From the age of 10, Sarah knew she wanted to be a fashion designer. This dream led her to pursue degrees in both business and fashion design. She then worked as a footwear designer while simultaneously building her patternmaking business, Les Perlines. After four years of working both jobs, she decided now was the time to take her business full-time. Sarah is a fashion designer, footwear designer, and the founder of Les Perlines, a sewing pattern brand that blends feminine and trend driven designs with thoughtful craftsmanship. With a technical degree in fashion design and a bachelor's degree in both business and fashion design, Sarah brings a unique mix of creative expertise and industry knowledge to her work. Her journey in fashion began at a young age—taught to sew by her grandmother, she knew by the time she was 10 that she wanted to be a fashion designer, even if she didn’t yet know what that truly meant. That passion led her to a career in footwear design, where she worked full-time while simultaneously building Les Perlines, developing thoughtfully crafted sewing patterns that empower makers to create beautiful, well-fitting garments. Through her Pattern Lab series and engaging Instagram content, Sarah shares insights into pattern development, sewing techniques, and the creative process, inspiring fellow makers to bring their visions to life. Find Sarah on Instagram @sarbernier @les.perlines and on her website https://www.lesperlines.com
Summary
In this episode of the Stitched By podcast, host Auri interviews Sarah Bernier, a fashion designer and founder of Les Perlines. Sarah shares her journey from knowing she wanted to be a fashion designer at a young age to her experiences in footwear design and eventually transitioning to pattern making. She discusses the challenges of balancing two creative careers, the leap to full-time entrepreneurship, and the realities of building a business in the sewing community. Sarah also addresses the disparity between the success stories of some creators and the more common struggles faced by many in the industry. In this engaging conversation, Sarah Bernier shares her insights into the intricate process of fashion design, focusing on prototyping, patternmaking, and the challenges of navigating social media. She discusses her approach to creating prototypes, the importance of organization in her design process, and how she does not experience imposter syndrome because of her experience and confidence in her craft. Sarah also reflects on her evolving relationship with social media and her aspirations for the future, emphasizing the joy of sharing her creative journey with others.
Takeaways
Sarah knew she wanted to be a fashion designer from age 10.
Her journey included working in footwear design before pattern making.
The fashion industry and sewing community are distinct yet interconnected.
Transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship was a calculated risk for Sarah.
Building a business takes time and effort, often longer than expected.
Many creators face challenges that aren't visible on social media.
Success stories can create unrealistic expectations for new entrepreneurs.
Establishing a sustainable business model is crucial for growth.
The patternmaking process involves multiple stages, with prototyping being a favorite.
Writing instructions for patterns is often the least enjoyable part of the process. Prototyping is a crucial step in bringing a design vision to life.
Using digital tools like Illustrator helps streamline the prototyping process.
The number of prototypes needed can still be high, even for experienced designers.
Imposter syndrome is common, but confidence grows with experience.
Developing a trained eye is essential for identifying design flaws.
Social media can be a powerful tool for sharing creative work.
It's important to embrace the learning process in design.
Confidence in one's work comes from understanding the mechanics of design.
Future aspirations include exploring new platforms for sharing creativity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sarah Bernier and Les Perlines
02:23 Sarah's Journey in Fashion Design
06:56 Transitioning from Footwear to Pattern Making
10:39 Balancing Two Creative Careers
15:51 Taking the Leap to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
19:20 The Reality of Building a Business
22:19 The 90% Reality vs. Overnight Success Stories
27:01 Establishing a Sustainable Business Model
29:36 The Pattern Making Process
31:04 The Art of Prototyping
34:06 Cutting Plans and Pattern Instructions
36:17 The Prototype Process in Fashion Design
39:42 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
51:10 The Role of Social Media in Design
58:37 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations
