Sarah Dexter is a fashion designer and multimedia artist based in Fairbanks Alaska. She graduated as the Valedictorian of the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, in 2021 with a BFA in Fashion Design. Returning to her hometown of Fairbanks, Sarah began creating small batch collections with a strong commitment to ethically made slow fashion. Sarah continues her dedication to growth as a MFA student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks where she is expanding her artistic mediums. Through fiber arts, soft sculpture, and printmaking Sarah examines themes of balance and transformation. Sarah’s work has been recognized by such honors as the “Golden Shears Award” from Omaha Fashion Week and “Designer of the Year” from Alaska Fashion week.

At the heart of wearable items lies an outward expression of the unseen self within. With textiles and garmenting techniques I create soft sculptures that allow me to use the semiotics of dress to address concepts of the body and human experience. While three dimensional work allows me to exist in the world with the object, the two-dimensionality of printmaking offers a separation, a window into another dimension. My current printmaking work draws inspiration from medical MRI images and functions as a way of coping with the contradictions and complexities of life’s journey.

In reaction to the conflicting thoughts I encounter, my work provides a platform to find harmony. This often results in melding of dichotomies proving they can exist together despite being fundamentally at odds. This results in imagery that is familiar but somehow off. This expression of the uncanny soothes my cognitive dissonance without denying one part of the whole. Rather than forcibly carving out one section to make the pieces fit more securely, I attempt to accept that two opposing perceptions can hold truth, even when in the moment it doesn’t seem possible or results in confusion. 

An example of this pendulum is the swing from the desire for excitement and mystery to remaining sheltered and comfortable. My first career was in medical imaging, arguably in the sheltered category, where I created a form of imagery used as a diagnostic tool. Regardless of the method, images are only as reliable as the interpreter's impression. Ultimately there is mystery hidden within and elements left out altogether. In the face of the reality that life is fickle and unfair, I find the courage to choose joy in the hopes of keeping at bay the fear that keeps me shielded from life. 

Sarah Dexter

Curriculum Vitae

sarahdexterdesigns@gmail.com

www.sarahdexterdesigns.com

Education

2026 MFA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) (pending)

2021 BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York, NY. Valedictorian.

2005 AAS in radiologic technology from the University of Alaska Anchorage

2003 AA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Professional Experience

Spring 24 - Present   University of Alaska Fairbanks, Graduate student Teacher’s Aide. 

Teaching Experience

Spring 25 Alaska Native Art History, Instructor of record, UAF

Fall 24 Beginning Drawing, Instructor of record, UAF

Summer 24 Costume Construction, Instructor of record, UAF 

Awards

2025 CLA Outstanding MFA Student of the Year for the Department of Art

10/23 Gutsy Art Award for “Bloom Borealis Dress & Coat”, 64th Parallel Juried by Roberto Benavidez

10/23 Third Place for “Bloom Borealis Dress & Coat”, 64th Parallel Juried by Roberto Benavidez

07/23 Designer of the Year, Alaska Fashion Week, Juneau AK. 

02/23 Golden Shears Award Winner, Omaha Fashion Week, NE

05/21 Valedictorian, FIT

05/21 FIT Medal of outstanding achievement departmental award(Fashion Design: BFA)

05/19 FIT Medal of outstanding achievement departmental award(Fashion Design: AAS)

05/19 Underfashion Club Scholarship, Clinton Corners, NY

Exhibition Record

01/25 "Within" MFA Student Exhibition, UAF Bear Gallery, Fairbanks, AK

12/24 Art + Fashion New Years Eve Style Bash, Fairbanks, AK

10/24 38th annual 64th Parallel, Bear Gallery, Fairbanks, AK (juried)

09/24  Faculty Exhibition, UAF Art Gallery, Fairbanks, AK

08/24 Omaha Fashion Week, Omaha, NE (headliner)

07/24 Quilt Alaska, Bear Gallery, Fairbanks, AK

05/24 First Friday UAF Painters and Printmakers, Ursa Major Distilling, Fairbanks, AK

04/24 Juried Student Art Exhibit, UAF Art Gallery, Fairbanks, AK (juried)

04/24 Student Performing Art Showcase, UAF theater, Fairbanks AK

02/24 Trend Alaska Fashion Show, Anchorage, AK

01/24 BOUND, MFA student exhibition, UAF Art Gallery, Fairbanks, AK

12/23 Art + Fashion New Years Eve Style Bash, Golden Heart Performing Arts, Fairbanks, AK

10/23 37th Annual 64th Parallel, Bear Gallery, Fairbanks, AK (juried)

07/23 Alaska Fashion Week, Juneau, AK

02/23 Omaha Fashion Week, Omaha, NE

01/23 Trend Alaska Fashion Show, Anchorage, AK

07/22 Alaska Fashion Week, Juneau, AK

02/22 Trend Alaska Fashion Show, Anchorage, AK

Bibliography

Omaha Fashion Magazine January 2025 (headliner bio and works featured in editorial shoot)

Harrington, Daryl “Sarah Dexter Designs” The Daryl Marty Show  podcast 29 January, 2025 (interview)

Omaha Fashion Magazine August 2024 (bio and photo)

Trend Alaska Fashion Show  26 February 2024 (photo)

Flanagan, Pat Monochromica: the journal of monochrome art Issue 001:Blue p.100-101

Alaska Fashion Week July 2023 (bio and photos of work)

Omaha Fashion Magazine February 2023 (photo)

Capps, Kris “Fairbanks fashion designer shows off new collection at Anchorage show” 26 January, 2023 (interview)

Alaska Fashion Week May 2022 (bio)

Alaska Magazine October 2021 p.73 (bio)

Capps, Kris “Chasing a fashionable Fairbanks dream” Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 18 April, 2021 (interview)

Exhibition Curator

12/24 Art + Fashion New Years Eve Style Bash, Golden Heart Performing Arts, Fairbanks, AK

04/24 Student Performing Art Showcase (runway), UAF theater, Fairbanks AK

12/23 Art + Fashion New Years Eve Style Bash, Golden Heart Performing Arts, Fairbanks, AK