Meet The Models - Sif Saga
Sif Saga is an Icelandic beauty who has traveled all over the world for modeling. Let’s take a dive into her thoughts…
Photographer: Nicholas Tamposi
Sif Saga is an Icelandic beauty who has traveled all over the world for modeling. She has graced the covers of L’Officiel Australia and Maxim magazine and recently appeared in Desnudo magazine. She is also a singer/songwriter and enjoys working on new music during her downtime from Fashion. Her success is consistent and her portfolio is breathtaking. Let’s take a dive into her thoughts…
When did you come to America from Iceland? You have told me a lot about your home, sounds like the perfect origins for a great lifestory!
A: I was actually born in the US, which a lot of people might not know about me. :) I spent a majority of my childhood traveling back and forth from the US and Iceland - like most kids it was because of my Dad’s job. It wasn’t until I went to a boarding middle school that I was fully in the US.
Photographer: Mehmet Erzincan
What type of model would you consider yourself?
A: Hmm I’ve actually never been asked that, but I definitely lean more towards print. I love doing editorial work, that's where I think the magic happens. There is nothing better then when you bring a team together and everything just clicks, when that happens it's a form of Art.
A lot of people that aren’t in the Fashion industry don’t know that there is a big difference between a runway model and a commercial model or an influencer. Which boards do your agencies push you under since you have a pretty hefty following?
A: My following compared to a lot of other girls is minimal I think. I am definitely more on the commercial side than runway or influencer.
What percentage of your work comes from your instagram?
A: About 10 to 15 percent, I use instagram more as a medium to display my work but also to show clients how I am in real life. I focus on working with my agencies because most of them have spent years building relationships with clients and those kinds of relationships are priceless. When it comes to jobs, even through an agency, clients are always checking to see how you are on social media. I try to be as authentic as one can be on instagram.
What was your favorite shoot thus far and why?
A: I just did a shoot for L’Officiel Australia with a photographer and friend of mine named Elio; this was our first shoot together so I was pretty stoked! The editorial was pretty moody and expressive, which is a mood I love to shoot with because it takes me out of my comfort zone. It was my favorite shoot so far because the energy in the room couldn’t have been better - we blasted music, sang and got into a great rhythm.
Pre-quarantine, how often would you attend Fashion events each week for your work?
A: I actually had been slowing down on events pre-quarantine. I was going so much last year (1-2x a week) that it felt like I wasn't present while there and pretty exhausted. I am pretty shy when it comes to meeting new people and putting myself out there, I think people classify me more as an introvert? Haha. But, I still would go every once in a while. It’s important to meet new people (especially in this industry), I’ve even made some of my friends through fashion events, and it can be very inspiring!
Events always seem like the extracurricular activities that people in our industry do to stay afloat, show face. Do you feel pressured to keep up appearances and be at certain events to help push your career forward?
A: I think my answer above kind of explains it, but I don’t think that events make or break your career, but sometimes they can help to establish important relationships to push your career forward. I never feel pressured I would say, but I feel that going every once in a while is important for my career.
Photographer: Manny Roman
How have you been staying creative during this down time, thanks to Ms. Rona?
A: Yes I feel like Ms. Rona has got us all thinking outside of the box and doing all sorts of arts and crafts lol. It’s been a great time for me to free up some headspace and think more creatively. I am hoping that quarantine doesn’t last too long but I am currently working on some things to help keep me afloat while contributing to the industry. I am also planning on doing a music video for a song I wrote - in my head I think it’s going to be cool but I am hoping I can actually produce on film what is in my mind - I guess you’ll have to wait and see though!
What is your go to workout during Quarantine?
A: For the past month I have been walking up and down the stairs with a weight vest - doesn't sound like much but it's great for your core, glutes and balance. A big bonus for this workout is that it is a metabolic boosting workout! Other than that I have been stretching and doing yoga/ pilates type exercises. Oh, and lots of long walks!
Any new music coming our way soon?
A: I had set a goal in the beginning of 2020 to release an EP by spring/ summer and found a great producing studio down in Jacksonville, but due to everything that is going on I doubt that will happen soon. So, I thought I would put at least one song out even though it's not completely clean when it comes to the production side of things. I plan on releasing by mid-may and self-produce a music video to go along with it :)
Thanks for the chat Sif, looking forward to seeing the butterfly you continue to blossom into!
