Sarah Jane Mark
Detroit,Michigan
Summary
Creatively driven Senior Designer / Project Manager skilled in sustainable fashion practices and non-profit leadership, with a proven track record in creative direction and community engagement. Experienced in public speaking and cross-functional team collaboration, ready to leverage design leadership and project management skills to drive innovation and growth in a dynamic environment.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder of Slow Stitch Detroit
Self Employed
08.2025 - Current
- Founded and lead a community-based slow fashion initiative promoting sustainable, ethical, and hands-on textile education.
- Curate and facilitate workshops, craft events, and skill-building sessions focused on mending, natural dyeing, and slow fashion practices.
- Build partnerships with local artists, designers, and makers to create a collaborative, supportive creative community.
- Manage program development, marketing, event planning, and day-to-day operations of a small, mission-driven organization.
- Advocate for sustainable fashion and ethical production through public engagement and educational initiatives.
DIRECTOR / ORGANIZER / SPEAKER
Fashion Revolution Detroit
01.2025 - Current
- Directed all aspects of the first Fashion Revolution x Detroit, a week full of over 25 events city-wide to raise awareness about how clothing affects people & the planet. We joined in the annual campaign week with 80 other countries worldwide, all working under fashionrevolution.org, the largest global nonprofit working to revolutionize the fashion industry to prioritize people & the planet.
- This was an all-volunteer, grassroots effort, and as Director, I oversaw all aspects of planning, budgeting, staffing, scheduling, monitoring, documentation and reporting to the global organization.
- As an educator w/ a background designing in the fashion industry, I've spoken on panels & at universities about the importance of sustainable fashion practices. I speak about the environmental effects of the fast fashion industry, in addition to human rights issues, as well as the textile waste crisis. I share about my experience working within the fair trade industry & how to be a conscious consumer. I talk about slow & circular fashion, body positivity & inclusivity, & innovations in sustainable textiles.
CO-FOUNDER
Selah House
01.2015 - Current
- My husband and I own a 4-unit apartment building on our block called the Selah House, which is a space for artists to go deeper into their spiritual & art practices, living in community.
- The Selah House has a third-floor prayer/meeting space where contemplative Christian prayers are held multiple times a week, open to the community.
- We host monthly artist feedback groups, Sabbath dinners, and other arts-related events to support artists & their spiritual formation.
- My current ongoing role for the Selah House is group facilitation, resident/property manager, & communications director through social media & newsletter writing.
- We are in a transition season to become a 501c3 & I will be heading up the infrastructure & fundraising for the non-profit.
FREELANCE ARTIST / CLOTHING DESIGNER
Self Employed
01.2014 - Current
- Fiber artist: Working primarily with re-purposed textiles my original artwork has been shown in galleries & festivals around Detroit.
- Clothing Designer: I've developed a collection of over 100 outfits made out of repurposed textiles to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable fashion practices. (2021-2024)
- Costume Design: I've taken commissions from local artists to design & make custom costumes for their performances.
PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGER
Love Travels.Imports.
04.2024 - 12.2024
- Content creation with marketing strategy
- Organized photo shoots
- Managed website re-design, e-commerce updates, wrote copy for website & social media campaigns
- Content creator and manager for all social media and newsletters
CO-FOUNDER & EDUCATOR
Neighborhood Art School
01.2018 - 04.2024
- Strategic Leadership: Co-founded and developed the vision, mission, and strategic plan for the non-profit, guiding its growth and long-term sustainability.
- Fundraising and Development: Contributed to grant writing w/ co-founder.
- Program Development: Designed and launched key community programs that directly address the needs of arts education in Detroit, resulting in the creation of an in-person hub space as well as an online space for community to learn & teach from one another.
- Financial Management: Oversaw budget creation, financial planning, and monitoring, ensuring that all expenditures aligned with non-profit goals and were within budgetary constraints.
- Marketing & Outreach: Developed and implemented marketing strategies through social media & newsletters that increased awareness and community engagement.
- Team Management: Recruited, trained, and managed a team of staff and volunteers, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven work environment.
- Community Engagement: Engaged with local community leaders, residents, and like-minded non-profits to network & support collaborative efforts.
- Educator: I've taught classes related to sustainable fashion such as sewing, patternmaking, mending, upcycling, and fashion illustration.
BUILDING RENOVATION MANAGER & INTERIOR DESIGNER
Self-employed
02.2013 - 07.2020
- Selah House: A full gut & renovation of a 4-unit apartment building built in 1912. This is still a work in progress with a vision to do full renovation of the attic & basement for community use & guest quarters. (2012-2014)
- Interior design for renovation & also decor for airbnb rental.
- Managed airbnb business in the building for 10 years. (2014-2024)
- Personal Property across the street: full renovation & interior design for a 4 bedroom house built in 1904. (2018-2020)
- Neighborhood Art School: interior design of space for community arts education. (2018)
- Saint Augustine's House: interior design project (2020-2021)
- Andy Arts Center: interior design project to transform an empty room into a luxe tropical lounge community space for multi-use. (2024)
DESIGNER
Raven & Lily
02.2009 - 02.2012
- I was one of the founding designers to start this fair trade ethical brand, which still exists today, partnering with female artisan groups around the globe with fair trade principles.
