Isabela Sabino | Art Director

New York City is a city of thinkers. One could argue that every city is, but somehow it has built it’s reputation as an urban centre for creative innovation. Isabela is a Brazilian girl who works as an art director in the fashion scene and she had a little personal project she wanted to shoot around high fashion. We mostly shot video for this project, which is still being edited, but I couldn’t battle my mind in shooting only video and thus a series of photographs were born.

                        Interview with Isabela

Describe your most memorable adventure as a child

When I was a child, I loved being on my own meditating, writing poetry and drawing. I was one of those children who was always day dreaming. One of my dreams was to go live in the forest with the animals, and being far away from human beings. So one day I attempted to go do that. I packed some clothes and food in my little backpack, got on my horse (we were living on a ranch at the time) and I escaped. It took just a few hours for my father to find me, I was on his neighbor's property. I got in a lot of trouble for that. Grounded me for a long time.

What would you say was the biggest risk you’ve taken in your life?

I've taken numerous "risks" in my life, but contrary to many people who think these were actual risks, for me they were just starting a  exciting new chapter. Risks are what fuels me to create and experience new things. What motives me to really live life. And as a creative person, risk is very much what pushes me to come up with what's interesting and innovative. 

I believe the biggest risk I would say I had in my life is the one I face every single day, when I say no to what people expect of me and follow my guts. 

What is the hardest part about directing a project?

I tend to want to get involved in every single aspect of whatever I am directing. I like to oversee things and most of the time I almost would rather do the entire project myself so my vision is executed as I envisioned it. However working as a team is quite different. I've learned to give my team freedom to do their work and be passionate about what they are doing. I've learned to listen and be really open to their concerns, questions and ideas. And allow their ideas to happen, even if it takes the work in a different direction. I always follow what I believe is going to bring the best results for whatever project I am dedicated to.

Why did you leave Brazil?

Ah, the typical story. I was in a relationship with a guy, and moved to New York because of him. But we are not together any longer.

What is something you haven’t told someone in a long time?

That I have doubts regarding my decisions. 

When was the last time you were most happy?

When I was hanging out with close friends on vacation in France a few weeks ago. We were chatting and laughing a lot. Doing crazy things like dancing like wild tribal people, and throwing things in the pool. Really behaving like children. I think those moments are priceless.

Describe your most memorable adventure as an adult

When I decided to live in New York by myself, away from my family. So far it has been every day an adventure. 

If you had to recommend a favourite music album, what would it be?

Hot Chip | In Our Heads