Dec 2

Dec 2 Paving the Way for Women in the Middle East Meet Sofia Guellaty

Creative People, Culture, Fashion and Design, Photography

Sofia Loves Glitter

Sofia Guellaty, is a force to be reckoned with. She is smart, opinionated, understands the international fashion world inside out, and will kick your ass at karaoke. We became friends in Dubai when she was editor of Condé Nast’s first launch in the Middle East: Style.com/Arabia and our doggies were besties.

Born and raised in Tunisia, Sofia Guellaty brings her fashion knowledge and passion for Arab culture together on a daily basis. Her career in fashion spans over more than fifteen years as she began freelancing for major publications at the age of 19, and consulting for the luxury brands. In early 2008 she founded one of the first publications geared toward the fashion savvy Arab woman: Unfair. She also contributed to Vanity Fair, Magazine, Antidote and published a novel Le Sablier (Gallimard-Joelle Losfeld).

She is now the founder and Editor-in-Chief of MILLE World, a super cool digital platform and creative agency focusing on tailor-made content for the Arab youth from listing the Arab world’s most underground rappers to finding the funkiest markets in Tunisia, she covers it all. Sofia is also a young mother, ( her husband fell in love with her karaoke skills at first sight) , so we decided to chat with her about motherhood and what it’s like to be a cool mom with impeccable and funky taste, always supporting young Middle Easter designers and creatives.

How did you feel the moment you found out you were going to be a mother Sofia?

I felt every single emotion in the book. But most of all fear of the unknown. I don’t want to lie to you and tell you it was all about the glow and the magic of life- it is that - but also fear and infinite questions about life, and health.

What are some of the things you practiced that helped you most during your pregnancy, for mind, body and spirit. What advice do you have for someone about to embark in this journey?

I went to a sort of center for pregnant women where they practiced yoga, kinesiotherapy, taught basic information on child care, breastfeeding etc. It was great to have a group of young moms like myself, and healthcare professionals to share tips with.

How did you balance your life as a mom, with your work, and demands of life?

I often think about the need for a woman to be 100% badass at their work and 100% a great mom. But the truth is that this expectation is way too high, and no one can be 100% anything anyway. So, my advice is do the best you can. As long as we do the best we can in general, well, we did everything! That’s what I try to do. If I leave for more than a week for work, I take my son with me for example. All my free time is devoted to him, and thankfully I am a sucker for playgrounds and kid’s movies.

What are the most important lessons you want to teach your children?

Life is a wonder, respect and appreciate the nature and human beings around you. Cultivate happiness and be grateful for every single moment.

Your favourite websites, publications or social media handles?

For moms? Anything related to children’s health, some Montessori videos. But to be honest I don’t rely on internet to guide me through raising him, I just ask people around me about their experiences.
In my life I love Airmail Weekly Graydon Carter’s new website, and I watch an infinite quantity of history and quantum physics documentaries on YouTube (I am a nerd at heart).
For social media, I ghost follow every contestant of the Bachelor and Rupaul’s drag race

Your greatest inspirations or influences?

It’s cheesy but my husband who is a sort of guru for me. Thank you for introducing him to me Leila! <3

Other than him, reading about Buddhism help me overcome my existentialist crisis in my 20s. For media and editing Graydon Carter and Tyler Brule. And for fashion Diana Vreeland, Azzedine Alaia, and Franca Sozzani.

Fashion icons in your opinion.