We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Christie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I’m Sara, the founder of BYSARACHRISTIE, established in 2020 from my desire for freedom as both a working mother and designer. With over 20 years in high-street fashion, I chose to step away to create something intentional. The Black Lives Matter movement ignited my passion to forge my own path. More than fashion, my brand embodies authenticity, representation, and empowerment. Honoring my ancestors, I weave my story and values into every stitch. I design timeless, high-quality accessories that simplify and elevate.

From a young age, I have had a love affair with classic style and dressing for elegance.

Heavily influenced by my Jamaican grandparents, who were part of the Windrush generation, dressing well was seen as a sense of pride, self-respect, and self-importance. For them, it was a way to rise above the hostility they faced. Their belief in the power of presentation shaped my understanding of fashion as more than just clothing—it was a statement of dignity and resilience.

I was always told to “Luk fi yuh bess an hole fi yuh head high.”

My mother, Angie, instilled in us a profound sense of pride in our appearance—a belief that how we present ourselves reflected our inner worth and strength. And it is this confidence that I want other women to feel when they step out too. They can do this in an instant!

Styling with simplicity without having to reinvent the wheel time and time again is the ethos behind my brand.
As a woman today, with everything going on, keeping life fuss-free and clutter-free, and investing confidently in your wardrobe becomes both a pleasure and a necessity for style success.
I design timeless, high-quality accessories that simplify and elevate. My mission is simple: to create sustainable, substantial pieces that give you the confidence to step out with your head held high.

You pop on your pieces, and instantly your outfit is elevated.

Affordable Luxury for Women on the Go

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Designing for Who I Am Becoming

Fashion has always been more than fabric and thread to me—it is a statement, a language, a way of asserting presence in a world that often overlooks those who do not fit the conventional mold. As a designer, my journey has been deeply intertwined with my love for dressing with importance. I believe in showing up, in being seen, in being heard. Every piece I create carries an essence of who I am and who I am becoming.

My dual heritage – Jamaican and English is at the core of my identity. I am proud. It shapes my values, my perspectives, and the purpose behind my work. I draw strength from my ancestry, blending the richness of cultural influences into my designs. My Collection, The Warrior, The Boss, The Duchess tell a story—one of resilience, pride, and authenticity. I do not merely design clothing; I design a vision, a movement, an invitation for others to embrace their full selves unapologetically.

I am the face of my brand because, growing up, I rarely saw faces like mine in the spaces I aspired to occupy. At school, at university, and in the workplace, I felt the weight of underrepresentation. Black female designers were scarcely visible, and that absence spoke volumes. It fueled my determination to carve out a space where none existed, to ensure that those coming after me would see reflections of themselves in the world of fashion. Representation matters—not just for inspiration, but for transformation.

The power of visibility should never be underestimated. To be seen is to be acknowledged, to be counted, to be valued. Every design I create is a testament to that belief, a celebration of presence. I design for the bold, for the ones reclaiming their space, for those stepping into who they are meant to be. Fashion, for me, is about more than style—it is about identity, empowerment, and making an indelible mark on the world.

This is my story. This is my purpose. And through my designs, I invite others to step into their own power, to show up, and to be seen.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A Time of Pivoting: Independence Day

In 2017, I made a bold decision—to step away from the security of my design management position at a global retailer. I had spent years immersed in the fast-paced world of fashion, but I was falling out of love with the relentless cycle of disposable trends. The desire for freedom—both as a designer and a working mother—became impossible to ignore. I wanted to grow without limitations, to create with intention, and to build something of my own.

That’s when Seven Design & Consultancy was born. I curated a bespoke service that encompassed trend forecasting, design, sampling, and manufacturing, allowing me to be involved in every stage of the creative process. This shift not only gave me control over my work but also the space to explore a new vision—designing my own collection of handbags and accessories.

Then, in 2020, the world changed. The pandemic brought retail and life to a standstill. But while lockdown confined many, it provided me with the rare gift of time—time to reflect on what truly mattered. For me, that meant three things:

The Black Lives Matter movement, which deeply impacted my perspective on purpose and representation.
A surprise second pregnancy, a beautiful and unexpected shift in my personal life.
The beginnings of By Sara Christie, my namesake brand that would encapsulate everything I had learned and everything I aspired to create.
Now, the time has come to be brave and bold. My new journey has begun.

And it all started with a chain reaction…

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

The Story of By Sara Christie: A Journey of Courage, Connection, and Change

In November 2020, I launched my brand—By Sara Christie—just two weeks after welcoming my second child into the world. It was a time of chaos, joy, and uncertainty, but it also marked the beginning of something deeply personal and transformative. Balancing motherhood with the demands of launching a brand felt like a monumental challenge, but it was also an incredible opportunity to be true to my passion for design and create something meaningful.

In the midst of a pandemic, when life, work, and retail as we knew it were forced to shift, I realized that time—like so many other things—was in short supply. But I found that the simplest things could make a world of difference. That’s when I created my signature chains: accessories that instantly elevated any outfit, making women feel confident and stylish in an instant.

It was this message of “instant elevation” that resonated with women navigating Zoom calls and balancing their own work, home, and social lives. Dressing from the waist up became a new norm, and my chains were the perfect solution—practical, stylish, and easy to wear.

By Sara Christie was born out of a need to offer women a way to feel great with minimal effort. What began as a personal response to a challenging time became a movement of women supporting each other, finding strength in simplicity, and embracing the beauty of transformation.

Today, I’m proud to say that my journey has come full circle. BYSARACHRISTIE is now a brand that reflects my values, my voice, and the power of women to create and elevate their own stories.

And the time for boldness, courage, and change is now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bysarachristie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bysarachristie/

Image Credits

Ursula Kelly @ursulakphoto @ursulakellyphotography