THE SISTER ACT: Sophia Leon, the Sereia Woman BY Camille Roe

Photographed by Camille Roe S. 

When the opportunity presented itself to work with Sereia, and we learned about their mission and story, it felt only natural that Sophia was the right person to carry it out. And as her sister, the one who knows her best. I jumped to write this piece myself. Because who better to tell the story of a woman who embodies the Sereia spirit than the person who has witnessed her journey, her battles, and her becoming, up close?

This story unfolded both behind the lens and in front of it. I had the privilege of photographing Sophia for this Roe Magazine cover, capturing her quiet strength and raw femininity as she modeled Sereia’s timeless pieces. The shoot became more than just a collaboration — it was a reflection of our shared story as sisters, and of the essence of what Sereia represents: resilience, truth, and feminine power.

Sereia was born from a desire to empower women to reconnect with their true selves, to embrace their complexity, and to celebrate their timeless beauty. Their jewelry is more than adornment; it is a symbol, a reminder that a woman’s story is her strength. And if there’s one woman who lives that truth daily, it is Sophia.

“Partnering with women from around the world allows us to grow a global community grounded in connection and shared values. ‏At the heart of Sereia is a commitment to authenticity, beauty, and empowerment & and each partnership reflects that mission. ‏We’re constantly inspired by female-led ventures — kudos to both of you!” - The Sereia Team

When I think of my sister, I see a woman who has never settled for the shallow surface of life. She has always dared to swim deeper, into the shadows of pain, into the currents of truth, and finally, into the shimmering light of her own becoming. If the Portuguese word Sereia means mermaid, then she is the living embodiment of it: enchanting, powerful, a little dangerous to the illusions she refuses to conform to, and yet endlessly magnetic in the way she calls others back to themselves.

But behind that allure lies resilience. Sophia has walked through fire more than once. She has left behind what was expected of her in order to build a life of her own design. She has faced heartbreak that would have silenced most voices, yet chose to speak louder. She has turned adversity into wisdom, pain into purpose. Each chapter of her story has stripped away what was not true, leaving behind only what was essential. This is why her connection with Sereia feels so natural - an effortless meeting of values and vision. 

Photographed by Camille Roe S. 

Sereia was born out of a desire to remind women of their innate beauty and power, something Sophia has made her life’s mission. Just like their jewelry is not merely an accessory but a symbol, Sophia is not just an entrepreneur or a storyteller. She is a symbol of what it means to come home to yourself after being told for too long who you should be. She has redefined beauty on her own terms, one that honours both fragility and ferocity, tradition and transformation. 

At Sereia, every piece is crafted with intention, designed to be timeless, an heirloom that outlives trends. In many ways, Sophia carries the same essence. Her journey isn’t about the fleeting or the superficial; it’s about creating impact that lasts. She brings the same care and precision to her ventures, whether it’s Roe Magazine, her writing, or anything else she gives her energy and attention to - as Sereia does to its designs. Both believe in leaving behind something that future generations can hold onto, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Photographed by Camille Roe S. 

The essence of a Sereia woman is complexity. She is both soft and unyielding, fluid yet unshakable, delicate yet fierce. Sophia embodies this duality with grace. Like water, she adapts and flows, but like the sea itself, she carries depth, mystery, and force. She has learned that empowerment is not loudness but presence - the quiet confidence of knowing your worth even when the world tries to make you forget it.

And this is what makes Sophia magnetic. People gravitate toward her not because she is perfect, but because she is real. Like the sirens of ancient myth, there is an energy about her that is undeniable, a call that pulls people closer, not to lose themselves, but to find themselves reflected in her truth.

Sophia has always understood that jewelry, like life, is never just decoration. It is a story, it is a memory, it is a meaning. A necklace becomes the reminder of survival. A ring becomes the marker of independence. A bracelet becomes the silent witness to transformation. In this way, Sereia’s creations feel like extensions of her own life: timeless, intentional, and profoundly symbolic.

As sisters, we often talk about legacy. Not the kind measured in possessions or accolades, but in the invisible ways we shape the world for those who come after us. This is something my sister carries deeply, a desire to leave behind not just work or words, but an energy that makes other women braver, softer, freer. Sereia believes their jewelry should be heirlooms passed through generations; Sophia believes her story, too, is an heirloom, proof that no matter where you come from or what you endure, you can rise, reimagine, and reclaim your life.

Photographed by Camille Roe S. 

And as her sister, it fills me with a pride I can’t quite put into words. Because I know what it took to become this woman. I know the moments she doubted, the times she almost broke. I know the cost of her strength, the weight of her choices, and the fire of her spirit. And I know that through it all, she has never lost her magic.

That is why she is the absolute Sereia woman. Not just because of the elegance you see on the surface, but because of the depths you don’t. Because of the way she rises after every fall. Because she carries her story like a jewel - one that shines brighter, the more real it becomes. I will always be her witness. To her beauty, to her battles, to her becoming. To the woman she is, and to the woman she continues to grow into. And I can say with certainty: her story, like Sereia’s creations, is timeless.