If the Seeker aesthetic could be described with an Instagram grid, Sabrina Sikora’s would be a very strong candidate. Not only does she live a colorful life as a photographer, model, and a busy mother-of-two, but her overall aesthetic is right up our color palette/palate – which, of course, is why you have probably seen her gorgeous photos featured on our socials a few times.
There’s much more to love about her though than her colorful outer life: there is a grace, wisdom, and candidness about her that makes you want to reach out and be her friend. Having wrestled with embracing her true self in a sea of faces constantly comparing and copying one another, Sabrina briefly shares her realizations when it comes to authenticity (hint: it includes the phrase “peacock tendencies” which we are now putting in our daily vocabulary) – and she does so with the hopes of instilling her hard-learned lessons to her two young kids.
Get to know what inspires Sabrina Sikora on the fashion front and life in general.
Describe your daily uniform.
Local/indie label big maxi dress with tiers or ruffles, oversize earrings, possible turban, loads of stacked rings and bracelets, comfortable flats, high end bag, long wear lipstick, and a glam mask, obviously.
What are three staple items in your closet that you can’t live without?
Sequins, animal prints, and leather in whatever form they wish to take. Bonus item: Gingham!
What is one thing you’ll let yourself splurge on?
Handbags, they keep well and get loads of wear. Plus, you can pass them down and what daughter doesn’t want a fab bag and a memory along with it?!?
Less or more?
Always more. Then add more. Because I find that my accessories are like my armor. They give me something to fidget with when I’m nervous, something to talk about when I can’t think of what to ask, and a tangible way to preserve memories. I pick up jewels and scarves when I travel and have a bracelet stack that I have created with my friend group in Hong Kong to remember when each friend has moved away. There are rings from my grandmother, my mother, my wedding, our anniversaries and each one brings a smile. It’s nice to wear these tokens of love when home seems so far away right now.
Which style icon would you want to have lunch with?
Can we have a round table with Cher, Tilda Swinton, Naeem Khan, Iris Apfel, Bianca Jagger, and Diana Ross? And then maybe a clothing swap after?
If you could ask one thing to that style icon, what would it be?
Shall we have more champagne while we play dress ups in the archives?
Favorite fashion hack.
Bold lipstick, big jewels, and a turban can transform even the most basic looks as well as hide tired eyes and dirty hair.
If your style had a soundtrack, what would it be?
Paul Simon “Kodachrome” comes to mind. Something lighthearted, fun, and with a great beat that you can dance and swish around too.
What are some of your biggest fashion regrets?
That I ever tried to blend in. I’m so tall (6’/184 flatfoot) and was also very very blonde for a long time so blending in is not easy. I would try to dress like everyone else – like the kids at school in their frayed jeans and timberland boots, or the cool models at castings in the black denim and leather jackets, or like the travelers in their neutral tones and linen pants – and finally realized one day that I am never going to fit in so I should stop downplaying my peacock tendencies for everyone else and just let my big bold self shine through. I don’t feel comfortable in t-shirts, shorts, or sneakers so now I just really don’t wear them. Being unique is ok and it is something to be proud of. I’m trying to instill this idea in my kids from a young age so when they ask me why I dress differently I tell them that it makes me happy and helps me feel more confident. And those are two very wonderful qualities that I hope they have as well. The power to be yourself is a great freedom that I hope they can express with ease.
Recommend three Netflix movies or series to watch while in quarantine.
We are watching Homeland which is so intense and only adds to the anxiety of the year but I’m also addicted to it! The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was also well, marvelous! And I’ve seen New Girl more times than I can count but it always cheers me up when I’m feeling a little too 2020.
Ice cream or cake?
Cake please. Authentic Southern Red Velvet with cream cheese icing takes me right back to Macon, Georgia where I’m from.
Let’s talk home. Tell us a little bit about your home and the people (or animals!) you live with.
I like to think of our home as transformative. It can turn from studio to dance floor to crafting room to the-floor-is-lava obstacle course in a blink. I do my self-photoshoots while my kids are at school then play with them when they are home. We read loads, bake a lot, and love a good game of hide and seek. Our family loves Friday movie night with popcorn and/or hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. We have two pets, beta fish, and the only game they are good at is how long they can hold their breath underwater. They are terrible at fetch.
Name the top 5 Instagram accounts you follow for home design.
@smpliving
@interiorblink
@onekingslane
@archdigest
@luxemagazine
What’s your ultimate tip for organizing clutter at home?
Baskets! I use them everywhere- for towels, plants, toys, and accessories! The kid’s toys are grouped by genre- blocks, dolls, legos, cars, etc. and when they can see them, they use them more. Same is true for my closet- I have to see everything or it gets forgotten.
What advice would you give for creating a home you love?
Make sure the chairs are comfortable and easy to clean. Have as big a table as works in the space as life will revolve around it. And get as much natural light as you can. It changes the feeling of the home throughout the day and makes for photos of all the memories you are creating turn out better too!
Original interview published here.
all photography by Sabrina Sikora of First Wife Studios.