An Interview with Artist Sara Rahbar

This month we’ve been exploring some of the decades that inspire the fashion we see and love today – Paris in the 1920s, America in the 1950s, Morocco in the 1970s – all leading up to today. The twentytens and the modern girl, who mixes together all of the little pieces that make her who she is – her various inspirations, quirks, ethnicities – turning them into something entirely unique to her. It couldn’t be more fitting, then, that the modern section of our catalog featured a flag by artist Sara Rahbar.

I posted some of her flags on the blog a little while back… i was fascinated by them, and love the idea of a flag being made up of many elements that represent different places, ideas and stories.  Read on for an interview with Sara and to learn more about the flags in her own words.

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When did you first come up with the concept behind your Flag Series?

It was in 2005 when I was studying at central saint martins in London, it was for my final project… And I never thought that it would be a series, I thought that I would just make one.

What are some of the materials that you use to make your flags, and where do you find them?

I use anything that inspires me, anything that I am excited and passionate about, and anything that is “sew-able”… there are so many objects that I find that I love and want to use, but they are too large or too heavy for sewing, it has gotten to the point that the objects have completely taken over.  I think that’s why I’m starting to do sculpture now.

As for where I find my materials, well just about anywhere that I can, and I mean ANYWHERE.  I go to the most bizarre places to find things… from bazaars in Tehran, to flea markets in Pennsylvania, from Vietnam vets to little old ladies on the street… I see a million things and I pick two, editing is very important.

I am just as passionate about the objects that I find, as I am about making the work and the final outcome. Gathering these items is such an important part of my process.

What is the meaning behind the particular flag used in our catalog shoot?

There is never any one particular meaning, these pieces are like pages in a book, they are like pieces in huge puzzle.

This work is very personal for me and it’s a direct reflection of my life. In the end I am just a human being talking about my life to other human beings, the work is just an outcome of the way that I view the world and others around me.

It’s about falling, standing and attempting to survive it all. In the end we are all in exile, we are all just visiting and we all come to this earth alone and we leave alone. But while we are here we try so desperately to belong to something, to someone and to somewhere.

Art often inspires fashion.  Does fashion ever inspire your art?

Yes, sure it can, anything can inspire me, anything can spark something, trigger something. The most random things can inspire me; there really is no rhyme or reason to it, it’s just instinctual.

What people have had the most influence on you and your art?

Wow this is a very difficult question for me, mainly because a million different things inspire me every minute of the day, and I have a really bad memory and cant keep track of it all. My mind is a very overwhelming place to be sometimes… that’s why I jot things down a lot, to get them out of my head so that I can make room for new things to enter.

But there really are an endless amount of people that inspire me, from film makers, to artists, to writers, to my mother and brother… the list would really go on, and on, and on…

What does Free mean to you?

Being free is just a state of mind.

If you were to create a flag inspired by Free People, what would it look like?

I couldn’t tell you that in an interview, it all comes to me very instinctually when I’m making the work. I could only show it to you when it’s done. It’s an unexplainable moment, flickers of colors and shapes, I have learned throughout the years to trust my instincts, and let them guide me.

Personally I feel that it loses something when I talk about it, I believe it all happens in the making of the work.  I could try to make a piece about Sylvia Plath’s poems, but what would be the point…her words are powerful enough on their own. I think good work, really good work, moves you beyond words.

So inspiring. I love what she said about having to write things down to make more room in her head – I feel that way all the time. To see more of Sara’s amazing work, visit her website.

Featured Jewelry Designer: Erickson Beamon

Pictured: Mixed Gem Statement Ring, Rhinestone Statement Ring, Rhinestone Wrap Ring.

Our featured artist this month is certainly appropriate for the time of year – Erickson Beamon creates a universe “where glittering snowflakes freeze into delicate drop earrings, black roses bloom on bangles, a brave new world is being charted out with yards of pearls and the duchess of fabulous rules the roost”

Their work is the epitome of statement jewelry – they create pieces that not only compliment an outfit, they become an important part of it.  The rings we are featuring by Erickson Beamon scream holiday party – they truly do look like crystals of ice that will add the perfect dazzle to your holiday outfit.

I love Erickson Beamon’s artistic approach to jewelry design – for their spring/summer 2012 presentation at fashion week they created a lush garden scene called “Back to Eden,” that housed four incredible mannequins covered in their baubles and designs. They’re incredible!

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Shop our collection by Erickson Beamon.

Sunday Funday: A few more from Morocco

I’ve had the pleasure of going to one of our catalog shoots, so I know first-hand that our catalog team is amazing and so much fun – these photos definitely capture that spirit! Behind the scenes from our holiday catalog shoot :)

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What a great crew :) Photos by Thomas Northcut.

Win Your Wishlist: Last Chance to Enter!

Don’t forget! You have until the end of the day tomorrow (Sunday 11/20) to enter to win your wishlist!

