Meet The Woman Behind The Cover Of The September 2020 Issue Of Sassy & Co Magazine: The Amazing Dr. Mahtab Hanna

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Dr. Mahtab Hanna is an award-winning British jewellery artist and designer-maker with a Persian heritage, whose designs are radically different from others – the cross-pollinating of Eastern and Western history, culture, religion, character, thoughts, and politics play a large part in the inspiration process leading to her creations. Whether its unique pieces or a limited edition series of work, her quest is to define within those pieces what she is aiming for, what the client is trying to communicate, and the reason behind each design. Some of her specialties include fine and contemporary jewellery, sculpture, and body adornment.

In 2017 Mahtab held a solo exhibition entitled “Political Jewellery: Silent Protest” at the P21 Gallery in London, and she has been featured by The Goldsmiths’ Centre (UK’s leading charity for the professional training of goldsmiths and a community for design, creativity, and craftsmanship), New Designers, Cox & Power, Masterpiece, Gallerie Marzee, amongst others. Mahtab’s trailblazing achievements include being awarded her Doctorate from Central Saint Martins and during those 4 years of her Ph.D., she had two children!

Sassy & Co magazine recently caught up with Mahtab to discuss her journey in the fashion and jewellery industry and here’s what went down:

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?

I am a British jeweller with a proud Persian background. It all started when I first wore my mother’s jewellery, I became passionate about the small design details on those jewellery; how its made, the precious stones, and how people wore them. It was then that I saw people, their clothes and jewellery as a canvas.

This led me to study jewellery and goldsmithing for over a decade leading to an MA from the Royal College of Art and a Ph.D. from Central Saint Martins in Jewellery.

How did you get into the fashion industry?

I love fashion, its an undeniable ingrained part of the substance of being a woman. Whilst there are so many fashion designers, there aren’t enough female jewellers in my view.

I entered the industry by showcasing my work and being showcased. I expanded from my artistic jewellery lines into fashion jewellery and body adornments, leading to my 2011 catwalk show at The Royal Exchange in London.

What do you like most about being a designer?

Being a designer is about sharing your life, your experiences, your feelings, your journeys, all under the umbrella of new creations. It’s a conversation with people you may never meet but have communicated with. You are influencing their confidence; how they communicate themselves and how people see them. Amazing!

Every designer is an individual, their creations are unique to them, just like their fingerprints. The concept behind my Goldfinger piece was that it would be customised for each individual wearer.

Ultimately, extending the experience of jewellery wearing is to challenge and ambush the boundaries of function and ornamented decorative art, highlighting communication, concluding with stimulating contemplation.

While creating each piece is a process and expression or development of a vision I have, jewellery is created for other people. It is important to remember this without compromising the original vision I have throughout the design and creation process.

The downside to being a fashion designer?

One of the most frustrating issues is that of designs being stolen or copied without the due respect to the original designer or maker. What was thought through in the design has been lost because the item is now simply “a thing,” not a messenger.

Of course, this is not a problem that’s just exclusive to jewellery, but the entire fashion arena.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the fashion industry so far?

There have been many memorable experiences, such as being featured in Vogue Italia, selected as one of the top luxury jewellers in the UK newspaper, The Telegraph, and featured in Qatar Airways magazine. I also appeared in a TV program called Four Rooms where top dealers tried to negotiate to buy some of my pieces.

Perhaps the most memorable was being selected to be the cover for the Goldsmiths’ Company inaugural post-graduate programme and being mentored by the late Dr. Stuart Devlin, one of the jewellery industry’s royalty.

Naturally, there is a lot of satisfaction from seeing my creations being used in films, photoshoots, and publications.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

The word “interesting” applies to every human, in my view. Those that have had a profound effect on me include the renowned British jewellers Shaun Leane and Theo Fennell. Their support for upcoming jewellers is a testament to their commitment to the industry.

Didier and Martine Haspeslagh who have a passion for jewellery made and designed by painters, sculptors, architects, and designers from the late 19th to the end of the 20th century.

Audiences have taught me the array of views on my pieces, clients have taught me the sheer personal nature of jewellery, the industry has taught me the sense of community. Therefore, many people who have interests!

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry. This can be about the industry or yourself.

There’s a lot of politics behind the smiles in any industry, and fashion and jewellery is no exception.

I try to engage in one of the core values I place in life: from every person I meet, I try to leave the conversation having learned something or having exchanged knowledge. This is, in my view, the essence of being a designer – every lesson is valuable and shapes me.

