Sarah Federer is living a life now she once only dreamed of. Growing up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Federer had grand visions for her future. As a little girl, she fantasized about one day being a lawyer, entrepreneur, actress, and model all at the same time. “Ambitious,” many adults in her life called her, a critique often voiced with undertones of doubt and cynicism. Even so, you can’t exactly say they were wrong. At the young age of 19, Federer is already living out her wildest childhood dreams: attending a prestigious university for finance and international business on the pre-law track, interning for some of the top corporate attorneys in the world, running and creative directing her startup 4ortunatelife, taking on roles in blockbuster films all over the world, and modeling personal creative projects for her crazy photographer friend from home (me). Her latest achievement: being 21 Artistry’s inaugural cover star. It’s a lot to juggle for one person, but Federer has never been one to compromise. “I don’t believe you must sacrifice one dream to achieve another,” she says. “All of my dreams I have been called to for a reason. They’re all mine to chase simultaneously.”

Photograph by Philip Hiblovic for *21 Artistry*

I first met Federer in August 2021 at an underground concert and art festival I organized at a skatepark in our hometown, 21 Artistry’s “Art Fest.” Screaming from the moshpit, she instantly grabbed my attention. If you have ever met her, you would know why. Federer is a rare phenomenon. It almost seems unfair there is so much beauty, brains, talent, and charisma all in one person. From the first time I met her, I knew she had star power. Back then, I used the brand 21 Artistry for an artistic collective that would host events for young people in St. Louis just like this one. Over two years later, working with Federer on the first issue of 21 Artistry magazine was a full-circle moment. We’ve come a long way.

An occasion as momentous as interviewing Sarah Federer for the inaugural issue of my magazine required an equally enthralling photoshoot concept. When I told her my idea to cover her in special effects blood from head to toe, she was 100% on board. I had a feeling she would be. “In modeling, like anything, you have to give it your all,” she says, through bites of a sandwich from St. Louis Bread Company ten minutes after washing off the blood. “You have to be willing to do anything for the shot. Don’t shy away from being uncomfortable. That is how you grow.” This is no surprise coming from Federer, the girl who during our first shoot day together, completely submerged herself in a stream of black water in the woods, subsequently destroying her white dress. “All for the shot,” she says, laughing hysterically.

This was part of a tradition I refer to as Baptism, wherein models I work with do a water shoot donning all-white clothing. This shoot typically occurs early on in my work with them and “baptizes” them into my artistic family so-to-speak. Being that the water is often disgusting, it is also a test of willpower and inclination, a test that Federer passed with flying colors. Our baptism shoot instantly became one of the most iconic shoots I’ve ever done and was the start of our fruitful model-photographer relationship. “That was my first professional shoot in almost four years,” Federer recalls, referencing her initial exposure to the modeling industry as a child. “I have always loved being in front of the camera, and I was eager to get back in the game and challenge myself.” Without that shoot, we would not be sitting here right now.

Another shoot we would not be sitting here without is our cowgirl shoot, which involved Federer posing with two horses on a farm a mere hour before she was drenched in blood crawling around on the floor of my studio. This too was done with intentionality and the artistic process at the front of mind. “I was excited when I saw the horses,” Federer says. “I grew up around horses, but I had not seen or ridden them in many years. I was a bit worried because the horses were untrained, but you encouraged me to let my inhibitions go. Posing with these animals felt so natural and brought me back to when I rode them as a little girl. This shoot set the stage for our blood shoot because it allowed me to let my guard down and lean into my instincts as a model. This is a testament to how you work.”

Upon arrival to my studio from the farm, Federer and I jumped into our second warm-up of the day. For this shoot, she was bare-faced, wearing a simple white tank top and jeans, and posing against a white backdrop. Working on this “default” model look and concept allowed us to get more comfortable in the studio. Five minutes was all Federer needed. Now it was time to get bloody.

Two gallons of special effects blood and fifty feet of plastic sheeting were used in the making of this shoot. At Federer’s request, Hall and Oates’ “Maneater” was blaring from the speaker at full volume on loop. “When the blood first touched my skin, it felt really cold,” Federer recounts. “But I embraced it and started posing with minimal direction from you. Something that I love about the way you work is that, unlike many photographers, you allows your models the freedom to move as they please. You sees modeling as an art form in itself and the model as a living canvas. That approach allows us to deliver more authentic performances because our poses are innate to the composition of the image.”

