Women who Inspire - Sarah Kocur
MODA. The Polish translation for Fashion.
Hi! I’m Sarah Kocur! By day, I'm an Academic Coordinator at Bristol Community College and by night, I'm the designer and creator for LOVEmoda.
Growing up, I was surrounded by sewing machines and I have my mother to thank for introducing me to the art of sewing. We weren’t big on high fashion or expensive designer labels; instead, we were more of a creative family and I was brought up appreciating the creative aspects of fashion – usually dressed in handmade outfits by my mom. Here I am in my early thirties, and ever since I can remember, sewing has been a part of my life.
Back in 2013, after having finished my graduate degree, I decided to explore the possibilities with my beloved hobby of sewing. I created my own shop on Etsy and from there it was history. I explored different areas of fashion and fell in love with accessories – specifically clutches, crossbodies and handbags.
LOVEmoda has found its home in the Cummings Building Artists’ Studios, overlooking Purchase Street and enjoying the atmosphere of Downtown, New Bedford. Over the years, I’ve sold my creations world-wide and have been known for working with unique and quirky fabrics.
One of my favorite aspects of sewing and creating is exploring the world of patterned fabrics. My version of selfcare is disappearing into a fabric store and spending hours sorting through whimsical patterns. All of my creations are made with unique fabrics and vegan leathers, supporting ethical fashion.
As I continue my ongoing and lifelong search for a growing fabric collection, I’ve come to realize patterns can make a powerful statement. In 2016, with the devastating election results, I felt the need to express my feelings of fear and frustration. Sewing is my art and my outlet, which lead me to start designing and printing my own fabric, one of my favorites being my “F#$% TRUMP” fabric. Flashforward to today, as I stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, I have revisited this need to voice my disgust with our current leadership, or lack thereof.
As simple as it may seem, this fabric speaks volumes. Looking at this fabric, I hope others can see beyond the harsh language to understand the true message, LOVE TRUMPS HATE.
With this next year to come, I hope to find comfort in our new normal. As I continue to practice social distancing, this alone time in the studio has allowed me to reflect and reconnect with parts of myself and my art. For LOVEmoda’s future, I’m working on a few personal projects exploring apparel and reupholstery along with new styles of cross bodies and handbags that will be released to the public next season.
