they deserve?
Continue wonderful blogs like frockOn! We can make an effort to include environmentally aware designers in fashion publications, see more boutiques stocking these collections, teach people about what is happening to the environment, publicise eco-events, and support and find funding for positive projects in general.
How do you see Wildsuga evolving further?
I’d like to have Wildsuga featured in more editorial magazines, to continue to incorporate film and fashion, to launch a new collection for January 2012, and to collaborate with selected singers to feature on the WS website. I’d also like to write my first book, and make a documentary. Eventually, the goal is to open an eco, vintage and ‘handmade’ boutique, housing Wildsuga, vintage clothing and supporting other eco designers in different mediums, such as ceramics, photography and art. The aim is to keep fusing fashion with other art forms, collaborate with singers, and branch out into other creative expressions, such as fashion illustration. Most of all, I want to have fun, while turning all my dreams into reality!
Thank you to Sarina!
For more details on the collections, contact details or to shop Wilduga, go to Wildsuga.com.
To keep up to date, follow Wildsuga on tumblr, on twitter, and model mayhem. Photgraphy by Katie Eleanor.
Article by: Maisie May Skidmore
frockOn © 2011
lovely, spring fashion, beautiful, sooo maisie may
ahh it’s so wonderful to see my images posted through this, sarina really is just such a wonderchild ♥
Your work with her is stunning! Thanks for the link, Katie Eleanor, I’m going to credit you at the bottom of the interview. x