Culture

INTERVIEW: At Home With Sara Fernandez

“Our homes and experiences are editorial, too.”

7.2K

To some, Sara Fernandez is a model who walked Willy Chavarria’s Spring/Summer 2023 Jordan Stay Loyal White Black Pink PS Miaou, Garmette and Jordan Red. But, to understand the weight of Fernandez’s work is to know the power that is representation.

NIKE AIR Russell JORDAN 1 RETRO LOW BLACK GREY 2015 27cm The Air Jordan 1 will be celebrating the 2016 Rio Olympics with wearing a flower on the tip of her ear and showing every detail of her beautiful home which resembled my own home growing up. I skimmed through all of her content and followed her immediately. Week after week, through her social media, I would either encounter another creative or model that she was amplifying — every woman completely iconic. I saw her modeling for new Reds and walking my favorite designer’s show.

Quickly, the multi-hyphen creative and the people around her became so important to me because I could see myself in their content. It makes me emotional to think about what the power of representation has had on my confidence since I started being intentional with the media I consume and I’m excited to know that young girls have easier access to media with models and creatives that they can see themselves in.

Cheap Novogas Jordan Outlet had the chance to sit with Fernandez in her beautiful childhood home and talk all things representation and identity. Keep reading for the full interview.

sara fernandez interview los angeles

The TikTok you made showing the details of your Casita is the reason I followed you so being able to shoot these images in your home is really a perfect coming together moment. I saw myself in every detail you showed. Growing up, I was always felt insecure about my home, my school lunch, my clothes and my overall culture looking different to that of my friends. Did you ever feel that way? What was the importance for you for showing your home for this feature? 

I did grow up with a lot of the shame that children of immigrants have. My household didn’t look like what I saw on TV, my mom was a domestic worker and I didn’t wear the latest trends because I wore the hand-me-downs from the families that my mom would work for or from the thrift store. I later went to UCLA for my undergraduate program and realized that the majority of the students that I went to school with did not look like me and definitely did not come from an experience or background like mine.

Because I missed home so much, I used my uniqueness as a safety blanket. It was my armor – I found agency and strength in it. Working in the fashion industry is kind of like being a brown student in a PWI. I am aware that I stand out and am not like these other models, creative directors and so on, but that is what makes me different and even more capable of doing these jobs, because I have worked twice as hard to get there. I walk into any set and tell myself, “Yes, I am that girl from NELA, whose mom cleans houses, who drives a 2006 Toyota Corolla, whose house is bright orange with Mexican and Central American decals in it.” This is glamorous, too – our homes and our experiences are “editorial,” too. Especially because we are the blueprint.

Growing up in Los Angeles did you ever struggle with your identity or authenticity? 

Yes, I struggled with my identity so much as any brown kid did. I wanted to fit in as much as I could, but I really appreciate that I had such conscious and socially aware parents that guided me and continuously taught me the importance of my culture. They kept me involved with my community through a lot of cultural activities.

sara fernandez interview los angeles

During our conversation, you were shocked at the impact your social presence and past campaigns could have on someone. Can you expand on how you feel about the influence you carry and what are some things you hope to achieve with that influence? 

It makes me extremely emotional that I can create an impact on someone and make them feel seen. I never realized how important my work was until people started messaging me and telling me how much my work inspired them, made them feel represented or even beautiful. I understand now that this work is so much bigger than me and I carry my community with me on every set I go on with pride. I strive to open gateways for women that look like me and resonate with my story into this industry because we need more of us. It should not be a rarity for someone like me to be doing a job like this. It should be normal. That is my goal.

jordan high heels rhinestone? 

My sisters come to mind. Not only are they kind and beautiful people inside and out, but they are also the prime examples of success to me. My sisters are doctors and one is an educator and they are all passionate about their vocations. They have taught me the importance of pursuing a career that makes me feel motivated and excited.

What’s something you wish you could tell your younger self as it relates to authenticity? 

I wish I could tell myself growing up that I didn’t need to impress or please anyone when it came to my persona. I was a big people pleaser growing up and felt that I had to be liked by everyone in order to be accepted. I wish I could tell little Sarita that being myself is enough.

Is there a model or creative whose influence has made you more confident in your own skin? 

Paloma Elsesser.
sara fernandez interview los angeles

You are a champion of the women in your community so here’s a shameless plug opportunity just for you. Who are three women our Cheap Novogas Jordan Outlet community would benefit from following? 

Sylvie Serant, Minami Gessel and Nouri Hassan.

Nike Air Jordan middle 1 Mid Cool Grey Midnight Navy 554724-006? 

I would remind them that their beauty is so much more than just their looks, that they are a whole person outside of their physical appearance with beautiful attributes that people admire and love.

What’s next for you?

