Sherry

PPS: Who are you?

Sherry: I'm Sherry White from Mexico. I came to Milan because I wasn't sure what to study, as I'm passionate about photography, storytelling, and fashion. I discovered creative direction here, something I couldn't find in Mexico or the US. While studying creative direction and fashion styling, I realized I loved photography, so I focused on that.

PPS: At what point in your life did you become interested in these creative disciplines?

Sherry: Ever since I was little, I've loved playing with paint and have always been very visually driven. It started from there, and I've just followed that passion. I'm still experimenting with different mediums, but I've been most consistent with photography for about three years now.

PPS: Where are you hoping that takes you next?

Sherry: Even if I don't end up being a photographer, I would really love to end up in the photography world, whether that be curating collections for museums or working with photographers or photography books. I really like making books, so just anything in that field would be very cool. But I'm not closed to other paths.

PPS: What would you say is your driving force when you’re creating?

Sherry: I see two ways of working: for myself and for others. When working for someone else, I start with the proposal to see if it interests me. I have this phrase in my mind—looking for the magic through the lens. If I feel like I can touch the photo, then it's a good one. That quest for magic drives me. In my personal work, it's similar but much more instinctive.

PPS: How would you define that magic though? Is it purely intuition, or is it a combination of factors that you can pinpoint?

Sherry: For me, it's all about detail. It's like the writing advice: show, don't tell. Instead of just capturing the ocean, I focus on how the light sparkles on the water. I'm trying to capture that exact magic. It’s instinctive and almost minimalist. When I see an image, if it touches me, I know it holds magic.ù

PPS: Is there a particular subject you're drawn to, besides the emotional aspect?

Sherry: I didn't realize it until recently, but I'm really drawn to nature. I started with fashion photography, which is cool, but I love taking pictures of animals, especially cows and horses. I also enjoy landscapes and nature because they’re so perfect and easy to shoot.

PPS: You mentioned shooting fashion. How has your relationship to fashion changed throughout your life?

Sherry: Okay so, my relationship with fashion changed a lot as my relationship with my body evolved. When I was younger, I was pretty overweight and felt uncomfortable showing my body. Shopping was a nightmare because things never looked as good on me as I imagined. I used to buy clothes that hid my body rather than empowered me or represented my personality.
Being from Mexico, where beach attire is common, I eventually started feeling more comfortable showing off my body. This newfound comfort translated into my fashion choices, making me more willing to be seen. Wearing mini skirts, for example, was a key moment for me, helping me feel feminine and empowered through clothes instead of using them to hide.

PPS: It sounds like you've come a long way.

Sherry: Thank you, yeah.

PPS: Do you think the fashion industry has changed alongside your personal journey? As you worked on yourself and changed your own views, do you feel there's been a shift in how bodies and individuals are perceived in fashion? Do you think this shift is just a fleeting fad, or are we moving towards something more positive and inclusive?

Sherry: I think that's a great question. At one point, it felt like a revolution, but now I question the authenticity of brands. It's necessary to question the morals and principles of these brands today. I have noticed a consistent rise in street casting and people with unique looks, not just the typical tall and skinny standard. So there's been some progress, but I think we often pretend there's been more progress than there actually has been.

PPS: Yeah, especially when you look at the runways, right?

Sherry: Yeah, exactly.

PPS: Do you have any particular brands or designers you admire, either for their values, aesthetics, or ideology?

Sherry: I really admire the Mexican designer and artist Sanchez Kane. They recently had a show at Dover Street Market, which felt more like a performance art piece than a traditional fashion show. I love the clothes and how the brand is so complete, representing Mexican culture in an innovative, fresh, unique, queer in a loud way. I think what they’re doing is super cool.

PPS: It's amazing. Every time I see something creative coming from Mexico, whether it's a designer, artist, or anything else, I'm always blown away. It's always so interesting, cool, and of such high quality.

Sherry: Yeah, I feel like the younger generations are waking up and now have the accessibility to create all these things. I'm so excited because there are so many new subcultures and waves starting to build because of this.

PPS: Do you want to speak more about the fashion scene in Mexico and your experience with it? How does it compare to Europe?

Sherry: I've been in Milan for the last three years, so I haven't been able to dive super deep into Mexican fashion. However, I've seen a lot of small designers focusing on upcycling and blending art with fashion. For example, there are gallery exhibitions showcasing the work of artists who also design clothes. It feels very complete and new, like people are truly passionate about expression, not just making clothes to sell. I feel this movement is just starting to really wake up in Mexico.

PPS: I feel like upcycling hasn’t fully broken into what’s considered high fashion on a wide scale in Europe. The West is often perceived as more advanced in terms of progression, but it's intriguing to hear that Mexico is more progressive with upcycling and integrating it into emerging designer waves. I wonder if this trend will spread further. People are shopping a lot of vintage but upcycling hasn't reached that status yet.

Sherry: It takes more work, of course. One reason upcycling is so popular in Mexico is because of its accessibility. Many of us have grandmas and moms who know how to sew. For example, my grandma knitted me sweaters, so there's this connection to ancestry and expressing love. It’s something personal and meaningful.

PPS: If the process has sentimental value, it shapes our relationship with clothing. How do you decide what to buy? Do you follow your instincts or take time to research? What motivates a purchase for you?

Sherry: It depends on how much I bought during an impulsive episode! Once I start wearing my clothes and seeing the outfits I can create, I start to see what I'm missing. Sometimes I go for very loud pieces but forget the basics. So, I've made it a priority to always know what basics I have in my closet and try to balance it as much as possible.

PPS: What's the most "you" thing you can wear? What's your signature look or a piece you're particularly attached to?

Sherry: Well, I never take off these two rings.

PPS: I might take a screenshot.

Sherry: Also, I think something that's very "me" is a mini skirt for sure. Whenever the weather allows it, I'll go out in a mini skirt.

PPS: Do you think fashion has the power to shape culture?

Sherry: Yeah, I think fashion is more a reflection of cultural impact. It can be both influential and influenced. Big names in fashion have the power to change a lot, and fashion as an art form holds a lot of power. But we need to be wiser about consumption and production.

PPS: If you could influence one thing about the world of fashion or culture, what would it be?

Sherry: I think it would be tackling fast fashion. It’s really harming the world. Placing more laws or limitations on production would be my focus.

PPS: What are your personal goals? Do you see your work in photography intersecting with fashion?

Sherry: Yes, I have a magazine called Intenso with Xheni, another tastemaker. It’s for intense people and artists, diving into independent artists' processes and inspirations. There’s already a lot of media covering celebrities, so we wanted a place for smaller artists to connect and build a network.

PPS: Amazing! When's the next issue coming out?

Sherry: We're working on it. We have the theme and the artists, but no set deadline yet.

PPS: Exciting. Final question, what are you manifesting at the moment?

Sherry: Good question. Honestly, self-love and satisfaction. I’m focusing on taking care of myself, my habits, and my projects. I want to pour every ounce of energy back into myself. I just went through a breakup, so...

PPS: I'm sorry to hear!

Sherry: No, it was nice, but I realized I’m good on my own for a while. I have a lot to do with school and might be moving. Staying in Milan is the plan, but I’m focusing on myself and my future goals.

PPS: Cool. Thank you!