Mrs. Sabrina KAS Flanagan
~ Wife/Designer/Mother/Photographer ~
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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Copa: Sabrina, where are you from?
Sabrina: Originally, I’m from Seoul, Korea, I came to the United States when I was about the age of 5. I received my citizenship in 1995. I’m here now and I’m here to stay! Copa: We understand that you’ve been around the fashion industry for quite some time now but first, where did you attend school?
Sabrina: I grew up outside of Richmond, Virginia, near Petersburg; school was quite different for me. Growing up was very hard for me because I was bullied really badly, I looked different to the other kids and at the time I really didn’t understand it being so young. It was really serious to the point that I attempted suicide. I tried to explain it to my parents but they didn’t truly understand my dilemma. I do know that all of my trials and tribulations molded me into the woman I am today. While growing up and being mixed, my mother was Korean and my father was a Black Creole. So looking different was rather a tough thing to deal with as a child during the 70’s and early 80’s. This is why I now instill in younger people that they are beautiful no matter what their hair or skin looks like. Everyone has an opinion and everybody has one. Now with everything going on in social media the platform tries to dictate how everyone should look on many cases.  Sabrina in Korea
Copa: Please share more of your experiences of being a model.
Sabrina: I started doing modeling and pageants in 2001, actually that’s when I met my husband Kenny on a photo-shoot. I was working with Mad Flava, Malik Pollard, and others. Also I was hosting several TV shows at the time. I really loved modeling but as the years moved on. As the years moved on several types of modeling changed. With publications like King Magazine and other publication where they wanted the models with their asses and naked breasts out, I didn’t want to be that girl. I was more into fashion and couture. At this time I shifted and focused on clothes and pageantry. Pageants have tendency of being very expensive with the dresses, shoes, and swimsuits. So I went to the thrift store and purchased a $25 sewing machine and taught myself how to sew. This is how I made my clothes for the pageants. This is why I tell everyone that they must trust the process. Everything that happened from 20 years ago has led me to what’s going on today. |
Flag of South Korea
Copa: What were your first interests after High School?
Sabrina: I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit from the age of 10. At home I had a large amounts of lipstick, cosmetics, dolls, etc. When my friends would come over I would try to sell some of these items to them. There was something special about making money. As I became older I worked multiple jobs to keep a flow of money by creating more opportunities to continue to bring it in. Copa: When did you develop you interest in the art of Photography?
Sabrina: The photography thing came in while I was developing my Women’s clothing line. Initially it was “Sadora Milan.” (It’s my daughter’s name). At the time I was a single mom on a budget so I didn’t have the resources to hire a professional photographer or someone to develop websites. I had to teach myself the necessary skills to move ahead with my new business. I also have my daughter’s clothing line which is named “Sadorables.” My daughter would take pictures of me in my clothing line and I would shoot photos of her. At the time I invested in a Cannon 35 mm. Later I reached out to several models to display my line. I knew exactly what a professional photographer needed to look for to capture my garments in the best way. As a model I knew exactly how to make it all happen. 
Sabrina & Daughter Sadora
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Sabrina poses in an earlier photo-shoot
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Copa: What is your philosophy to fashion and style?
Sabrina: Be yourself, you have to own it; it’s not about matching everything. It’s all about individualism and feeling comfortable in your own skin first. Once you understand that, any other layers you add on is just an addition to who you really are.
Sabrina: Be yourself, you have to own it; it’s not about matching everything. It’s all about individualism and feeling comfortable in your own skin first. Once you understand that, any other layers you add on is just an addition to who you really are.
Copa: At what time did you become more serious about developing your clothing line?
Sabrina: After I had my daughter I stopped sewing all together. I had her in 2012 I made her a pair of cute leggings and a cute little shirt and we went out to the shopping mall. People would come up to me and ask where we bought the outfit; naturally I’m going to tell them that I made it. This is how the women’s line began. The demand continued for mom’s who wanted me to create garments for them. I already had established the “Sadorables” children’s line so now I had to set up a Women’s line which became “Sadora Milan.” Later the Women’s line was changed to “Sabrina Seoul.” I realized at this point I had to brand myself.
