Sara has been redesigning the world since she could open her eyes. Her mother claims that while Sara was in her womb she was dreaming up a fashion collection, eating large jars of gherkins and painting furiously. The creativity must have rubbed off.
Sara is an all-round creative designer- She works with theatre-makers, performers, events curators, interior design firms and photographers to realise breathtaking visions.
At age 14 she quit school and spent a year as a carpenters apprentice building her family home in South East QLD. This work gave her a deep appreciation for the art of building and opened her mind in the possibilities of using sustainable materials to create extraordinary spaces.
Sara's '20s were spent studying theatre and travelling the globe in a 9 piece cabaret Rockin Roll band in which she was the frontwoman and artistic director. She persuaded the band to paint their faces white and dress in costumes she hand-stitched together. She composed songs, learnt to play the melodica, sung on the streets of France, and employed a troupe of vaudeville dancers to come on tour with them to create a complete spectacle.
The world of theatre and cabaret led her to study costume design and in 2015 she launched her fashion label, Lily Castel with much success, picking up a ‘High in Excellence Award in Costume and attracting internationally acclaimed performance artists/clients such as Zelia Rose (Dita Von Teese), Lolo Lovina, Gabriella Cohen and Dan Ham (MBA 2015).
After years of freelancing as a jack of all trades creative designer, Sara decided to move back to the big smoke and pursue a career in Interior Design.
Sara Yael is a highly prolific and passionate designer committed to creating full sensory experiences. She works with theatre-makers, events curators, interior design firms and photographers to realise breathtaking visions.
Since completing a Degree in Interior Design at RMIT she has had the pleasure on working withDanielle Brustman on ‘The Common Rooms’ (Trades Hall) and with Architecture firm ZWEI on a zero-waste pavilion ‘Citizen” for Melbourne Design Week.
Sara has a holistic and human-centric focused approach to her designs, taking cues from nature and using biophilic design to inform her practice. Sara’s vision is to elevate humanity through design.
A BRIEF HISTORY Artistic director of Bespoke Australian Fashion Label, Lily Castel Principle Performer and artistic director, Bonnie Love Interior Design for "Common Rooms" Melbourne Fringe Festival permanent, Melbourne Trades Hall, 2019 Set and Costume Design for "Festival of Jewish Music and Arts", Melbourne Recital Centre, 2019 Set and Costume Design for "Yiddish Divas", Chapel of Chapel 2019 Set and Costume Design for "Play Me a Poem", The National Theatre, 2019 Artistic Director and Curator of Speak Easy Le Noir Cabaret- Maleny Music Festival, 2017 Artistic Director and Curator of FEMME FEMME, (MEL), 2017 Costume Design and Styling for “Roo Man” by Fleur Elise Noble, 2016 Costume Design and Creation for "Broads", Melbourne Soul Duo, 2016 Set Design for Gabriella Cohen Album Launch, The Tote/ The Northcote Social Club, 2015 Head of Costume, “The Game”, produced by Woodford Folk Festival, 2015 Costume Design and Creation for Mr Boylesque Australia, Dan Ham2015, Costume design and Creation for Miss Burlesque Australia, Zelia Rose2014 Set and Costume Design For Miss Friby, Big West Festival, 2015 Costumes, Alterations, The Queensland Opera - ProductionLa Bohême., 2014 Artistic Director and Principle Performer in Rapskallion - Melbourne based Cabaret, Rock’n’Roll band – 2008- 2013 Head of Set and Costume design The Two-Pound Parlour, Miss Friby Productions, Revolt Theatre 13/2014 Head of Set and Costume design- Tango: The Movie, Miss Friby Productions, 2014 Performance Curator and Artistic Director of Art After Dark Series- National Gallery of VictoriaGustav Klimt, 2012/ Salvador Dali, 2009 Artistic Director and Set Design for- The Rapskallion Extravaganza (MEL), Screaming Sailors Ball (Castlemaine Theatre Royale) , The Summer of Love Ball (MEL), The Barnyard Jamboree (Byron Bay)
ACCOLADES & ACHIEVEMENTS
Award of Excellence in Costume for Performance Wollongbar TAFE, 2014 BankSA Award for Best Music Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2012, (Rapskallion) Vic Rocks International Touring Grant, 2010, (Rapskallion) Best Circus Show Melbourne Fringe Festival, 2010 (Ensemble Cast) Women Outfront, Professional Development Grant, 2009