Sarah Sebastian
Jojo & SophiaBy day, she’s busy planning and executing events for Grey Goose; By night, though, supergirl Sarah Sebastian works away on her burgeoning vintage accessories line, JoJo & Sophia. The line, which she sells on Etsy and now at vintage bazaars around Chicago, began with tie-clips: one-of-a-kind clips made from anything and everything vintage: keys, clock parts, coins, unique estate-sale pendants, and the like. (Her eclectic vision was the result of a mishmash of fashion-related past careers: she had worked for designers, done fashion show production and event planning, played personal stylist, and worked at a magazine.) Before long, Sarah started creating cufflinks, too, and vintage revival necklaces and jewelry for women (she’d been making her own along along anyway, so why not). The queen of reduce, reuse, recycle answers our questions for this week’s Spotlight.
BEAUTY MUST-HAVES>> scent: VIKTOR & ROLF FLOWERBOMB // moisturizer: DOVE CREAM OIL INTENSIVE BODY LOTION (& layered with a scented lotion) // concealer: CLINIQUE EVEN BETTER CONCEALER // mascara: LANCOME DEFINICILS // lips: MAC PLINK // nails: ESSIE MIDNIGHT CAMI // and also: MICHAEL KORS LEG SHINE
Q: You’re so busy already—what made you want to create JoJo & Sophia?
A: Making jewelry has always been a hobby of mine since I was a child, and vintage hunting has been such a great outlet for me creatively. So I combined the two. I love the stories the pieces tell, and the nostalgia they bring to the modern year.
Q: Where do you get the materials for your pieces?
A: I get down and dirty to find the most unique, one-of-a-kind vintage piece to turn into something wearable. I find more of my items at estate sales and flea markets all over the U.S. I really look for items that you wouldn’t normally think of putting on a necklace or tie clip, like coins and mini license plates.
Q: Your favorite find ever. Go!
A: I would be lying if I said i wasn’t attached to to the women’s pieces I make. My new collection of brothel token necklaces are pretty unique. I came across a madame’s coin from a really well know Chicago brothel called Custom House which was even mentioned in the book, Sin in the Second City.
Q: What is your personal style?
A: An aesthetic gathering of modern trends with a touch of the 80s—I never stopped wearing leggings!—and girly shapes.
Q: We know you’re great at shopping vintage, but what do you really splurge on?
A: Everything! I say I am a shoe girl but then my inner bag lady yells out. I feel like you should splurge on things that really talk to you even if they aren’t extremely trendy.
Q: Great advice. Any current vintage obsessions?
A: Skeleton keys and chandeliers.
Find your unique piece at JojoAndSofia.com.
OH, AND CHECK OUT SARAH’S FAVORITE
PIECES ON THE G&F BLOG.