Chic Vendor Spotlight: Sarah Janks Wedding Dress Debut at New York Bridal Market

Now that we are in the midst of Bridal Market, our Merci New York fashion stylists have nothing but wedding dresses on the brain. We have been running from one runway to the next, and meeting some great new designers along the way, such as the lovely Sarah Janks.    
A fashionista and entrepreneur at heart, Sarah's collection highlights the sensuality of a bride as well her soft, romantic side. Although we would LOVE for everyone to see this stunning collection on the runway, we had a chance to sit down with Sarah and share her pretty new designs before her grand reveal.  Scroll down for the interview in today's Chic Vendor Spotlight!

Merci: So, when did you decide to begin designing wedding dresses? What do you like most about it? 

Sarah: I've always had a pretty entrepreneurial streak so I guess I'd end up running my own company one day. The seed was planted in London... I think I was restless and saw a need in the market for a product I was passionate about. 

Merci: Where do you draw everyday inspiration?

Sarah: Inspiration? I am obsessively fashion-centric, so work is easy when you enjoy what you do. Music is also a big part of my life. A mood or idea can come from anywhere, but music can also transport you places or remind you of a thought or feeling. Art and nature often inspire my direction as well. Sometimes its a mood or a girl, real or imagined, that helps to shape each collection. The bride is always foremost in my mind when a putting together a collection. Lastly, I love the technical challenges of fit and form, and the creativity and freedom my job brings. 

Merci: Those are some things we can {definitely} relate to! How did you go about developing the Sarah Janks brand?

Sarah: It just felt like the right time to branch out on my own. I'd found my "voice" if you like. And bridal affords us the opportunity to dress our customers for one of the most important occasions. It's a big responsibility, and a real challenge to come up with innovative yet classic dresses. 

The constraints of bridal are far greater than in fashion {where there is much more leeway} and I was convinced that we could offer a better, high quality product with beautiful finishes in the best fabrics available to our brides. We're concentrating more on what we're doing and doing it to the best of our ability, keeping the label's signature classic yet unique, strong and sensual but feminine at the same time. 

 

Merci: Amazing! Where did the Sarah Janks line begin and where can we find it now?

Sarah: We have a flagship store and head offices in Sydney, Australia. We currently have stockists in France, England, Ireland and have just launched in the United States.  The full collection, press and bride pictures can be seen on our website.

Merci:  How is the adjustment to the craziness that is New York City?

Sarah: Love New York, such an amazing city, and because it's got a big fashion element to it, it doesn't feel foreign to me. On the flip side its totally manic, like landing landing on a fast paced Mars for someone like me who grew up in a seaside town and resided in the relatively sleep hollow of Sydney. 

Merci: We are SO excited to see the collection in person this week... Is there anything else we should know in the meantime?
Sarah: I want my customers to know that my background is in high-end ready-to-wear and our bridal collection reflects that in its contemporary slant. I trained in fashion design, but also spent time in London as an apprentice tailor- and as a designer my technical background in pattern making gives me a novel perspective on designing a wedding dress. 





















All photos courtesy of Sarah Janks.