Sex and Denim, starring Sage Erickson

Words by Elliot Struck

Few professional surfer gals pluck the heartstrings as tenderly as Miss Sage Erickson. She’s our Lady Diana and our Beyonce. She don’t like frowning. She brings a touch of class to all things. And most especially, the pages of Stab Magazine. Issue 80 marks the third occasion that we as a media haus have photographed Sage; the first time having been in a Hawaiian bedroom and, more recently, one summer afternoon by a poolside in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. In the short film you’re probably already absorbing, you’ll discover Miss Erickson as achingly charming as ever.

Two themes motif the photographic series and video that Stab created in this instance: Sex and denim. The staple American diet! The first, denim, a commodity so intertwined with popular culture that Andy Warhol himself proclaimed, “I want to die with my blue jeans on!” Stab curated a selection of denim from Wrangler, one of our favourite makers, and endeavoured to present them in the most pleasing way possible. Which, obviously, was draped upon the flawless and, somehow currently unsponsored, body of Sage Erickson.

While Sage’s pay cheques aren’t coming with the clockwork of a headline sponsor, they are landing regularly: Given her 158k fans on Instagram, Sage has the good sense to value her following and charge brands to feature in her posts. Nothing curious here, that’s just 2015. But Sage is far from a full­time lens affair. She still belongs to the World Tour. She ain’t a model, she’s a surfer. And an amazing one, too, keeping her game tight with pilates and body combat when she’s at home, and a ton of surfing when on the road.

Miss Erickson sips on her large cappuccino until it’s stone cold. Coffee, for her, isn’t a 15 minute catch up. It’s a five­ hour sip. Between outfits during our most recent photoshoot, the cup was ever­-present (though, absent from any pixels). But to see Sage is not enough. You must also read her and know her. Did a candle ever burn so bright! “At this stage in my life people have considered me a sex symbol in surfing. Men have chosen to belittle that image, and think that’s the only thing I’m made of. But, you know what, I’d be lying if I said I don’t get excited about denying men that think I’ll be the first to get frisky!” And therein lies our second subplot: Sex. We asked Sage about her do’s and don’ts when it comes to sexy in a man. And she enlightened with aplomb. Read it in Stab issue 80, now on sale.

Photos by Kane Skennar
Produced by Lucas Townsend
Video by Kaius Potter
All clothing by Wrangler
H & M by Karen Burton
Styling by Paris Johnson
Music by Parcels – Away