A lot’s been said about the phenomenon of the basic bitch — a girl whose tastes and preferences are so mainstream, she seems like she came from a factory.
Lately, though, we’ve noticed something. Some basic girls are becoming self-aware and realizing they’re basic — so instead, they’re trying with all their might to look edgy.
This is a phenomenon that’s happening everywhere from your neighborhood to Hollywood. Just look at Kendall Jenner in her ripped up Guns ‘n’ Roses T-shirts, and your 12-year-old One Direction-obsessed cousin who suddenly owns a black studded choker. People with absolutely no knowledge of a subculture are basically appropriating punk rock, metal, and hip hop looks without a care in the world.
And when we were sitting in the Galore office marveling about this phenomenon a few days ago, Andrea Angarica from our marketing team coined the perfect term for this aesthetic assault: bedgy.
Bedgy, you see, is when basic meets edgy. It’s when a brunch-obsessed sorority girl trades in her Uggs for Doc Martens, but keeps listening exclusively to Taylor Swift b-sides and watching “How to Be Single” on repeat.
It’s a girl who’s basic on the inside and edgy on the outside. She might skip Starbucks in favor of La Colombe now, but make no mistake: on the inside, that bitch is still basic!
Now, please don’t think I’m maligning basics here. I have some basic tendencies myself. I will double-tap a meme about stalking my ex while watching a “Sex and the City” marathon until the cows come home. But the thing is, if you’re gonna be basic, you have to own it. You can’t try to camouflage it with artfully ripped T-shirts and fishnet tights.
I’m also not saying you can’t dabble in new interests and cultures. But the issue is when you’re testing out a new look just to run from your true identity — especially when you don’t take the time to understand the subcultures and art that inform that aesthetic.
The old joke is that if you wear a band T-shirt, you have to be able to name five songs. I wouldn’t necessarily take it that far because I’m not a douchebag with a tech startup who’s trying to neg you at a dive bar. But I would say that if you give yourself a makeover that entirely borrows from punk or metal or hip hop subcultures, you need to do your homework.
In the 90s or 2000s, you might have called someone like this a poser. But it’s not really the same thing. A poser was someone who also tried really hard to fit into the scene they were mimicking, but somehow lacked authenticity. A poser would go to the trouble of showing up at, say, a Misfits show, and knowing every song by heart. But despite their love for the scene, they might get bashed for having rich parents or a day job in beauty PR.
A bedgy, on the other hand, doesn’t even try to pretend she’s interested in the media and art that go along with the look she’s appropriating. A bedgy will literally dress in a throwback Aaliyah-esque 90s outfit head to toe, and when you tell her you’re getting “Rock the Boat” vibes, she’ll be like, “Huh? Rock the vote? What?”
A poser wants badly to embody a specific identity in terms of looks and interests. But a bedgy girl doesn’t even know she’s wearing clothes or beauty looks that belong to a different culture — she just knows they look edgy, and that’s what she wants to be, whatever that means.
So why do we care? Are we just being shallow and snobby? Maybe a little, but not totally!
The most disappointing thing about a bedgy girl is that based on her style, she might seem cool and interesting, like someone who shares your interests. But then when you get her alone and try to have a meaningful conversation, her views and knowledge of culture don’t match up with how she’s visually portraying herself.
“You have these high hopes for the person,” writer Ashley Uzer said, “and think they’re going to have a lot of interesting things to say or fun ideas for shit to do. And then you realize that’s not going to happen. And you feel tricked!”
It’s like when a guy on a dating app turns out to be something he’s totally not, she pointed out, but applied to a friend scenario.
Hallmarks of bedgy style include anything lifted from Kendall or Kylie Jenner’s most edgy-seeming outfits: sheer black stuff, body jewelry, ripped T-shirts, studded chokers, combat boots, baggy pants, and crop tops with cheeky sayings on them. Also look out for someone who’s in full hair and makeup with an outfit that looks straight out of a Nirvana video. Oh, and any kind of Nirvana T-shirt, for that matter. Bedgy to the max.
Writer Maria Pasquini points out that you can always spot a bedgy betch based on her Instagram. If a girl has edgy style but still posts photos of sunsets, lattes, or street art (the BIGGEST dead giveaway), chances are this time last year she was cavorting around Meatpacking in a knockoff Herve Leger bandage dress.
Also pay attention to entry-level-alt hobbies.
“I feel like bedgy girls are always really into photography,” Maria said, “and they buy themselves nice cameras they don’t know how to use.”
And if your local bedgy doesn’t have a Canon Rebel or something, she’s going the analog direction, dutifully toting an Instax or Polaroid camera up and down the steps of the Bedford L.