- Sourced materials & partnered with artisans to create thoughtful designs reflecting the beauty of the artisan's culture while also catering to a modern aesthetic, sold to customers in the US.
- Managed production from prototype to final product delivery.
- Worked with partnerships in India, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya & Los Angeles.
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
Gramicci
09.2005 - 10.2009
- Collection Development: Led the design and production of multiple seasonal collections, from concept to finished product, ensuring brand alignment and market relevance. Was hired to modernize the 25 yr old brand & attract a younger customer base.
- Team Management: Managed a team of in-house designers and production staff, overseeing the design of both men's, women's & accessory collections.
- Factory Coordination: Served as primary liaison with factory agents in India and China, overseeing sample production, quality control, and ensuring designs met specifications. Traveled to work with factories 1-2 times per year.
- Market & Marketing Support: Worked with marketing to align collections with brand campaigns and played a key role in preparing products for trade shows and sales presentations. Represented the brand at trade shows 1-2 times per year
- Trend & Product Strategy: Monitored fashion trends as well as functionality for the activewear clothing line with a history in rock climbing, yet expanding to lifestyle.
- Sourcing & Materials: Fabric sourcing was key to innovation for functionality, durability & launched a sustainable line within the collection. We partnered with mills to create our own unique textiles & prints.
- Quality Control: Oversaw quality control and fit approval for prototypes and final production garments, ensuring they met brand standards.
- Cross-Cultural Communication: Coordinated production logistics and communication with overseas factories, managing time-zone differences and production schedules.
- Product Launches: Managed seasonal product launches, ensuring on-time delivery and supporting go-to-market strategies for visibility and sales.
DESIGNER / OWNER
Sarah Perry, LLC
01.2003 - 12.2005
- Designed & manufactured small batch collections in Los Angeles, selling to local boutiques.
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
Sanctuary Clothing
01.2002 - 12.2004
- Collection Development: Worked with the owner to design multiple seasonal collections, from concept to finished product at local headquarters in LA.
- Team Management: Managed a team of in-house sample makers & pattern makers to produce samples in house.
- Factory Coordination: Oversaw sample production working with local dye houses, textile mills, and other local factories.
- Market & Marketing Support: Worked with marketing to align collections with brand campaigns and played a key role in preparing products for trade shows and sales presentations.
- Trend & Product Strategy: Monitored fashion trends and consumer demands to shape future collections, using market data and customer feedback to refine designs.
- Sourcing & Materials: Met with textile mills & trim suppliers to source materials for each collection.
- Quality Control: Oversaw quality control and fit approval for prototypes and final production garments, ensuring they met brand standards. Worked with the production team to ensure final production matched the original prototypes.
ASSISTANT DESIGNER
Hourglass
01.2000 - 11.2001
- Assisted the Designer in designing collections & worked with the in-house patternmaker & sample makers to produce the prototypes.
- Worked with the production staff to ensure mass production matched the prototypes sold at market.
- Developed trend forecasting for each season's collections to ensure staying on top of current trends.
- Fit model
Education
Associate in Arts (A.A.) - Fashion Design
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY, US12.1999
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Textiles, Manufacturing, Fashion Design
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA, US12.1999
Skills
- Creative Direction & Design Leadership
- Product Development & Prototype Management
- Cross-Functional Team Collaboration
- Non-profit Leadership & Community Engagement
- Project & Budget Management
- Educator & Advocate for Sustainable Fashion Practices
- Brand & Marketing Content Creator, Graphic Design
- Sewing & Patternmaking
- Trend Forecasting & Market Research
- Public Speaking & Presentation
Timeline
Founder of Slow Stitch Detroit
Self Employed
08.2025 - Current
DIRECTOR / ORGANIZER / SPEAKER
Fashion Revolution Detroit
01.2025 - Current
PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGER
Love Travels.Imports.
04.2024 - 12.2024
CO-FOUNDER & EDUCATOR
Neighborhood Art School
01.2018 - 04.2024
CO-FOUNDER
Selah House
01.2015 - Current
FREELANCE ARTIST / CLOTHING DESIGNER
Self Employed
01.2014 - Current
BUILDING RENOVATION MANAGER & INTERIOR DESIGNER
Self-employed
02.2013 - 07.2020
DESIGNER
Raven & Lily
02.2009 - 02.2012
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
Gramicci
09.2005 - 10.2009
DESIGNER / OWNER
Sarah Perry, LLC
01.2003 - 12.2005
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
Sanctuary Clothing
01.2002 - 12.2004
ASSISTANT DESIGNER
Hourglass
01.2000 - 11.2001
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Textiles, Manufacturing, Fashion Design
Seattle Pacific University
Associate in Arts (A.A.) - Fashion Design
Fashion Institute of Technology