The single most valuable lesson has been to remain faithful to my own values. Always consider the options but trust yourself to take the decisions – leadership starts with you!

Is your family supportive of you being a fashion designer?

I have been blessed to have a family that is completely supportive and unflinching in their love throughout my journey, through the victories and the challenges, especially my darling husband, Rafah Hanna.

It is critical for any creative person to have someone to support them, not only during the achievements but also at times of growth and learning. This is the person that will stand by you as you face those that do not have your best interest at heart.

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

In the early days, I would want to focus much more on brand growth, especially internationally.

Another thing I would change would be to closely study those that have taken a similar journey leading to success, learning from their experiences.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

My mother often says to me – If you can be inspired, you can definitely inspire.

What are your future plans? What new projects are you currently working on right now?

I am excited to tell you exclusively that I am working on publishing my book related to political jewellery! How jewellery is used as a tool of messaging and communication to affect protests and opinions in the matter of politics.

I will also be having an international exhibition with the same theme related to the book.

My “Pawns” Chess Set is an example of my political jewellery designs, which I also made. It is made from Sterling Silver and Bronze and relates to the most extreme form of protest – war: a highly emotive and evocative subject throughout mankind’s history.

Politics, religion, money, and natural resources are all causes of wars, and these are all represented on the stage within this work in their own way.

The chess board is made from sand and soil, both of which represent another cause of war – “land” – as well as the battlefield.

The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1. Last good movie I’ve seen: Frozen 2 – as my daughter, Anais, and I both love it!

2. What do you consider beautiful and why? Beautiful is such a personal thing – we may share a view of beauty, but it is equally about your values, thoughts, and mood even. I consider beautiful to be yourself, it is to fight for those that cannot fight and stand for equality.

3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? I would like to run workshops whereby I would mentor upcoming jewellers and designers, sharing my experiences with them, helping them to confidently progress in their chosen careers.

4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d… ” I don’t actually recognise the notion of fear. Life and careers are a series of challenges, fear is certainly one of them. It’s your job to face them, analyse them, and find paths to strengthen yourself to be able to proudly overcome them. Consideration and respect towards anything, person, or decision is a far greater asset than fear. Fear simply holds humanity back.

5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? I sometimes don’t know when to stop working, trying always to reach a state of perfection! However, I wouldn’t change that as it drives me towards even higher quality.

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Rising Star Spotlight: Get To Know The Stunning Stephanie Hunt

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Being a model can be difficult, often requiring people to make tough sacrifices. However, it can also prove to be a highly rewarding experience. For Stephanie Hunt, modeling has allowed her to travel around the world, get involved with high profile names such as Guess, Revlon, designer Melba Aros, Lady Jayne, Toscow Jewelery, celebrity hairstylist, David Babaii and magazines such as Camilla, RUSSH, Cosmopolitan, and FTV as well as meet a lot of interesting new people.

Stephanie has certainly proven that she can rely not only on her looks for her success but also on her focus, drive, and ambition. Added to that is a healthy dollop of good sense! ‘Challenges’ are a normal part of working as a model (“Modeling has definitely thickened up my skin!”) and to Stephanie, one’s attitude towards them will define you, “love and believe in yourself! I know that sounds so corny, but it can be really tough being around intimidatingly successful and gorgeous people and still feel as though you fit the bill.”

According to Stephanie, the biggest factor that determines how successful you will be is how much you want to succeed. Along with this strong passion, you should have a strong sense of integrity. Often, these values will have a bigger impact on your potential success than your looks. You should also take as many opportunities as you can, which will allow you to build your network. For many young models, a strong network is more important than seeing financial returns. In addition, it’s key to master social media. This is becoming increasingly important, allowing you to send a clear message to your fans. Once you’ve chosen your brand, use each post to re-enforce it. Social media also allows you to build a strong platform to get more people interested in your brand. You should use this tool to connect with your audience.

Stephanie’s early struggles with low self-esteem have served to spur this young entrepreneur ever onwards. She not only juggles her modeling career with her fulltime job but she also regularly volunteers at an animal shelter! It “serves as a great reminder of what my priorities should be, and what really matters in life. Having a  healthy balance between work, my personal life, and my volunteering has been the key to staying grounded for me.”

