Sofi: More Is Coming

A Radical Approach to Fashion and Life

INTERVIEW BY: EMILY ARAUZA

JULY 12th, 2025

From the bright lights of runways to the intricate details of design studios, Sofia, known to most as Sofi - is carving her own path in the fashion world. At 20 years old, she has already navigated the intersection of modeling, design, and creative direction, blending artistry with a sharp understanding of culture and human emotion. 

Here, Sofi opens up about her journey, the moments that shaped her vision, and the philosophy behind her work; a philosophy that challenges conventions, celebrates honesty, and finds beauty in the unexpected. Whether sharing insights on her creative process or offering guidance to those finding their own voice, Sofi’s perspective is as true as it is inspiring.

Sofi: “I’m Sofia, or Sofi as most people call me, I’m a model and aspiring designer/stylist.”

Emily Arauza: “I love that you’re not only modeling but also stepping into design and styling—it really shows your drive to understand the fashion industry from all angles. I’d like to ask you, so has there been a particular moment or experience that made you realize this is the path you want to pursue?”

S: “I always wanted to model. I grew up watching the fashion Victoria Secret show every year, and knew every model casted months in advance. Forced my parents to take me to cow castings in middle school. I kinda realized I was gonna stop growing at 5 '2 so I switched focus to fashion business and marketing, I took a class for it freshman year of high school and then life took a turn and I focused on traditional art skills. Eventually that got me to mending and making clothes and screen printing items to sell. But people slowly started reaching out to do photo shoots, and because of one of my designs I landed a shoot with relapse and that kind of kickstarted all of my bookings since.”

EA: “That’s a full-circle moment. It says a lot about your vision and work ethic. Where do you see all of this going next? Are you leaning more into styling, building your own brand, or something else?”

S: “I’m planning on furthering my education in fashion, hopefully breaking into luxury design or creative direction. None of what I’ve achieved so far was ever in my plans, so I kind of just go wherever it takes me. But I always have the feeling more is coming, and the universe has provided for me yet, so I trust that bigger things are on the way. I do have a really strong vision and point of view I’ve never wavered from, and I think that’s what’s gotten me so far honestly.”

EA: “It’s not easy to trust the process, especially in such a fast-paced and unpredictable industry, but it clearly seems to be working in your favor. So I’m curious, since it sounds like this passion sparked super early for you, what age would you say you really started taking it seriously? When did it shift from a dream to something you were actively working toward? And how old are you now, if you don’t mind me asking?”

S: “I’m 20 now, and I think I always took it seriously, funny enough. There was never a moment I thought the industry wasn’t for me; it works exactly how my brain works. It was just a matter of figuring out how I fit into it, and it still feels like one day I’ll wake up and be on top of it.”

EA: “Sounds like you’ve always known this world was meant for you. Who inspires you? Any designers, stylists, or models that shaped your vision early on?”

S: “I think I take inspiration from my own emotions more so than anyone else’s philosophy. Miuccia Prada’s FW88 show inspired me to really push forward with it, though, because of just how political her fashion is, and it stood out to me because I think oftentimes the industry is superficial. The parts of it that speak to me the most are the people who have a story to tell and a fight to fight, not just an image to sell. McQueen’s collections I always loved because they were art more than a product offering, and the rest of my inspiration is taken from cultural analysis, which sounds kind of strange, but I think popular fashion is driven by people’s cultural values. And if you have your finger on the pulse of what the public doesn’t even know they want, you can give it to them before they fill that hole with something cheaper.”

EA: “That’s such a refreshing take. I love that your inspiration comes from emotion and cultural analysis it shows you’re not just thinking aesthetically, but conceptually. Do you feel like you’re building toward a specific message or signature in your work, or are you more focused on constantly evolving and responding to the world as it shifts?”

S: “I definitely have some core values that inspire all of my analysis, but it’s kind of hard to put into words. I want people to be honest about their desires, especially the taboo ones. I try to speak to how what we repress and forget drives us without realizing it. I try to force people into self-reflection and honesty in a way that makes them feel both uncomfortable and understood. It’s important to me because I think if we all stopped performing the character of ourselves, pretty much everything in society would radically change for the better. It’s about undoing the standards and kind of eating everyone else alive. It’s hard to put into words, but I really do love everyone in the world, and I think everybody deserves honesty.”

