Sarah Anderson the Desygner - The Real Cost of Creation: Time, Money, and the Fear of Unfamiliar

In this episode of Artists Unveiled, we sit down with Sarah Anderson, the powerhouse designer and creative mind behind Born From Stars, a couture label that emerged from loss, resilience, and pure rebirth. From sewing machines that sound like tractor trailers to vintage tulle skirts reborn as runway gowns, Sarah’s story is one of grit wrapped in glitter.

Born in Massachusetts and forged in New York City’s creative pulse, Sarah moved to the city at 18 with nothing but Forever 21 bags and a dream. Her journey, from bartending and corporate fashion to Harper’s Bazaar features and a debut at New York Fashion Week,  reveals what it truly means to build something from the ashes of what once was.

When a plumbing disaster wiped out her first brand, The Desygn House, she didn’t quit, she reimagined. Born From Stars became her response to destruction: proof that sometimes the universe has to explode for something new to form.

In this conversation, Sarah talks about the dance between time and money, creating fashion that is genderless and deeply human, and why the story behind a garment is just as important as the stitch that holds it together. She opens up about the realities of self-funding, navigating rejection, staying authentic in the face of social media noise, and holding faith in the process when the world doesn’t yet believe in your dream.

Her perspective is raw and real, on burnout, manifestation, community, and the courage it takes to keep going when your family doesn’t understand the path you’ve chosen.

Because Born From Stars isn’t just a brand name.
It’s a reminder: creation is born from collapse.

💫 Listen to “Artists Unveiled: Sara the Desygner – The Real Cost of Creation: Time, Money, and the Fear of the Unfamiliar”

 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Buzzsprout.

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Transcript

Sarah: Time and money has always been a dance that I've struggled with. The less time I have, the more money I have. The less money I have, the more time I have. Being able to understand what that realistic rhythm is, because I'm self funded, has been tough. There've been times I worked a corporate job with a great salary but zero time to do what I really want. Then there've been times I quit and went back to bartending for availability, working two bartending jobs and still struggling.

Holiday: Hi, and welcome to Artists Unveiled, a show where we bring on exceptional creators to not just tell their story, but to give you real insights into how they went from striving to thriving. My name is Holiday, and I can't wait to introduce you to the enchantingly talented Sarah the Designer, owner and lead designer of Born From Stars, a couture brand that debuted at New York Fashion Week in September 2025. She is truly a rising star. Hi Sarah, how are you doing today?

Sarah: Hi, I'm good. How are you?

Holiday: I'm okay. Where are you originally from?

Sarah: I'm from Massachusetts.

Holiday: And you came to New York?

Sarah: I moved here at 18, fresh out of high school, with all my stuff in Forever 21 bags and a dream. I went to Parsons for fashion design.

Holiday: That's amazing. Come a long way. Congratulations — you're launching a new line next week?

Sarah: Yes, literally next week. Born From Stars is my second brand. I'm super excited.

Holiday: It's a couture brand?

Sarah: Yes, couture. Everything's one of a kind, fit to the specific person wearing it.

Holiday: What inspired the brand?

Sarah: My first brand was The Design House. Last year I had a plumbing issue where I lost all my stored product. It was my baby. I had worked eight years toward that brand and lost everything. I asked myself, what's the meaning? Why is this happening? I learned that for a star to be born, everything sometimes has to explode. So I named the new brand Born From Stars. It allowed me to start fresh and create magic.

Holiday: What was The Design House about?

Sarah: It was my first fashion baby. I wanted to break beauty standards and constraints: put real people on the runway, make them feel beautiful for who they are. Everything was genderless, loud, kitschy. I wanted people to feel happy and accepted in my clothes.

Holiday: Does that translate to the new brand?

Sarah: Yes, it's the same baseline. Born From Stars is more tailored, a bit more mature — the party girl grew up. It's still genderless, but there's a more deliberate, refined pace now, a bit more of a businesswoman energy. Couture means one of a kind, made for a specific body. It’s still genderless in concept.

Holiday: Is everything hand-sewn?

Sarah: Most couture elements are hand-sewn, but machines are used too. Currently, I'm the only one making my product.

Holiday: What about price point and audience?

Sarah: Couture is pricier. Long term, I’d love a second line that's more affordable, a touch of couture for a wider audience: custom embellishments, special orders.

Holiday: What advice would you give someone starting out in fashion?

Sarah: Get a sewing machine and start learning from YouTube or TikTok if school is inaccessible. It doesn't have to be perfect. School helps, but I didn’t have full access to focus on school due to finances. Use online resources, start creating, tolerate early imperfections, and keep going.

Holiday: When did you know you wanted to do fashion?

Sarah: Very young. I was always an art kid, painting, drawing, dance, music, and fashion made the most sense because it combines everything.

Holiday: If you could be anywhere doing this, where would it be?

