Being the Change
Sarah Regensburger is an eponymously named animal-free vegan brand based in London whose desire to marry her veganism with her love of fashion crystallised to create a label where punk meets glamour and a wholly transparent ethos underpins ethical intentionality.
Those core ethical beliefs manifest themselves in a commitment to utilizing the most innovative of alternative fabrics, such as bamboo fur and cactus leather, to make pieces which show us that garments created with a vegan sensibility can be as sexy and sassy as those made with materials which have a harmful impact on our planet. This environmental empathy extends to an unequivocal transparency which sees Sarah sharing the full extent of the brand's fabric sourcing and production processes with all. An unambiguous honesty which means that her products are certified animal and cruelty-free.
Growing up in Germany with Iranian heritage, this duality has given Sarah a deep appreciation of the importance of diversity and inclusivity, both in life and in fashion. An appreciation which sees her design for everyone regardless of size or how they wish to identify. It's an understanding which was exemplified by the wonderfully fabulous and diverse cast who walked for her in the London Fashion Week show which premiered her 2023 collection "The Trinity" to the world. Staged in the ecclesiastical elegance of St Georges church deep in bohemian Bloomsbury, the show was a celebration of humankind in all its many forms.
We sat down with Sarah after London Fashion Week to ask her about the motivations which brought her to London and solidified the desire to create her brand, the values which imbue everything that she does and her aspirations for the future.
Congratulations on your latest collection, "The Trinity", which we loved. What inspired it and its particularly evocative title?
Our latest season, "The Trinity", is inspired by the goddess as in history, the triple trinity is compared to mother nature and the moon cycle. It is also inspired by how we must go through darkness and fire to reach the light, reconnecting with mother nature and rebuilding the world we live in—reminding us that we have the power to change the world.
The collection showed as part of the official London Fashion Week programme in the beautiful St Georges church in Bloomsbury. How rewarding was it to share your work with a LFW audience, and how important was it to show it at a venue which really captured your vision and message?
It was absolutely rewarding to share the message of the brand as well as this season's inspiration with the audience. The venue was the perfect location for showing our new Seasons collection as it marries into the combination of tradition and modernity. As a brand, we really focus on bringing in traditional elements and going with the current Zeitgeist; this is why the St. Georges Church in Bloomsbury was the perfect venue for our LFW Show.
“Fashion is worn by real people, and this should also be represented on every Catwalk or Show. ”
It's a message of inclusivity and diversity that was wonderfully embraced by the models who walked for you. How far do you think the industry has come in representing all of humankind, and what more does it need to do?
We are definitely on the right path with regards to inclusivity and diversity within the fashion world. However, in my opinion, there is still a lot to change, and this is why I wanted to make this show as inclusive as possible. Fashion is worn by real people, and this should also be represented on every Catwalk or Show. Whenever I am choosing the models for my show, I really want them to embrace their personalities as I believe this is all what fashion is about.
You were born in Germany and have Iranian heritage. In what ways has that upbringing influenced you, and how does it manifest itself in your work?
My Iranian heritage is definitely part of my DNA, so it manifests itself in each work and each collection, as well as growing up in Germany. Nature has always been a big influence for my work, and growing up in Germany; this was always very close to me since I was a child. Growing up with two cultures also pushed you more to show more diversity and get inspired by different cultures.
What were the factors behind your moving to London, and how has your creative process been shaped by the City, the culture and the style we see on the streets?
I always felt like London was home. In 2018 I decided that it was the time for me to move to the City of my dreams, London. It has shaped my creative and personal journey dramatically. Living in London made me more aware of being open-minded and inspired me by its unique range of diversity and cultures. There is so much culture, art, fashion and change happening in this City which is absolutely beautiful.
Your clothing has been worn by a host of celebrities including music icons Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga who both wore your lace catsuit. How did that come about, and how did it feel to hear that they had both worn this particular piece?
When I started creating these lace catsuits, the main feedback was that no one ever would wear them as they are not very commercial. However, seeing these Catsuits being worn by the these incredible, powerful women like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga has been absolutely a dream. And it does show me that you should always follow your intuition and believe in your dreams regardless of other opinions.
“The person who wears my pieces should feel like they can change the world”
Micheal Edwards
How do you want any of us who wear one of your pieces to feel about ourselves and the world around us when we put it on?
The person who wears my pieces should feel like they can change the world, and nothing is too big to stop them, making that person feel fearless. All of my pieces therefore are or can be styled as statement pieces.
Sarah Regensburger is an animal-free vegan brand that uses materials such as cactus leather and hemp yarn. What's the experimentation process involved in finding such innovative materials, and are there others you are enthusiastic to try?
There is a lot of beautiful innovation happening in the world of materials. However, for me always choosing what is not only innovative but also how I can implement it into my brand's DNA and make it look timeless, sexy, unique, and expensive.
At the moment, I am experimenting with Corn Faux Fur and, hopefully, will share these beautiful pieces with the world soon. Experimenting with new materials can be a real challenge, especially when going into production, as this is all part of an unknown process. But I am happy to take on this challenge to better the world.
What other sustainable and ethical practices do you follow, and how do you monitor the integrity of your supply chains?
All Sarah Regensburger products are made within Europe, a lot of them locally in the UK, London. We are focusing on a limited stock, so we try to create less waste of materials or products. Very carefully selecting our Fabric Suppliers and who we work with generally, including fabric mills based in the UK, handwoven materials made in France, and Yarns made in Portugal and Italy.
As sustainability can simply start with the yarn that you choose, and every little detail helps. For the future, we would like to implement more technology to be more transparent about our supply chain and materials.
As we head towards the end of the year, what are your goals and aspirations for the brand for 2023?
For the brand in 2023, our goal would be that more and more people will be aware of the brand and the brand's ethics. Spread the word about how we can change the world together and be more diverse and inclusive. We are very excited about the next year and are eager to change the world with all like-minded individuals.
Sarah Regensburger brings an environmentally aware authenticity to all that she does. It's an environment that she is dedicated to safeguarding. Her ethos widens our perceptions as to what constitutes a sustainable fashion label. Hers is a brand inculcated with a policy of providing the utmost transparency. A policy which invites us all to undertake an ethical examination of the entirety of her production process. An invitation that few, if any, who claim to occupy the same rigorously sustainable space as her, are willing to extend to the public.
Sarah Regensburger has given us a blueprint for doing things differently. Hers is an all-encompassing philosophy influenced by the cultural touchstones which shaped her life and which take shape in the garments which she makes. Garments wearable by all of humankind. Garments imbued with messages of inclusivity and diversity, messages which she so eloquently shared with us through the cast who so joyfully showcased her creations in St Georges church.
Sarah Regensburger pieces are creations which have been coveted by music royalty such as Gaga and Taylor, together with countless other celebrities. Pieces which make her the go-to for clothing that's sassy, sensual and staunchly sustainable.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" is the Sarah Regensburger call to arms. One change we can all make today is to join like-minded individuals and embrace the Sarah Regensburger ethos.
Huge thanks to Sarah for taking the time to talk to us and to Angus and Lori at The Pop Group for all their help.
You can connect with the brand here https://sarahregensburger.co.uk/
and on IG at
Credits:
Hair: @hairbylaurachadwick
Make up: @lanslondon using @seoulista_beauty
Production: @daniswall & @luka.dijan
Backstage manager: @hecmaclean
Styling: @rebekahroy_
Jewellery by @capsuleeleven
Hats by @katherineelizabethmillinery
Photography @niklashaze