*One grand prize winner will receive the contents of their freepeople.com wishlist… up to $1,000!”*

*Two 1st prize winners will receive a $500 Free People gift card!*

*Five 2nd prize winners will receive a $100 Free People gift card!*

For the official rules and to enter please click here. Good luck!!

Catalog Behind the Scenes: Morocco, the 1970s

Here’s the second batch of behind the scenes photos from the 1970s portion of our holiday catalog shoot in Morocco… from a scorching desert landscape to a serene oasis.

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Love Elsa’s look in this shot: fp one sequin short, back to cali tunic, tangier maxi poncho, headpiece and lots of layered necklaces. Burning Man, anyone?!?

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This looks so peaceful.

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The Gola Retro Sneakers are my fave.

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Beautiful accessories.

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Beautiful. Photos by Thomas Northcut.

Shop the November Catalog.

Office Style: Sheer Madness

Sheer layers have been making a fashion statement around the home offices as a must-have trend. Whether worn underneath or on top, these pieces are good ways of inciting mystery. The eye gets a peek into what’s underneath, maybe a fun bandeau print or lacey detail, but never fully gets a good look. Checkout the many garments and ways in which we’re sporting the trend…

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The Tiza Floral Tights worn in an perfect layering look!

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I’m always trying to come up with ways to wear my cropped sweaters (like this one or this one) in cooler weather – love the idea of layering a sheer top (like this one) underneath.

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Store Style: Snow Angel

The latest trend we can’t get enough of is Snow Angel. With a new chilliness to the air and less hours of sunshine in the day, we’re brightening our spirits with shades of pink, ivory and icy blue and cozy, comfy textures that warm our souls. Winter doesn’t have to be about black, gray and deep tones, it can be as light and airy as the snow outside :)  This trend makes me think of sledding all day, rosy cheeks, icicles and candy canes!

Here are some of our beautiful store girls rocking the snow angel trend.

A dreamy shot… wearing the scallop strapless dress with a sweater and adorable faux fur arm warmers.

We adore the new romantics embellished romper! Worn here with the cropped cardigan and a beanie.

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The embellished romper also looks awesome with the anita faux fur jacket!

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On the left, the scallop lace tube dress with the amazing casablanca cape and faux fur arm warmers; on the right, the voile and lace slip worn with tights, legwarmers, the kimono cardigan and adorable ear flap beanie.

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A perfect holiday party dress: the new romantics foiled maxi; get the goddess look by adding a head piece :)

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LOVE this look: fp spun sequin knit short, tights, fp one smocked beaded bandeau, plaid shirt, beanie and arm warmers.

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Here’s a thought – the embellished romper with the fp one smocked beaded bandeau over top! Accessorized with a beanie and bracelets.

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Wear the sequin bodycon with the faux fur jacket, weather boots and floppy hat!

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Love this pairing of embellished romper with the fairisle maxi cardigan over top!

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This is a great idea – the fp one smocked beaded bandeau turned backwards, peeks out from under the lurex crochet top.

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Snow Angel textures: fairisle triangle scarf, faux fur jacket, icy embellished dress, charm and chain cluster necklace, new romantics chiffon capelet.

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Our much-loved voile and lace slip in all its pretty colorways.

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And our favorite snow angel layering piece, the fp one smocked beaded bandeau!

Shop the Snow Angel Trend.

Thursday Poll: Party Shoes

Tis’ the season to start thinking about what you’ll be wearing to all of those holiday parties! One thing’s for sure, you’re going to need some good party shoes. Think – lots of glitter and glam mixed with blacks and deep reds for the perfect holiday shoe. Which pair will be making your toes twinkle?

The Cabaret Platform

The Cambridge Crochet Platform

Camryn Platform

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The Lissie Glitter Heel

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The Studio LTD Platform

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[polldaddy poll=5679807]


Trend: Snow Angel

When I think of a snow angel I think of a soft wanderer, she walks quietly and oozes curiosity.
Our Snow Angel trend derived from all things soft and pretty, beautiful cozy textures hang softly
while pastels shades capture the nostalgic feeling of a dream like world. Snow Angel is about comfort,
comfort in the most beautiful light.

Our snow angel trend

Catalog Behind the Scenes: Morocco in the 1970s

There’s something surreal about these behind the scenes photos from our holiday catalog shoot in Morocco.  The lighting, the colors, the vast open landscape, it almost seems like a different planet… where our team became desert warriors on a mission to shoot a beautiful catalog.

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The stunning Tangier Maxi Poncho

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All hands on Marianna :)

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The Zig Zag Lurex Flares

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Loving the car’s headlights :) This was also one of my favorite outfits from the book – I love the layering of the gorgeous fp spun fools gold crochet dress over the floral maxi, worn with the fp one sequin jacket and gola retro sneakers!

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More creative layering: got rhythm velvet crop top over the fp one sequin cami over a vintage tee.

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Desert warriors… aka the fp catalog crew :)

Photos by Thomas Northcut.

Shop the November Catalog.