In the studio with Sarah Kate Byrne

In a world where fast fashion dominates headlines and social media feeds, Sarah Kate Byrne stands apart as a breath of fresh air!

With her unique approach to sustainable styling and a client list that reads like a who's who of British racing and entertainment, Sarah has carved out a distinctive niche in the fashion industry.

From her unexpected beginnings as a law graduate to becoming one of the most sought-after stylists in luxury occasionwear, Sarah's journey is as fascinating as her styling philosophy.

Her work with ITV Racing's Francesca Cumani has redefined racing fashion, while her commitment to sustainable and vintage fashion has influenced how we approach formal wear.

This week we sat down with Sarah to discuss everything from the unpredictable British weather to the perfect Royal Ascot ensemble, and discovered why sometimes the best styling decisions come from breaking the rules...

To kick things off, can you tell us a little about your journey into styling and how you developed your distinctive approach to fashion?

Well, my journey into styling has been quite circuitous to be honest. I read Law at Trinity College Dublin and my first job was at Stewart’s on Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

The rebel in me knew this wasn’t my calling so I went on a belated gap year to Val-d'Isere! This took me into luxury travel where I ended up working for Scott Dunn. All my salary pennies went on vintage fashion.

My father is a historic building conservation specialist in Ireland who salvaged stunning houses rather than see them razed to the ground, so his and my mothers rubies in the rubble approach most likely fed into mine.

I still spend an inordinate amount of time sourcing vintage fashion - be it at fairs, car boots, brocantes or charity shops. This led me to found an e-commerce business focused on vintage fashion.

Francesca Cumani has been a friend since about 2006, as she went to school with two of my best friends from university. I was thrilled to learn we would get to see more of one another with her new role for ITV racing in 2017 and I offered her some amazing contacts in the vintage fashion world for looks.

Lo and behold she asked me to be her stylist! Quite frankly Cesca told me I could do it and I didn’t believe her! I come from a racing background in Ireland and have attended all of the big meetings (and small ones too!) in the UK since moving here in 2006, so it was all rather serendipitous, and I just needed my friend to back me!

As a stylist who works with racing fashion and formal events, what are the key elements you consider when putting together a show-stopping look?

My key clients are television presenters, and obviously I work with private clients and brands too, but the bulk of my work is the classic Flat season which sees Francesca cover 50 race meetings between March and October. So in all honesty, the key element I consider is the weather!

Francesca and I spend most of our time looking at the weather app, comparing notes on forecasts and generally being very boring about wind direction, air temperature and precipitation predictions! Glam!

Cesca along with Alex Hammond of Sky Sports Racing work outside, exposed and often immobile on a race day. And we all know how unpredictable the English summer can be! At one Ascot I had to borrow a pair of wellies from the makeup artist's mother for Francesca to wear in the parade ring as the going was so wet!

The second element for all of my clients is comfort - be that footwear, millinery or clothing.

The third element is a look that just works - colours and textures that compliment one another and the client, and a stand out piece of millinery that suits the wearer to perfect perfection.

Where do you find inspiration and how you balance current trends with timeless elegance in your work?

In truth, I do not read magazines nor do I watch television. In fact I don’t own a television and rarely watch Netflix etc. So I guess my inspiration comes from Instagram, especially accounts dedicated to fashion photography from the seminal decades of the 40s, 50s, 60s, when innovation and craftsmanship were of supreme importance.

Other than that, it is probably people I admire in the public eye whose style I think is timeless and elegant. So to answer, yes timeless elegance for me - it’s paramount to the extent that I would shun a trend every time!

What's your process when working with a new client to understand their personal style while pushing their boundaries?

Personal style is just that. So I will always be motivated by ensuring my client feels comfortable and at ease in a look. I tend to video them to show them what they really look like, because I find a static image is never as indicative of reality.

Model poses make even bad clothes look good and we can’t all move like Kate Moss! The nature of the event is a key factor - for example I would take a very different approach to an OBE ceremony as I would for a Royal Ascot look.

Could you share a particularly memorable styling project or client transformation that stands out in your career?

My relationship with Jess Collett got off to a smashing start in my second year of styling. Everything fell into place with me pairing a 1950s orange dress with one of Jess’ confections. Francesca wore it so beautifully, and of course ended up on the front page of The Times.

I also work a lot with an amazing vintage Emporium in Tetbury called Constantine Rex. The owner, Vesper spends her whole time making others look and feel fabulous. She asked me to style her for a magazine shoot and she looks sensational, if I do say so myself. The whole town was talking about Vesper striding down the main street resplendent in an orange evening dress!

What role do accessories, particularly hats and headpieces, play in creating the perfect racing or event ensemble?

I adore millinery and have such an open mind about shapes and styles. That’s why I love Jess because she and I are so in tune. From headbands to feathers scrunchies, classic wide brims to statement cocktail hats. When styled to perfection, a beautiful hat is the icing on the cake of a perfect ensemble.

How has the racing fashion scene evolved during your career, and where do you see it heading?

I’m heading into my 10th year of styling, particularly in the occasionwear space, and the landscape has changed a lot. The rules are still there for meetings like Royal Ascot, which I applaud. Other race courses have relaxed their rules which is a bit of a shame and actually potentially leads to more confusion.

Over the past decade I have loved watching everyone from Ascot, to the Jockey Club, to celebrities leaning into sustainable fashion - be that vintage or contemporary. Where is it heading? I really don't know so I will just stick to what I know!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to develop their personal style, particularly for formal events and occasions?

My advice to people wanting to flex their personal style is to use your natural inclination as a baseline. Be brave with millinery or accessories, such as jewellery, in the first instance; rely on colours that you know suit you and maybe be a bit more adventurous with silhouettes.

A trick I use is to find a celebrity, whose style you admire, with a similar body shape and start saving their looks! Remember they have stylists at their disposal doing all the work so you just need to take inspiration from that.

What are some common styling mistakes you see people make, and how can they avoid them?

I think the most frustrating things I see, especially because I adore beautiful millinery, is a hat worn incorrectly. That said, I am not averse to wearing things at a different angle, or wearing clothing back to front!

Circling back to my comment on the weather and on comfort, as boring as these are, these sort of mistakes can ruin your day. Talcum powder to your feet to avoid blisters, carry a bag with a shoulder strap so you have free hands and check the weather!

And finally, what’s one thing in your wardrobe you could never get rid of?

If you saw my wardrobe... Jess has! Well it is clear to see that I never get rid of anything!

But my most prized possessions would be my Bird of Paradise feathers, my Cordobes riding hat and my side saddle habit!

You can find Sarah on Instagram and learn more on her website.