EA: “It’s rare to hear someone speak on fashion and identity with that kind of emotional depth. The idea of using design to challenge repression and force self-reflection is something of its own.

Do you ever feel like people misunderstand that intention? Or are you okay with letting them sit in that discomfort and come to their own realizations?”

S: “I think that as a person, it’s easy for me to be overlooked because I try so hard to have fun with everything. I see that as a radical position. But the best work happens when I can force people to have fun with me. It’s not really something misunderstood because it’s not something that’s out in the open. I just try to play games with everything that comes my way, and because I’m the only one that knows it’s a game, I always win. And I win harder when everyone else is in on it.”

EA: “I love that, it’s like your approach is playful on the surface, but there’s this whole deeper strategy underneath. Have you ever been given a piece of advice that really stuck with you? Something you still hold close or think about often when you’re creating or navigating all this?”

S: “I think honestly, I tend to ignore advice. I’ve chosen to learn all my lessons on my own, the hard way, and it’s gotten me into a lot of unfavorable situations. But that’s why I think my direction is so strong, because the one thing I’ve taken out of immense amounts of emotional pain is that really everything is beautiful, especially the ugly things. That’s what drives me forward: trying to find the beauty at the core of everything. “There are cathedrals everywhere for those with eyes to see,” or whatever. There’s one quote I saw as a kid, and I forget really how it went or who said it, but it was something like, “Sometimes the world is so beautiful that you can’t draw it, and you can’t take a picture of it, and you can’t even remember it correctly. It just is.” And it stuck with me because I think everything speaks to me in a way. There’s something about your own relationship with life that can never be recreated, and that’s what’s so powerful and beautiful. You ask questions in a way that really makes me think about answering pointedly.”

EA: “The way you talk about finding beauty in the ugly, and how pain sharpens your direction it’s not just artistic, it’s human. That quote you mentioned, even if it’s a bit fuzzy now, really captures what you’re describing: those moments that are too real, too sacred to even be held onto properly. Just experienced. And I appreciate you saying that about the questions! It means a lot coming from someone who clearly sees the world in such a layered, intentional way. So with all that being said, do you ever feel like that kind of sensitivity, how the world speaks to you all the time—makes it harder to function in a world that often feels numb? Or do you think that’s exactly what gives you your edge?”

S: “For some reason, that made me tear up. It switches back and forth between useful and detrimental. I try not to dull how I feel because it’s a product of what I’ve been through, and it drives me forward. But at the same time, it’s so inefficient. I have to really try to structure my life in a way that works around who I am and the specifics of what I need. Most of my energy is spent on being aware of myself. But once I reach the center, it’s just kind of about following through, and that’s the easy part when you’re following yourself, I guess.”

EA: “The fact that most of your energy goes toward understanding yourself shows in your work and it feels intentional, like it’s coming from someone who’s constantly in conversation with their own mind. Do you feel like that level of introspection ever makes collaboration harder? Or do you find it easier to create when other people are in the room and you’re feeding off their energy too?”

S: “It honestly depends on the project. I get to be very rigid about my own projects because every piece of it is intentional. But I’m also really good at assimilating into others’ visions. Once I get a read on someone, I can tell where their art comes from and what kind of story they’re trying to tell, and I can connect the dots on how I can tell that story the best. All of the projects that speak to my emotions I’ve worked on solo, and I’ve never even thought about bringing on a team. But with all the people I’ve met, it might be time to start asking for help.”

EA: “That’s a solid balance, knowing when to guard your vision and when to adapt. The way you can step into someone else’s story without losing your own voice really shows your range. Before we end, do you have any advice for someone just starting out? Whether in fashion, art, or just trying to find their voice?”

S: “If I had to say anything, it would be that you already know what you want, even if you don’t think you do. You already know what you’re going to become, even if you’re not aware of that. The feelings you get will lead you in the right direction. When people say “follow your heart,” they don’t just mean do what makes you happy, they mean that you’re going in blind, but the part of you that sees everything is guiding you. You will always be the answer to all of your questions.”