There are famous bedgies, too — a whole bunch of them. Taylor Momsen is a bedgy, because you can’t start your career on a CW teen show and then convince us you’re a rock star, sorry. Similarly, Drake could be considered a male bedgy thanks to his decidedly not-hard start on “Degrassi.”
Avril Lavigne is the bedgy fairy godmother, because you just know she was a poster teen queen before she put on those Dickies slacks and that menswear tie. And babe, sorry, Instagram granola bar sponcon does not fit with an edgy personal brand!
And Kendall Jenner, as noted earlier, is certainly guilty of trying to cover up her basic-rich-white-girl roots with band T-shirts, as are the rest of her siblings.
So what’s a basic bitch to do, stay basic forever?
Actually, yeah. Some of the chillest and most fun people I know are the basic ones who proudly bump Adele and have a beach-themed bathroom. The trick is to figure out who you are and own up to it, not try and cover it up with someone else’s identity.
Is it just us, or has every cool internet girl been rocking a sparkly, dick-shaped bikini top these day? YesJulz was spotted donning one recently, and Princess Nokia also went dicks out on the tatas not too long ago.
The designers behind the “dickinis” are two Berlin cool kids. Their brand Namilia has a penchant for turning the faces of your fave celebs — or not so fave president — into fashion.
A post shared by Berlin / New York (@_namilia_) on
We talked to Nan and Emilia about how sexual imagery has made their brand a fave with celebs and Instagram girls, what makes an American tourist stand out in Berlin, and if they think Trump will attack them for making a patch that shows him getting a golden shower.
Lots of your items feature Trump. You guys are based in Berlin, is this designed with the American consumer in mind?
The collection we did on Trump was last year right before the elections. Even though we were working from Berlin, I think you could feel the tension around the world. Trump becoming the president wasn’t just something that affected the US, but rather showed a global political direction that was worrying us.
I am originally from Munich and Emilia is from Dusseldorf. We met in Berlin during our BA studies at the University of the Arts Berlin.
People have hypothesized that fashion will get crazier under Trump, do you guys see this happening?
The Trump administration stands for much more conservative and nationalist ideas in society which we believe lots of other young people cannot identify with. Women’s rights, gay rights and a general open-mindedness towards other cultures, ideas and beliefs which have been fought for in the last decades are being questioned and threatened again. That’s why we think there will be a lot more designers and artists wanting to express themselves more boldly and louder to fight for the things they believe in.
How is fashion different in Berlin than in New York?
Berlin is becoming more and more international, but you can still feel a very German background.
I think the biggest difference is that fashion is being celebrated a lot more in New York. It is more accepted that people use clothing to express themselves to be daring and bold with your choice of fashion. In Berlin clothing is a lot more minimal, dark, serious and functional. It is not very common to spend a lot on your wardrobe and fashion, especially if it is going into a more expressive, colorful and girly direction — it’s often seen as superficial. Everyone is trying to come across as cool and nonchalant as possible. This is also one of the main themes we are exploring in our next collection.
What’s a stereotypical “American” fashion item that makes us look like total tourists?
Trucker caps, wife-beaters, and a really bad sunburn.
So your first collection was called “My pussy, my choice” and your current collection involves a dick-shaped bikini, why do you use so much sexual imagery in your designs?
Our dickini has really become one of our signature pieces that we bring back in every collection in a new way. We want to challenge the idea that sexual imagery is something cheap or taboo. If you take a look back at 90s or early 00s fashion, sex and erotica in fashion was a lot more accepted and celebrated. Our brand NAMILIA really celebrates sexual freedom and we see it as a new way of empowerment to use your own sexuality as a weapon in a very aggressive and intimidating way.
A post shared by Berlin / New York (@_namilia_) on
Do you think it helps people find your brand, including such novelty items?
With each collection we really try to come up with new pieces of clothing that haven’t existed before. I think in our post-modern world it is all about remixing and referencing existing trends, but we do try to be more inventive and hardcore when we mash up different garments to create new pieces.
So you have a new piece with Paris Hilton’s photo on it, you’ve also done pieces with Zayn and Obama’s photos. How does that work? Do you have to get consent before using their image on your pieces?
When we use images of iconic celebrities, we always turn them into artwork or collages, a very pop art approach like Andy Warhol. Right now we’re still so small we haven’t gotten in trouble for it, but let’s see what we will do in the future…
What about when you’re defiling someone’s image, like the patches where you’ve photoshopped Trump’s head onto someone getting showered with pee?
