Fly Girls of the Week: Creators of Blag Magazine

What advice would you give young women interested in your respective fields?

Sarah: If you're not academic, don't think the worst! Patience is the most important thing. If you've got ambition, that's the best thing you can have, it'll drive you to succeed. If you aren't able to do the degree you want, try and find really good work experience or an apprenticeship, and don't be afraid to try different things out until one fits. And if you are studying, try and do some part time work experience too. One music PR office or magazine to the next can be an entirely different environment and experience - find one that you feel fulfills your ambition and failing that, make your own! Battle your nerves, they're only little hurdles.
Sally: Here’s a few things I’ve learnt along the way that really help, some may seem like cliches, but they’re good’uns! Always try to look at the bigger picture. Try to be calm and graceful with everything you do. Know your goals and plan your route to them very carefully. If you want it, it’s yours, however, expect bumps and falls along the way, nothing is easy, you have to work exceptionally hard to get good results. The more premium you want your work to be, the more carefully planned and longer the execution will take. Always strive for top quality. There are ways and means!

What inspires the both of you?

Sarah: Films for photography, film always captures people in such a natural way. I love Robert Yeoman who shot The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore and he's doing the Yes Man – which I can't wait for! He has an incredible knack for picking up minute detail in vast shots and Robby Mueller for Down By Law and Paris, Texas. Great dialogue - whether I'm watching a film, reading a book, being part of or listening to someone elses banter. I love when people play off each other, especially sharp unexpected humour.

Social environments, just people watching from body language to how people dress and relate to each other, especially through music and fashion.

Sally: People. I love a good conversation that’s comfortable and free-flowing. I love how they can start with one thing and lead to something so far apart it’s unimaginable and if they involve true laughter, that makes them even better. Blue skies in the morning are always helpful. Films, music, art. Old art books. For design I can get inspired by anything from a reflection, something I catch in the corner of my eye when out and about, to a scene in a film. I love film title sequences too, The Pink Panther films with Peter Sellers have brilliant intros, then something as simple as Serpico is really nice.

What's Fly about doing your job at BLAG?

Sarah: Getting to champion real talent, putting together each issue which is a time capsule for its era and feeling proud to have featured and supported some of the coolest musicians, actors and designers on their way up - our way. It's especially great hearing how many people featured parents are into the magazine, ha ha!

Sally: Going from an initial idea to a finished product. Every issue makes a transition and I’m excited about what we’ll do in the future. I also get to meet some really inspiring and fun people every time we do an issue.