Where Are They Now? with Sarah Tonos
Where Are They Now? with Sarah Tonos
By: Elena Ossoski
Born and raised in the “Magnolia State,” Sarah Tonos walks the streets of New York City with pride to be a Mississippian. Contrary to the prejudice-ridden stereotype many outsiders hold of the state of Mississippi and its people, Tonos is a fashion-obsessed creative who lives her life through a romanticized lens.
“I never thought being from Greenville, Mississippi would help me, but now my love for my hometown shines through even more than it ever has,” said Tonos.
As a passionate lover of the art of fashion, Tonos was naturally drawn to Square Magazine. “My love for fashion originates from my appreciation of art and design, particularly interior design, which led me to my previous position at Square. At the time I wanted to broaden the scope of the magazine to also include lifestyle and home articles. I remember in my interview, I emphasized that fashion can embody various forms, from the way we dress to the way we decorate our homes and host gatherings. It can be anything you want it to be.”
“Then I realized, as I was surrounded by the Square staff, that my appearance is accessible to everyone - my best friend, a stranger walking down the street, a first date, or even a future employer,” Tonos said. Continuing to reflect on her time with the magazine, she explained, “As I delved deeper into the endless possibilities of personal expression, I realized the unique aspect of how it allows me to connect with others on a deeper level. It's not just about the artistry and creativity of fashion but also the intimacy that comes with it. I've since explored and experimented with my style and the more I learn, the deeper my love for fashion grows.”
Since a dream of living out one’s day in New York City typically goes hand-in-hand with an adoration for fashion, it was surprising to learn that the city did not initially charm Tonos. “I recall my initial trip to the city as an 18-year-old, which was less than impressive, and I had no desire to return,” Tonos said. “A close friend suggested that we move to the city together, and I figured why not give it a try. When I arrived at my new apartment, I experienced a moment of panic and wanted to book a plane ticket home immediately. I’ll never forget that my mom insisted that I stay a couple of weeks. During those two weeks, I became infatuated with NYC's dynamic energy and never looked back. In fact, I even texted my mom, ‘I'm never coming home,’ cementing my love for the city that has become my true home.”
An Integrated Marketing Communications graduate from the University of Mississippi, Tonos kick-started her career with an influencer marketing internship at Zola which quickly turned into a full-time position with the company. As her responsibilities grew to also include content creation and partnership marketing, Tonos was exposed to almost every aspect of the marketing business in an instant. Tonos says that her journey to her current position at Marla Aaron all began while she was still working at Zola on a new campaign.
“During my search for potential partners, I came across Marla Aaron, and as I reached out to explore possible collaborations, I realized that they had an open position that matched my skill set and aspirations. I felt a special connection to the world of jewelry since my grandfather started his own jewelry business in the Mississippi Delta in 1949, and I've always been interested in continuing my family's legacy,” Tonos said. “Before I knew it, I was sitting in Marla's stunning showroom on West 47th Street, interviewing for the job. After two successful interviews, I was thrilled to accept the position and embark on this exciting new chapter in my career.”
Tonos currently heads social media for Marla Aaron with the same playful approach that the namesake designer takes to creating new pieces. As Head of Social Media, Tonos has fun while working with the innovative pieces, but works with intention on a daily basis. It is not always easy to make it in a big city, so Tonos advises everyone to “Work your ass off. Reach out to anyone and everyone you know working jobs that you aspire to have – even if that means sending cold outreach messages on LinkedIn. You’ve heard the saying, but I’ll reiterate: it's not about what you know, it’s about who you know.”
Embracing New York’s unpredictable rhythm, Tonos admits that her biggest successes so far have followed numerous rejections. As a girl with a deep love for jazz and retro flair, Tonos’s subtly romantic view of life is reflected in her ever-changing style. Whether she is getting some weekend sun at Central Park, or on the way to work to make more Marla magic, this Greenville girl is an undeniable, well-dressed force to be reckoned with.
To follow along with what she does next, follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahsali_.
For more features on Ole Miss alumni, keep reading Square Magazine. Check us out on Instagram @um.squaremagazine for daily fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content!
Images belong to Sarah Tonos.