Long Lasting Classics
“Make it work, that’s what my name stands for. If it doesn’t work, it won´t be a favorite piece of clothing and the idea of slow fashion will get lost.” – Sabine Petri
For Sabine Petri, an upcoming Danish designer, ‘slow fashion’ means clothes of high quality that last for a long time – both in terms of durability and beyond seasonal trends. Setting an example against the “throw away” mentality provoked by fast fashion, Petri produces made-to-measure classic designs: “My signature is making favorite pieces of clothing. What makes them favorite pieces is that they actually fit, and that the wearer feels comfortable in them”, she explains. “I use the best materials in soft and good quality and always with silk lining in the dresses and jackets.”
Jacket by Petri, exhibited at Aarhus City Hall © Katja Scheibler
Every single piece out of the 12-15 items per collection is designed and manufactured by Petri herself. Twice a year, a Fashion Salon is held to showcase the new collections and give shoppers the opportunity to try on the styles before buying them. The designer then adjusts the clothes in width and length to the customer’s body - just like actual tailor-made items. According to Petri, producing in only S, M and L would lead to a bad fit, since these standards skip one and a half sizes in between each of them. Therefore, her clothes are generally available in sizes 34 to 46.
Part of Petri´s collection at the showcase at Aarhus City Hall © Katja Scheibler
Another distinctive characteristic of Petri´s designs is the combination of timeless beauty and functionality: “Fancy design with a purpose”, she calls it. The patterns, colors and cuts are simple, with small details that make the difference. One of these are the “signature pockets”: “When you sit down, usual pockets always open, but with my signature pockets, the angle is just perfect so they stay closed and nothing falls out.”
The "signature pocket" ©Petri
In addition to her principles of high quality, perfect fit and timeless design, it is Petri´s zero-waste ethic that makes her fashion line sustainable: “I attempt to use every single inch of fabric for my collections, and I even get left over material from other designers”, Petri says. Since she only produces a small quantity of each item, she sometimes needs no more than 20 meters of fabric for one design. The limited availability responds to Petri´s philosophy, enhancing the value of the “favorite piece” as something special and unique.
The Fashion Lens met slow fashion designer Sabine Petri (@sabinepetri_danishdesign) at a showcase for upcoming local designers, organized by HEADSTART FASHION (HSF). The latter is a foundation devoted to helping emerging fashion brands establish themselves in the industry. Their approaches include business development and networking strategies, and events where the brands get the chance to present themselves to both the press and potential customers.