That healthy balance seems to be her recipe for success as well with many plans in the works for this talented (she speaks French and plays the piano!) young lady. But to Stephanie, it will always be “that with self-belief, hard work, dedication, and a lot of resilience, you really can achieve anything.”

Meet The Model Behind The Cover Of The August 2020 Issue Of Sassy & Co Magazine: The Beautiful Liudmyla Tkachenko

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Liudmyla Tkachenko is a stunning Ukrainian model who is currently based in Los Angeles. She grew up in a picturesque town stretching in the western region of Ukraine. Ever since she was a little girl, she has always dreamed of becoming an international model someday. Unfortunately, the economic situation in Ukraine was bad at the time, and since she had no connections in the fashion industry – becoming an international model seemed like an almost impossible feat. But Liudmyla was persistent though, despite her situation, she was determined to turn her childhood dream into reality.

Liudmyla’s first taste of the modeling industry came in the form of a modeling contract that was offered to her to work somewhere in China. Although China has always been considered as one of the most dynamic, and vibrant countries in the world, moving to work in China can often seem daunting because of the language barrier and cultural differences. However, Liudmyla really wanted to make things work with her modeling career hence the reason why she felt that she needed a deeper cultural immersion in the Chinese ways for the sake of her career. She decided to hone her Chinese language skills first so she started taking Chinese language classes. Eventually, she came to the point that she was actually quite fluent in Mandarin.

Since working as a full-time model in China, She has appeared in several high-profile commercials and magazines in Asia. Liudmyla worked as a full-time model for a few years in Asia mainly around Hong Kong, China, and Thailand before deciding to move to the United States to further pursue her modeling career. When she moved to the United States in 2016, she didn’t speak a word of English which was tough because she had to start from the bottom again. She, therefore, decided to study English in a New York-based language school while pursuing her modeling career at the same time.

Liudmyla’s persistence eventually paid off when she started scoring one good gig after another. Since working as a model in New York, she has appeared several times in New York Fashion Week. She has walked for high-profile designers such as Dan Liu, Terraza, and Oxford Fashion, among others, and she has also done photoshoots for high-profile fashion magazines such as the L’Officiel magazine, Marie Claire, MD Trends magazine, Imaginary magazine, and Marjen magazine. Furthermore, she was involved in several catalog shoots as well as several exciting projects. Her photos from the New York Fashion Week shows have even been featured in Vogue, Elle, as well as Harper’s Bazaar.

After modeling for two years in New York, Liudmyla decided to try her luck at acting by moving to Los Angeles. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has appeared in a Nike commercial, as well as a few alcohol commercials, and she also scored a role in an upcoming film called “The Nowhere Inn.” The movie is set to premiere in the Sundance film festival 2020. Currently, Liudmyla is studying at an acting school called Beverly Hills Playhouse hoping that this can be her ticket to more projects in Hollywood.

Starting from a humble background, Liudmyla was initially faced with poverty as well as other problems, but she learned how to overcome all that fate threw at her. She moved forward with a single-minded determination to achieve success. Having reached her goal of becoming an international model, she’s definitely a classic example of the results of hard work and determination.

Sassy & Co recently caught up with Liudmyla to discuss her journey in the modeling/fashion world and here’s what went down:

How did you decide to be a professional model?

I actually decided to become a professional model after I did my first photoshoot. I felt that I really enjoyed modeling so I wanted to pursue my modeling career full-time. In terms of inspiration, top model Natalia Vodianova is who really inspires me. Her success story shows that hard work and dedication to your goal will eventually lead to success.

What was your first big break in the industry?

My first big break in the industry was in New York walking for designer Dan Liu at the NYFW 2018.

What is your dream modeling job?

A photoshoot for the cover of Vogue magazine.

If you weren’t a model, what would you do?

Definitely something around the entertainment industry.

How do you stay fit and healthy?

I work out every day and I also only eat healthy food.

What’s your beauty and exercise regime?

I like going to the spa, as well as getting massages and facials. I also work out every day by going to the gym, hiking, yoga, and meditation.

Is there much work around for models these days?

With the Coronavirus situation still happening, honestly, there’s not much model work happening. But slowly everything is starting to get back to normal and hopefully, soon there will be a lot more work.

How do you deal with all the traveling required to be a model? How do you cure jet-lag?

It’s very important to drink a lot of water and get some rest if you’re traveling. I usually cure my jet-lag by going to the gym right after I arrive in a new location.

When you’re not busy modeling, what are some of your favourite things to do?