I think there are enough other artists and designers out there which are also using Trump’s image to create provocative pieces. Of course, we went really hardcore, but until now the feedback has been very positive.
A post shared by Berlin / New York (@_namilia_) on
How do you think Instagram has changed fashion?
The whole world has connected a lot more. I don’t think we would be as successful as we are without Instagram. It allows you to work on a global level and to reach your audience everywhere. Our studio is in Berlin, but most of our fans are in the US, Australia, and Asia.
Do you think people are more likely to buy something like the dickini because it’ll make for cool Instagram photos?
I would say that our pieces are definitely statement pieces that you would only wear if you want to be the center of attention. There are already enough brands out there who cover a day-to-day style.
There’s only so much you can really know about a Tinder date before you meet him IRL. Sure, you know what he looks like (hopefully), you know what he does for a living, and you know how many followers he has on Instagram if you’re a sleuth — but that’s mostly it.
The first few seconds of a date can really make or break it. And, assuming it’s not a coffee date, cuz who wants to meet a dude during the day, you get to judge him silently based on his drink order.
Obvi, you’re going to think he’s 12 if he orders a Piña Colada, and think he’s cray if he orders a Red Bull vodka, but what about the basic drinks that are “normal” to order on a first date? Allow us to explain…
Gin & Tonic:
Thanks to a study that’s been making its rounds on the Internet since sometime last year, we all know that gin drinkers are psychopaths. Not familiar with what a psychopath is? Well, you definitely know a handful of dudes that act like psychos.
Psychopaths basically have no conscience, and won’t feel bad about something until they’re caught. They’re also super manipulative and charming, even though they don’t give a F about you or your emotions.
Gin & tonic drinkers are the types of dudes who are AMAZING on a first date, then they kind of disappear and reappear when they want something. Or, they don’t disappear, but they progressively get more shitty and you don’t realize until it’s too late and you’ve already caught feels.
An IPA:
IPA can scream “I’m a pretentious douche who never had fun in college.” If he starts talking about hops at any point in the night, run away quickly.
But if there’s an IPA on tap and he orders it, he might just like IPAs and know that beer on tap is the way to go. Don’t let the hipster stereotype get to you, it’s better than a Natty Light!
A Cheap Beer:
At first glance, you might assume this dude is classless and cheap, which could be true. But, at the same time, it shows he doesn’t take himself too seriously and is down to turn up — but not in an aggressive way.
He might still kind of be stuck in the days of his college frat, but he also might just not give a fuck about the whole “fancy drink” thing. Just don’t expect him to have a bed frame or to take you to that new fancy French place down the block. He probs isn’t that cultured!
A Craft Cocktail:
This is all situational. If the date is at a cool speakeasy or bar with a mixologist, it’s totally cool if he gets some spicy tequila drink or smoky whiskey cocktail. In fact, he should. If he got a beer at a place with great cocktails, he’s boring af and possibly insecure.
But if you’re at a dive bar and he get’s a cocktail? He clearly doesn’t know right from wrong and is probs immature and/or clueless.
White Wine:
If he orders pinot grigio on a date, he’s a Grigio Girl. JK, but he’s def a sensitive little bb. This could be played to your advantage, cuz he’s probably going to like you more than you like him forevs. But also, it’s hard enough dealing with your own emotions, who wants to deal with a dude’s? If he orders white wine and is also wearing boat shoes? You can do better, bb.
Red Wine:
This is more stereotypically “manly” than a guy who orders white wine, but also still a bit more unique. He’s probs a huge momma’s boy and you def shouldn’t date him if you don’t feel like also becoming BFFs with his mom. Although, he’s probs a great boyfriend and will cook you delicious meals in his underwear while you admire his fine behind.
Jack & Coke:
This guy tries really hard to be manly, but somehow still manages to fall flat. He spent his college years talking about how many hot babes he pulls and he probs keeps telling people he’s thinking of joining the military, but has never had the balls to actually do it.
Don’t try to bring up politics unless you want to listen to him mansplain gun rights to you.
Maybe he should switch to Jack & Pepsi?
Straight Bourbon:
Hold up — is this a Tinder date or a Seeking Arrangement date with a middle-aged banker looking for a thrill? JK, he’s a guys’ guy. He probably actually has interests or likes to learn shit, which is how he acquired a taste in Bourbon (assuming he’s not choking it down to seem cool). Although if he drinks over three glasses in the night, he might be a low-key alcoholic.
When you think high school photographer, you probably think of a teen who loves taking selfies and “epic” sunset pics, but Brent McKeever is a different story.
