Sofia Loves Glitter — A Conversation with Sofia Guellaty
Sofia
Loves
Glitter
Editor-in-Chief, MILLE World · Founder, Unfair · Author · Cool Mom · Karaoke Champion
Born in Tunisia. Shaped by fashion. Fuelled by karaoke. Sofia Guellaty has spent fifteen years at the intersection of Arab culture and international fashion — and she is absolutely not slowing down.
How did you feel the moment you found out you were going to be a mother, Sofia?
I felt every single emotion in the book. But most of all fear of the unknown. I don't want to lie to you and tell you it was all about the glow and the magic of life — it is that — but also fear and infinite questions about life, and health.
"I don't want to lie to you and tell you it was all about the glow. It is that. But also fear and infinite questions about life."
What practices helped you most during your pregnancy? What advice do you have for someone about to embark on this journey?
I went to a sort of centre for pregnant women where they practised yoga, kinesiotherapy, taught basic information on child care, breastfeeding etc. It was great to have a group of young moms like myself, and healthcare professionals to share tips with.
How did you balance your life as a mom with your work, and the demands of life?
I often think about the need for a woman to be 100% badass at their work and 100% a great mom. But the truth is that this expectation is way too high, and no one can be 100% anything anyway. So, my advice is: do the best you can. As long as we do the best we can in general, well, we did everything! That's what I try to do.
If I leave for more than a week for work, I take my son with me for example. All my free time is devoted to him, and thankfully I am a sucker for playgrounds and kids' movies.
"No one can be 100% anything anyway. Do the best you can. As long as we do the best we can in general, well, we did everything."
What are the most important lessons you want to teach your children?
Life is a wonder. Respect and appreciate the nature and human beings around you. Cultivate happiness and be grateful for every single moment.
Your favourite websites, publications or social media handles?
I love Airmail Weekly — Graydon Carter's newsletter. And I watch an infinite quantity of history and quantum physics documentaries on YouTube. I am a nerd at heart.
For parenting I rely less on the internet and more on the people around me and their real experiences.
Your greatest inspirations or influences?
It's cheesy but my husband who is a sort of guru for me. (Thank you for introducing him to me, Leila! ♥) Other than him, reading about Buddhism helped me overcome my existentialist crisis in my twenties.
For media and editing: Graydon Carter and Tyler Brûlé. For fashion: Diana Vreeland, Azzedine Alaïa, and Franca Sozzani.
A digital platform and creative agency focusing on tailor-made content for Arab youth — from listing the Arab world's most underground rappers to finding the funkiest markets in Tunisia. Sofia covers it all.
Born in Tunisia, shaped by New York and Dubai, fuelled by an unshakeable belief that Arab culture deserves a platform as bold as the culture itself.
Visit MILLE World ↗Anything else you'd like to share with us?
We have access to so much culture — it constantly inspires me. The world is in total fusion of style and I am really excited to see what I can create and evolve as an editor, as a mother, as a person. I am grateful every single day.
Also: visit MILLE World. Obviously.
Antakly Projects — originally Ninu Nina — has been archiving conversations with the most inspiring voices in fashion, art, culture and creative entrepreneurship since 2003. Sofia Guellaty is one of those voices we have been lucky enough to call a close friend and collaborator.
Explore the full archive — search our interviews with designers, editors, photographers, musicians and cultural voices from around the world.
And for the personal rants on life, opinions you didn't ask for, and the occasional existential spiral: follow me on Substack.
Cultivate happiness. Be grateful for every single moment. ✦