Sara Howell: On being the founder of Pax Marila
In Voices of the Diaspora, we spotlight the creatives shaping the future of fashion.
We spoke with Sara Howell (@itsdrhowell), founder of Black-owned label Pax Marila, a brand where craft and culture go hand in hand. She shared how a single idea was shaped by diasporic roots and brought to life online, sparked a fashion journey that’s only just getting started.
@itsdrhowell Sara Howell
Never heard of Pax Marila? Let us put you on before you’re late to the movement. We first came across Sara Howell’s work when @itsreallynana posted a photo wearing one of her handmade pieces, a striking top that quickly went viral. Like many others, we were instantly drawn in. The post sparked a wave of recognition for Sara’s brand, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Each design from Pax Marila feels like a statement, a bold fusion of form, identity, and diasporic history.
That moment online wasn’t just a viral flash; it was the beginning of something much bigger. We reached out to Sara to hear how that recognition impacted her journey, but also to learn more about the story behind Pax Marila, and where she hopes to take it next.
@itsreallynana wearing Pax Marila
For those who may not be familiar with Pax Marila, how would you introduce the brand?
Pax Marila is the fashion brand transforming culture into wearable art.
What inspired you to establish the brand?
I was inspired to make Pax after recognizing a lack of true diversity in fashion, and I wanted to amplify and showcase voices who don’t always get the spotlight.
A few days ago, Nana posted a photo wearing one of your beautiful pieces, and it went viral. How did that experience feel, especially as a Black-owned brand gaining visibility and support from her?
Nana is a joy to work with, having her highlight my pieces feels great and very validating
“I wanted to amplify and showcase voices who don’t always get the spotlight ”
We can see that your pieces are handmade. Can you walk us through the design process?
I do a lot of research about different cultural communities, then discuss and collaborate with community members living an authentic experience on our designs. From there, it’s about bringing the vision to life.
Handmade Pax Marilla design
Where do you draw inspiration from for your collections?
I am inspired by culture worldwide, specifically POC and indigenous cultures since very often, they set the trend.
And, we are curious; where you see Pax Marila in the next five years?
Pax Marila is headed towards industry domination, and is geared to make a huge shift in how consumers make fashion decisions, providing an outlet for obtaining knowledge through fashion especially for a younger audience.
