Sara Svonni,      

Sámi clothes designer. Born and raised in a reindeer herding family in Gabna, Kiruna. Now lives in Tärnaby.

I have always been interested in of both sewing clothes and the traditional Sámi handicraft. The traditional handicrafts have always been around since I was a child with my grandmother and aunt who always have inspired me.

I am educated at The Sámi Education Centre in Jokkmokk, at first within the traditional Sámi handicrafts and later with a concentration on fur and hides, ready-make-clothing, at the same school.

My creativity includes everything from designs and the making of patterns to cutting and sewing. This results in modern quality clothes and specially designed caps of the finest materials.

 

I get my inspiration from my Sámi heritage, where the reindeer and nature are my sources of energy. The materials, cuts and colours from our traditional clothes inspire me to create

new and exiting garments. I choose the colours from the woods and the mountains and I also use our traditional Sámi colours, red, blue, green and yellow, when I create.

It is important for me to continue working with our reindeer and I participate during the most hectic periods such as the marking of the calves, slaughter and the separation of the reindeer before moving to the winter pastures. In the woods and mountains I gather the energy for my creativity.