Perhaps one of the poses Federer had in mind when saying this was the one portrayed on the cover, in which she is crawling in a pool of blood on all fours, delivering a sly and perfectly angled downward stare at the camera. When I saw this photo in my viewfinder, I screamed in excitement and paused the shoot to show her. We instantly knew this would be the cover. “If I had to use one word to describe the cover, it would have to be ‘iconic,’” Federer says confidently. I have to agree.

It was only after that last shoot, sitting in an empty Bread Co., that we realized how much we had done in such a short time. “Honestly, doing the three shoots in one day was easy for us,” Federer shares. We are like-minded, and you made the day go by fast. It’s crazy thinking we had done so many shoots in only a few hours, but we are compatible in the workplace. It seems to be more fun rather than work for us.”

Speaking of work, Federer seems to never have enough of it. “I started my first business at 13 and never looked back,” she says. After years of experimenting with startups as a teenager, Federer began her latest venture, a clothing brand called 4ortunateLife, in 2021 at the young age of 17. The following is a description from the brand’s website: “We're not just about clothing; it’s a mindset – ‘Get up and do what you love.’ Life’s a journey; our brand is a nod to gratitude and chasing your passions.” I have never heard words that are more Sarah, which makes sense because she wrote them. “My company is my pride and joy,” Federer declares giddily. “I run it single-handedly. I’m my own accountant, marketer, investor, project manager, designer, director, web developer, copywriter, and social media manager. I even process and ship all the orders myself.”

When she first started her business, Federer was only selling distressed balaclavas, but she always had a greater vision for what it could become. “I sold out of all my products in 2023 and recently restocked my inventory for 2024. I’m happy to say there’s so much more in store for 4ortunateLife in the new year. We’re diversifying our product line and releasing a lot of new styles, so be on the lookout for that.”

Another passion of Federer’s that aligns with her entrepreneurial spirit is corporate law. She is currently pursuing a finance major and international business minor at the University of Kansas with plans to attend law school upon graduation. “I was initially drawn to law because the profession entails logical, analytical, and creative problem-solving, which I am already used to in my business,” Federer says. “Being the only employee has taught me the importance of every role in a business and has instilled in me a passion for corporate law specifically. Working hard and seeing results form in my business or, in this case, in my future clients’ businesses is my form of happiness.”

Come January, Federer plans to embark on the next phase of her journey with corporate law. “I’m flying down to Texas and shadowing an internationally recognized corporate attorney at a prestigious firm,” she shares. “I can’t say much about it, but I may or may not be meeting a former president as well. I’m incredibly excited, grateful, and humbled for an opportunity like this so early on in my career.”

Another dream of Federer’s coming true next year is having an acting role in a film. “I was a part of a movie this year called ‘On Fire,’ Federer says. “I can’t speak much on it, since it’s not out yet, but it was an incredible experience. I got to work with Joel Courtney and John Corbett, and I learned so much from them. It was my first film, and I was just an extra, but in 2024 I’m taking on a bigger role in a movie being filmed on the island of Malta in Europe. I can’t even explain how excited I am for it.”

No matter where Federer goes her heart will always be with her family back home in St. Louis. “My family is my number one support system. They encourage me to push myself no matter what. Although it’s becoming more and more of a rarity these days, being home allows me to ground myself and often gives me the perspective I need to continue pushing forward. I also love that I get to do shoots with you, of course!”

The feeling is mutual. When we finally left my local Bread Co. and Federer began her four-hour drive back to the University of Kansas so she could make it to class the next day, it was another reminder of just how multifaceted this young woman’s life is. Blood is multifaceted, too. Blood is deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and historical contexts. Blood is at the core of our existence. Blood is life and death, a level of intensity mirrored on Federer’s path as she navigates so many dreams simultaneously at such a young age. Blood is duality; so is her journey. “To me, the blood symbolizes rebirth,” Federer reflects. “I’m shedding my old self and growing into the independent woman I was destined to be.” •

Styled by Philip Hiblovic; hair by Philip Hiblovic; make-up by Philip Hiblovic; production by 21 Artistry

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