The 16-year-old Malibu-based photographer has shot for brands like Brandy Melville, Frankie’s Bikinis, and Planet Blue; and he regularly works with models who are signed with Wilhelmina and NEXT.
When he’s not shooting bombshells in bikinis, he’s capturing the parties attended by teens in Malibu — the type of kids who have unlimited credit cards and party in their parents’ mansions while they’re away in Cannes.
For someone who’s clearly grown up surrounded by opulence, Brent is surprisingly down to earth and aware that he and his friends “live in such a small bubble.” We talked to him about what it’s really like growing up in Malibu, how he captures cray scenes from high school parties, and how Instagram has helped his career immensely.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
You’re working on a project that shows Malibu kids at parties. Do you think Malibu kids have a totally different world than the average high schooler?
I would say that’s a total understatement. Of course I’ve never really had an outsider look on what goes down in the Malibu community, but whenever I talk to people from out of town I usually get a shocked reaction to how Malibu kids live and act. I never really understood why people were so interested, but meeting other kids from different places kind of opens my eyes up to how good we have it. I feel like we live in such a small bubble that sometimes we’re a little oblivious to how things are outside of Malibu, which I would say is a blessing and a curse.
When you’re shooting at parties, do you stay sober?
I always stay sober and usually focus on shooting. You can party while staying sober, which I don’t think some high-schoolers have figured out yet. I don’t shoot at every party, but I feel like if I was out of it, I would take crappy/blurry pics instead of being focused.
Have you ever captured something that your friends asked you not to post?
This has probably been my biggest frustration lately. I swear my best shots are when the photo subject is doing something more risqué and scandalous, and people just aren’t seeing those shots because everyone asks me not to post them. The pics people ask me not to post are usually things like people nude, drinking, smoking, hooking up, etc. Of course, I listen to them whenever they ask because I want everyone to trust me and be comfortable. I would definitely do the same thing if I was in their position.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Do you think you’d be as into photography if you didn’t live in Malibu?
Since I’ve grown up in Malibu I’m around almost everything beautiful. Besides the gorgeous people here, the landscape of Malibu is something so surreal and everyday when I’m shooting I try to take advantage of that. I think if I lived somewhere else I wouldn’t have this very special environment that makes me want to get out there and shoot. Of course, there’s insanely amazing places other than Malibu, but I feel like Malibu has an extremely unique kind of lifestyle to it.
I’ve thought about this so many times, but every time I do I just imagine myself shooting a Victoria’s Secret campaign. I started out studying photographers such as Russell James and Jerome Duran who shoot most of their campaigns, and I was inspired by how they take something as simple as a person and create a magical piece of art. But aside from the photographers; the VS angels are just on a whole new level of beauty, and to be able to capture that and work with them at this stage in my photography would be my biggest dream project. I know that as my photography goes on, that my dream projects will change as well.
What are your plans after high school?
Focusing on school has always been a huge priority in my life, so I’m planning on going to the east coast for college and then grad school. Where I want to go though, is still a question. I’m only a sophomore so I have time to think about everything. When it comes to photography though, I’ll definitely be keeping it up after I graduate. Right now I’m focused on what’s right in front of me, but I’m also really excited to see where I’ll be in photography by the time I graduate high school.
How do you help models (or your friends) feel comfortable when you’re shooting them?
It’s totally different talking to models when shooting and talking to my friends at parties while shooting because with models, I’m usually trying to capture a totally different vibe that’s more setup and about beauty than fun. But at parties, I’m with the people I spend my life with, so I usually just blend in and make myself part of the situation when I’m taking the pics, because I’m trying to capture that raw type of photo that you can’t setup.
I feel like people are most comfortable when they feel confident, so whenever I’m taking pics I try to make people feel like a goddess (or god). I’m not one of those people that demeans and criticizes people when I’m shooting, but I am very honest. I try and tell people what they need to fix without being an ass.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen growing up in Malibu?
I guess seeing my friends that I’ve known since pre-school turn into people with so much social influence that are idolized by so many people. It’s so crazy to me that people are actually interested in what we do and how blind we are to it at the same time. Malibu, LA, and New York kids definitely set the stage for the kids of this generation.
How has social media helped you get projects?
Social media (Instagram particularly) has helped me get most of my projects, actually. It’s so easy to discover people in the creative industry from so many different places that you wouldn’t normally stumble across thanks to social media. A lot of companies and models will usually find me through a photo I took on someone else’s page or just through mutual followers, then reach out to me. It makes connecting with people so much easier than having to meet them in person. It seems like social media is becoming how everyone communicates now and I love it.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Do you view your Instagram as your portfolio?
