Sabina Savage’s Archive
Spring/Summer 2025
The Rhymes of London
“Nursery rhymes, or Mother Goose rhymes, are traditional poems or songs developed for children, often based around historical events and passed down through generations. Primarily originating in England, they gained mass popularity in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, their widespread appeal continuing to blossom well into the Victorian era and beyond. Many nursery rhymes are said to contain hidden meanings and origins within their prose, some darker connotations proving better concealed than others.” –Sabina Savage on the collection
Fall/Winter 2024
Escape Into Edo
“This collection references the arts and culture of Edo period Japan. “Edo” (pronounced “Ed-Oh”) refers to both the city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and a time from 1615-1868, during which fifteen generations of Tokugawa shogun ruled Japan. One of the most prized artforms of the Edo period was Ukiyo-e, meaning literally, ‘pictures of the floating world’, a genre of richly detailed woodblock prints carried out in sumptuous colours. The phrase “the floating world” evoked an imagined universe of wit, stylishness, and extravagance, with overtones of hedonism and transgression.” –Sabina Savage on the collection
Fall/Winter 2023
A Tale of Tibet
“This collection is indebted to, and intended as a celebration of, the rich, multi-faceted and endlessly beautiful art and culture of Tibet. From stories of the mysterious kingdom of Zhangzhung (active from the Iron Age until the year 645), through animism, the Bon religion and ancient Buddhism, to the exquisite beliefs, tales, and creations of more modern times, I have been fortunate enough to study and discover just a little of the extraordinary creativity the culture of Tibet has to offer.” –Sabina Savage on the collection
Spring/Summer 2022
Panchatantra
“This collection was inspired by the moralistic fables of the Panchatantra, specifically, ‘The Tiger, The Brahmin and The Jackal’, ‘The Bird Pair and The Sea’, and ‘How the Rabbits Fooled the Elephant’. The India Company School paintings were a great influence, particularly works by The Fraser Brothers and Ustad Mansur. Many details from the Padshahnama manuscript and the Gazi Scroll are also referenced, alongside exquisite Mughal miniatures and the Shah Jahan Album.” –Sabina Savage on the collection
Spring/Summer 2021
Divination Celebration
“This collection references the playful, colourful and exquisitely hand-crafted masks and costumes celebrated at FESTIMA, the Festival International des Masques et des Arts, held each year in Dédougou, Burkina Faso. The masks’ origins are historically associated with Animism (the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence). The primary events of the festival are the performances, where mask wearers dance, accompanied by musicians playing hand drums, whistles, and balafons. ” –Sabina Savage on the collection
Fall/Winter 2019
Persian Pandemonium
“This collection references the art and artefacts of ancient Persia and Iran, drawing on elements across a broad span of history, from the Achaemenid Empire, through the Safavid Empire and through to the 19th century. Throughout the ages, the rich, jewel-like palettes, the intricate details and the beautiful craftsmanship of the region were a great inspiration. The vibrant paintings of the Qajar dynasty provided bright and vivid colours, along with a strong influence on the inclusion of printed and patterned fabric within the designs.” –Sabina Savage on the collection
Spring/Summer 2019
The Noh Playbook
“This collection references the costumes, masks, props and plays of ancient Japanese Noh theatre, a dance-drama that has been performed since the 14th century, but reached its peak popularity in the Edo period (1603-1867). Noh is primarily based on traditional literature, the texts are extremely ordered and codified, and the narratives often contain a supernatural element. While the costumes can be ornate and elaborate, the use of props in minimalistic and stylised; most commonly used is the fan. The plays are accompanied by a chorus, and these developed an increasingly slow, ceremonial tempo over time. ” –Sabina Savage on the collection
Fall/Winter 2018
The Naturalist’s Handbook
“This collection references formal Victorian zoological and botanical illustrators such as John James Audubon, Maria Sibylla Merian, and Albertus Seba. The composition, colours and framing of these artworks was referenced, alongside the detailed study of each creature’s appearance. Subjects were usually shown in their natural setting, and often in an animated pose. This research sits alongside tales of explorers who ventured into foreign lands in the hope of discovering new species, usually bringing with them much disruption and trouble for the native fauna and peoples. ” –Sabina Savage on the collection
About the Designer
Sabina Savage
Sabina Savage launched her eponymous, luxury scarf brand in 2013, offering heritage inspired elaborate prints on exquisite fabrics. Each scarf is expertly designed in London then produced to the highest quality and skillfully hand-edged by the renowned artisans of Como, Italy.
