Q&A: Lorena Sarbu Trunk Show

Photography by Rodrigo Gaya on February 4th, 2014 in Editorials, Fashion

Lorena Sarbu

Bal Harbour, FL – January 30, 2014 – Sexy, glamorous, and inspiring are just a few things that come to mind when reflecting on high-end evening wear designer, Lorena Sarbu. Famous for outfitting red carpet looks for Carrie Underwood, Blake Lively and Nicole Richie to name a few, she has made quite an outstanding impression on the evening wear industry. Lorena Sarbu recently joined Neiman Marcus at Bal Harbour Shops for an afternoon event showcasing her latest collection of evening dresses. A chic set-up featuring a variety of elevated platforms was incorporated into the Neiman Marcus Evening Couture Salon, as models informally posed throughout the afternoon. The designer mingled with the crowd as guests enjoyed delicious bites and bubbly. Event hostess, Martha de Lima, was joined by a several VIP fashionistas, as they viewed and shopped the collection of timeless creations. The dresses combine sumptuous fabrics, unique textures and intricate embellishments that feature distinctively stunning designs for the modern woman. Here, we catch up with Sarbu and hear about her journey towards becoming one of the biggest names in the fashion world, as well as what we can expect for the future of the brand.

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Lorena Sarbu

Someone who’s wearing my clothing is really strong and wants to stand out; she wouldn’t just be the guest of the party.

Lorena Sarbu

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Amanda Chamberlain, Lorena Sarbu, & Kiki Barth

How did you first get your start in design?

Design was something I always had a dedication and passion for, but the business side is what helped it evolve over time. I began going to school for business merchandising which eventually led to becoming a buyer for boutiques in Los Angeles, so I learned a lot about the business by starting with that. Then I had the courage to go out and start my own line, which was quite an adventure because the first store that came in was Bergdorf Goodman. They really liked the collection and they told me that it had potential, so then I sort of started believing that maybe this is a business, maybe there is something more to it.

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Kiki Barth, Amanda Chamberlain, & Sarah Barnes

Do you think success in design is having knack for drawing or more of an eye for style?

I think it’s more of an eye for style. I’m very creative, I love color and textures, and just glamorous sexy things; that’s just sort of my aesthetic appeal. It has been a dream come true and an incredibly interesting journey.

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Kiki Barth

Evening wear has a tendency to make women look older, so I’m always looking for something youthful and refreshing to give it a fresh outtake.

Lorena Sarbu

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Amanda Chamberlain, Sarah Barnes, & Kiki Barth

What was the process that led to your clothing being in high-end retail stores?

I was very focused from the beginning. I wanted to do evening wear and there was no ifs or buts about it. I was very determined. It was a matter of getting the right sales team together for my company and having them help guide me. Getting my clothing into places like Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman are dreams come true and they are stores I have admired since first coming to the US.

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You are from Romania originally, has your culture had an influence on your brand?

Of course, my culture and where I come from has definitely had an influence brand. Growing up I watched my grandmother sew threads by hand. She would sew these national costumes with gold leaf and really detailed embroideries, as well as beautiful textures and fabrics, so growing up around it definitely contributed to my design technique today.

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Kiki Barth

You dress tons of celebrities and you’re all over the red carpet, is there someone you would love to dress but haven’t had the opportunity yet?

I think some of the dream celebrities I would want to dress, I already have. Blake Lively, there was a moment in Gossip Girl where she wore one of my tunics that really set in for me because Gossip girl was huge and she’s such a fashion icon and beautiful girl. Eva Longoria and Carrie Underwood were also memorable. I had Emmy and Golden Globe nominees wear my gowns and it’s been such a dream come true. I’m a great supporter of dressing the red carpet and I could only hope to have more opportunities.

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Sarah Barnes

Where do you look for inspiration for each collection?

The inspiration is different each season. I love to travel a lot and do it quite frequently. I also get creativity from embroidery houses that send me swatches. I’m a researcher, always reading fashion books, going to vintage shops, you name it I’m constantly on the look out. I feel that is one of my strong points, and that’s how I work so well with my design team. I train them on how to look for that “new” feminine embroidery. Evening wear can have a tendency to make women look older, so I’m always looking for something youthful and refreshing to give it a fresh outtake.

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What do you keep in mind when designing for a woman’s body type?

It’s important that the silhouettes are simple, yet have a really well constructed corset and lines that are very in-tune with the woman’s body. The customer is very sexy, glamorous and wants to stand out, which is also my personal style.

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A sexy cocktail dress that has color, beautiful tulle applique and materials that are mixed, adds that glamorous luxe to the evening.

Lorena Sarbu

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Your evening wear has brought you so much success; do you have any future plans to venture in other areas of design?

I would eventually love to accessorize my dresses with bags, and not necessarily just evening bags. I would like to design bags that could cross between evening and daytime because I feel that it’s kind of a niche that hasn’t been tapped yet. I would like to do sunglasses and lipstick as well, I love color so I would love to venture into something that supports and represents the lifestyle of my brand.

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Kiki Barth

What is your favorite fabric to work with?

I really love embroidery, embroidery laces, tulle with embroidery; these are some of my signature features that people look for when shopping for Loren Sarbu. A sexy cocktail dress that has color, beautiful tulle applique and materials that are mixed, adds that glamorous luxe to the evening.

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What has been the most memorable moment of your career thus far?

To be quite honest, I am overwhelmingly excited to finally be a part of Neiman Marcus. It was a target of mine from the beginning, and like any business it takes numerous steps to get here, so to finally have my clothes here tops my list for most one of the most memorable moments.

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Amanda Chamberlain & Kiki Barth

It is important for the woman to stand out while remaining elegant at the same time.

Lorena Sarbu

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What kind of women is seen wearing your clothing?

A woman who wears my clothes is ageless. It’s all about glamour and sex appeal. It is important for the woman to stand out while remaining elegant at the same time. Behind the women are personality and an eye for color. Someone who’s wearing my clothing is really strong and wants to stand out; she wouldn’t just be the guest of the party.

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