Sarah: New York. It’s a collective that understands the hustle, the creativity. I moved here at 18 and finally felt like I could breathe.

Holiday: Where do you find inspiration?

Sarah: Personal life experiences mostly. I process trauma through making things, but also small moments inspire me, like a friend’s cat bed that led me to buy fabric to recreate that idea. Inspiration is everywhere and often unconscious.

Holiday: Favorite piece you made?

Sarah: The piece in Harper’s Bazaar. It felt like a dream and came together with almost no time invested. It was for my very first show at age 23. I used knit fabrics and vintage sleeves from 1960s tulle skirts someone gave me when I moved to New York, repurposed materials, which I love.

Holiday: What was it like using a sewing machine for the first time?

Sarah: Intense. It felt like driving a tractor trailer, loud and powerful. Threading machines and using sergers can be tricky, but you get used to it.

Holiday: What’s your ultimate dream?

Sarah: To predominantly live off my craft and open a brick-and-mortar space. Long term, Met Gala is a dream. I manifest big things.

Holiday: Who would you want wearing your clothes?

Sarah: Young Thug is someone pushing gender lines — I’d love to dress musicians and people in pop culture who are open to creativity.

Holiday: Where does social media meet fashion?

Sarah: It’s complicated. Trends move quickly; what would last years now lasts weeks. Social media helps with exposure, one viral video can change everything, but it also creates overstimulation and fleeting trends. Pinterest is my best friend for inspiration.

Holiday: How do accessories fit in?

Sarah: I love accessories. I’m a purse girl. Accessories are timeless and say a lot about someone. I might explore accessories later, but for now I’m focused on clothing.

Holiday: Where does fashion meet art?

Sarah: They are one and the same. How you present yourself is art. Life is art.

Holiday: You’re from Taunton, Massachusetts, how was the transition to NYC and school?

Sarah: Coming from a small town, college opened my mind. Suddenly everything felt like possible inspiration, sidewalks, trash, objects, everything can be art.

Holiday: What do you tell artists who feel uninspired?

Sarah: Push through blocks. Often it’s perfectionism holding you back. No one expects perfection; just create. High expectations can paralyze you. Low expectations can encourage output. Everyone should get a chance.

Holiday: What's the craziest thing you did for fashion?

Sarah: Balancing multiple jobs, going from bartending to fashion events, altering outfits last minute, living many versions of myself. There’s also the vulnerability and hustle of constantly pivoting.

Holiday: Do you hang out with other artists?

Sarah: Yes. I feel most seen and heard by other artists, especially musicians and performance artists. The overall artist experience is similar across disciplines.

Holiday: Where would you go to meet creatives?

Sarah: Everywhere. Talk to people, go to events, check apps and websites for meetups. Be comfortable going alone.

Holiday: For aspiring designers, where to connect?

Sarah: Online networking, events, photography meetups, and putting yourself out there on socials. Reach out for photographers, models, and collaborators.

Holiday: How important is storytelling for a fashion brand?

Sarah: Extremely. Consumers want the story now. It’s not just the final product; they want to see how it was made. Story drives brand connection.

Holiday: What’s coming up for you?

Sarah: I’m showing with Model Experience on September 12th for my debut collection. I’m passionate about changing how models are treated and creating more inclusive spaces.

Holiday: What keeps you motivated?

Sarah: Seeing change, making people feel beautiful and accepted, creating fun spaces with clothes, and romanticizing life.

Holiday: What’s the hardest barrier to break?

Sarah: Time and money. It’s an ongoing dance. I’m self-funded and try to find a balance between a job that pays and time to create. Long term, I might lean into influencer work and building my brand presence.

Holiday: How do you handle family pushback?

Sarah: Often it’s fear and lack of knowledge. People from traditional backgrounds can’t imagine creative paths. You have to move forward anyway. Be respectful but persistent.

Holiday: How did the Harper’s Bazaar feature happen?

Sarah: Through a PR showroom where stylists pull product. I was bartending at that time. On my 25th birthday I saw a tag — being featured felt unreal and validated the direction I was headed. It opened doors, but it wasn’t a phone-off-the-hook moment.

Holiday: How do you assemble teams for shows?

Sarah: Through connections, social posts asking for photographers or models, and building relationships at events.

Holiday: Marketing on a budget?

Sarah: Start with yourself. Self-shoots, self-promotion, and testing different strategies. Sometimes you can build a brand solo; other times you test paid partnerships when feasible.

Holiday: What keeps you moving forward?

Sarah: Belief in the work, wanting to make an impact, and creating spaces where people feel accepted.

Holiday: Final thoughts on where you hope this goes?

Sarah: I’m excited for the debut collection with Born From Stars. It’s a new level and a fresh start after eight years of work. Sky’s the limit.

Holiday: Thank you so much for joining Artists Unveiled.

Sarah: Thank you for having me.

Holiday: Please check us out on Instagram at @dimi.app.og and our website at godimi.com