Sabrina: After I had my daughter I stopped sewing all together. I had her in 2012 I made her a pair of cute leggings and a cute little shirt and we went out to the shopping mall. People would come up to me and ask where we bought the outfit; naturally I’m going to tell them that I made it. This is how the women’s line began. The demand continued for mom’s who wanted me to create garments for them. I already had established the “Sadorables” children’s line so now I had to set up a Women’s line which became “Sadora Milan.” Later the Women’s line was changed to “Sabrina Seoul.” I realized at this point I had to brand myself.
Copa: Please tell our readers about the first time you participated in DC Fashion Week.
Sabrina: I participated in DCFW in February 2019; it was an amazing experience for me. Any Designer would love the opportunity to see their line on the runway of a notable fashion show.
Sabrina: I participated in DCFW in February 2019; it was an amazing experience for me. Any Designer would love the opportunity to see their line on the runway of a notable fashion show.
Copa: At what time did you meet your husband?
Sabrina: I met Kenney in 2001, it was for a photo-shoot we were doing with Malik Pollard for “Elan Extreme.” The shoot was for me and Lamond Rucker who starred in “Why Did I Get Married 2" and many other films. KAS was the Stylist for this shoot. Last year Kenny and I reconnected at the Pentagon City shopping mall, he was filming a documentary for Netflix. I remember walking up to him asking If he remembered me. When he turned to me and our eyes locked together I knew then that he would become my husband.
Sabrina: I met Kenney in 2001, it was for a photo-shoot we were doing with Malik Pollard for “Elan Extreme.” The shoot was for me and Lamond Rucker who starred in “Why Did I Get Married 2" and many other films. KAS was the Stylist for this shoot. Last year Kenny and I reconnected at the Pentagon City shopping mall, he was filming a documentary for Netflix. I remember walking up to him asking If he remembered me. When he turned to me and our eyes locked together I knew then that he would become my husband.
KAS Flanagan
Copa: Do you think being married has changed anything about you to any degree?
Sabrina: I would say that it’s definitely making greater as a person. They say when a man finds a wife It’s a good thing and I want to exceed those expectations. I want to be that wife who is a great thing. When 2 souls come together in this universe to become one, there’s no limit they can accomplish with each other. When I’m uneasy or concerned with things Kenny steps in and fills that void and vice versa. Most of all, it’s great to have someone who is always on your side.
Sabrina: I would say that it’s definitely making greater as a person. They say when a man finds a wife It’s a good thing and I want to exceed those expectations. I want to be that wife who is a great thing. When 2 souls come together in this universe to become one, there’s no limit they can accomplish with each other. When I’m uneasy or concerned with things Kenny steps in and fills that void and vice versa. Most of all, it’s great to have someone who is always on your side.
Copa: What does the future hold for Mrs. Sabrina Flanagan and her wonderful world of beauty, fashion, and style?
Sabrina: Well, I definitely will be continuing to push my girl's line. I’m also continuing to be my husband’s development manager. I kind of retired my Women’s line to help Kenny with his line. It’s just that it became a conflict of interest when we went out to events people would ask me if I’m wearing my clothes or my husband’s clothes. Kenny has amazing pieces, any woman would be honored to wear his creations. I want to help build a legacy for our children. It's all about working together.
Sabrina: Well, I definitely will be continuing to push my girl's line. I’m also continuing to be my husband’s development manager. I kind of retired my Women’s line to help Kenny with his line. It’s just that it became a conflict of interest when we went out to events people would ask me if I’m wearing my clothes or my husband’s clothes. Kenny has amazing pieces, any woman would be honored to wear his creations. I want to help build a legacy for our children. It's all about working together.
