TEXT BY IMAN IZZATI HAMJURI AND JOLEEN CHEW‍

A word that transcended through the cracks of our imperfections, where it whispered a simple yet powerful message, “You are unique, flaws and all,” and we can’t help but listen. “sa iyo” proudly unveils a special social experiment crafted for our vibrant and unique young adults of today, empowering one person at a time, to come as they are, unapologetically and in abundance.

A social experiment in which encourages one to share their past, present and future; hardships, journey and breakthroughs. We not only aim to transcend the limitations of struggling with facial imperfections we also want to deliver a message of self-acceptance. One by one, we gathered images depicting a community of like-minded individuals, united by the same struggle.They come together like a mosaic; a mosaic of the other people we haven’t come to know yet—maybe even ourselves. To embrace who we already are, even with our imperfections. We believe that each of our so-called “flaws” is a constellation of quirks and distinctive marks that make you, you. And with our transparent eyewear, it’s an ode to your individuality.

WHAT IS A FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NO ONE KNOWS

I would say a fun fact about myself that no one knows [pause, laughs] I had a “black eye” for a couple months when I was younger and now my right cheekbone is flatter than my left cheekbone.


HUMOUR ME

My brother and I decided it was a good idea to play a game of catch one day. We collided and I hit my cheekbone at the corner of the display table. So I had a “black eye” because my cheekbone was bruised for a while. And I didn’t realise until it healed, but my cheekbone is flatter on that side now.


THAT’S FUNNY. WOULD YOU SAYTHAT YOU’RE INSECURE ABOUT IT?

Yeah, of course. Who wouldn’t be you know? I would say I used to be super conscious about it. Being a little girl with a black eye/bruised cheekbone, I felt like I didn’t look like myself anymore. If that made sense. So for a couple months I felt like I had to hide that imperfection with my long bangs, had really long bangs back then and I wouldn’t keep my hair up at all, unless I really needed to, like for school and stuff.


I GET THAT. I DEFINITELY WILL BE TOO. WHAT ABOUT NOW? ARE YOU STILL CONSCIOUS ABOUT IT?

I guess being a girl during the early years of high school is such a canon event. People used to pick on me because I was the smallest girl in class and I felt like I had to fit in. So could you imagine how it was like being tiny in stature with a flat face. Well back then, probably still even now, it’s so common to want to have symmetrical features. I always felt like I smiled weirdly too so I would try to not smile. And to answer your question, I would say I’m not as insecure about it anymore, though sometimes I’ll remember it and involuntarily try to hide or cover it up.


I’M CURIOUS, HOW DID YOU GET OVER THIS INSECURITY? IT WOULD’VE TAKEN ALOT I SUPPOSE.

As I grow older, I learn to accept it as a special feature of myself and a fun fact or funny story kind of thing. I used to believe that the fashion industry always look for symmetry and I felt like that was the beauty standard to live up to. Now I feel like the fashion industry is expanding and is morre accepting of imperfect and assymetrical facial features so I don’t feel as pressured to succumb to the traditional beauty standards.
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SO HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBEYOURSELF RIGHT NOW?

I feel like a sponge. [Laughs] Okay, I know that sounds weird but I mean it in a way that I just feel like I’m learning and absorbing many different and unconventional things. Also, I feel like my perception of beauty has changed now that I have grown to accept myself, however I look. I absorb all, retain what I find beautiful and I squeeze out as much of the toxic mindset and perception I have of myself and beauty. As much as I can.

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IN SOME WAY, I THINK EVERYONE IS A SPONGE. YOU MENTIONED YOUR PERCEPTION OF BEAUTY HAS CHANGED. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU FIND BEAUTIFUL NOW?

Rusty keys. Cracks on concrete walls. The smell of old books. Fraying clothing. Weirdly shaped fruits.


‍[LAUGHS] WOULD YOU SAYYOU’RE BEAUTIFUL?

I think so. But maybe not in the way most people think. Well, I believe I am, that has to mean something am I right?


WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?

Well, I feel like beauty is subjective and I have learned to accept myself for who I am, even if people see otherwise. Growing up I used to be a major people pleaser, so I always felt like I had to be beautiful in everyone’s eyes. Then I realised one day, randomly, I felt like the universe opened up to me and I realised that everyone is dealing with different things and we’re not paying close attention to how someone else looks. It’s really all about perception.


THAT’S AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE. NO PUN INTENDED. I GUESS PERCEPTION VERSUS REALITY IS A FUNNY THING.HOW WOULD YOU DIFFERENTIATE THEM BOTH?

Is it though? Reality differs from person to person based on their perceptions, which I would say is influenced by a multitude of factors, like maybe social media, and the people I interact with... you know? I feel like my perception of myself and reality would be a lot different if I had fed into ideologies that made me insecure about myself.


‍YOU MENTIONED THE INFLUENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON PERCEPTIONS HOW HAS SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTED YOUR PERCEPTION OF BEAUTY AND INSECURITIES?

I don’t really know what’s real or what cake.. [Laughs] I mean fake. I used to feel like social media created a fake sense of beauty standard that I needed to attain to feel beautiful. Then again, nowadays, this generation of society is leaning towards less polished and more raw looks that showcase facial imperfections such as eyebags or the normalisation of not covering their insecurities. Like the other day, I was watching TikTok about this girl that has a huge scar across her face. I like the fact that she was transparent about it and didn’t try to hide it. I also liked the support she got in her comments. Really wholesome.


YEAH, THAT’S TRUE. SOCIAL MEDIA IS REALLY CHANGING. WE’VE COME A LONG WAY. LOOKING BACK, IF YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Aliens are real and we’re living in a simulation. So take life with a pinch of salt. Nothing is real. I’m kidding.. I would probably say “You eventually got through it, cliché to say, but it really does get better. Eventually.