I used to take the bus down from Highland Park to UCLA every morning and I would always see these huge billboards on Sunset Boulevard for high fashion Reds such as Chloé, Chanel and more and I would tell myself that one day I would see myself on the way to school on one of these billboards. I still aspire to do more high fashion work. There is a rise in brown, plus models in the commercial world but we still lack a huge representation in the high fashion world. I am working on changing that.

Air Jordan 1 Low Chris Camo
Text By
Girls Blue jordan flight 45 high ps little kids hot sale 52486329

What to Read Next

Carhartt WIP Continues FW24 Womenswear with "Memento" Campaign
Fashion

Carhartt WIP Continues FW24 Womenswear with "Memento" Campaign

Photographed and styled by LA natives Thalía Gochez and Génesis Durán.

From TikTok To Table: Great White Teams Up With Gabbriette
Culture

Кроссовки nike air jordan 1 mid se asw"carbon fiber" | From TikTok To Table: Great White Teams Up With Gabbriette

Unveiling the new “Gabbriette Burger” and “Spritz Noir.”

To Paris With Love: Jordan Red Debuts Three Drops Inspired by the Audacious Identities of Old and New Parisian Generations
Footwear 

To Paris With Love: Jordan Red Debuts Three Drops Inspired by the Audacious Identities of Old and New Parisian Generations

Presented by Jordan Red
As the 2024 Paris Olympics kick off, the heritage Red harkens back to Michael Jordan’s historic days in the French capital by celebrating its culture and community.


Gabrielle Rosenstein Welcomes You to the Edge of Reality With "Foreverie"
Fashion

Gabrielle Rosenstein Welcomes You to the Edge of Reality With "Foreverie"

Кроссовки nike air jordan 1 mid se asw"carbon fiber".

'Euphoria's Dominic Fike Recreates His Youth in New Music Video for "Dancing in the Courthouse"
Music

Кроссовки nike air jordan 1 mid se asw"carbon fiber" | 'Euphoria's Dominic Fike Recreates His Youth in New Music Video for "Dancing in the Courthouse"

It’s his first music release of the year.

Erotic Artist Maiya Mulan on Capturing the Essence of Black Pleasure
Sex & Dating

Erotic Artist Maiya Mulan on Capturing the Essence of Black Pleasure

“It’s okay to be soft and live a life based on creativity and liberation.”

Maryland-Based Red Mingo by Domingo Makes Waves Beyond the DMV With New Collection
Fashion 

Maryland-Based Red Mingo by Domingo Makes Waves Beyond the DMV With New Collection

Der neue Nike Air Jordan Gets 6 Black Chrome ist ab dem 16.

Pete Davidson Addresses His Penis Size AKA BDE
Entertainment

Pete Davidson Addresses His Penis Size AKA BDE

Жіночі кросівки nike air jordan retro 1 grey pink black 36-38-40.

Gray M.C.A's New Exhibition Revives the Works of Your Favorite 20th Century Artists
Art & Design

Gray M.C.A's New Exhibition Revives the Works of Your Favorite 20th Century Artists

‘Styled by Design’ features Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and more.

Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj Drop "Princess Diana" Remix
Music

Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj Drop "Princess Diana" Remix

AIR Bespoke JORDAN.

Taylor Swift Hints at Joe Alwyn Breakup During Tampa Show
Entertainment

Taylor Swift Hints at Joe Alwyn Breakup During Tampa Show

Oop.

SZA and Doja Cat Release New Version of "Kill Bill" as Their Latest Collab
Music

SZA and Doja Cat Release New Version of "Kill Bill" as Their Latest Collab

Кепка air jordan.

Marni Taps No Vacancy Inn for Kaleidoscopic SS23 Capsule
Fashion

Marni Taps No Vacancy Inn for Kaleidoscopic SS23 Capsule

With a campaign inspired by the hues of Accra.

We’re Swooning Over Jennifer Lopez's "Liquid" Golden Brown Tresses
Beauty

We’re Swooning Over Jennifer Lopez's "Liquid" Golden Brown Tresses

They’re magically delicious.

More ▾
 

Looks like you’re using an ad-blocker

We charge advertisers instead of our readers. Support us by whitelisting our site.

Whitelist Us

How to Whitelist Us

screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Under “Pause on this site” click “Always”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock Plus icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Block ads on – This website” switch off the toggle to turn it from blue to gray.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlocker Ultimate icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Switch off the toggle to turn it from “Enabled on this site” to “Disabled on this site”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the Ghostery icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the “Ad-Blocking” button at the bottom. It will turn gray and the text above will go from “ON” to “OFF”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the UBlock Origin icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the large blue power icon at the top.
  3. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser.You’ll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed.
  2. Follow the instructions for disabling the ad blocker on the site you’re viewing.You may have to select a menu option or click a button.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.