Why Sabrina Sikora loves Turquoise Beach
As a model, Sabrina has worked with world-renowned brands including Harper’s Bazaar, Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Maybelline and Chanel. She was recognized as the “World’s Highest Paid Lip Model” during an interview and Sabrina’s career as a model has taken her all over the world including stints in New York, Shanghai, Milan and Los Angeles. After eight years in Hong Kong, she now calls Singapore home and has been a professional photographer since 2004.
How did you get started? I realized I wanted to model when I was 10 years old and spent my life working towards that. I started modeling locally at age 12 and sent my photos off to Elite. They told me I was too young and then too skinny the next year. At 14, I signed my first contract and started traveling at 15 to LA and NY. By 16, I was walking for major designers and appearing regularly in national magazines. Age 17 had me traveling to Milan and Miami for work. At 19, I started as a photographer and got my first camera as a birthday present from my boyfriend (now husband). At 20, I moved full time to New York, was on a reality tv show for Sports Illustrated, and soon after started booking cosmetic ads for Maybelline, Estee Lauder x Tom Ford, Revlon, Max Factor and Sally Hansen among others. In 2003, my boyfriend and I moved to Hong Kong where I focused my efforts on shooting and founded First Wife Studios where I specialized in portraits, fashion, and family photography. I was also the style blogger and photographer for Sassy Hong Kong where I developed my love of local brands and the designers behind them. We lived there for nearly nine years, getting married and having our son there as well. Then onto Singapore in 2016 where our daughter arrived. In Singapore, I have focused on shining the light on mostly women-led local labels as there is so much talent in this region and I’m all for women supporting women! And here we are!
What is your philosophy? Be kind and make good choices. I tell my kids this everyday when I drop them off at school. It really does all boil down to this.
Why do you love Turquoise Towels? I am 6' tall and the Oversize towel is crazy long and big! Love it! Would be great as a beach or picnic blanket too!
Which local brands do you love and why? There are so many brands that I have come to know and love in Singapore from my time here. I love the design and craftsmanship of jewelry labels Lustre and Boheme. I love the sustainable and charitable aspects of brands like Maisha, Bahati, and Ashepa. And I love the gorgeous prints and flowing dresses from Simone Irani, Konacoco, and Jasper Living. Then there are the homewares like Temple Candles, which smell insanely good, and the decor of Layard Interiors and Bowerbird. I get so overwhelmed and excited at Boutiques Fair because there is always something else to discover and fall head over heels for!