New store and bold new collection from Rare Edition Designs
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Press release from Rare Edition Designs Ltd
Wednesday 5 December 2007
New store and bold new collection from Rare Edition Designs
To co-incide with the recent opening of its studio store, Rare Edition Designs has just launched a new collection of
stylish home and personal accessories by textile designer Sarah Martin.
Rare Edition Designs (RED) is a South Island-based company which hand screen prints limited edition textiles, which are
then made into high quality interior and personal accessories.
The new collection includes cushions, lampshades, wall art panels, fabric bound albums, and leather trimmed handbags and
travel wallets made from Sarah’s entirely unique textile art.
Sarah, the creative force behind Rare Edition Designs, said the screen printed designs featured in the new collection
were heavily inspired by flowers.
“The fabric designs in this range all feature a modern twist on traditional florals. In the new ‘Imprint’ collection the
‘Wild Wisteria’ and ‘Peony Posy’ ranges have a large scale, bold, stamped effect, while other designs such as ‘Fusion
Floral’ have a global or ethnic interpretation.”
Fabric print runs for these new designs are limited to 100 metres each after which the designs will be archived.
“We hand screen print these beautiful and original designs so that they are unique and authentic. By limiting the
printing of each design my customers can be confident that their ‘special find’ remains just that,” said Sarah.
“The usual route for designers like me is to supply products to home or department stores. I’ve chosen an entirely
different approach to reflect my limited edition concept. RED products are currently only available from the studio
store or online via the RED website.”
Sarah’s designs are hand printed on a range of high quality linens, hemps, and linen/hemp blends, which lend natural
richness and warmth to the finished printed items.
Rare Edition Designs operates from a small Design & Print Studio in Arrowtown, a location chosen because of its unusual blend of vibrancy, history and reputation as a
dynamic creative hub.
The RED studio store, located on the mezzanine level of the printing studio was officially launched just over a week
ago. The physical store gives customers the chance to touch and feel the unique offerings but for those further afield,
Sarah’s designs, which are exclusive to RED, are also available from www.rareeditiondesigns.co.nz
The RED studio and store are located at Unit 13, The Royal Oak, Buckingham Street in Arrowtown.
ENDS
Wednesday 5 December 2007
Background Information
Sarah Martin, Textile Designer & Director of Rare Edition Designs Ltd
Sarah Martin is no stranger to creativity, although it has taken a variety of guises in her career.
After achieving a Bachelor of Business Degree, Sarah spent a number of years in the Australian corporate marketing world
developing strategy and delivering communication for a variety of high-profile consumer brands.
After almost a decade climbing the ladder at the ‘big end of town’ she felt it time to re-prioritise and return to more
‘hands on’ creative pursuits.
Applying her experience and passion to the attainment of a Diploma of Creative Visual Arts from the Sydney based School
of Colour & Design Australia, Sarah then brought her innovative philosophy on business and design to New Zealand.
Crossing the ditch almost two years ago with 15 boxes of belongings, her husband, and two miniature dachshund dogs, she
now operates Rare Edition Designs from a small design and print studio in Arrowtown, near Queenstown.
Rare Edition Designs hand screen prints original Sarah Martin designs on a limited edition basis which means that each
design has a limited print run (usually 100 or 150 metres) after which the design is archived. All of the designs in
store now, including the new season’s collections are printed on a range of high quality linens, hemps, and linen/hemp
blends, all of which lend natural richness and warmth to the finished printed items.
Once printed, the textiles are then transformed into stylish interior and personal accessories. The current range
includes lampshades, cushions, wall art panels, fabric bound notebooks and albums and leather trimmed handbags and
travel wallets.
Every gift or accessory made from the hand-printed textiles is labelled to certify the edition information for that
design.
“Rare Edition Designs was born from a desire to offer something more soulful than just a product. Something that blurs
the line between art and function, something that can be appreciated for both its beautiful design and its inherent hand
made variations. By printing on a limited edition basis I can be less inhibited in my designing. I’m free to be inspired
by what moves me, not mass market trends,” said Sarah.
Sarah’s designs are a blend of the classic and contemporary, inspired by a strong appreciation of the world around her,
and her unique perspective on design.
“I like to think of my designs as quite timeless – equally at home in a modern or a classic setting. The mood of my
designs changes depending on the context in which you place them. How my clients choose to display or use my products
plays a big part in how the design is interpreted or appreciated.”
Sarah Martin designs exclusively for Rare Edition Designs which transforms them into beautiful products which are
currently available at the online store at www.rareeditiondesigns.co.nz or from the Studio Store, Unit 13, The Royal
Oak, Buckingham Street, Arrowtown.