Interview: Eric Ellison
Self Love Wins: Jenneva M.
It's time to refresh your feed. We discovered this beauty via social media and she gave a little bit of her reality.
Photo via Karizma Visuals
We first stumbled across Jenneva through Instagram. Her feed was a breath of fresh air, unlike others on Instagram she doesn't post selfie after selfie; but instead she mixes in relatable, hilarious memes that make following her even more worth it. The first thing that will obviously catch your attention on Instagram is her glowing skin and how she slays a simple low haircut! Her beauty is remarkable, yet in such a simplistic sense that you think to yourself how does she make it look so effortless. With over 40K followers, Jenneva still remains down to earth, constantly engaging with followers in comments (you might even feel like you know her personally at time). She uses her platform to not only promote her brand, but to inspire other to appreciate who they are. At the time we began following Jenneva, her boutique was featuring a line of body-con dresses and two pieces outfits. With a strong interest from others in her brand, she continued with a line of jewelry (available now) and continues to expand. The 22 year-old student and business owner shows us that not all 'Instagram famous' personalities are cookie cutter. Intrigued by her mix beauty and business, we had to get to know her better.
Growing up, where did you look for inspiration? Who or what inspires you now? (In terms of your daily life, your brand's clothing designs or both)
I’ve always been a go with the flow kind of girl, my inspiration comes from how I’m feeling. Now I’m just the same, not much has changed.
How did the idea of Jennevam.com come about? What's the brand's mission?
JennevaM.com has been budding forever; I've always wanted to have my own retail franchise. I went to school in New York at LIM College and majored in Business Management with a minor in Marketing and then I transferred schools but my major and goal still remain the same. My mission is to provide fashionable clothing at an affordable price for all body types because I can remember wanting clothing that I either couldn't afford or that wasn't my size.
We noticed that you have a large following on Instagram, would you attribute any of your brand success to this?
Absolutely, it is my only brand promotion at this time.
Photo via Untold Truth Photography
Still staying on the Instagram topic, we see your pictures floating around the internet all the time. What is life like being "Instagram Famous" in a way?
Kinda cool, I’m constantly connecting with people I’d more than likely never come across otherwise. I have been to the post office to drop off orders to Asia and the UK, and I’ve gotten the chance to meet new friends. It’s been an awesome experience so far.
One thing we absolutely love about you is your unapologetic spirit towards your skin color. What advice would you give to others who struggle with self-love and appreciation?
Love from within is so damn important! Our perceptions, our attitudes, how we treat others, they all stem from how we’re feeling about ourselves. It is so important that you learn to love you for whom you are and that includes those ugly parts we aren’t quite ready to face because if anything those are the parts that need our loving the most. Make a list of the things you need to work on and tackle one thing out a time, wake up every morning and love one thing off your list until your list is loved out. Be the women you want to be; A women of your own stature, of your own kind, with your own rules and never let anyone tear you down. Most importantly, the skin you’re in, you have to wake up every day in it; work relentlessly to learn to love it. We’re (black women) so magical, so sprinkle that damn black girl magic and be unapologetic about it.
You've recently shared with your followers your new budding romance. How does having someone in your corner romantically translate to your recent or future accomplishments?
Some accomplishments require you to have a team behind you and Joseph is pretty much 1/3 of my team. Some days are rough, I go through a lot but I always have him in my corner pushing me to keep going. Right now I probably wouldn't have made an active attempt to revamp my brand to what I want it to be if he didn't push me to go after everything I want. If I say no to my dreams, he's that person telling me "Yes, yes you can and it’s yours."
Photo via Untold Truth Photography
Anything we should look forward to in your upcoming work for your brand?
Definitely! I haven't been very active with my brand as of last year since I've started school and work both full time; it's been rough finding energy and time. I've been working hard over the last few months to revamp my brand from ground up so I'm pretty excited to share that with everyone what I've been working on.
What style trends are you looking forward to this spring/summer?
High rise bikinis, lace up chunky heeled sandals and jumpsuit!
If there was anyone in the world you could collaborate with who would it be? Why?
To be honest off the top of my head I can’t think of anyone.
What your favorite song of all time? Why?
MGMT- Electric Feel, it always makes me want to get up to smile and dance.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself.
I’m probably the shyest most awkward person you will ever meet in person, I'm pretty cool once I warm up to people.
Photo via Karizma Visuals
Instagram: @jennevam
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.