SARAH MIKAELA

A MODERN EMPOWERMENT

BY SARAH MIKAELA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH MIKAELA & TOM BUTLER
ASSISTED BY GIULIA GRECO

It's no secret, that it's been a whirlwind of a year, and not least the past six months. Whilst the projects have been grander and by far more exciting than catching my own tail, the dizziness remains the same, and I have moments and travels that I've been tingling to share with you in here. One of them, is the work and presentation of Central Saint Martin's graduate and dear friend of mine Amy Barrie, who presented her debut collection at The Royal Academy of Arts. Amy's work is some of the most incredible, both in craft and essence. Most important to her, si the message that her work carries, to promote and empower women and to celebrate the voices of equality before us. On this note, she selected six incredible poets (female and all awesome), to perform their work in tailored AB from her debut collection. One of my personal favourites is the purple embroidered suit , you see here on the left, shot on the gorgeous Elena in black and white and in featured in colour again just below. It's embroidered with the words of suffragettes and female leaders, that have paved the way to create the (still-needs-improvement) world we live in today. If anyone has a passion for women and fashion that's empowering, it's Amy, and her work beautifully speaks the words of all these incredible voices. Mixing in historical elements, Amy's designs embody , through garments that are meant to be heard in a modern context. 

Now, you remember me saying it's been quite a year, yeah? Well, my technical luck has been especially poor these past six months, and the harddrive that contained the images of Amy's breathtaking presentation at The Royal Academy, had a breakdown at the hight of Paris Fashion Week. I'm gutted I don't get to show you my own shots from the event, but my friend Tom Butler, who I work with on video projects (such as here) had a few stills I've added in to supplement here for you to see alongside my shoot of the collection earlier this year on Elena. 

printed cape with marbled lining.

Pen nibs attached by hand, for the suffragette gown.

"We take the ink from insults and use it as mascara,
We take bad days and vibes, that think that they 
can scar us to make something new. To make something 
healing."
- RAKAYA FETUGA

ONE OF THE INCREDIBLE POETS OF THE PRESENTATION, RAKAYA ESIME FETUGA.

YOU CAN SEE MORE OF AMY'S WORK HERE AND CHECK OUT HER INSTAGRAM.

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