Sarah Aphrodite is a fashion brand that has been developing freely and authentically since 2008. Evolving in real time, guided by intuition and driven by visions of beauty, the brand exists to light people up, spark joy, offer a different perspective, have fun, and unite.
We value process over fixed outcomes — this keeps the brand alive, evolving, and interesting. We see ourselves as builders and makers, grounded in a foundation of values: circularity, love, beauty, joy, freedom, and unity.
AT SARAH APHRODITE WE TRY TO BE IMPERFECT AND ALLOW IMPERFECTION TO EXIST IN THE PRODUCTS WE OFFER AND IN THE WAY WE ARE AND OPERATE.
We operate in harmony with the environment. We choose a circular production system of our products and aim to REUSE, RECYCLE and REPURPOSE as much as possible.
We are the most excited about working with materials that are already there and play with and reimagine what already exists. We aim to include those materials and things in our real circle of production and it also inspires and stirs the design process.
More about circular production
This particular type of production of products brings up many questions that ask to be dealt with in order to run an ongoing production to generate income.
Reusing pre-existing materials alters the way products can look and therefor require different expectations on so many levels.
Questions like:
-What is and what is not usable anymore ?
-How can we include little holes? can we mend them? what about pre existing stains? or using very worn pieces or old materials? Can i accept a piece with a very old uneven neckline? etc etc etc........
-How do you run production with found materials? How will you get more?
-What do i tell my customer? Will they accept such imperfections?
-when using discarded goods but branded and trademarked you are not allowed to use and sell these items under your own name. This brings up the issue of trademarking guidelines going against sustainability in a way....
When it comes to working with pre existing garments and material and including signs of wear and tear we decide on a case by case basis on what to include. We like to go as far as possible with reusing materials. We will mend holes which will then show in the products we offer. We can leave pre-existing stains depending on how bad it is. Sometimes the stains make it look better and the piece becomes the best one of the bunch.
Sarah Aphrodite truly is the antidote to mass produced fashion and offers something that is unique, full of character, bold in style and has meaning.
INSPIRATION AND STYLE
The inspirations of sarah Aphrodite are always: people, culture, the human condition and experience, street style, the current state of the world, the animal kingdom, handwork and colors.
Sarah Aphrodite offers both clothing and accessories.The style is a fusion of Avant Garde and streetwear blending, sexy, daring and bold design decisions with an effortless sense of ease.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER AND THE CREATOR OF SARAH APHRODITE
Sarah Aphrodite Stolwijk, born in 1979 in The Hague, The Netherlands. After finishing high school Sarah traveled the world for several years before entering college to study fashion design at the fashion department of ARTEZ, the Academy of Art and Design in Arnhem, The Netherlands where she graduated in 2005.
In 2006 Sarah moved to New York City and worked for the fashion designer and artist Susan Cianciolo for several years. In 2008 she started building her eponymous brand, Sarah Aphrodite, from the ground up while also teaching fashion design at Parsons the new school for Design in NY. She has continued and grow the brand ever since
In 2015 Sarah moved her studio to Northampton in western Massachusetts, USA where she continues to work to this day.
