In Conversation with Sarah Webb
Tell us about your background:
I am a Brit abroad. Traditionally trained in multimedia arts, photography and business studies, to then work tirelessly and crazy hours in my early 20’s to get into fashion magazines and publishing. It was worth all the effort. I got to work with some industry greats, travel to amazing locations, and be the most visually creative in concepts in my career to date. Bringing a vision to life in support of a business objective.
In the mid 2000s the fashion landscape changed. I had joined Harrods Luxury retail at the time as Fashion Editor and began working in print and online magazines, cross-platform content and the Harrods magazine digital app launch. I now had the opportunity to create bespoke concepts with unique brands for multichannel publish, which was a super exciting time.
This is the part where I met my now husband, and took the plunge to move to NYC with his work opportunity. I had been traveling to NYC a lot for shoots and so was familiar and excited about the next adventure. I have no regrets. I began initially freelancing within publishing, until Amazon opened a new fashion photo studio several blocks from my apartment. My husband being in digital advertising reiterated the changing fashion e-commerce landscape and encouraged me to take a meeting, and the rest is history. I quickly became part of the team leading styling direction, then art direction, creative management and most recently internal creative imaging strategy and account management where I worked across all types of content, editorial, social, and product imagery with focus on brand identity, quality management, DE&I, sustainability and tech solutions to support scale within both private label apparel brands and mass consumer.
Cut to 2023 two American children and a pandemic move to Westport, CT later and I am looking for my next career adventure. After a brilliant and developmental tenure with Amazon, I am now looking for a new role where I can be visually creative leveraging some art director and Editor traits, while continuing to develop in the fashion/tech/sustainability space. I am very customer-centric and love to develop and shape brand content strategy considering purchasing patterns and consumer trends.
I am thrilled to join the Co-lab, connect and learn from this inspiring and creative community.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
To worry less. Work should be enjoyed. What feels huge now is challenging you to grow and will seem much smaller in the rearview mirror.
Best career advice you've ever received?
Make sure you have a sponsor at a senior level in every organization you work at. They will be your mentor and champion. People feel privileged to be part of others journey.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Working backwards from the customer, showing strong bias and willing on every level. Being open to change and newness. Consistently inventing, simplifying and earning trust are the key leadership qualities I have learned and instilled throughout my career to date.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
The biggest and best challenge for me throughout my career has been to embrace change and constantly look for opportunity to upskill. Via learning new platforms, tech tools and solutions. Staying abreast of new media and consumer trends in an ever-changing industry.
And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?
A recent purchase, a vintage leopard print Maxi DVF wrap dress. It’s a timeless classic and yet a statement piece too.
