This summer, one of Providence’s most praised designers opened a lovely boutique gallery on Spring Street, but unlike many shops that open during Newport’s busiest season, Philip Sawyer plans on making Newport a fashionable pied-à-terre of sorts. “Our boutique gallery is open year round, and hopefully for many years, as we love Newport, and especially our new clients here,” says Anh Vu Sawyer, also an author.
She and husband Philip, who teaches Fine Sewing Techniques, and Pattern Making & Design at Rhode Island School of Design, design and produce their pieces from their studio in Providence. With a shared passion for healthy, natural living, the two use sustainable materials including linen, silk, cotton and wool, and strive for a zero-waste approach.
“Our clothes, for both men and women, have actually been well-loved for Philip’s exquisite and timeless designs and fine craftsmanship,” says Anh. “We make our 
clothes one garment at a time, and offer custom fitting services to our clients, who prefer a perfect fit and have their choices of colors, fabrics and ideas that uniquely represent them.”
The two consider their Newport studio a gallery, and invite folks to visit their “sweet labor of love and collaboration between wonderful artist and designer friends.” They have watched their designs grace the runways at StyleWeek Providence and some of their design peers they support at the gallery studio, from other designers to artists, are quite recognized, with awards 
from the Guggenheim, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum. Say Anh, “Some have sold their designs at Barney’s, Fred Segal, MOMA and Collette in Paris!”
Phillip Sawyer & Friends is located at 233 Spring Street (between Franklin Street and Memorial Boulevard) in Newport.
Leave a Reply