I like to go hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, and reading books. I also like getting massages and relaxing on the beach with a great book.

What are your favourite beauty products? what’s always carried in your purse?

The skincare line “Origins” is my favorite one.

What is your go-to everyday outfit?

Shorts and t-shirt are my go-to everyday outfit.

Given the competitiveness and the speed of the industry, how do you ensure you stand out?

Always be yourself and know how valuable you are. Self-love is very important.

Five Incredible Blind Women Who Are Breaking Barriers And Looking Good Doing It!

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There are some people out there who are just gorgeous on the outside and others whose personalities accentuate their beauty. But how about those people who are just stunning both inside and out? As America celebrates thirty years having passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, we thought we’d highlight some of today’s most amazing blind women, who are not only trendsetting powerhouses but first-rate fashionistas at the same time.

1. Lachi

Lachi is an award-nominated recording artist, songwriter, and author who has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry. On top of releasing consistently charting songs, Lachi is an outspoken advocate for disability representation in media and entertainment. She also models for new and established Adaptive-Clothing brands. Repping New York City, Lachi’s Instagram feed is dripping with confidence and class. You can follow Lachi on Instagram via this link: Lachi

2. Molly Burke

Hailing from Canada, Molly is a Youtube personality and motivational speaker with a channel boasting over two million subscribers. An advocate for the blind, Molly’s video content centers around fashion and makeup, focusing on her perspective as a visually impaired woman. The former Miss Teen Canada always knows how to keep it glam all the time. You can follow Molly on Instagram via this link: Molly Burke Official

3. Marilee Talkington

Marilee Talkington is a Hollywood actress, director, and writer, with her most recent role in the Apple TV series “See” alongside Jason Mamoa. She is one of the few visually impaired women authentically cast in a blind role. Marilee is prolific in her activism work founding, co-founding, and advising numerous programs helping blind and sight-impaired actors. Marilee is definitely here to change the game. You can follow Marilee on Instagram via this link An Artist Warrior

4. Haben Girma

Haben is a disability rights lawyer and speaker, being the first deaf-blind woman to graduate from Harvard Law. Having been recognized by the Obama Administration as a Champion of Change, Haben remains consistent in her advocacy efforts. From a commanding twitter feed to op-eds in the Washington Post, Girma is no strange to speaking her mind on all things disability rights. You can follow Haben on Instagram via this link Haben Girma

5. Anastasia Pagonis

Anastasia is a young Paralympic swimmer touting a few competitive metals under her belt. She continues to openly share her empowering story as she embarks on a journey of advocacy. With a national debut on NBC’s George To The Rescue, Anastasia has maintained a suave public image. She is definitely one to watch. You can follow Anastasia on Instagram via this link Anastasia

5 Simple Tips To Planning Your Winter Wardrobe Essentials

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It is going to be a cold one this year girls so pack up those summer threads and bring out the winter outfits.

Firstly, let’s start with the basics. The must-haves for this season are leggings (long or short), stockings (patterned or plain) and tights (dark or light). These basics can be worn with sweater dresses, pinafores, long carries, and basically any winter dress. Dresses can be woolen or knit, long-sleeved or three quarters and even turtlenecks are great. winter colours include shades of gray, black, mustard, and purple. You can’t go wrong with these colours.

Coats are always great for winter going into winter. They keep you warm and you can look trendy as well. Make sure these coats are tailored to give you a flattering shape.

Boots, worn above the knee or to your ankles are perfect for these cold winter days. They keep you looking chic.

The seventies look is back, with tops and dresses sporting the puffy sleeves and short hemlines.

Accessories that are always popular include gloves, scarves, woolen beanies, and leg warmers. These are essential to lessen the cold this winter.

So get on the winter bandwagon and dress to kill to avoid the chill.

One of our readers has recently written to our magazine and asked a very good question. Emilie from Kings Park asks “I really like shopping but I never have enough money to buy the latest looks, what are my options?”

Well, Emilie, it is still possible to look stylish without breaking the budget. First of all, always look around and do not buy the first thing that you see. More than likely, you will find the same top in another store with a substantial price difference. Always buy something after you have shopped around. Also, you do not have to buy all the latest looks and trends. Just buy one or two pieces that are popular this season and dress it up. It is all about your own individual style and flair.

If you have any questions regarding fashion, please write to us and we will get back to you. Till next time!

