Couple of months ago I got the chance to interview the beautiful Sofia Guellaty, the great fashonista and the editor in chief of Style Arabia. Unfortnayely I got busy traveling around the globe, and I didn't post that interview earlier, but here I am posting it now, an interview and what's in her bag, with one of the Arab world and (my) favourite style icons.
- Tell us more about yourself.
I was born and raised in Tunisia. My parents raised me to be open-minded and curious. I went to French school and after high school moved to Paris. I lived a bit in NYC, worked in fashion since my first internship with little breaks in TV and wrote a book when I was 21 about an Egyptian writer named Albert Cossery. I also have a serious addiction to sugar.
-How and when did you first you become interested in fashion?
I remember very well the day I told my mom that I wanted to be Editor in Chief of a fashion magazine, I was around 8. Since then it was a very conscious path towards fashion and media. My first internship was at Elite Model Look, a model competition that was held in Tunis, I knew from that moment I wouldn't be happier anywhere else.
- Tell us more about your personal style?
My style is happy, sporty, and elegant at the same time. I break all my outfits with an element of surprise. If I am wearing a beautiful embroidered coat I will break it with a T-shirt and if I'm wearing glitter then I will break it with Converse etc. I am also very big on statement jewelry, shoes, and the ethnic chic element.
- What are your favorite brands?
Well it depends on the season. My job is to assess each collection one by one and no brand has continuously won me over as much as Azzedine Alaïa, the last master and Valentino who always brings me my fairytale romantic moment. I love brands for different reasons. Right now, after Fashion Month, I wouldn't mind owning the whole Ostwald Helgason collection and I really love what Madiyah Al Sharqi does. I have great hopes for the new generation of Arab designers.
- What inspires you?
Love, moments of kindness, flowers, soap bubbles, sun, sea, boats... I am very girly in fact.
- Has fashion changed your lifestyle and how you pick your friends?
Well it is true that most of my friends work in fashion, I work so much that I don't get out much outside of the scene but my best friends are the ones I met in kindergarten. They are my sisters and they are completely out of the whole fashion circus, I need this balance.
- Describe the best fashionable day for you.
Beautiful shows at fashion week, the lobby of a hotel in Milan or New York watching older ladies who lunch in their chignons and pearls, meeting my fashion idols, learning from them. Receiving my Net a Porter order etc...
How do you see the fashion scene in Tunisia? Any favorite Tunisian designer?
The fashion scene in Tunisia is very strong. I wear designs by Ahmed Talfit and Ali Karoui. Remember those names, they are extremely talented. I am heading to Tunis Fashion Week at the end of May, cannot wait!
As Senior Editor of Style.com/Arabia, how do you deal with daily deadlines?
Working in this industry doesn't sit well with long week ends and an aversion for late nights at the office. My team and I are on call like doctors, especially for a platform likeStyle.com/Arabia that is online. But when you are passionate about what you do, working for such a huge company like Condé Nast is a privilege that I don't even consider work.
What is your favorite city in the world?
I keep on changing my mind, I really like Dubai for it's a place where people of all backgrounds meet. It is rather a happy place. I adore Istanbul also and New York.
Shoes or bags?
Definitely shoes, I don't care too much for bags.
What are your future plans?
Trying as hard as I can to make the fashion industry in the Middle East a more qualitative one. I am tired of the Arab woman being seen as a giant walking wallet that likes rhinestones and neon, we have so much more to offer. I hope that with Style.com/Arabia we will find great talents that we will promote and show the world our true colors.
What is in your bag Sofia?
As I told you I am not a big bags fan. The only brand I really love to wear is Corto Moltedo. Being the workaholic that I am, I received the perfect gift for the holiday season, a laptop case that I also use as a bag.
- I carry my computer everywhere.Sunglasses are a must in Dubai, I like these Etnia Barcelona for their cute pink mirrored lenses
 |
| Photo Credit: Carolinesmode |
I was born and raised in Tunisia. My parents raised me to be open-minded and curious. I went to French school and after high school moved to Paris. I lived a bit in NYC, worked in fashion since my first internship with little breaks in TV and wrote a book when I was 21 about an Egyptian writer named Albert Cossery. I also have a serious addiction to sugar.
 |
| Photo Credit: Sartorialist.com |
-How and when did you first you become interested in fashion?
