Meet: Saskia Reis

Saskia Reis is a visual artist and cultural journalist based in Berlin. In her work, she conducts interviews and takes portraits which she then transfers into multi-layered papercut collages.

Saskia graduated from London College of Fashion, UAL in 2011 with an MA Fashion Media Production.

She is also a mentor for the London College of Communication (LCC) Industry Mentoring Programme. Saskia got involved because “a big part of my learning experience at UAL was based on direct exchange with and inspiration through industry professionals, so it’s great to keep this tradition alive and pass it on.”

Saskia spoke to us about what inspires her, why she got involved in the LCC mentoring programme and what she has planned for 2025.

You completed your MA in Fashion Media Production at LCF in 2011. What drew you to this course?

Back then I was looking for a framework which would allow me to combine both my journalistic foundation as well as my creative ideas; to develop new formats and drive forward what can be created through digital media and unconventional storytelling. Our class was the first batch of MA Fashion Media Production, a diverse bunch of people from various creative fields with a thirst to shape new ways for fashion, art and cultural communication, and to push the boundaries of conventional journalism, photography and moving image.

What was a highlight of your time at LCF? 

The UAL experience was a continuous highlight from start to end: the video portrait of designer Ara Jo I produced in less that 24 hours to present to our course director Nilgin Yusuf during the interview process. I didn’t know Ara before, nor did I have a place to sleep in London the night before meeting Nilgin.

Other highlights included winning a fashion film award featuring designer Hermione de Paula; and being awarded the UAL Media Award with my final project THE LOVESTREET, the first blog to transform street style in moving image portraits.

There are so many more highlights to share, but the most precious gift was to collaborate with like-minded artists: to experience and build so many creative connections was a game-changer.

What inspires you? 

I'm inspired by the mundane moments of everyday life and connection. There is so much poetry in a slow quiet morning, a hot cup of coffee, nature and flowers, music and dance, the momentariness of feelings, a conversation or exchange with someone, following your dreams, standing up for what you believe in, all shades of love, any form of hurt or pain, and surely injustice inspires the desire and motivation for change.

What’s your favourite thing about being a creative, and what’s something that’s been challenging? 

It's ‘the artist state of mind’ which evolves over time; the consciousness of what freedom of expression really means, and how to use it. To be aware that the more tools you learn, the more you can choose and combine according to your vision, and the bigger the vision can grow.

As a creative you are a continuous learner who never stops to develop. This constant thirst for innovation can be a challenge, as it is hard to take a break. I gave-up pushing myself into a protocol that's not for me. I try to give myself a moment of calm when I really need it, or when it offers itself on a silver plate.

As well as your own creative practice, you’re also a mentor for the London College of Communication (LCC) Industry Mentoring Programme. Why did you want to get involved and why should other people get involved in mentoring? 

The LCC Industry Mentoring Programme is a wonderful initiative to connect graduates with industry professionals, a framework where mentees get the opportunity to ask questions, get advice, discuss ideas, exchange about projects or their thesis, share concerns or seek guidance about their next steps after graduation.

A big part of my learning experience at UAL was based on direct exchange with and inspiration through industry professionals, so it is great to keep this tradition alive and pass it on. As artists and creatives, we are one big universal family, and we should look after each other and provide support where we can.

What's next for you?

After finalising the fellowship in Egypt, I will be preparing an exhibition for January 2025. I’ll also have an intense phase of production, working in parallel on different projects, including the artist collage portraits I have been shooting in Cairo and Alexandria. I am especially looking forward to the International Visual Arts Festival in Kranj, Slovenia, where I will display a site-specific installation in a gallery space at Layer House, the house of art.