Founded by Sarah-Jane Clarke (nickname “sass”) and Heidi Middleton (nickname “bide”), Sass & Bide is the story of an underground fashion phenomenon made über good.
Q: There have been many notable moments, I know, but what is the most notable moment in the history of Sass & Bide?
A: Being invited to show at New York fashion week…and the opening of our boutiques in both Sydney and Brisbane.
Q: For two great friends, how do you make this work on a business level?
A: First and foremost we are great friends and this has always been our priority. Our shared passion for vintage clothes and a similar style has made us great business partners as well.
Q: Who is your customer?
A: The Sass & Bide woman is graced with a natural, original style. She is self assured & comfortable in expressing her personal creativity. She is open-minded and free by nature. The Sass & Bide woman appreciates the beautiful aesthetics that surround her.
Q: Tell us about the "jacket and Sarah Jessica Parker moment ".
A: There was no planning at all – it was a fortunate coincidence. We were on our way to an appointment and walked past the set of “Sex and the City” where Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP) was filming. I took off my denim jacket and handed it to the security guard who gave it to SJP. She loved the jacket, asked us to her trailer for an appointment and then commissioned us to make a few one-off pieces for the show – the publicity further propelled word-of-mouth for our brand in the international marketplace.
Q: The conundrum for most women is juggling career with motherhood and family life. How do you manage this aspect of running a successful business and raising your family?
A: I commend all working women/families out there as it’s a difficult one to juggle. I’m thankful to have a great support team in both my professional and personal lives.
Q: The dress is No.1 this summer. Have Sass & Bide done many dresses, and if so, what shape and lengths can we look forward to?
A: We couldn’t agree more – we love a dress for summer! Our resort collection “the listening place” (instore Oct/Nov/Dec) draws together the expressionism and artistic innovation of the Belle Époque period, contrasted against the decadent confidence of the 1980s. Embellished batwing dresses and embroidered mini dresses contrast against the black and white striped shirt dresses and vintage zig zag shifts.
Q: How important is travel, other cultures, music, and dance to your design inspirations?
A: We draw inspiration from all over the world and from a variety of mediums including history, travel, old movies, humour, costume, language, other cultures, vintage markets and family, as well as each other! We are inspired by obscure and beautiful things and like to design garments that have a contradictory yet confident and feminine aesthetic.
Q: Brisbane is very proud to have the beautiful new Sass and Bide store on James Street. What made you decide on this precinct?
A: Thank you, we are so excited to have opened the store in Brisbane as it’s something Heidi and I have talked about since starting the label. We chose the James Street precinct because it has such a great energy surrounding it with the James Street Markets, other retail outlets like Jean Brown and all the restaurants and lifestyle stores that are also moving into the area. It was the only choice for us.
Q: What is your own personal style?
A: Relaxed but dressy; feminine but with an edge.
Q: A travel tip for busy women – what can’t you leave home without?
A: My blackberry, a cashmere throw and my possum boots.
Q: Have you kept some of the more memorable pieces since the beginning? And will there be a museum in years to come?
A: Heidi and I are definitely hoarders and collectors and love to bring life back to pre-loved garments, so we’ve a rather extensive archive full of all our previous collections. We’ll definitely reference pieces in years to come but we haven’t quite thought about a museum – interesting idea though!
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