VAKWETU had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the lovely Sarina Leah one half of Hip-hop, Afro-soul group Native Sun and designer for her budding fashion label Wild Suga.
How would you describe your sense of style?
My sense of style is a fusion of African patterns meets 80’s, 90’s oversized shirts & eclectic
vintage pieces, i feel there are hints of nomad meets bohemian
wanderer in there too, im really inspired by my Wildsuga research
process too. I currently have a few pinterest boards to inspire my
evolving interests & styles, you can Follow
my new pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/wildsuga/
vintage pieces, i feel there are hints of nomad meets bohemian
wanderer in there too, im really inspired by my Wildsuga research
process too. I currently have a few pinterest boards to inspire my
evolving interests & styles, you can Follow
my new pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/wildsuga/
How does music and fashion converge in your life?
Its a great balance Designing for Wildsuga and Singing in a Hip-hop
Afro-soul group Native Sun www.nativesunmuzik.com they have a lovely harmony
together, i wear what i make on stage such as wildsuga’s African harem pant with Native sun’s Fela Kuti
T-shirt. I also collaborate on made to measure pieces for artists,
singers, poets, writers, dancers, performers and so fourth i really like to see the designs in a magical space.
Afro-soul group Native Sun www.nativesunmuzik.com they have a lovely harmony
together, i wear what i make on stage such as wildsuga’s African harem pant with Native sun’s Fela Kuti
T-shirt. I also collaborate on made to measure pieces for artists,
singers, poets, writers, dancers, performers and so fourth i really like to see the designs in a magical space.
Many musicians also dabble in
fashion. What made you start and how far do you want to take it?
fashion. What made you start and how far do you want to take it?
I
was fortunate enough to finish school with good grades in art and
design and it lead me to do art and textiles related courses in
A-levels BTEC, HND and finally a BA Fashion degree in London Westminster
University. Alongside fashion i just so happened to equally love
singing and recording my music and so they have always been parallel
together. I come from a family
of tailors & dressmakers from St Lucia and so this directly
influenced me to
start my own label. For the future I’d
like to remain true to my beliefs of sustainable, up-cycled,
slow-handmade fashion
and I’m developing new tran-seasonal, reversible, versatile pieces such
as over-sized shirts, harem pants, wrap skirts and scarf tops. I’m also
planning online customized how 2’s and a creative
book on styling.
was fortunate enough to finish school with good grades in art and
design and it lead me to do art and textiles related courses in
A-levels BTEC, HND and finally a BA Fashion degree in London Westminster
University. Alongside fashion i just so happened to equally love
singing and recording my music and so they have always been parallel
together. I come from a family
of tailors & dressmakers from St Lucia and so this directly
influenced me to
start my own label. For the future I’d
like to remain true to my beliefs of sustainable, up-cycled,
slow-handmade fashion
and I’m developing new tran-seasonal, reversible, versatile pieces such
as over-sized shirts, harem pants, wrap skirts and scarf tops. I’m also
planning online customized how 2’s and a creative
book on styling.
What is the theme behind wildsuga?
The theme is an ongoing combination of Womanhood, motherhood,
sisterhood, home, using the things around us, minimizing, travel,
self-empowerment, sustainability, preserve, re-use, individuality, community
and the desire to return to indigenous ways of life.
sisterhood, home, using the things around us, minimizing, travel,
self-empowerment, sustainability, preserve, re-use, individuality, community
and the desire to return to indigenous ways of life.
Who is the wildsuga woman/man?
The Wildsuga woman is a free spirit, cool, alternative, a traveler
& on a journey to self realization, she has an indigenous spirit &
nostalgic soul and does peace work. I often see women on the street and think “
Oh My you are a wildsuga right in front on me”.
& on a journey to self realization, she has an indigenous spirit &
nostalgic soul and does peace work. I often see women on the street and think “
Oh My you are a wildsuga right in front on me”.
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Who are your Favorite designers/label?
My
mother is my first designer inspiration – she made beautiful floral
dresses in the 1960’s. I also really love emerging labels like: mother
on Etsy and sustainable
labels like Lu Flux, Goodone. I love Designer labels like Dries van
Noten and Jessica Ogden too. I tend to feel inspired by things i would
probably love to wear or make.
mother is my first designer inspiration – she made beautiful floral
dresses in the 1960’s. I also really love emerging labels like: mother
on Etsy and sustainable
labels like Lu Flux, Goodone. I love Designer labels like Dries van
Noten and Jessica Ogden too. I tend to feel inspired by things i would
probably love to wear or make.
What are your thoughts on African fashion?
African fashion to me has such an incredible history and its a huge continent to address,
im still a child with my reconnecting & understanding of African
fashion, traditional textiles, tribal community dress and cultural
design within past & modern Africa. The art created- such as the
symbols, colours, patterns, techniques, messages and meanings are very
sacred and inspiring. I am aware that the fashion industry in the west
is inspired by the styles coming from different parts of Africa like
myself and its great wearing culture and feeling apart of the global
community, its also equally important for me as a designer knowing what
things mean and why, for example most of the “African” fabric I buy is
imported and made in Holland but is recognized as a west African fabric,
Much of the textiles industry in Africa is presently dying and this
trade is not followed up by the young. My thoughts are reflective of
celebration, understanding, information and re-connection, giving back
to a diverse continent.
im still a child with my reconnecting & understanding of African
fashion, traditional textiles, tribal community dress and cultural
design within past & modern Africa. The art created- such as the
symbols, colours, patterns, techniques, messages and meanings are very
sacred and inspiring. I am aware that the fashion industry in the west
is inspired by the styles coming from different parts of Africa like
myself and its great wearing culture and feeling apart of the global
community, its also equally important for me as a designer knowing what
things mean and why, for example most of the “African” fabric I buy is
imported and made in Holland but is recognized as a west African fabric,
Much of the textiles industry in Africa is presently dying and this
trade is not followed up by the young. My thoughts are reflective of
celebration, understanding, information and re-connection, giving back
to a diverse continent.
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What is your current obsession?
I love cooking right now, im online looking for recipes on Yummly all
the time, and my Homegurl Michelle who is a nutritionist for www.goddesseffect.tv
has given me a health plan to follow and so on ‘sarina leah’ instagram – I have
a whole bunch of food and health pics.
the time, and my Homegurl Michelle who is a nutritionist for www.goddesseffect.tv
has given me a health plan to follow and so on ‘sarina leah’ instagram – I have
a whole bunch of food and health pics.
Tell us one item that you cannot live without and why?
Wow this always changes for me lol.. I would say currently my crochet pin
and wool, I’m seriously into making floor rugs, cushions and hats for myself and
so when im on trains or relaxing I occupy time by making stuff. I’m currently planning to
make my first ever cardigan and winter quilt. When I crochet with one pin im
fascinated by the craft and how it becomes something without electrical or
machine assistance, its so ancient and self sufficient to me. I feel the endless
possibilities, the meditation and freedom in the art form and im simply just a
beginner.
and wool, I’m seriously into making floor rugs, cushions and hats for myself and
so when im on trains or relaxing I occupy time by making stuff. I’m currently planning to
make my first ever cardigan and winter quilt. When I crochet with one pin im
fascinated by the craft and how it becomes something without electrical or
machine assistance, its so ancient and self sufficient to me. I feel the endless
possibilities, the meditation and freedom in the art form and im simply just a
beginner.
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