Meet Sarah Pavlik | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Pavlik and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is the only reason I have a career and the life I have. I had just graduated college, and landed my first fashion design job in NYC. I knew nothing about NYC, other than that is where I wanted to be. I didn’t know the difference between uptown or downtown, never rode the subway alone, and had no idea what Burroughs even were. My family helped me come up with a plan, I was going to drive my loaded down car to NYC to live in an Airbnb with a stranger for a month until I figured it all out. It was the night before I was suppose to leave and I was sitting at the kitchen table crying to my mom that I couldn’t do it. She said “get in that little white car, and go”. And that is what I did and I never looked back again. If it wasn’t for that kitchen table moment or the risk I took moving across the country alone to one of the toughest cities in the world, I would never had the career I have now in Atlanta.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Since I was a little girl, I knew I was going to be a fashion designer, which you have heard throughout this article. Not one second of it was easy. In college, I specialized in children’s design. I love sequins, tulle, and anything over the top so children’s design came naturally to me. My first design job was little girl’s special occasion dresses in NYC. At first it was a really awesome gig, I loved going to work and learning all the processes. I loved meeting with fabric vendors and picking out the most beautiful prints. I loved running around the fashion district trying to find the perfect trim for the dress we were creating. We had a sample room in the back where I would spend time with pattern makers and sewers bringing my vision to life. It all ended pretty quickly. It turned into the most miserable work place, to the point I was getting physically ill on my way to work every day. I would cry in the bathroom stalls constantly. I had even walked out one day after my boss had called me stupid. It is all too much to get into, but all I was thinking was I made the biggest mistake getting into this industry.
I was eventually recruited to a children’s company that was a God send for me. I looked forward to going to work every day. I became best friends with my coworkers. We would get cocktails after work in the most fabulous bars. We created mostly legging sets for wholesale companies like Kohl’s, Macy’s, T.J. Maxx. And I loved every minute of it.
Fast forward, I was on vacation in Savannah, GA and I met the man of my dreams. I decided it was time for me to move on from NYC and slow down. I was tired of the cost, the commute, the dirtiness. So while we were on the phone one night, I randomly applied to Carter’s on LinkedIn. The next morning, I received a call from HR setting up my first interview. After, months of interviewing I landed the job and moved to Atlanta, GA. I design girl’s dresses and my job at Carter’s has been nothing but a dream. And that man? We’re engaged to be married in 2023.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love walking Chastain Park. Depending on the time of day, we grab a latte or a glass of wine and enjoy the fire pit after we walk my pup on the trail. It is so relaxing there and beautiful. One of my go to spots for when anyone is in town, is the tex mex Superica. There is nothing better than their dishes and queso, it’s even better that there is one in Battery Park to eat at before the Brave’s game!
My fiancée knows we have to plug the best margarita in Atlanta though. Bar Taco hands down has the best margarita. They are made individually for each drink. You watch them mach each drink, they’re not poured out of a pitcher or made in bulk. They are divine.
The best food I have ever had in Atlanta so far though has been at The Betty. We recently went for Valentine’s Day and my taste buds couldn’t even comprehend the deliciousness I was inhaling! The best part is too, there’s multiple bars to go to inside the hotel once you’re done with dinner to enjoy a night cap.
Anyone knows though, when you’re in town, Im taking you upstate to the wineries. There is nothing like enjoying good wine all day and just relaxing. My favorite one so far is Cavender Creek. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet their farm dog too!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, 1000 times over. They believed in me my entire life and career. They encouraged me to attend one of the best fashion design schools in the country, they encouraged me to move for my career knowing they would see me only a couple times a year, and have single handedly boxed up countless places of mine moving me all over to wherever was the next chapter. They are the only reason I have the career I have. I would also love to shoutout Chrissy Vaccaro. She knows what she means to me. But, she was my coworker at my first fashion design job whom made the Devil Wears Prada look like a saint. I wanted to give up and quit every single day. She kept telling me not all jobs were like this. She ended up leaving and recruiting me to work under her and that is where I learned everything. And I learned, the fashion industry isn’t always horrible.

Instagram: sarahstylesx