I would say I consider my website to be my main portfolio of my best work, but anyone who knows me knows that Instagram is my literal life. I went through an ordeal a couple weeks ago where my Instagram got deleted, and I’ve never freaked out more in my life. I know that’s such a first world kind of problem, but it just goes to show how much I care about my Instagram. I feel like my Instagram is my place to share my favorite work with everyone. Planning my feed is kind of like an art for me and when I get a good response to a photo on Insta, it just makes me want to shoot more because it makes me so happy that the photos I love are loved by everyone else too.
Do you like getting in front of the camera?
A few years ago, I went through this phase of self-obsession and only posted pics of myself. But when I started to step behind the camera, I began to take notice of all this beauty that surrounded me — I think perhaps I started comparing myself to the beauty of my environment and might have become a little self-conscience. I just dyed my hair blonde though, and it’s helped me with my self-image problems, so lately I’ve been in a bunch more pictures on my Instagram.
What advice would you have for aspiring photographers?
This is funny to me because I still consider myself an aspiring photographer. I think I would say just go for it and shoot whatever you feel and master your work. I found exactly what I loved to shoot and am still practicing to get to that point of mastery at what I do. I don’t know what else to really say besides that if you have enough passion to stick with it and see where it takes you, then do it.
What else are you working on right now?
A lot of the stuff I’m working on I can’t really say until it comes out, but just expect a lot of big and exciting things coming out this year and next. I can’t wait to share all of my work with everyone.
They may be both ridiculed and ridiculous looking, but as improbable as it is to imagine, Crocs are making a comeback.
Blame it on 2000s nostalgia, blame it on athleisure, but it’s only a matter of time before an Urban Outfitters x Crocs collaboration will trick somebody you know into spending $65 on a pair of plastic slip-on clogs.
Or, dare we say it, they might even trick you.
Sorry, but the end of your Croc-less existence is fast approaching.
Over the past couple of years, ugly shoes have been having a fashion moment.
Shoes that were universally regarded as fashion faux pas in the mid-2000s like Birkenstocks, Tevas, and slide sandals are everywhere now – and only seem to be growing in popularity as athleisure continues its reign over our wallets.
“We’re beyond the tip of the iceberg,” said stylist Elizabeth Saltzman to W Magazine about the rise of ugly summer shoes. “Comfort and practicality are very important.”
And even though Crocs haven’t quite become cool, they’re not as far away from a return to glory as you might think.
In 2014, after three years of focusing on attempting to sell more upscale, fashionable shoes, the company decided it was time to make a return to basics.
They wanted to make the name Crocs synonymous with clogs again – and the plan worked.
By 2015, Crocs reported it had sold over 30 million pairs of their ugly duckling shoes. Granted, most of the shoes were sold to foreign countries where Crocs weren’t quite as infamously fug, but still – people were buying them.
One year later, bedazzled Crocs were waltzing down the frickin’ runway and being sold at fancier mall stories like Nordstrom for hundreds of dollars.
And by the end of 2016, Kylie Jenner was yelling “this is lit” on Snapchat after receiving four different pairs of Crocs for Christmas.
Whether or not Kylie has anything to do with it, in a new report by retail resale website threadUP, Crocs are flying off the shelves faster than ANY other mall brand they sell.
“We were surprised to see Crocs so high on list,” Karen Clark, threadUP’s head of marketing communications, told Yahoo Style. “For brands with that high a sell-through rate, it’a almost impossible to find them on the site. They just fly off the shelves.”
But you know who wasn’t surprised?
My friend Beth Scheppke who proudly owns not one, not two, but three pairs of Crocs.
“With Crocs I feel like you’re almost taking it a step further, you’re cranking up the ugliness,” my friend Beth explained. “I feel like Crocs are about to take the same trajectory as slides. They were the same way. People thought, ‘Oh these are just the shoes you put on after soccer practice or when you’re on a boat.’”
It’s hard to remember a time when slides weren’t cool, but Beth’s right.
Up until a few years ago, they were just for dweebs. And now they’re everywhere, thanks in no small part to the fact that celebs like Rihanna are designing $80 pairs for nationwide brands like Puma.
And I have to admit, as much as I can’t deny that Crocs are ugly, they’re really comfortable.
After Beth finished telling me all about how Crocs were due to become the latest 2000s thing people can’t get enough of, she let me try hers on and as soon as they were on my feet, I kind of got it.
They’re ridiculously comfortable and light as a frickin feather – plus Beth’s camo print pair actually looked pretty cute with my outfit!
Even if people won’t all be able to share Beth’s genuine love of Crocs, you know a pack of hipster-types will start wearing them ironically.
