Stylish Sarah
Sarah Sulzberger Perpich has been in the fashion industry for over 13 years as a fashion editor, stylist, writer and consultant. She has written for such publications as WWD, V , The New York Times, Style.com, POP and Diane Pernet’s AShadedViewOnFashion.com.
She has also worked with designer Zac Posen and as a personal shopper at both Bloomingdale’s and Henri Bendel. These experiences and her love of fashion and shopping have led to a full time career as a personal stylist in NY. Firmly believing that fashion is for everyone, Sarah has developed a unique philosophy to help clients dress their best and feel more confident. She believes that a personal stylist is for EveryBody, EveryBudget, EveryLifestyle. Her ability to make fashion fun and easy regardless of age, income or lifestyle has made her one of the most popular stylists today.
Inspirations or influences?
Inspiration: “Fashion for me, is not an illustration but an idea around which to create a scene.” Helmut Newton
I constantly keep my eyes open. Some may think it’s a curse and some may think it’s a blessing, but I only see clothing…not cars, people, or street lights, just clothing - sneakers, hats, jewelry, belts, bags. I see the world through fashion-colored glasses—a purse strap in the arm of a park bench, a man’s tie in a taxi’s beaded seat cover, a designer logo in a block of graffiti on the back of a truck. Also my mentors: Bill Cunningham, Diane Pernet, and Valerie Steele.
Favorite Brand?
Chanel will eternally be my favorite brand and probably is the only exception to my rule of no logos on anything. Nothing is more chic and sophisticated than a classic Chanel handbag, classic tweed jacket, or ballet flats – high quality, supple leather, expensive and timeless.
Favorite Designers?
My favorite designers nail their collection every season. The best designers are magicians and master craftsmen – the best at every facet of the design process. The most inspiring and exciting designers are risk takers and have uniquely strong voices and messages. Some examples are:
Alber Elbaz, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel,
Elsa Schiaparelli, Marc Jacobs, Vionnet,
Miuccia Prada, Alexander Wang, Charles James,
Rick Owens, MMM, and Nicolas Ghesquiere.
Favorite Publications?
I religiously read over 60 different fashion and art magazines in addition to blogs. If I had to narrow the list to my favorites, I would pick:
Blogs: Business of Fashion, ashadedviewonfashion.com,
Hint, Refinery29, Signature 99, dazeddigital,
Nowness, Vogue.it, T Styles, On the Runway, and The JC report
Magazines: INDUSTRIE, Purple, POP, 10 Women,
Tank, Another Magazine, I-D, O32c, Quest,
V magazine, WAD, Tokien, and Dansk.
I read these magazines for work and for play, for the text and the images. They are my own private research library.
Fashion Icons?
My fashion icons are women who dominate, dictate, and demand attention, as well as those who are effortlessly chic and make fashion their own.
Carmel Snow, Diana Vreeland, Iris Apfel, Anna Piaggi,
Catherine Deneuve, Marlene Dietrich, Victoire de Castelanne,
Loulou de la Falaise, Kate Moss and Natalie Massenet.
I love to see women on the street who have mastered the art of styling, mixing and matching old with new, flea market with department stores, etc.
3 things you can't live without?
I can’t live without my mother’s original one-of-a-kind charm bracelet, flat shoes, a sunny day in Central Park, and the New York Times style section. Granted this is four and you asked for three but narrowing down is not my strong suit as you can clearly see.
How is Fashion Changing?
As Coco Chanel said, “Fashion is made to become unfashionable.” The best part of fashion is that nothing stays the same. Fashion, at its essence, is about change. Within the context of our current times, though, the two main instigators of change in fashion are the Internet and the economy. The Internet is changing the ways in which we learn about, interact with, and consume fashion-think net-a-porter, giltgroup, facebook, twitter, crowdfunding,, fashion films/videos-showstudioor ASHVOFF, and a new, powerful consumer-customize and curate content.
The recession abolished the era of conspicuous consumption and haute couture and built a new industry of creative collaborations between high and low such as the designer collections for Kmart, Topshop, and H&M. High-end fashion designers and retailers have also been forced to redirect merchandise toward safer, simpler, and more practical staples for a more frugal, function oriented fashion consumer.
