Industry member, Sabina Emrit is the founder of ACCESS-FASHION.COM, Editor of New York’s Idoll magazine and a stylist to stars such as Flo-Rider, Pixie Lott and Tinchy Stryder. On top of all this she writes for a host of international fashion magazines and gets involved in all sorts of digital projects. We catch up with her to find out how she makes it work.
You’re an editor, writer, celebrity stylist and business consultant. How do you manage it all?
If you want an honest answer, I don’t really know – it used to be on little sleep. My iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pro are often attached to me as I’m always on the go and being connected to so many different countries doesn’t allow normal working hours. I have my office and studio space to keep everything organised in terms of clothing shoots, magazines, features and lookbooks. I work with strong teams from my interns and assistants to the professionals such as make up artists, photographers, PRs, managers and so forth. As a bit of a control freak I used to try do everything but I got to a point in my career where I realized that there were aspects of my business that I needed to let other people manage. Sheridans, my solicitors are there to deal with contracts and legalities, my accountants deal with what accountants do and I’ve learnt to delegate more. Without sounding like a cliché I guess I manage it because of how passionate I am about what I do.
Where do you see Sabina Emrit – the brand – in five years time?
I don’t really see myself as a brand, hence why I founded ACCESS-FASHION.COM. I began my career when fashion assistants hadn’t yet been replaced with monthly interns. Entry roles still existed and were a great way to learn. Also at that time blogs were few and far between for people who had something unique and important to say. Running and travel blogs were the most popular type so when fashion writers moved into the blogesphere they were so specialized that they really stood out and were great to read. But now everyone has one and I’m not sure that it’s for the right reasons. Even my 8-year-old niece has a fashion blog!
What are your plans for Fashion Week? I flew in to New York from LA this weekend it’s been a whirlwind. I was shooting two music videos in LA with the group Platnum and producer for the Black Eyed Peas’ Poet (who also produced Platnum’s album). As it was Grammys week, LA has been crazy and a lot of fun. I’m still currently stuck in an LA time zone whilst seeing shows in New York. For New York Fashion Week I’m always keen to see the magic of Rodarte, the fun of Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B and now my gorgeous friend Dean James Quinn is a regular on the NYFW schedule having left Versace. His collection at Milk was breathtaking – the use of colour so sexy and sassy. For London I’m always excited by NEWGEN as they continue to keep on amazing me. I adore fellow Industry member Corrie Nielsen who is showing at the main tent this coming season and Temperely whose show is just so wonderfully British at the British Museum. Eek I could just keep on going! I love what we produce over here and I’m such a big supporter of our designers. Milan sets the tone and vibrancy of the calender, I love the street style in Milan. As for Paris, Paris is my fairytale where I go to dream. Louis Vuitton and Elie Saab are always breathtaking.
How can members of The Industry get involved in your various projects?
ACCESS-FASHION.COM is a platform for designers but also for creative talent including writing, illustration, photography, music and art. So if you’d like to get involved, have an idea or want to be featured drop us a line! As the Editor of Idoll magazine, a celebrity stylist and international writer I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting designers to work with. I have found some fantastic brands through the power of social media and have also introduced some great names to others through my Twitter feed. Send me an email or find me through Facebook or Twitter – I’d love to hear from you!
