Go inside the workspace of SAUCE Founder, Zeenat Wilkinson!

Meet Zeenat Wilkinson, the woman behind SAUCE. Our Founder recently had the pleasure of visiting Zee at her beautiful home in Auckland NZ, where she has a home-based office for her digital platform.

An inspiration to many, SAUCE is known for an array of things including its honest conversations, and its features on real women in different industries + backgrounds - sharing their stories.

We spoke to Zee about her career to date, how SAUCE began, her workspace, how she stays organised & her goals for the future.

Name: Zeenat Wilkinson

Occupation: Founder of SAUCE & Freelance Stylist/Producer

Ok, so first things first, talk us through the story behind SAUCE. How did it all begin and what was that light-bulb moment when you decided to start the site? What was your background beforehand?

Story-telling and identity have always been the driving force for SAUCE.

I noticed there was a gap in the market in New Zealand for a website/platform that explores ideas around identity, personal style, and beauty in a way that was raw and honest but at the same time quite ‘editorial’. I love how beauty plays such an important role in expressing who we are and what we want to say about ourselves so I consciously decided to make beauty as the focus for what we do and have conversations around style and career as the underpinning.

I completed my degree in Psychology, followed by a foundation in Fashion at Central Saint Martin’s in London and it all sort of kicked off from there. My first proper job out of University (when I got back to my home country, India) was working as a Stylist for Grazia India. I have since contributed and worked for the likes of Vogue India, Nylon US, Remix, Fashion Quarterly, and more. I worked as a freelance stylist for more than 10 years in three different continents before starting SAUCE.

The thing I love about SAUCE is how you have such honest conversations; you speak the truth and you feature real women who are inspiring to so many and you share their stories. Talk us through why you think SAUCE is so unique and different? And how you felt comfortable enough to put yourself out there and be so truthful and honest in a world that is so full of 'perfection'.

Thank you :)

We have our objectives around producing content that is helpful and informative while also looking at the bigger perspective. Issues around the world and how things shape us are just as important. In an increasingly digital era, it’s important to stay honest and grounded. This journey around honest conversations and trailblazing women that inspire me every day is what we recognised as something our readers and followers were yearning just as much and it was all about adapting and mirroring what our community is looking for.

But also it’s about that balance—we are sometimes playful, whilst combining all the different elements around beauty, style, and world issues. Our biggest focus is and always will be in celebrating trailblazing women.

What have your biggest pinch me moments been?…

Producing cover shoots with huge Bollywood actors such as Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra when I was only 22. Also, having a sit-down conversation with Estee Lauder’s Global CEO Fabrizio Freda. I still need to pinch myself!

As a businesswoman, it's always important to have a support network by your side - who are yours?

My girlfriends Clara Pafundi (also a very talented photographer), Lucy Jane Hopkins (an incredible stylist), and my Wellness/Life Coach Sanya who brings an entirely different perspective to goal setting and how to achieve them.

Looking back on your career to date, what would your advice be for budding like-minded entrepreneurs?

Get the experience you need before you decide to leap into it. An internship or apprenticeship with someone you admire and take the time to train and perfect your skills. It is also a great opportunity to make important connections within the industry. Working in fashion and beauty can be difficult and training for it can be challenging, too, but it is important to stay polite, work hard, and not dwell on the negatives.

Where do you find your inspirations for your style, skincare, and beauty?

My identity is extremely layered, but I always turn to fashion and beauty to creatively express my conflicting identities (being an Indian and living in a western country) and in some way merging my strikingly different worlds to create something that makes me feel comfortable, grounded, and inspired at the same time.

What are your go-to brands you can't live without each week?

Marle, Salasai, Georgia Alice, Maggie Marilyn and vintage denim. Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Georgia Jay for accessories.

Who are the women who have inspired you?

Leandra Madine, Emily Weiss, Dolly Alderton, Priyanka Chopra, and closer to the home turf, Beck Wadworth and Eleanor Pendleton.

Top Insta accounts to follow?

Fashion / Inspo @thatcoolmoodboard

Beauty @thepouf @violette_fr @dewydudes

90s sitcom memes/quotes @hellwasfun

Why is organisation so important to you? And have you always been organised?

To be honest, I thrive in an organised chaos situation, but lately, I am trying to live a more zen life, so organising has been crucial not only to make sure I am on top of things but also to allow myself that time and space to be creatively energised and well-rested.

What are the top 3 ways you organise your life?

On Sundays, I like to sit down with my diary and weekly planner and dive into what I have to get through and achieve in the coming week.
Once a week, I set an appointment in my schedule to refresh my desk and working space. Starting my day on a zen-like desk space sets the tone and mood for the rest of day.
Decluttering my digital space every month or so. I normally assign this task for when I am travelling, especially on flights. It is the best thing to do when you’re on flight mode and can’t get any sleep.

Stationery wise, are you a Diary Lover / To Do List Lover / Calendar Lover / Sketch Book lover - or all of the above?!

So over the last few years I have been more of a digital to-do lister (and printing the weekly planner) but now I am back to appreciating a proper diary. I LOVE stationery and using it in a creative way to organise myself.

{ SHOP the An Organised Life 2019/2020 Mid Year Diary HERE }

What is the one thing you are notoriously disorganised at?!…

My wardrobe! I have a chair in my room and by the end of the week; there is always a pile of clothes on it. I am trying to be better at putting things away every night but I am work-in-progress.

Talk us through your workspace - What are your essentials you need at your desk and how would you describe the vibe?

My weekly planner: so that I can see my to-do list and appointments for the entire week at one glance.

My diary: great for planning ahead!

Grown Alchemist hand cream and any facial spray: to give my skin hydration and pick me up.

The vibe is not grown-up at all. I love having all the random bits and bobs on my desk. The only thing that distracts me when I am at work is my phone; the rest I can filter out.

And finally - the fun part - what are your plans + goals for SAUCE over the next year?

My plan is to continue to produce content that is helpful to women and find ways to continue to inspire them. But I would LOVE to bring an offline element to the community by hosting intimate events and talks—this is going to be a big focus for SAUCE going forward.