4 Awesome Beauty Hacks That’ll Make You Look Like A Celebrity

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We all know that looking and feeling beautiful helps you feel more confident about yourself when you are in a crowd right? Well, if you want to look and feel like a star with rockhard confidence then you need to try the following beauty regimens:

Create your own mode of fashion

Let’s face it; beauty and fashion are inseparable. Therefore, to attain a higher level of beauty, you must also stay in fashion so that you get noticed whenever you are out and about in public. In connection to this, you need to make sure that you look fabulous and organized with your chosen look. A carefully curated look that reflects who you are on the inside, matches your values and aligns with your goals – can speak volumes on your outside appearance. You need to use the power of your personal style to dress for success and boost your confidence. You also need to create your very own signature look because that’s the epitome of personal style. It’s the icing on a classy and sophisticated wardrobe but at the same time the best foundation for any style journey.

Beauty enhancement

Natural beauty is ideally better. But then again if you want to enhance your beauty even further, you need to use innovative products that can enhance your look. With the use of quality cosmetics, you can now have the chance to look like your favourite celebrity.

When you look beautiful you feel great about yourself. You stay poised and confident most of the time. However, you must also give attention to your hands as well as your feet. To completely achieve your beauty goals, you must look good and feel good from head to toe so you probably need to engage in foot scrubs and pedicures to keep your hands and feet looking neat and healthy.

Eyelash extensions are a big deal these days because they enhance what most women consider their best feature – the eyes. Eyelash extensions make your lashes look thicker, fuller, and longer. The curl at the end of the extensions also helps the eye look more open, giving a more dramatic and attention-grabbing look.

Most celebrities do laser treatments because they have long-lasting effects. Lasers can be used to remove hair from almost any part of your body, take away any unwanted wrinkles as well as other discoloration. They are typically used for beauty enhancement because they can help boost your appearance by giving you a much younger look.

Facial creams are a must if you want to enhance your look so you can look like a celebrity. There are dozens of facial creams out there that can smooth wrinkles and make your skin look firmer. These creams use special ingredients that can stimulate your skin which can give your face a healthy glow and a younger look by hiding blemishes and tightening the pores.

Proper hair care

We’ve all heard of the saying “your hair is your crowning glory.” With proper care and maintenance of your shiny, and glowing hair, you can have a look that will surely be the envy of others. To maintain the health of your hair, you must regularly use high-quality shampoo and conditioner. In saying that, don’t wash your hair more than you have to. Whenever you can, try to skip a day here and there – water can make your hair swell from the inside, and because of that, you can get frizz or breakage in your hair. When you use a conditioner, try to leave it on your hair for at least five to ten minutes, and then rinse your hair with cool water so that residual conditioner will be left on your hair leaving it nice and soft. Also, if you want your hair to look shiny, try using dry oils because they can create the most fabulous shine. Dry oils smooth the hair’s cuticle giving your hair that impeccable shine.

Dress sophisticated and classy

It is a highly known fact that clothes make the man (or woman). The mode of your clothing reflects your personality. If you want to add sophistication and class to your everyday outfits then you need to put together essential elements to make sure your style and confidence shines through. Try going for clothing made of materials that will last well into the next century – this is what you should be looking to add to your wardrobe. Something along the lines of cotton, wool, linen, and silk. These four basic fabrics will certainly go the distance if cared for properly. Once cleaned and pressed, outfits made of these fabrics tend to give off a sophisticated vibe. If you’re also going for that sophisticated and classy look, try outfits with neutral colours such as white, black, gray, beige, or cream. Lastly, make sure your outfit isn’t too big or small for you – fit is the perfect style. Skirts should be just above or below the knee and blouses, and sweaters should always follow the curve of your waist.

Establish a regular exercise habit

Your fitness is an essential ingredient when it comes to maintaining your beauty. With this, you must exercise regularly in order to look good and feel good all the time. This can be your best way to attain the perfect body shape that you have been dreaming of. Anyone who makes a habit of going for a jog, playing sports or going to the gym fully well knows that the rewards of exercise extend far beyond just slimming down or adding muscles in your body. When you exercise you feel great and you look great, your skin looks a tad smoother and more radiant, your stress level goes down, your body has better immunity and you feel more confident about yourself.

