Who We Are
RAPHAELLE s.o.a. celebrates the “Artist” inside each of us -- Cultured, free-spirited, playful, and expressive.
Led by a Parsons-trained designer who apprenticed in Milan and lived in Barcelona and New York, RAPHAELLE S.O.A. has learned the rules and technical details of fashion – and breaks them apart.
We offer a new style that captures the vibe of women we've met along the way who are absorbed in their work, friends, fun, and passions. Unself-conscious and engaged with their world. Combining the sensual, experimental and playful feel of mediterrean Barcelona, the flattering elegance and sophistication of Milan, with the ease of movement and practicality of New York.
To create this new style, the traditional methods of garment making weren't able to express this spirit. We had to invent new fashion techniques. The result is an irreverent approach to design which re-works the rules of patternmaking and materiality, including a patent pending fabric application.
From T-shirts to eveningwear, we ensure that our “Artists” have freedom of movement in clothing that seamlessly combines European elegance with the freedom of movement famous in American sportswear
WHAT IS S.O.A?
In Rafael's famous painting in the Vatican, The School of Athens (S.O.A), artists and inventors in different disciplines come together across time. We are a brand rooted, not in a location, but in an approach: experimentation, innovation, and inspiration from history and art.
Founder + Designer
Sarah Lerman graduated from the Parsons School of Design in 2018.
While studying at Parsons, Sarah also spent time in design internships for CFDA winners, Derek Lam and Monse. Upon graduation, Sarah moved to Milan, Italy, to design women's and men's for San Andres Milano, a finalist for Vogue Italia's "who is on next?" while working on the creative direction for the Milan Fashion Week set design, sound direction, and styling. Sarah also freelanced for Gucci including working the Met Gala in 2019.
Prior to Parsons, Sarah was part of the start-up marketing-analytics division for iconic American designer, Ralph Lauren, at their headquarters on Madison Avenue in New York City. She was then a Director at Streetsense (owned by CBRE), an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio.
Sarah was trained in cross-disciplinary thinking during an independent study directly under Nobel prize winner in economics, Douglas North. She is a graduate of Parsons with an AAS in Fashion Design, Johns Hopkins with a masters in Economics, and Washington University with a bachelors in History.
