Sopheak Seng

Sopheak is an award-winning multi-hyphenate, whose innovative and forward-thinking styling has redefined the industry and left an indelible mark over the past 20 years.

A man of many talents, Sopheak Seng is a fashion editor, writer, stylist and image creator who has worked with New Zealand and international designers and brands, including Mandatory, Deryn Schmidt and L'Oréal, to name a few.

Sopheak started his career in the workroom of designer Robyn Mathieson, where he styled, merchandised and took responsibility for the Wellington designer's campaign shoots, before starting his formal fashion training at Massey University.

As a stylist Sopheak has worked across multiple platforms, from music videos and editorials to red carpet events. He has worked with local and international talent including vocalist Bella Kalolo, actor Jared Rawiri and international actress Evangeline Lilly, who famously wore a dress he designed on the red carpet. Sopheak has also consulted on a number of key projects as the lead fashion director for commercials, advertising campaigns and local designers.

His styling work in theatre has been seen in such shows as Neang Neak's Legacy, The Beautiful Ones, Nga Rorirori and The Vultures, for which he won the Chapman Tripp Costume Designer of the Year in 2016.

In 2009, he was appointed fashion editor of Lucire, print and online, the first male to hold the role. He has also managed the Lucire beauty portfolio for New Zealand since 2011.

Lucire publisher Jack Yan calls Sopheak ‘energetic and enthusiastic,’ saying that he ‘has an encyclopaedic knowledge of fashion.’

Jack adds, ‘There aren’t many people who can pick out the brand and season of a pair of shoes at 50 paces, but Sopheak can. I’ve seen him identify the inspiration for a designer correctly before we’ve had a chance to read the show notes, and he has the same skill of knowing the source when it comes to fashion photography.’