Sandrine Charles, the energetic entrepreneur, international narrative creator with impeccable attention to detail sat to chat with us about being a first-generation American who has gone on to opening her own communications and consulting agency based out of New York City, with a fantastic track record for setting fashion trends and dictating the pulse as a pacemaker. You might wear a bucket hat this summer, but she anticipated that you would years way before you even had the thought.

Sandrine grew up in a small suburb of New City, New York where she spent her time participating in dance classes, and competing in crew and tennis, all passions of hers that have translated into her adult life. “Growing up, I mixed my sports practices in with an intense weekly dance schedule, which I loved. I enjoyed the sense of community it brought me, the friends I gained from participating, and most importantly, the moral I felt afterwards.”

Sandrine currently resides in New York City, where tennis courts and opportunities to row crew are more difficult to access, but with the sedentary nature that COVID inflicted into our lives and a busy work schedule she makes sure to set aside time for herself to be active. “I’ve applied being active to my life and making time for my recreational habits. It is really important for me to incorporate that into my busy schedule.”

 To keep active in the concrete jungle of the city, she has a trainer 3x a week and folds spinning into the mix when she can and also takes advantage of the walking nature of New York. Why pay for a cab when you can walk and get in those extra steps on your way to meet friends, go to a meeting or out for food! You might find Sandrine eating fresh brick oven pizza from Fumo or at Aunts Et Uncles enjoying a plant-based burger, both spots she frequents for the delicious bites and fun outdoor vibes as the weather has warmed up.

In addition to her already long list of career achievements, Sandrine (along with Teen Vogue’s EIC Lindsay Peoples Wagner) is the co-founder of Black in Fashion Council, which aims “to represent and secure the advancement of black individuals in the fashion and beauty industry,” as the brand’s IG stated. Together, BFC envisions a world in which Black people in fashion and beauty spaces can be open and honest, guaranteed equal rights, and be celebrated for our voices.