DSCENE Interview with Top Model and Cover Star SAM ROLLINSON

Fashion Photographer OLIVIER YOAN is back on the pages of DSCENE Magazine this time with a cover story starring SAM ROLLINSON. After their shoot Olivier talked with Sam about the first time they got a chance to work together, her Vogue covers and Karl Lagerfeld.

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Working with models I don’t know is always exciting and scary for me at the same time: will they feel at ease, relaxed and open to ideas and will their body language be fluid or more stiff, disconnected, uninspired …?

I had that worry the first time I photographed Sam, as I was shooting her for a very cinematic project for Vision China and was worried she would not be onboard with my ideas. I needn’t have worried- “I really enjoyed that shoot! It was fun to create a story and be a sci-fi character because normally on shoots the hair and makeup is pretty natural, so it was fun to be painted silver for a day! ” she recalls.

Karl Lagerfeld was always very kind to me, you could tell that he also had a very good sense of humour, he loved books, which I do, too! It was amazing to be in his studio – which was floor to ceiling books.

She was amazing, up for all the creative ideas I had, embodied the character perfectly: no wonder she is a favourite in the industry. Whilst she doesn’t see herself as a very artistic person she expresses her creativity by doing her own make up and if asked will gladly share ideas about it on shoots, “The ones I enjoy most are editorials usually, they are where everyone gets to be their most creative and the most interesting photos emerge“ she tells me.

A muse to many, Sam was scouted at the young age of 13. I asked her what it was like for her to grow up in this industry and the pressures around body image that can come along with it to which she openly answered “I’m naturally thin so haven’t had to work hard to stay in shape, now that I’m 25 I find I have to work out to stay how I want to be but when I was 18 I could just eat and drink whatever and be as skinny as a rake!” Sam would advise other models starting out at a young age to “Enjoy yourself! Not many people get the chance to travel as much as you do at this young age“.

I think anyone using their power to belittle those less powerful is awful, and I’m sad to say I’ve seen this firsthand.

Working with a large number of top magazines including several Vogue covers and brands like Burberry, Prada, Balenciaga, Chanel… The top model has rubbed shoulders with the most amazing creatives “Karl Lagerfeld was always very kind to me, you could tell that he also had a very good sense of humour, he loved books, which I do, too! It was amazing to be in his studio – which was floor to ceiling books. “ But not everyone was like that, she admits, “I think anyone using their power to belittle those less powerful is awful, and I’m sad to say I’ve seen this firsthand.“

We’ve witnessed the transparency and ethics of brands shifting recently and not only there is a conscious effort to make fashion more human and Sam also points out that “the fact that companies are trying to be more sustainable is great and should be encouraged”.

They (DARTS) do amazing work for local teenagers and children encouraging art and creativity. Since I live in London, I mainly support them on social media sharing what they do with my followers so as many people are possible can know about their great work!

Contributing to her community is something Sam feels strongly about so when she was contacted by DARTS ( the Community for Arts of Doncaster) in her hometown to be their ambassador she jumped at the chance “They do amazing work for local teenagers and children encouraging art and creativity. Since I live in London, I mainly support them on social media sharing what they do with my followers so as many people are possible can know about their great work! “ she explains.

On Instagram, Sam shares a lot of photos with her boyfriend Matt Richardson with whom she has been isolating during the lockdown “I’ve been forcing him to do yoga with me!” which is one thing she is usually doesn’t have the time to do in her busy life but would like to keep on doing once it is over.

She is grateful that staying in is keeping people safe even though she can’t wait to get back to her normal lifestyle “First I want to go to the pub! I can’t wait to see my friends and family again!”

Photographer OLIVIER YOAN @olivieryoan
Stylist HANNAH BECK @hannahbeckstylist
Hair Stylist SOFIA SJOO @sofiasjoohair
Makeup Artist ANDREW GALLIMORE @andrewgallimakeup
Manicurist SIMONE CUMMINGS @simmy_nailsandbeauty
Production ALEX AALTO @aaltoproduction
Model SAM ROLLINSON at Select Model London @samrollinson @selectmodellondon