Rising Star Spotlight: Introducing Emerging Designer Cristy Thapa

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Cristy Thapa is currently on the verge of launching a fashion website and her fashion line. This is the latest in a long line of accomplishments from this talented woman. For example, she is a registered nurse, she has won several titles such as Ms. International Beauty Ambassador 2018, Ms. Australia International 2018, Ms. Charity International 2019, and Ms. Australia United Nations 2019 and she has also helped design outfits for multiple fashion shoots. She is the first Nepalese who has represented Australia in an international platform not only once but twice. Let’s take a closer look at this inspiring woman to find out what attracted her to the fashion industry.

She initially began in fashion by working as a creative director in various fashion shows. This meant that she was responsible for making decisions about the kind of clothes that would appear in the show. Cristy thoroughly enjoyed this experience as well as being able to meet a range of new people. Being a creative director also exposed her to a wide range of new opportunities. Because of this experience she was able to work with a popular fashion designer in her logbook shoot. Cristy loved this memorable experience, as she got an even deeper insight into how the fashion industry works.

One of the most important things that Cristy learned is the way that people are affected by fashion. She believes that the type of clothes people wear will have a big impact on both the personal and professional aspects of their lives. This is partly what has inspired her to become a fashion blogger and designer. Cristy derives a lot of happiness from experimenting with different fabrics and color choices. She discovered this passion early, dreaming of owning her fashion line when she was in high school. Through years of work, she has been able to start achieving this dream.

Cristy actually has big dreams for the future. First, she is planning to launch her website, (www.thearcreations.com) soon. Through this site, she plans to report on the latest news and events from the fashion industry. By bringing her unique perspective to these events, she’ll help people get interested in this field. She also plans to help people from underdeveloped countries better understand the fashion industry. Many of these countries make beautiful fabrics and Cristy wants to show them how to convert these fabrics into beautiful clothes. By doing this, she also hopes to make a powerful change in the lives of people in these countries. Also, she wants to start her own clothing line. Initially, she intends to focus on crafting excellent wedding gowns and eventually move on to creating high-quality men’s wear items.

Cristy wants to work for a social organisation where she can bring changes in the community. She wants to be a role model and a successful entrepreneur who can be the source of inspiration for existing people. She also wants to serve the community and be the voice of the underprivileged – she is definitely someone to watch out for in the future. So, keep your eyes open for Cristy Thapa as she continues to make an impact in the fashion industry.

Meet The Woman Behind The Latest Issue Of Sassy & Co: The Stunning Natalija Ugrina

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Natalija Ugrina is a stunning actress and fashion model who is currently based in Los Angeles, California. She was originally born in Croatia and was raised by her mother, Ketrin Buljević, who’s a writer and a poet. She kickstarted her modeling career at the age of 16 by joining Elite Model Management which enabled her to work with various fashion designers and appear in notable publications such as Vogue Italia, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar as well as grace high-profile fashion shows from all over the world. Eventually, she decided to shift gears and pursue a career in acting. She moved to Los Angeles to study acting at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute which led to numerous acting gigs. Some of her film credit includes the College Ball movie, Fight of Fury, and A Life Well Lived. She has also appeared in music videos such as 5 Seconds of Summer’s “She Looks So Perfect” which garnered over 300 million views as well as Action Bronson’s music video for “Baby Blue” featuring Chance the Rapper. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where she constantly works tirelessly to build her career. Sassy & Co Magazine recently caught up with Natalija to discuss her journey in the entertainment industry and here’s what went down:

Could you please provide background about yourself and how you were discovered?

I was 16 years old when a modeling agent approached me in Split, Croatia, and immediately signed me up for the Fashion TV International Model Contest. I ended up being one of the finalists and I eventually decided to move to Italy to pursue my career. Shortly after, I signed up with Elite Model Management and worked for several fashion designers. I walked during Fashion Week in Milan, Los Angeles, Paris, and New York. I also appeared in several high-profile publications like Vogue Italia, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Even though being 6 feet tall and slender opened many doors in fashion, I was always fascinated by acting though. I decided to get more serious about it and what’s a better place to start than Hollywood right? I then signed up for The Lee Strasberg Institute where I studied method acting.

After graduating, I booked my first acting roles and decided to continue my studies at the UCLA Extension Acting Program. I appeared in several commercials (Budlight, Nike, Kia) and even played a news anchor in the “College Ball Movie” starring Tom Sizemore. I was never into social media that much but every time I go to castings and auditions, I often get asked “How many followers do you have?” so I decided to create an account on Instagram. What started as something fun, became a huge part of my life and a full-time job. I get paid to travel, try out new things and I can really say I’m living a dream.

