La Chambre's Sahar Sanjar Loves Romance, Couture, Harry Potter

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Sahar Sanjar opened La Chambre PR in August 2009 and signed her first client, Elie Saab, in October of that same year. Representing brands like Saab, Alberta Ferretti, Ermenegildo Zegna, Alice + Olivia and Charlotte Olympia (to name a few) keeps Sanjar on her toes year 'round, but also makes her company the place for stylists to go during awards season.

Sanjar, who was born in Palos Verdes, began her career in talent PR before landing a position, which she calls "the best experience ever," in fashion PR at MHA Media. Less than two years after signing Elie Saab, she experienced one of her career highlights when, after holding one of the season's most coveted dresses for the actress, Mila Kunis finally stepped onto the carpet at the 2011 Oscars in Elie Saab Couture, "I know it's just a dress, and it's just a red carpet, but it's such a big deal," Sanjar explained, "It's what we get paid for, moments like those."

With Golden Globes behind her and the Oscars around the corner, Sanjar is in the middle of her company's biggest season of the year—but we snagged a few moments with the PR wizard at Earthbar to talk Cheetos, Prince Charming and all things couture.

What are you drinking today?
"Chocolate Supreme. There's chocolate and almond milk in it."

How old were you when you became an adult?
"I don't think I'm there yet. Honestly, I'd have to say when I started La Chambre—so, maybe 26? I was 25 actually."

Grammys or Oscars?
"Oscars."

What's the last book you read that you couldn't put down?
"Beautiful Creatures, the first book was so good. It's supposed to be the new Twilight and Harry Potter. It's about witchcraft and I'm a huge nerd that way, I'm obsessed with Harry Potter?my iPhone ringtone? Harry Potter. I'm a huge SciFi fan."

What's your favorite place to shop in LA?
"Barneys and Just One Eye. Interesting enough, I'm not much of a shopper anymore. I see so much of it before it's actually in stores so when I go into the stores to purchase something I'm like, 'No, but I want that 2013 coat not the 2012 coat.' I love the experience of walking through a store, I love to see how retailers are set up, I love to see how a brand's vibe is translated through its retailer? but I don't shop, it's so strange."

What do you always forget to do?
"Grocery shopping. I never have anything in my refrigerator and then I'm hungry so I go out and spend way too much money."

What candy can you not pass up?
"M&Ms, I'm obsessed. I'm also a huge fan of the Kit Kat bar. Other than that, I like cake."

Neutrals or pop of color?
"Neutrals."

What is your favorite childhood memory?
"I very specifically remember sitting in the back of my mom's van, being dropped off at elementary school. I love Disney princesses and I love Prince Charming, so as we're getting dropped off—and I don't know what my mom might have said that triggered this—but as I was getting out of the car I put my hand on my mom's shoulder and I vividly remember saying, 'Mom, when will my Prince Charming come?' And my mom was like 'You're Prince Charming will come, you have your whole life ahead of you.' And I was said, 'Mom, it needs to happen soon.' And then I very dramatically exited the car. That's probably one of my favorite moments because I love romance and weddings, so it is very indicative of who I am."

Pepsi or Coke?
"Coke."

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
"I know this sounds really cliché but I would give a huge portion of it to charity. There is The Midnight Mission in Downtown that provides a lot of housing and help for homeless, specifically those that are on Skid Row. Then maybe I would try to give back to my parents all that they've given to me. They've always been so supportive. Maybe I'd go on a sick vacation. I say all that now, but who knows."

Nicki Minaj or Mariah Carey?
"Mariah Carey."

What are you going to do on your first day off after Awards Season?
"Sit on my couch and watch really bad reality TV and have Cheetos. I'm obsessed with Cheetos."

What's your guiltiest pleasure?
"Cheetos. And I'm very into Keeping up with the Kardashians."

Distressed denim or couture gown?
"Couture gown."

What quote do you live your life by?
"My mom always said, and I'm sure someone said before her, 'Sahar, where there's a will there's a way.' I don't know who said that first but in my head it's always been my mom. Sometimes I never really believed her, I had a will but nothing was happening. To this day, I say that to my sister and my friends and I catch myself because I used to make fun of my mom, but it's really true. If you want something bad enough you can get it. I feel like her words helped me get to where I am."
· La Chambre PR [Official Site]
· The Midnight Mission [Official Site]
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