Sarah Corynen (°1970) studied fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium. She graduated in 1993 with “FISH,” a collection made from brightly coloured hand-painted silk fabrics.
From 1993 to 1997 she ran her own fashion label, which gained popularity in Japan, Hong Kong, France, Italy and the United States. Her designs were known for their graphic approach, bold and unusual colour combinations, and an emphasis on diverse knitwear techniques.
After the withdrawal of her financial backer in 1998, Corynen worked as an assistant to Antwerp designer Walter Van Beirendonck. She also spent three years directing a Japanese knitwear brand in Tokyo for Narumiya Company.
Between 2001 and 2007 she taught at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent (KASK), Belgium, and at Designskolen Kolding in Denmark.
In 2009 she launched a handmade knitwear collection for men and women. Following the birth of her son Isaac in 2011, she expanded the collection with designs for children. Each knitwear piece was made to order, hand-finished, and produced only in small quantities.
From December 2012 onward, a selection of these designs was available at the Comme des Garçons Trading Museum store in Tokyo, Japan.
Alongside her knitwear practice, Sarah increasingly focused on drawing and graphic artworks. Her work combines different media, including black Indian ink, coloured markers, cardboard, print, moving image and collage.
In February 2014 she founded her creative studio. As a freelance designer she presented her drawings at international textile fairs such as Première Vision in Paris and Heimtextil in Frankfurt, offering original illustrations and surface patterns for fashion, apparel, licensing, and home and interior design. Her work has since been licensed and used internationally.
about sarah
short bio
Her drawings are mainly inspired by daily life situations, animals and nature. In all her work she tries to maintain a graphical language that is bold, simple, colorful, straightforward and with a touch of humour. She is always further developing this graphic style and aesthetic in self-initiated or commissioned projects (surface pattern design, textile prints, book illustration, home and interior objects, artprojects, limited editions, graphic novels).
Her son Isaac and her small toypoodle Yoshi give her daily joy and inspiration!
The sock capsule
Comfort meets curiosity in every pair: bringing you the perfect fit, bold patterns and a whole lot of personality. Crafted with high-quality materials and designed to spark your sense of adventure, because your feet deserve to follow their own path.
-
![Bangkok design week 2019 Sansiri Sarah Corynen]()
Bangkok Design Week 2019
During Bangkok Design Week 2019 Sansiri presents The Alphabet of Joy by Sarah Corynen.
I was invited for a collaboration with Sansiri, one of the biggest real estate firms in Thailand. The exhibition took place from 26th of January to the 3rd of February 2019 on a boat along the Chao Praya river in Bangkok. On various locations throughout the city are billboards and installations on display for the upcoming months. Project date January 2019. Photos © Sarah Corynen
-
![kunstballon sint-niklaas Sarah Corynen]()
Kunstballon
The city of Sint-Niklaas presented five large balloon sculptures. The sculptures, each two and a half meters tall, were painted by different artists. The artballons were exhibited on the Grote Markt during the Peace Festival. Artists Edouard Schneider - Sarah Corynen - Nick Moens RJ - Kymo One. Photos © Sarah Corynen
-
![textile bag with dog sarah corynen]()
Feelgood Bags
Small series of daily bags, printed with feel-good illustrations. All bags are slightly different and thus unique, printed in Europe and made in Belgium. The materials are 100% cotton, the lining is printed with a quirky pattern. Color pops!
-
![KU Leuven daycare project SARAH CORYNEN daycare De Villa]()
Animals on track!
Outdoor project for daycare De Villa and KU LEUVEN.
University KU Leuven and daycare De Villa in Heverlee (Belgium) invited me to install an artwork into their huge garden. The goal was to interact with all their toddlers. I have chosen to use the 280 square meters tiled path to paint a multicolor ‘racetrack for animals’. With a real START and FINISH and a very huge Friendly Bear waiting for toddler number one! Animals on track!
Project date July 2019. Location Heverlee, Belgium.
-
![socks Sarah Corynen red cotton play design]()
Follow Your Nose Socks COMING SOON (end of March 2025)
Follow Your Nose with these playful cotton socks, offering a soft, breathable experience that keeps your feet snug throughout the day.
Elevate your sock drawer with SARAH CORYNEN cotton socks. Treat your feet to the playful comfort they deserve.
#feelgoodsocks #feelgooddesigns #textilepatterns
-
![cardboard two girls sarah corynen]()
Cardboard set-ups
A small selection of cardboard set-ups and doodles where I use acrylic gouache on cardboard. Sizes are variable. January 2021-2022. Work in progress.
-
![A brown plastic bottle of Boqua Natural lavender laundry softener with a white label and purple accents, placed on a light gray background.]()
Boqua graphics & illustration
Since 2018 I am in charge of the graphics and illustrations for Boqua Natural, a range of natural cleaning products, developed & handmade by Bibi Diabokua. Made in Belgium.
The latest arrival in the Boqua Natural family is the Washing Powder and the Softener. With the delightful scents of lavender, ylang ylang and lemongrass.
The goal of this range of natural cleaning products is to get rid of all the unnecessary chemicals in your kitchen & bathroom cabinets. To simplify your life and to be natural!