Either way, watch out world, Crocs are coming for you.
Being a feminist artist sounds rad — but just how the hell do you make that happen?
Even if you graduate with honors from the most prestigious BFA program you can find, chances are no one’s gonna be lining up to pay you for art when you graduate. That’s why the “starving artist” trope is real AF. Toss feminism or any sort of controversy into your work, and you’ll have even fewer people lining up to buy it because as much as Instagram might love it, middle America isn’t trying to pay big bucks to hang sick radical art in their living rooms.
So while the finished product of the art hustle is the part we get to enjoy, it’s hard to know for sure what happens behind the scenes. How much does it actually pay to be a creative in the art world, when it all comes down to it?
Galore sat down with artists like the Kaplan twins and Madelyne Beckels to learn exactly what the art hustle is like.
1. Anais Abeigon | Brooklyn, NY | Instagram: @izaaesthetic
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
How does feminism inform your art?
I wouldn’t say feminism plays a role in all my art pieces but a decent chunk. I made a sculpture that depicted a crown of thorns out of wire coat hangers covered in “blood”, and incorporated a “warning: not for internal use” sign. I want to start doing more political pieces, especially street art.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
I’m a full time student, I work part time at the Museum of Natural History, and I have an internship. I make money from the museum to spend it on art supplies. I wish I had the time to be a full time artist but as of right now, art is a hobby and side hustle. In the meantime, an Etsy and RedBubble account are in the works! I also have an Instagram for my art as well as the galleries I’ll be displaying my work.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
I’m into spray paint, which isn’t cheap but I’m also into charcoal which is like $3. Each piece differs. I can spend $5 on a piece and $100 on another.
I wish I had more time to dedicate to art. Every break or holiday my school offers, I’m most likely home making art. I minor in art though, so I find way to make time for it even being a student. My notebooks actually have extremely detailed drawings in them, shading and all! Sorry to all the professors that have to see me more interested in a drawing then their lesson!
How much does art actually pay off?
People have become very unreasonable when buying art. They expect great pieces for such a low value, not considering the money spent to make the piece, the time spent finessing it, and the love the artist has for it. Art is supposed to make you feel something! You wouldn’t jip your masseuse, would you? I once had a man tell me I was charging too much for my charcoal body piece. I was charging $300 at the time, frame included. Because I was a beginning artist he wanted it for $100, uh what?! Never let someone determine how much your piece is worth to you.
It inspires me to portray women as we are and how we are game changers in this society. It makes me crush perfectionism and focus more on the message that I’m trying to send.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
I dedicate any time that I have inspiration to do it, so as much time as possible.
I’m a huge penny-pincher! It hurts me a lot when I have to buy a new paint or a new canvas! But I can’t say no because it’s what makes me happy, so I buy it anyway. An acrylic paint usually costs around 4,50 reais — a bit expensive in Brazil’s economic view. I’m just really thankful for my mother, she supports me a lot. She helps me to buy supplies when I can’t and and someday I hope to pay all back to her.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
A mix between those two. Social anxiety and depression have been really holding me back but I’m trying to battle it. I help my mom in the real estate field and at her store, but when I’m feeling really inspired to draw or paint I go and do what I have to do.
I wish I could only work with what I love, which is art, but maybe in the future. I managed to find some jobs as an illustrator and I sold a few drawings and paintings. Currently, I’m doing designs for T-shirts and selling on a website called TeePublic. At the end of the month, I get a certain amount and I can say that helps a lot thanks to everybody supporting me.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
I always take paper and a graphic pencil with me to anywhere I go. When I’m at the store, between the comings and goings of customers, I like to doodle what I see outside, a current situation, or how I’m feeling inside. A lot of ideas happen around these moments and when I get home at night, I start to work on them.
How much does art actually pay off?
Creating art is an amazing feeling and that really pays off. Only that feeling doesn’t pay bills and art supplies, right? I think about this constantly but when that moment comes and you sell something you created, it’s so damn good. I was told all the time that art wouldn’t give me money and that I had to do something that would make me rich as fast as possible. But these things take a bit of time and as you start seeing results, how people like your work, it’s amazing! Keep exposing your work, there are lots of people that would love what you do.
Mainly through reclaiming and reinterpreting the traditional view of embroidery being a “domestic woman’s work.” A lot of the time, embroidery gets this rep for being delicate, pretty, girly, and feeble, which I’m not! I think my remix of this traditional skill represents our generation of females and youths now, as we’re becoming more honest and outspoken! It’s really cool and very important because I feel like female artists nowadays have allowed more discussions to be heard around the world.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
I’d like to say I invest a lot of time into my work, as embroidery isn’t one of those things you can just slap on a surface and call it “art.” I do it anytime I’m in my room not doing anything, every week I’ll produce new pieces.
