Savanna Creations is a forward-thinking clothing brand. As a result, it combines modern with traditional aesthetics through each piece which all comes from the creative force behind the label, Eliane Sarr.
Born in Dakar, Senegal, a career in the fashion space was far from what Sarr envisioned for herself. With dreams of becoming a pilot or astronaut when she was younger, Sarr eventually found herself working as a top financier in France, before moving to Dubai in 2010. However, there was a creative side to her which she began to explore after relocating to the UAE, having always been eager to explore the beauty of textiles, something which she used to collect from her travels.
This led to Savanna Creations, a brand which encompasses capsule collections inspired by her dreams. A passionate designer, Sarr is intrigued by textiles, therefore, she incorporates the aesthetics of different cultures into her clothes, combining the traditional and modern into comfortable and contemporary apparel.
Now sold in “four key cities” across the globe, including Dubai, GRAZIA’s Career Edit walks you through Sarr’s journey from finance to fashion.
My current role is…
Owner and Creative director at Savanna.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
A pilot or an astronaut as I always wanted to be able to see things from the sky.
My favourite subject at school was…
Mathematics and Philosophy.
My first job was…
Working at the stock exchange at HSBC Paris on the Champs Élysée right after my business school.
My career path has involved…
Changing various fields mostly in the world of finance and energy trading. When I moved to Dubai in 2010, I decided to work on my own project. Savanna was always there when I started my entrepreneurial journey and is now my full-time occupation.
The role the UAE has played in my career…
The UAE is a multicultural hub where ambition and hard work is often rewarded if you work with ethics and build your reputation. Consequently, Savanna is today a “made in Dubai” brand which we are very proud of.
I was inspired to enter the fashion space because…
I have always been attracted to fashion from a very young age. From seeing how people plan their outfit for a special family day or to attend a ceremony. Also, the fashion back home in Senegal is very colorful and everybody gives his own touch to the outfit to be and look different. When I entered the corporate world, I also realized how powerful an outfit can be in life.
My daily routine looks like…
Organizing my day and priorities in the morning. Therefore, I need to find ways to be able to give time for myself to create for our upcoming collections or to be focus on some of my exclusive clients that commission out of the ordinary outfit. Also, work tends to drag me late in the evening as many ideas come to me during the night.
My role as Founder & Creative Director of Savanna Creations entails…
From creating the collections to managing the company in all its aspects along with my team.
The biggest hurdle I have experienced in my career…
Was maybe to convince my family that working for my own and create Savanna was for the best decision which they now acknowledge.
The biggest milestone I have achieved is…
Creating and establishing a brand that is now recognized and sold in four key cities Dubai, London, New York and Los Angeles.
A quote I live by is…
Execute what you can in the day and do not postpone for tomorrow.
What I hope for 2023 is…
To consolidate and focus on priorities of development for the brand, therefore, build a qualitative network where clients can experience our creations.
