I’ve faced both the allure and the pitfalls of the digital age and learned that the path to self-expression isn’t always a smooth one.

My earliest memory of falling in love with fashion traces back to moments spent with my Grandmother and aunt, leafing through Vogue magazines from the early 2000s, collaging our favourite ensembles. I was around 15 when I realized I was spending more time sketching outfit ideas and scrolling through Pinterest than hitting the books for my exams, and that’s when I decided to go for a degree in fashion design. I have just wrapped up my degree, and now I’m preparing to dive into the real deal.

Having grown up with the internet at my fingertips, I got caught up in following YouTubers and social media ‘it-girls’. I always wanted to make a mark online and be like my favourite content creators, but honestly, I’m still learning to not care so much about what people think.

I have spent most of my life living in Taupō and Hawkes Bay, so leaving the small-town vibe behind wasn’t easy; it has taken some serious guts to stop worrying about who was watching my every move and start taking risks, both online and in my fashion choices. 

Check out Sophie on Instagram and TikTok

The FNZ Creators Power List 2023 was brought to life with the support of Powerhouse