In terms of money I spend mostly on printing images, magazines and buying embroidery thread. For thread though, I make sure I buy in bulk if I’m in Hong Kong before coming back to London. Usually I spend at least 12 quid and that would be a huge chunk of multi-coloured thread to last me the year.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
It’s more of a side hustle at the moment since I’m studying at university. I’ve been doing what I do since I was a high school student, but this time it’s getting a bit more serious. I’m hoping to push this to higher levels. So my main hustle is finishing my degree at the moment but I do sell a ton of clothes and good quality valuable items I’ve never used on a depop account I share with my sister (@natalierachelpearl).
Other than that, paid creative assisting jobs also fund me! I’m graduating really soon and will work in fashion doing shoot production or assisting so it’s still within the creative field. You’ll definitely see me do art full time someday though. I promise I’ll find a way to make it happen — I always do!
How do you balance art and other hustles?
I integrate it into my life so it doesn’t seem like work. I’m currently including it into my final project at uni, which is a series of zines called “Fem” exploring contemporary female identities in streetwear and subculture (@femfamzine). I’m open to doing more interesting and fulfilling collaborations and holding an exhibition one day.
How much does art actually pay off?
I started selling lots of my pieces through Instagram as I was constantly getting DMs about it and people were sharing my work a lot. The money generally went towards my monthly travel card and groceries which is more than I expected, considering I’m still studying and living in London. I do a multitude of things outside of selling art for pay whilst being at uni, especially the paid assisting work on photoshoots and stuff, but everyone around me who’s in fashion or art doesn’t just do ‘one thing’ to survive in the city. I’m thankful to have supportive parents, but I think it’s fairly normal to be extending your options for bread while still being able to successfully push your art.
Feminism informs my life. I’ve learned so much about the importance of boundaries and assertiveness from the feminists in my immediate circle. I’m not good at separating my existence and experiences from my art, so all that I learn spills over into my work. I like to include positive affirmations in my ongoing series of portraits of women.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
I invest at least 20% of each day to art — and that percentage only drops that low when I’m swamped. And I’ve been homeless before but still managed to buy markers and a sketchbook, so I’m always willing to cash out for my craft.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
Thinking of art as my side hustle is like dating someone for 2 years and calling them your homegirl to your homies. Although I have a lot of of things going at any given time, art is my first love! We are in a committed relationship — this is a full time thang, boo.
Even though art is forever the queen of my heart, I have a full-time job at heymama, a content and membership-based website that’s a network of entrepreneurial mothers. In addition to my Monday–Friday job, I write digital pieces for Teen Vogue and share illustrations on Rookie Mag’s website. I’ve also sold one of my pieces to Noisey before and designed custom jackets, too! With all that though, I still create time and space to work on pieces just for personal reasons. I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve stayed up doodling in my sketchbook or working on pieces in Microsoft Paint just because I wanted to.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
I don’t consciously balance art and other hustles! I mess up when I try to be really rigid and ordered about allocating time for everything. I just live and the balance comes to me.
How much does art actually pay off?
There is money in art! For me, it’s been about being proactive and seeking paying opportunities and also being vocal about wanting to be paid for my work. I don’t ball out on people (yet) and charge like 10k for a painting because I’m not in that zone currently. With that being said, I’ll charge like $60/$75 for a flyer in MS paint, $40 for a jacket. I know who can pay $200 for a piece vs who can’t. It’s a knowledge and relationship game.
I believe that we are living in a crucial time where women in America can do anything, be anything, and achieve everything with work and dedication. I’m inspired by those women that have the strength and voice to pursue what they believe in while staying true to roots.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
I’m managing my own business at the moment. I love to build relationships with my clients, so I do face to face communication as much as possible. When that’s not possible, clients can DM me through my Instagram. My Instagram is my gallery for those unable to make it to my shows.
I’ve been working in the fashion industry for many years now with a lot of companies and designers in visual art direction, styling, and directing fashion shows, photo shoots and have been involved in various projects throughout my career here in the states and in Mexico that has contributed to maintaining an income to support my art business and its development.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
It’s a constant movement — it’s every second and minute of my life. My mind never stops creating. I can’t turn it off. Maintaining a budget can be difficult, but necessary. What’s worked for me is that I have my business mentor that understands my creative process and challenges me to also know and learn the business side to all of this. It helps me to keep my business on track and towards a direction of growth. Each artist is different. I invest in my key materials that keeps my aesthetic and style alive and going. I know that by having those materials with me I know I can constantly be working every single day. It just depends on the what I’m creating. I always work with different mediums from sand paper to coconuts.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
Its definitely been a challenge for me. I have learned to maintain a healthy balance between my wardrobe consulting and building my art business at the same time. But it’s doable. I learned to manage both and be inspired to style and create at the same time and use both to fuel each other.