I remember very well the day I told my mom that I wanted to be Editor in Chief of a fashion magazine, I was around 8. Since then it was a very conscious path towards fashion and media. My first internship was at Elite Model Look, a model competition that was held in Tunis, I knew from that moment I wouldn't be happier anywhere else.
 |
| Photo Credit: Silhouetted Skyline |
- Tell us more about your personal style?
My style is happy, sporty, and elegant at the same time. I break all my outfits with an element of surprise. If I am wearing a beautiful embroidered coat I will break it with a T-shirt and if I'm wearing glitter then I will break it with Converse etc. I am also very big on statement jewelry, shoes, and the ethnic chic element.
 |
| Photo Credit: taken from tumblr |
- What are your favorite brands?
Well it depends on the season. My job is to assess each collection one by one and no brand has continuously won me over as much as Azzedine Alaïa, the last master and Valentino who always brings me my fairytale romantic moment. I love brands for different reasons. Right now, after Fashion Month, I wouldn't mind owning the whole Ostwald Helgason collection and I really love what Madiyah Al Sharqi does. I have great hopes for the new generation of Arab designers.
 |
| Photo Credit: Styleograph |
Love, moments of kindness, flowers, soap bubbles, sun, sea, boats... I am very girly in fact.
- Has fashion changed your lifestyle and how you pick your friends?
Well it is true that most of my friends work in fashion, I work so much that I don't get out much outside of the scene but my best friends are the ones I met in kindergarten. They are my sisters and they are completely out of the whole fashion circus, I need this balance.
 |
| Photo Credit: Styleograph |
- Describe the best fashionable day for you.
Beautiful shows at fashion week, the lobby of a hotel in Milan or New York watching older ladies who lunch in their chignons and pearls, meeting my fashion idols, learning from them. Receiving my Net a Porter order etc...
 |
| Photo Credit: fashionwelkie |
How do you see the fashion scene in Tunisia? Any favorite Tunisian designer?
The fashion scene in Tunisia is very strong. I wear designs by Ahmed Talfit and Ali Karoui. Remember those names, they are extremely talented. I am heading to Tunis Fashion Week at the end of May, cannot wait!
As Senior Editor of Style.com/Arabia, how do you deal with daily deadlines?
Working in this industry doesn't sit well with long week ends and an aversion for late nights at the office. My team and I are on call like doctors, especially for a platform likeStyle.com/Arabia that is online. But when you are passionate about what you do, working for such a huge company like Condé Nast is a privilege that I don't even consider work.
 |
| photo credit: Savoir Flair |
What is your favorite city in the world?
I keep on changing my mind, I really like Dubai for it's a place where people of all backgrounds meet. It is rather a happy place. I adore Istanbul also and New York.
Shoes or bags?
Definitely shoes, I don't care too much for bags.
 |
What are your future plans?
Trying as hard as I can to make the fashion industry in the Middle East a more qualitative one. I am tired of the Arab woman being seen as a giant walking wallet that likes rhinestones and neon, we have so much more to offer. I hope that with Style.com/Arabia we will find great talents that we will promote and show the world our true colors.
What is in your bag Sofia?
As I told you I am not a big bags fan. The only brand I really love to wear is Corto Moltedo. Being the workaholic that I am, I received the perfect gift for the holiday season, a laptop case that I also use as a bag.
- I carry my computer everywhere.Sunglasses are a must in Dubai, I like these Etnia Barcelona for their cute pink mirrored lenses
- This is a photo of my desk crowded with press material
- I interviewed one of the world's best perfumer today (that was in April), Frederic Malle. He suggested I should wear Portrait of a Lady, I love the refinement and the sophistication of this man, his perfumes are worn by the most elegant ladies.
- I use Bobbi Brown's BB cream as a sunblock.
- I never wear make up during the day, but I often have to attend events or dinners right from the office, so I carry my makeup essentials with me.
- They're Real! by Benefit is the absolute best mascara ever, trust me on this one.
- I love the versatility of MAC's shimmer. If you apply it on your cheekbones it will give you a healthy glow and you can also use it to give shine to your eyelids.
- I always carry Eight Hour cream or a Labello stick, I am addicted to having hydrated lips
- I have terrible dark circles. I bought this Hourglass concealer in NYC and it works like a charm, it stays all day long and has an amazing coverage.
VERY VERY INTERESTING INTERVIEW...N LOVE TO KNOW A BEAUTIFUL HARDWORKING STYLE ICON IN PERSON..THANK U VERY VERY MUCH
ReplyDeletemay you be a game changer for Fashion in the MIddle East!! We all know you can do it! Good luck! xoxo
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