-
![Colorful ceramic vases with abstract patterns on a white background.]()
A PLAY with clay
I am translating my graphic work and language into ceramic objects. Exploring the wonderful world of underglazes and glazes. Pushing the boundaries of my patience with a lot of unexpected discoveries ;-) #colorpop #black&white
Photos © Sarah Corynen
-
![Open book showing an abstract black and white artwork of a girl with a large head, black hair, glasses, wearing a polka dot dress, and the artist's name Sarah Corynen with the title 'Flat Surface Pattern Designs']()
Black Indian Ink
Black indian ink and a brush, that's all I need to start my working day! I show you a small selection of my extensive archive of floral pattern designs, animals, abstract repeats, portraits, daily objects. Check out my online store.
Works date from 2014 until now.
© sarah corynen
-
![ceramic tiger installation sarah corynen]()
Blue Tiger
Well Ness Kom 2021 for Blauwhaus. Handmade ceramic object existing of different components…a bowl, two legs, a pitcher, a reservoir. The tiger refers to a tiger statue bought in Indonesia in 2001.
Made for the Potluck Festival organized by Wim Wauman, May 2021.
-
![cardboard colorpop window girl sarah corynen]()
Cardboard colorpop
A small selection of artworks where I use very bright poppy colors on leftover cardboard pieces. Sizes are approximately 50x50cm.
Photos © Sarah Corynen
-
![bold & joyful prints sarah corynen domestic animals]()
Prints ready for Paris
PARC DES EXPOSITIONS / PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE
HALL 5 / BOOTH 5V13
19 - 20 - 21 SEPTEMBER 2017 / OPEN 9AM - 6.30PM
-
![black indian ink on box shark feet sarah corynen]()
Boxed drawings
A small selection of black ink drawings on cardboard boxes.
Size of the box 51cm x 34cm. Project date October - December 2020. The finished boxes will be shown at the (postponed) TITO event. This event is organized by Emma Thyssen (illustrator) and Dries Otten (architect & designer). Other participants are Lieven Segers (artist) and Ans Aerts (designer).
Photos © Sarah Corynen
-
![A drawing of a dog with poodle-like hair, aiming to mimic a human pose on a pink background.]()
About Poodles & other furry animals
A new collection of illustrations and patterns is now available! If you are looking for a collaboration in textile products, fashion and apparel, interior objects, packaging design, children books….get in touch to discuss your project.
Send me an email for more information and receive a personal password to view the collection online. The future looks Pretty in Pink and Very Furry ;-)
Illustration & Animation © Sarah Corynen
-
![Six colorful paintings featuring abstract and cartoon-style images: a black geometric pattern on an orange background, a potted plant with green leaves on a yellow background, a ladybug with black spots on a red background, a white dog with pink ears and a red collar, a pattern of black dots on a pink background, and a house with trees on a blue background.]()
Bold & joyful
Exotic flower bouquets, wild and domestic animals, cake with extra cream on top and much more! New drawings I presented in Première Vision Paris in September 2017.
all content © sarah corynen
-
![prints collaboration buro muro]()
Buro Muro artprints
An exclusive selection of drawings available in poster sizes. Collaboration with BUROMURO. You can find more info on sizes, paper quality, delivery, frames and prices on their website! Photos © Sarah Corynen
The size of Art Prints in the following pictures is A1. Visit BuroMuro for more info & prices.
-
![ceramic flat shapes sarah corynen]()
Ceramic objects
I am translating my graphic work and language into ceramic objects. Exploring the wonderful world of underglazes and glazes. Pushing the boundaries of my patience with a lot of unexpected discoveries ;-) #colorpop #black&white
Photos © Sarah Corynen
-
![color marker illustration on cardboard sarah corynen]()
Colormarker on cardboard
Small selection of illustrations made with colored marker on leftover cardboard. Various sizes. Project date from May 2018 onwards. Work in progress.
All content © Sarah Corynen
-
![cotton throw wallart sarah corynen]()
Cotton throws
These cotton throws are made in the USA, woven from 100% cotton and available in two sizes. The touch of the quality is very soft and comfortable, ideal for all your summer picknicks, beach trips, kids play carpet or even as a wall tapestry!
Project date May 2018All content © Sarah Corynen
-
![red felted rabbit sarah corynen]()
Felted animals & objects
Experiment with leftover material from my knitwear projects. The knitwear was felted and transformed into an animal that could serve as a cushion or toy. Project date 2013.
all content © sarah corynen
-
![A colorful baby stroller with a black frame and a canopy featuring vibrant artwork, four double black wheels, and a storage basket underneath.]()
Be Cool!
BE COOL is a young brand, created by young people and for young people. It is made in Spain and sold around the world, but especially popular in Europe. One of my designs made it to this cute push chair and light stroller. Visit the website of BE COOL. Instagram @baby.becool
Photos © BE COOL
-
![felted soft shapes sarah corynen]()
Soft Shapes
My latest experiments are soft, round and woolly. Some things for at home! Made of 100% wool and some hours of zen-handknitting. Felted and moulded into the perfect round shape.
Photos © Sarah Corynen
-
![atelier SARAH CORYNEN keramiek Annouk Westerling]()
Atelier 14 B
Exhibition and Atelier Project. Exhibition of cardboard installations, photographic prints, textile and ceramic objects at Atelier 14B, invited by Annouk Westerling. September 2021 until January 2022, Waasmunster.
Photos © Sarah Corynen
