SARAH SAW
Fashion Stylist
How would you describe yourself ?
A very direct, honest and hardworking person with a wicked sense of humour. Probably too much of a sense of humour.
Tell us about your foray into styling and how you got here.
Straight after high school, at the age of 16, I worked for an Australian designer for a few months and from there the world of fashion piqued my interest. Fast forward a few years after having graduated, I dabbled in the beauty industry for a few months, and later joined Marie Claire magazine for four years before starting out as a freelancer in 2007. I later joined Prestige magazine in 2015 for two years then switched into freelancing once again.
What is your personal philosophy when it comes to work?
Work hard, give it your ultimate best no matter what the circumstances are and always remain humble. Do you have any pre-work rituals, or steps that you take
before you begin to work?
I can never get a good night’s rest the night before a shoot, so I make sure to have a much needed cup of coffee first thing in the morning to get me through the day.
How do you gauge or research on how to best style someone?
You have to turn on the stalker mode in you and get as much information of the person through the Internet or Instagram to try and see what they normally wear—colours, labels, style, and to see if you can inject some pieces they’d be willing to try out. How do you put the personality at ease, and how do you connect with them? Laugh. Especially if the person is a bit reclusive or shy. You have to be yourself and talk to them like how you would with any of your friends, so that they don’t overthink during the shoot, as some tend to get nervous about it.
Describe your experience with our cover star, Soon Wei. What was most memorable about him?
His enthusiasm and willingness to try out different things: styles or poses, even when it was out of his comfort zone. He was sweating profusely from the heat and yet carried on like a trooper, which is a bonus for anyone conducting an outdoor shoot.
What do you consider to be a successful shoot?
When everyone is contented with the outcome of the shoot, especially the personality.
What did you think of our June 2018 cover shoot?
It was bold and had a different feel.
What was the most difficult part of the entire shoot, putting all factors into consideration?
Timing. We had to be on site before the crack of dawn to make sure that make-up, hair and wardrobe were all in order before being able to accomplish the entire shoot in a span of four hours.
What was your best or most unforgettable moment from that shoot?
The night before, Malaysia made history when the opposition claimed victory. That certainly helped set the tone for everyone’s mood at the shoot.
Describe this cover in three words.
Iconic. Fresh. Forward.
“LAUGH. ESPECIALLY IF THE PERSON IS A BIT RECLUSIVE OR SHY. TALK TO THEM LIKE HOW YOU WOULD WITH ANY OF YOUR FRIENDS”
How would you describe yourself ?
I am a very straightforward and direct person, I don’t believe in beating around the bush.
What has been your work philosophy?
I’m a firm believer that a good photograph can withstand all trends and is timeless.
Do you have any pre-work rituals, or procedures that you take before you start work?
Yes, I always try to visualise the whole concept in my head before I start shooting, I think this is a very important step for me.
How do you gauge or research on how to take the best photo of the cover personality?
Well it depends on who is the subject I will be shooting. At times I will do some research on that
“RATHER THAN LEARNING FROM IT, I WAS ACTUALLY VERY MUCH INSPIRED BY THIS SHOOT”
person prior to the shoot, then other times I do the completely opposite and just expect the unexpected.
What do you consider to be a successful shoot?
When I am able to achieve 99 per cent of what I initially visualised.
What did you think of our August 2018 cover shoot?
It was a very humbling feeling to be able to be part of that cover shoot, as it coincides with the dawn of our new government. I was very thrilled to be able to portray the two YB’s side-by-side; capturing this hard-to-come-by sight (referring to the image on the cover). And of course they were both marvellous.
What was the hardest and easiest part of the entire shoot (putting the clash of timing into consideration, split shoots, etc)?
The hardest thing was timing and to coordinate the shots with their various schedules. Meanwhile the easiest part was shooting them. They are both very easy-going, hence making the shoot a success.
Did you learn anything from it?
Rather than learning from the experience, I was actually very much inspired by this shoot itself.
What was your best moment from that shoot, or a moment that you cannot forget until today?
When YB Hannah walked in the studio and she saw me, her instant reaction was “Thank God it’s you, please make me look good!” (I have previously worked with her for another shoot). The trust that a photographer gets from the subjects he shoots is an indescribable feeling.
How would you describe this cover in three words?
I. Love. It. Thanks for making me a part of this!