{From the Atelier of…} Edelweiss by Sarah
29/04/2011 § 2 Comments
Cherie, do you recall recently discussing the darling line Edelweiss by Sarah with me? Well, I am excited to report that on a rainy day last week, I was very lucky to visit the Brooklyn atelier of Sarah Seilbach, the lovely lady behind it all. Sarah was gracious enough to take time from her busy schedule to talk inspiration, design, production, and all sorts of other fun topics of conversation.
Sarah launched her own line, Edelweiss by Sarah, in 2008 after spending time at Vena Cava, Elise Overland, and Maggie Norris Couture. She finds most of her inspiration in classic films and fashion, and her designs reflect an affinity for making what is old, new again. What I love most about Sarah’s dresses is their inherent romance. She masterfully balances nostalgia with wearability and her designs are always quietly elegant, never fussy.
Sarah’s atelier is a jewel-box of vintage inspiration, from the beautifully dense wall collages she creates at the beginning of each season’s design process, to the vintage Ferragamos tucked in the corners (amazing scores from the nearby Brooklyn Flea). We found that we had a bit of a common background in theatre arts, loved some of the same classic films and exchanged notes on the best places to hunt for photographs of bygone eras.
Because Edelweiss by Sarah is primarily sold online, I was excited to have the opportunity to see the dresses up close and personally. They were even more beautiful than I could have imagined. Sarah’s use of silk is fantastically luxurious. Wearing her designs are an exercise in femininity, from the thoughtful way they drape on your body to the way the silk feels against your skin.
Selling online affords Sarah the luxury to connect personally with her customers, something she values very highly. If you have any questions about the sizing of Sarah’s designs, simply contact her before placing your order and she will be happy to get you sorted.
Sarah is currently in the early stages of designing S/S 2012. She hasn’t yet made a final decision from which decade she will draw the lion’s share of her inspiration, but I was excited to hear that the 1930s was in the running, noting that the opening scenes of the film Atonement and the day dress worn by Briony, the younger sister, had made a big impression on her.
Preliminary sketches for S/S 2012
Visiting with Ms. Seilbach served only to reinforce my love for Edelweiss by Sarah. Collection after collection, Sarah creates beautiful and elegant designs that are timeless, feminine and romantic. If you are looking for a frock that embodies these elements — and who isn’t? — Edelweiss by Sarah should be your first stop.
Get in touch: Edelweiss by Sarah site, shop, blog, Twitter and Facebook.
Two items of note!
- A few dresses from the Fall ’10 collection have just become available on Fashion Stake at discounted prices. Head here for the bargains.
- Sarah is also holding a giveaway this month on her blog. Head here for the details on how you can win one of her beautiful “Luther” dresses.
Quite Continental 
What a lovely discovery! Her designs are truly timeless. I take your recommendations as truth, and will set off to explore her site STAT.
Sarah is truly a dear and I am sure you will find many things to love!