Whatcha Doin' Sarah Graham?
It's an exciting time for Glasgow and the people who live in the vicinity – or for those who have the time and the inclination to visit. Merchant city based centre for creativity and the arts, Trongate 103 in the Merchant City opened its doors to the public in September. We've been wowed by the DIY Festival and musical events like £5 Haircut. Online creative hub, Central Station went live this month. Creative Scotland and Craft Scotland are upping their game and revamping how creative life is framed across the country. The long time indie shopping vibe of the city's west end is being rejuvenated by retail and gallery projects such as Welcome Home - and our very own Maisonette (of course). Glasgow's always been a dynamic and energetic sort of place but one could be forgiven for feeling that things had gotten a wee bit stale there for a while. Need yet more excitement? Cue The Coveted Magazine.
As if she didn't have enough on her vintage cake plate, our gal Sarah Graham has launched yet another fabulous creative venture which, judging by the feedback we've earywigged into thus far, is set to be an enormous success. Rather than spoil the interview, I'll sssht and let Sarah tell you all about her new project.
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Tell the folks a little bit about yourself, Sarah...
I have lived in leafy suburb Milngavie since I was born. I live with my boyfriend who I affectionately call The Kenneth and 9-year-old son Jack AKA 'The Boy'. My parents and The Kenneth have been urging me to get a 'proper' job for as long as I can remember, but the thought of sitting in a stuffy office - number crunching and working for The Man makes me want to vomit. I am currently working on my Masters Dissertation in International Fashion Marketing at Glasgow Caledonian University but that excuse, “I don't have time to get a proper job because I'm so devoted to my studies,” will only last so long.
I used to work in Topshop or Topshit, as we liked to call it. During my time there I mixed with lots of creative people passionate about fashion, but I felt stifled working in a shop environment. To make some extra money, I began buying and selling vintage clothing on eBay. I remember making more than £100 profit on one dress and I was filled with glee as a bidding war increased the price increment by increment from a measly 99p. I was amazed, and decided to opened an online vintage store called Pistol Whip Vintage. I photographed and styled the shoots for the store with the help of my friends who acted as models. I loved every minute of it. I also worked as an event organiser for Oxjam, organising Clothes Swap Nights in Glasgow nightclubs.
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Issue one cover |
Your newly launched magazine is called The Coveted Mag. Tell us a little bit more about that. Go on...
I have written a fashion blog for a while called Who Wore What When and have worked as a freelance Fashion Stylist for several years. I love the creativity that working on photoshoots allows me, and there is nothing better for me, than to see results from a shoot in the pages of a magazine that I know others will look at. However, having worked for some Scottish newspapers and magazines, I find it very frustrating that they tend to want to photograph products from high street chain stores than work by local designers and independent boutiques. Basically the manifesto of The Coveted Mag is to support and promote the Scottish Fashion Industry.
I also find it frustrating that Scottish fashion is often poorly marketed, relying on stereotypes and gimmicks. Glasgow Fashion Week 07's promo images featuring models dressed in 'sexy' tartan dresses is a case in point, hence the magazine's tagline 'Scottish Fashion is not all Tartan'.
Is The Coveted Mag your full-time job?
Pistol Whip Vintage, freelance styling, and also my fallback job (working in my local pub) keeps me off the streets.
What inspires you? What excites you? What spurs you on to create a look, write an article or invest in that particular piece of vintage fashion treasure? >
I read an obscene amount of fashion magazines, from popular ones like Vogue to lesser-known types like Plastique. I also love reading fashion blogs and online style diaries, written more often than not by fashion outsiders – not by folks in 'the business'. My all time favourite fashion blog is Kingdom of Style that is written by two women living and breathing fashion in Glasgow. Street style images from Facehunter, Jak and Jil and The Sartorialist provide me with a daily burst of inspiration.
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Pistol Whip Vintage featured in The Coveted Mag |
What does a day in the life of Sarah Graham look like? What do you get up to?
I get up at stupid o’clock in the morning to get my son ready for school then once he has been kicked out the door, I usually go online to work on the magazine or blog for the rest of the day, stopping only for copious amounts of tea and banana sandwiches. I work in my local pub, The Cross Keys, some evenings which is a lot of fun. If I am not doing that, you can find me either watching comedy shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm or Arrested Development or going to a gig. I do love a bit of 80s rock - long hair, skinny jeans, guys and girls still clinging to their youth…a bit like me really.
Talk to us about your influences and motivations. What sparked off your idea to create The Coveted Mag?
Through University and organisations like The Glasgow Craft Mafia, I have met so many talented people that most mainstream fashion shoppers would not ordinarily hear of. Instead of sourcing something locally produced, most people would be happy to go to the nearest chain store and pick up something mass-produced with no individuality or story behind it. This is something that I really want to change. I also want to change the idea that most fashion students and designers have, that in order to succeed, they have to relocate to London. We have enough talent in Scotland for it to be a fashion destination in it’s own right. Glasgow Fashion Week, if done correctly could help to achieve this. It will be very interesting to see the approach the organisers take now that the event is in its third year.
Have you found any like-minds to bounce ideas around with? How do you keep up the momentum required to develop your business? Are you a member of any supportive groups or networks?
I have met so many designers, make-up artists, photographers and models through my styling work. When we get together, we are constantly discussing possible shoot ideas and passing on contacts.
I am a member of The Glasgow Craft Mafia and regularly take part in their markets. It has proved to be a great way of meeting people who are interested in moving away from the whole ‘corporate whore high street shopping’ thing.
At University, my fellow fashion students and lecturers are fantastic and have been very supportive of my ventures. I actually had something of an epiphany during a guest lecture from a women called Linny Oliphant who is a stylist working as brand manager with Johnstons of Elgin. As soon as she said that she'd worked with Aerosmith, I knew that I wanted to be just like her! I even schmoozed her at the end of the lecture with my business card. *cringes*
You were recently working at the MOBO Awards. Anything hilarious happen there?
When I got asked to style some acts at the Mobo Awards, I was kind of like, ',eh'. It was a good move for my career, but I am not into that kind of music at all. I had never even heard of N Dubz before the day of rehearsal. I am a rock chick through and through. I met Peter Andre and Jermaine Jackson. That was pretty much the highlight - in an ironic way, of course. It was unbelievable how down to earth these people were despite the fact that they had legions of fans screaming for them.
What are your hopes, dreams and aspirations for The Coveted Mag? What next?
Our first issue just came out, so I am anxious to hear any feedback that anyone may have. I also want to increase awareness of the mag, and get more students involved. I am organising our launch party for early November so keep your eyes on our blog for more details.
The Coveted Mag will be available (FREE) from The Made In The Shade Maisonette. Swing by and pick up your copy! It's just great.
Find out more at Sarah's blog.