What does it mean for you to be a model?

To be confident with your body and project that confidence through the picture.

What’s the biggest challenge to modeling?

With the lifestyle that I have, it’s really hard for me to maintain a healthy relationship and it’s mostly because I travel all the time. Every guy I meet seems to be okay with it all at first until they are not (laughs).

Have you always wanted to be in the modeling industry?

I actually never wanted to be in the modeling industry but I’ve always been very tall (I’m 6 feet tall) so it was a logical path to take. I’m grateful I did, as I now live such an interesting life – I meet so many different people and visit different countries. But, my only true dream is acting and it’s all I want to do in life. Sometimes though, you need to take certain detours to get to where you want to be.

What sort of person usually follows you?

Usually, it’s people that are interested in fashion and travel as that is mainly what I post and that’s also why I have all sorts of people following me – I love it! I would say though, I do have a slightly higher percentage of a super young crowd, mainly because I am very active on TikTok.

What’s your personal mission in life?

I hope to be a positive inspiration for people, help whenever I can, and be the source of change. When people follow you, I think it’s your responsibility to spread a positive message and do good.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

Even though I’ve met so many celebrities, athletes, politicians, etc… I find that the most interesting people I’ve met were the ones I met during my travels, especially in poor countries. I find it fascinating how some people have nothing and yet, they have the most beautiful smiles and they are willing to share the last piece of their meal with you. Those people are the true wealth of this world.

How active are you on social media?

Lately, especially since the pandemic, I feel like I live on social media (laughs). But seriously, being an influencer is much more work than what everyone thinks and it actually takes most of my day especially since I am active on several platforms. I remember not posting a story one day and my followers started asking me if I was okay and it something happened. They are all so used to seeing new content from me every day.

What is your favourite social media platform?

Even though I initially signed up just for fun, TikTok became my favourite platform by far! It’s fun, easy-going and you don’t have to think too much about the content and aesthetics. People are less judgemental there than other platforms and also very supportive! Another thing I really like about it is that you can have literally zero followers, but then when you post a video you can have a million views overnight. Everyone has a chance to be recognized and everyone’s talents can shine.

What will you advise other models who may wish to follow your footsteps?

Always be yourself and never try to fit into someone else’s standards! I remember when I started modeling, the agencies wanted us to be almost “anorexic” but look at how everything has changed nowadays. Love yourself the way you are and don’t follow the beauty trends. If you truly believe in yourself and modeling is what you want to do, then the right agent will eventually recognise you.

What are your future plans?

Other than acting and modeling, I was always interested in producing as well and I’m currently working on my own feature movie so stay tuned!

The “Lightning-Fast” Round:

1. Last good movie I’ve seen: I can’t think of a really good movie, but my favourite show that I haven’t seen in a while is “Money Heist.” I can’t wait for the new season!

2. What do you consider beautiful and why? Nothing is more beautiful to me than people who wake up with a smile – truly excited for every new day and what it has to bring, grateful for the blessings they have, and not resentful for what they don’t have. The world is a beautiful place, it’s all about the perspective and it’s better to look at everything through rose coloured glasses.

3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? I would love to live in the Caribbean at some point in my life and actually own an island! Dream big they say.

4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” jump with a parachute!

5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? Speaking up even when it’s against popular opinion. I’ve been judged a lot of times for that but I’d always rather say what I think and fight for what’s right. I truly believe that one person can change the world.

Top Fashion Brands To Watch Out For In 2020: Lepou

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Lepou is a boutique store with luxurious collections of the trendiest resort wear and swimwear.

Lepou was founded in 2001 by Failepou Peni. The invaluable experience gained from working within this environment and community inspired Failepou to fulfill her lifelong dream and launch her eponymous line alongside her co-workers/daughters Maisyann and Judy-May.

When Failepou is designing, she is inspired by shape, nature, and color. Every design focuses on how she can flatter a real woman’s body and thoughtfully design clothing that every body type can wear. Failepou’s technical knowledge of a garment’s proper fit and design, combined with her innate creative abilities, results in an effortless and wearable line that reflects the kind of woman she is herself; strong, sassy, fun, and fearless.

Failepou believes in the importance of community involvement, inspiring others, and giving back. When she is not designing, she is an ambassador for speaking and encouraging many young adults, in getting in touch with their ability to create and find their place in this day and age.

