DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: SARAH WILLIAMS OF FREE PEOPLE’S REBELLION

Sarah Williams mixes her African heritage with her urban surroundings to create fresh accessories.

New York – Confession: we’re envious of Sarah Williams. She’s got beauty, smarts and talent — a triple threat topped with a poised presence. Now it turns out much to our delight that Sarah is an accessory designer. Yes, this former med student has her own label called Free People’s Rebellion (fprebellion.com), which features a collection of handmade accessories — including necklaces and bracelets to bows and shoe laces — made from African fabrics.

The Liberian beauty, who has been designing for two years, tells us that her grandmother used to bring her lapas from Africa (lapas are fabrics used by African women to wrap around their body or made into clothing). Sarah didn’t style the lapas in their traditional forms but she did start making accessories out of the fabrics, incorporating other materials in the creations like brass, silver and gold plates. But Sarah also makes sure to give back to her parents’ birth country , Liberia, by having partial of the proceeds of each sale donated to the Children’s Comforting Yard, a charitable organization that provides care for the children in Logan Town, Liberia

Why design accessories?

I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with accessories. My clothing style is pretty simple so I’ve always used accessories to create some type of uniqueness to my look.

Free People’s Rebellion is a great name for a fashion label. How did that name come to you?

It pays homage to the history of Liberia, which was formed by freed slaves in the U.S. who wanted to move back to Africa. It also describes my customer as well, someone who has a rebellious fashion sense and the free will to make a difference while simultaneously making a fashion statement.

What is the design process for the accessories?

I don’t have a specific design process but I am inspired by my environment and the people around me. I am truly blessed to have some amazingly talented and inspirational people in my life. But I will say that I get a lot of ideas so it really helps me to start with an specific theme and stick with it and just edit from there.

One thing people will notice in the Look Book section of your web site (fprebellion.com) is you’re pictured modeling your accessories. Did you intend to model your pieces?

Modeling my stuff on the site was totally unintentional. Anyone that knows me knows that I never like the way I look in pictures. My friend who is a photographer (Kwesi Abbensetts) wanted to take some pics of my stuff, but I couldn’t get a model to do it so I did it myself. My intention was never to put it up on the site but didn’t want to waste great photos. Not that I’m great in them; it’s the photographer. Also, I would like to say that I love to use “real”people in my shoots and shows. Not to say models aren’t real people but all of the people you see modeling are my friends and none of them, including myself, are professional models except for Laura. (Laura Scott can be seen modeling for F.P.R’s current look book titled “Rebellious” shot by photographer Abbensetts.)

You had mentioned that you were on track to pursuing a career in the public health field. How did you go from studying medicine to accesory design?

I was always into fashion and did some styling gigs on the side while I was working at Mt. Sinai. During this time I was receiving compliments and inquiries on the accessories that I made so I crossed my fingers, said a few prayers, and applied to F.I.T [Fashion Institute of Technology]. Once I received the acceptance letter in the mail I saw it as a sign, and now I am at F.I.T. and pursuing my dream.

Would you ever go back to public health?

I don’t think I would. I’m on a pursuit of happiness mode and I don’t think its leading me to the path of becoming a doctor. Preventative medicine is still important to me, and if an opportunity presented itself, I will still talk and write on certain public health issues.

Your friends are very supportive of your new career path, but how did your parents handle your transition from med school to fashion school?

Now it took my parents some time to come around. My dad more so than my mom. Like most African parents they wanted me to be a doctor, and I was on that whole PhD track so when I diverted this was not a good thing. But they now see the light. I most recently made a convert out of my dad when he came to my fashion show and saw my work firsthand.

Alright now due to your love for accessories, we have to ask what style tips would you give on how to accessorize an outfit?

It’s all about statement pieces to accessorize your outfit. Don’t be shy to wear something bold and unique that shows off who you are and your personality. I recommend investing in a great necklace, pair of earrings, and ring. Accessories are versatile and recession proof. You can wear that $50 statement necklace or a pair of earrings twice a week if you’d like, but you sure cant do that with that new $50 trendy dress.

We’re always interested in knowing who are the designers other designers love, who are your favorites.

Some of my favorite designers that I like to wear are Rachel Comey for her shoes, Michael Kors for his not so basic basics, and  BCBG for their evening dresses. The majority of all the rest of the items in my closet come from American Apparel, Zara, Urban Outfitters, Topshop, H&M, discounted showroom clothes, and thrift shops.

What advice could you give to aspiring designers who want to carve their own names in the fashion world or who want to take a career change as you did?

My advice would be to create a solid business plan. I know as artists we don’t want to have to deal with the financial and just want to focus on creating. Trust me I know, but we all don’t want to be starving artists forever, right?

Blaynistas, less talk from us and more telling you where you can purchase your own Free People’s Rebellion accessories. You can purchase the accessories through her web site at fprebellion.com or email her at info@fprebellion.com. So beecome a rebel with a cause and show your support for Free People’s Rebellion by doing two things: follow Sarah on Twitter @fprebellion and become a fan of the label at Facebook by clicking here.

Images Courtesy of Free People’s Rebellion