Craft, Heritage & Care

Handmade Costume, Clothing and Textiles

by Sara Lowes Studio

  • Clothing & Textiles

    Studio Astray is an evolving collaboration between Sara, heritage artisans in Kutch and pattern cutters in Cornwall. Together they repurpose waste fabric into unique, organic garments and textiles, and invite you to become part of their story …

  • Sustainable Practice

    Sara produces her collectable works between her studio in Falmouth, Cornwall and Kutch, India with a commitment to slow, circular design and mutually creative collaboration and shared knowledge. She honours the traditionally sustainable practices of natural dyeing, hand embroidery and hand printing techniques…

  • Costume

    Animalesque was founded by Sara in 2012. These original costume creations exhibit her playful style in illustration, print and embroidery and love of working with reclaimed textiles. Each piece capturing stories of what the fabric once was and evolving into its own unique wearable emblem …

“We are so pleased with our headdresses, and you were so brilliant through the design process, making, sending etc… Everyone commented on how wonderful they were.  We have now mounted them on our living room wall as a reminder of our day.” 

Sally
5*

“My new quilted gilet is absolutely gorgeous - beautiful craftsmanship! I will be adding more pieces to my collection. I found a real treasure when I discovered Sara Lowes!”

Elizabeth

5*

“This is the third time I’ve ordered Sara’s amazing pieces! Each one has brought magic and wonder into the rituals and celebrations I bring to my family and community. Each one, a gift!”

Susan
5*

Collaboration &
Heritage Craft

Sara’s Design Principles

Design Principles

Tradition, Exchange and Innovation

Sara designs in response to availability rather than sourcing materials to fit a predetermined design. Working with theatre surplus, post-production Achadiya cloth, and organic and naturally dyed materials, the constraints become the creative driver. Each piece is guided by material availability and what each textile suggests.

Her practice is shaped by long-term relationships with artisans, makers, and textile communities. From Khatri, Meghwar, and Patan communities in Kutch to tailors, pattern cutters, and makers in London and Cornwall, the work evolves through shared learning, conversation, and exchanging skills and knowledge. Together, they explore creative ways of working with waste and overlooked materials, finding new possibilities within existing sustainable traditions and resources.

Work with Sara

  • For personal commissions

    Bespoke pieces for you and your home

    Work with Sara on a personalised commission — whether a patchwork garment, a ceremonial headdress, or an heirloom quilt. Choose fabrics from Sara’s textile archive or send treasured textiles of your own — a favourite curtain, your child’s clothing, or lace from your mother’s wedding dress — and she’ll transform them into something new. Each commission becomes a collaboration between story and textile — creating a unique piece to wear, adorn your home, and treasure forever.

  • For theatre, editorial and design

    Custom design & creative collaboration

    From custom headdresses for theatre, dance, and fashion editorials to handmade quilts, textile hangings, and homewares for sustainable interior design projects, Sara invites collaboration with designers, museums, and creative organisations to translate ideas into meaningful and immersive outcomes. Previous collaborations have been with The Royal Opera House, Vogue, Cornwall Museum, and Marquis Theatre on Broadway.

  • For cultural & social impact

    Traditional skills, heritage & contemporary practice

    Sara collaborates with artisan communities, makers, and organisations to explore how traditional craft practices can continue to evolve and remain valued in a changing world. Her work brings together contemporary design, sustainable making, and the exchange of skills and knowledge to create thoughtful responses rooted in local knowledge and heritage. If you are an NGO, heritage organisation, institution, or collective seeking creative ways to support traditional livelihoods and craft practices, get in touch to explore collaboration.

Interiors & Home Decor

Creative Workshops

Join Sara for a variety of intimate workshops re-purposing your old sentimental textiles into something new. Using print, patchwork, embroidery and quilting techniques, you'll craft functional pieces that hold family stories and moments. A chance to slow down, create together, and give new life to textiles that matter.