As
summer creeps nearer and nearer, we come out of winter hibernation and fashion
suddenly becomes bright again. At some point or another most of those fashion
conscious amongst us have had the ever-so-slightly awkward and embarrassing moment
seeing someone else wearing that exact same dress you thought no one else could
possibly wear. Independent Fashion Designer, Miss ‘Bits and Bows’ Sarah
Warner, 27, from Birmingham offers the solution to this; creating one off custom made fashion pieces.
Since becoming
a fashion University graduate in 2009, Sarah start selling custom made
jewellery and clothes through social networking sites and Ebay. Soon enough,
she had built up a large following of customers desperate to get their hands on
quirky pendants and made-to-measure dresses to make them stand out from the
crowd.
Fast
forward four years and Sarah has created her own fashion empire with the likes
of Pixie Lott and the Saturdays as fans and has opened her own studio Bits and
Bows Boutique in Digbeth's Custard Factory, Birmingham. Customers can make
appointment to visit the studio and make orders to their personal preference
from a range of fabrics and styles. Sarah has also expanded into menswear and stocks fellow independent concessions including hair products by brand Crown and Glory.
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Bits and Bows Headquarters in the Custard Factory, Digbeth |
So how hard is it to follow your passion
and become your own boss?
“I do
struggle sometimes to stay motivated,” said Sarah. “I have to kick myself
sometimes and force myself to work rather than go shopping or watch television.”
As a
full time mum also, Sarah told me it’s important to find a balance between work
and enjoyment to stay focused, “I think to myself 'If I work hard today, I can
treat myself tomorrow”.
Staying organised and focusing on time management is
something that Sarah holds as a top priority to make sure everyone stays happy.
“My phone and emails are just non-stop, and sometimes people don’t realise your
only one person, which can be really overwhelming but time management is key.
As long as I’m surrounded by a million notebooks and calendars I can conquer
anything.”
Spending half her time at the studio and half working from home she gives herself
a break whenever she is on top of jobs, “I could easily work around the clock
if my body and brain let me, but I have to force myself to switch off and take
a break.”
Bits
and Bows create custom made pieces that don’t break the break and rival styles
out there on the high-street, with made-to-measure skirts and top starting at
around £18. Sarah says to keep up to date, it’s important to constantly be
aware of trends and what new looks are coming fresh off the catwalk. “Whilst at
University, I did quite a lot of work on trend prediction so I know how to find
good prediction sites, and understand new trends.”
Fashion Inspiration...
As a
vital part of being a fashion designer, Sarah creates wearable looks for her
customers that fit in sync with the current seasons in style looks. “I think it’s
important for my brand to be on top form with styles and prints, as even though
customers are looking for something new and unique, they also want to be
wearing similar styles to what they see in magazines, so I always make sure my
fabrics and styles are up to date with catwalks and seasonal trends.”
As
fashion is constantly evolving, it seems it’s just as important to develop a
personal style rather than purely wear trends off the catwalk. Preferring to
mix up her style from time to time Sarah said as long as she feels good in what
she wears, she’ll wear anything, and that's what’s important. “I like bohemian
style items; tassels, florals, chunky heels. Yet I'm also a sucker for midi
dresses and stilettos. I like to feel comfortable but try out new things. I
personally don’t only wear what’s on trend, I just buy or make things that I
feel nice in – some items or styles are timeless.”
As a business
woman and designer Sarah tells me that to be your own boss, you should always
keep in mind that you get out what you put it. “Working hard is important for
any budding fashion designers. It won’t be handed to you on a plate. Keep
organised and up to date with trends, by reading magazines and doing online
research.”
Also
knowing your customers and putting them first is a must, “Know your customer.
Not everyone is the perfect 10; you need to make things that everyone can feel
good in. Whether it’s down to print, fabric or style, there needs to be
something that everyone can love.”
No
matter what your passion, the rewards soon come if you put in hard work. Sarah
tells me the best part of having her own company is being able to network and
create items that people will love. “I love networking; meeting new people and
promoting the brand, I find because I enjoy it so much, it comes easy to me. It’s
all part of it.”
There are
plans to expand her fashion empire into children’s wear, launching Baby Bows in
the summer which will be a range of dresses and skirts.
Also currently working on
summer pieces and bridal season, Sarah tells us her three favourite trends for summer
2013;
1.
Monochrome
 |
Bits and Bows Monochrome Maxi dress |
 |
ASOS monochrome swing dress |
“I think anyone and everyone can wear it,
and it looks good on every shape or size. I think it’s always a winner and has
been my top seller this season.”
2.
Pastels
 |
Pastel Prom dress |
 |
Zara Pastel Blazer |
“In my eyes these are always a winner and
look so pretty on. They have proved very popular recently and plenty of
customers have been asking or them.”
3.
Midi
.jpg) |
Bits and Bows Midi Skirt |
 |
ASOS Midi skirt |
Would
you have what it takes to be your own boss? What current trends are you loving
right now? Leave a comment below I would love to know!
*All images courtesy of Bits and Bows / Amy from www.amypyt.com / product websites