Out of the box

Sarah Jane Adams is a walking contradiction, inspiring admiration in some; confusion or distaste in others. And that’s just how this newly minted reality-TV star likes it.

- TIFFANY DUNK

As we approach the front door of a terrace home in Sydney’s Newtown, a waft of patchouli oil comes along with its owner, antiques dealer and jeweller Sarah Jane Adams. Hugs are given and offers of masala tea are made as, wide-eyed, we take in the eclectic beauty of her home, which has been sanded down to find long-lost wallpaper, and displays a multitude of antiquities and memories of a life well-lived.

It’s “organised chaos”, Sarah Jane laughs, taking us through to her sitting room, where we nestle in for an hours-long chat, ranging through topics as diverse as reality TV and reclaiming menopause.

With her striking looks and uniquely personal style, Sarah Jane – or SJ as she introduces herself – has always been more likely to stand out than blend in. Since her formative years growing up in the UK, she’s grabbed opportunities that come her way with both hands, crisscrossing the globe in the process and living a life that appears to be in constant motion.

Occasionally, she would find herself stopped by a passing photographer, captivated by her riotously coloured and character-filled garb. Sometimes those images would appear in print. But it was a chance sighting of an Instagram snap, reposted by her daughter, that launched SJ into the public consciousness and led to a new chapter in her life, albeit one she’s not always entirely comfortable with.

Clad in a red-and-white Adidas jacket with a matching headscarf, SJ’s nonchalant gaze and strength drew the attention of American filmmaker, photographer and blogger Ari Seth Cohen. He would fly to Sydney to meet her and soon, along with several other women he documents on his Advanced Style empire, she would find global recognition.