Failepou is of a strong Christian foundation and gives all glory to our heavenly father Jesus Christ, for her inspiration and where she was yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Failepou’s label ‘GRACE on LEPOU’ is dedicated to the fuller and voluptuous figure or otherwise known as plus size. Women who are not afraid to embrace who they are as an individual human being, no matter what shape or form but that they are strong, wise, and invincible. Women who have no desire to conform to what other fashion statements dictate in what they should/shouldn’t wear or what color is best. One who loves life, loves feeling grand, needs no introduction, and knows her worth. One who is also humble, but don’t think for one minute that you could fool her as she carries herself with GRACE while loving the finer things of life. Loves a challenge, a challenge she knows that will be in her favor. Loves to explore, share, and has the freedom to express herself. Loves to wear her fashion senses not because she needs to but because she can. Women that own it!

Failepou’s latest collection at the Pacific International Runway fashion show embraced the timeless cuts and beautiful details of the Victorian era. It incorporated stylistic structures, beautiful trimmings of lace and embroidery, and luxurious fabrics.

5 Awesome Hacks That Will Change Every Budget Babe’s Life

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It’s quite common for fashion-conscious women to always be trendy with how they dress up. They simply want to stand out in society with their fashion statement. While it’s true that Hollywood celebrities are the ones we typically base our fashion styles from, that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to go to the point of buying the mega-expensive brands they usually go with. Thankfully that’s not the case and in real life and it is possible to look fabulous simply by incorporating the below mini hacks into your day-to-day life.

Thrift Shopping

There’s no better feeling than scoring a unique treasure from a thrift store that no one else will have. You can find a lot of amazing clothes on sale in thrift stores. All you have to do is to have the patience and the eye for the right clothes that will match some of your old outfits. Moreover, big department store chains also sell clothes on sale on an occasional or seasonal basis. You have to be updated on those things to be the first one to buy the good stuff on sale. Needless to say, the best things on sale are the first ones being sold. So, the saying, “The early bird catches the early worm.” really fits into this scenario. Macklemore wasn’t kidding when he told us to “pop some tags” because thrift shopping is definitely the cheaper alternative to finding some amazing treasures at a fraction of the cost.

Mixing and Matching

Don’t be afraid to mix and match outfits. If done correctly, you’ll be surprised at how it works wonders! Your old jeans might look new when paired with a different t-shirt or shoe style. Your vintage shirts or blouses will have a new look once paired with some accessories. This is the beauty of mixing and matching. Much like shopping is in our veins, women know that you don’t need to buy new clothes all the time to look more fashionable. The trick to refreshing your outfits is to make what you already own seem relatively new again. For example, that white jumper you wear every winter? Have you thought about layering it over a blouse or wearing the jumper under a pair of denim trousers? Small changes can enhance any existing outfit, so you don’t have to unnecessarily spend more money buying new stuff.

Fashion Magazine inspo

There are a lot of fashion magazines in the market today such as Vogue, In Style, and Vanity Fair, among others. You just have to be keen in observing the fashion styles of celebrities and get an idea from there. You don’t need to buy the exact brands they are wearing especially if you are on a budget. In saying that, try to avoid the urge to purchase under $10 shirts from just anywhere. Some shops where you can buy high-quality basics at bargain price range are ASOS, Jay Jays, Showpo and Katies ensures that the t-shirts you are purchasing look crisp, clean, and expensive looking. You also want to make sure you’re buying high-quality jeans, skirts, blazers. Places such as Jay Jays, Topshop, ASOS sell amazing jeans that are very affordable.

The Power of Accessories

We do not need to have a lot of clothes in our wardrobe just to flash a different look every time we go out of our houses. All we need to do is to buy neutral coloured clothes and heaps of accessories. Investing in accessories is much cheaper than buying lots of new clothes. Accessories can totally change the look and style of your clothes…transforming them into another kind of style that you never thought was even possible before. Accessories are designed to spice up a woman’s look, effectively making her come across as classy and sophisticated. Accessorizing is actually a cost-effective way of making sure that a woman does not grow sick and tired of her wardrobe because it’s just as good as buying new outfits.

Change Your Hairstyle

Your hair is your crowning glory…it can make or break you. So, if you want to look fashionably hot without going bankrupt, then, you need to do something with our hairstyle. A different kind of hair colour or style can instantly make a fashion statement. Also, do not underestimate what hair accessories can do. If applied correctly to your hair, they can make you look a million bucks.