In Conversation with Sara Sakanaka

Tell us about your background: 

I am a creative consultant focusing on fashion and product consultancy projects for local and international clients. My background includes womenswear, product, and textile development, specializing in creative direction within the luxury market. I’ve successfully launched new fashion and lifestyle brands in multiple capacities, including ready-to-wear, couture, bridal, and outerwear. I have consulted and worked for luxury houses, including Norisol Ferrari, HONOR, and Ports 1961.

Drawn by the desire to engage more with material and creative processes, I launched Considered Objects in 2020. The project emphasizes the emotional value of objects and craft through meaningful collaborations. My projects are infused with a personal and artistic sensibility, informed by an international identity.

I am also the co-founder of Entreaide Collective, a full service and design consultancy that provides a range of creative solutions and resources in the fashion space. From creating concepts and ideas rooted in authenticity with a thoughtful and sustainable approach, I collaborate with like-minded people who share similar values.

I currently live and work in New York.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

Don't be afraid to ask for help! Forming partnerships and aligning yourself with people that you can trust and support you will make your work better because the result is always unpredictable. Valuing collaboration over control means accepting that things may not go your way. Isolation can only strip you of any help you will need to face unforeseen events. When you are open to creativity, you allow yourself to be vulnerable and to be free. Allow the unexpected to happen!

Best career advice you've ever received?

No one can do it for you. Find your own path and don't let fear and uncertainty come between you and your dreams.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

I have always admired people that uphold a high sense of integrity. To me that means being open, respectful and being honest. Integrity in one's life and work really shines bright and brings hope and light to this world.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far? 

Understanding that knowing your worth is such a personal thing and that it has nothing to do with anyone else. For most of my career, I placed my worth in other people, jobs, projects etc...but if there is one thing that 2020 has proved to me is that when you trust yourself and the decisions you make you have more self-confidence and you don't question yourself. This higher confidence level helps you to make clearer decisions and affects every aspect of your life.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

At the moment it's the one-of-a-kind vintage kimono blouses that I have been crafting this year. They are all different and unique as they are made from repurposed vintage kimonos and artisanal Japanese textiles. Some of the blouses are quite colorful with bold patterns. For the longest time, I've been committed to wearing exclusively black and neutral colors. Something about the quality and rich colors of the original kimono textile persuaded me to be more open! Now for the first time in my closet, I see a whole range of colors.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-sakanaka/

https://considered-objects.com/

@considered_objects