SOCIAL STUDIES : Sean Santiago // Creative Director + Stylist

SOCIAL STUDIES :  Sean Santiago // Creative Director + Stylist

Creative director, Stylist, and Editor in Chief of Cakeboy Magazine, Sean Santiago is a breath of fresh air in this often stale world of fashion.  Sean brings back the playful imagination in their work while all the while never shying away from making It sexy.  I remember the first time I met Sean.  It was at an opening in NYC.  There stood Sean, in high waisted silk trousers and platform pumps sprinkling magic behind every footstep towards me.  Kindness, humor, and extreme talent pouring out of every hole.  I feel so lucky to know such amazing humans, out there with a voice, sharing their vision, and collaborating  to make a the world a more interesting place. 

Who are you?
Sean Santiago. I'm a stylist, editor and creative director based in New York.

Why do you make your work?
I guess the answer to that is always shifting, but I usually try to take on projects where it feels like I can affect the status quo in some small way.

What do you believe in?
Laughter—and budgets.

Name one thing you say no to?

One thing you say yes to?

What change would you like to see?
I'd like to see the culture around leadership change. I'd like to see us interrogating authority more, and questioning where it comes from and how it's passed along.

Name one thing that makes you happy?
A good Negroni

How would you describe your personal routine ?
Inconsistent! Truly. I don't think there's anything that I remember to do every single day except apply sunscreen. And hand lotion! I shower maybe three times a week, and when I do that I try to apply more creams and lotions and oils. It's not as gross as it sounds—I sit in an office most days and barely break a sweat, even if in summer.  But if I'm on set I definitely try to take a hot shower after, and to find a way to use that routine to decompress.

What did you want to be as a child?
A filmmaker...still a goal!

Can you remember one solid piece of advice you've gotten for the growth of your work?
Don't be too hard on yourself.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Anyone with patience.

Who is one person in culture that you feel is making positive and inspiring change ?
I think my friend Henry Bae, the founder of the shoe line Syro, is always fighting for queer visibility in a way that goes a lot deeper than surface level.

Photo Cred:  Landon Vonderschmidt.

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