How much does art actually pay off?
At first I wasn’t selling my work. I was creating to make a movement for myself, because I felt frustrated not being able to move to a major city where I would find my dream job. One day it hit me that I needed to create that for myself, first from where I was standing. So then, I started working and throwing it out into the universe through IG, mainly to express myself and to see what reaction I would get from people. And when you are the most honest and vulnerable is when you get a reaction and honest response from your audience.
I can say that my goal has always been to have my art income get closer and closer to my full-time job income. So, every month I review my art income to my full time income and if it’s anywhere near or close every month I know I’m headed in the right direction. Because I want this to be my world and life. It could be different for someone else. For me, it’s a realistic goal and so far it’s been working for me. I’m close to having it be, if not almost, my full income each month. I’ve paid must of my bills each month with pieces that I’ve sold. Because at the end of the day if my art is making me more income than my full time job at some point, I would have to make the decision of dedicating my life to my art business. That should be every artist’s goal.
I used to be afraid of pricing my work when I started selling pieces. But people will respect you more when you start respecting your work. Don’t be afraid of charging and pricing your work for what it’s worth. Just because you’re up and coming doesn’t mean your work is less and not worth much.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
I would say that question is somewhat reversed… unless you come from an enormously privileged background, it’s really difficult to be a full time artist with no other source of income. Additionally, I would argue that it’s near impossible for art to be a side hustle as it takes a lot of energy, time, research, introspection, and vulnerability.
When I do get paid for my work, it’s usually from live performances. Unfortunately, it’s somewhat rare to be paid for your participation in gallery shows, even though artists invest their time, money, and labor. Unless you sell a piece (even then, the gallery gets a cut), you will not necessarily be compensated. I would note, however, that making money isn’t necessarily my main intention with being an artist, and I think many would agree with me. Not to be cheesy, but I make art to express myself, and that’s the first and foremost catalyst for my making work.
That being said, in Canada we have government funding and resources set in place for arts programming and individual artists. There are quite a few grants available for young and emerging talent to create work, which I feel very lucky for!
I’ve worked every job — from retail, to service, to cleaning houses, DJ-ing, etc. Right now, I work an office admin job three days a week.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
All of it — I have no choice! If you’re given the chance to show some work or create new work, most of the time the platform is the only thing promised to an artist, and in turn it is their responsibility to make magic happen — i.e. invest all of their time in money into the project in hopes that it will get attention, and thus lead to other opportunities.
There’s a really great initiative happening online that I recommend checking out called GET ARTISTS PAID that aims to change the discourse in free labour, to uncover the myth of “exposure” as exploitation, and to promote critical creation and consumption of art and ideas.
How do you balance art and other hustles or managing day to day life?
It’s very difficult! As an artist, when you are presented with opportunities, you have to say yes to everything, because you’re worried that the opportunity may never come up again, or that if you say no, people will think you’re not interested and therefore not serious about your work. This means balancing and choosing between your art practice, your job that actually pays you, your time, your money, your relationships, and your mental health and self preservation — it’s not for the weak! I’ve just been working non-stop for the past two months, which not only includes taking time away from my job, my boyfriend, and my cat, but also means a lot of traveling, loosing sleep, not having time to do laundry, or groceries, etc.
It’s important to take time and retreat, not only to rest your body, but to have some time to think, read, watch movies, hang out with people… to get inspired! I’ve just decided that for the month of June I’m gonna lay low and say no, so that I can start the summer season with a bit more clarity. But then again, if something incredible comes up…
How much does art actually pay off?
Art pays off if you have the desire to create! It’s amazing to have platforms to show your work and I’m always grateful for opportunities, but it’s definitely a struggle. There’s kind of a joke in the art world that female artists historically don’t get recognition for their work until they are dead. This is definitely changing because of the accessibility of the internet — you are more able to self-represent and form communities online outside of the traditional gallery setting, but it’s hard to make money from art. We are all struggling to feel legitimized in our practices, but there are always moments of refuge when you are part of a show or make a piece that you are really proud of, and I think that’s why we do what we do anyway.
Women have always been the center of my art, I could relate more to how they look. I always describe women as having these soft curved lines. It makes it easier to seamlessly paint or sketch them, allowing all lines to flow into each other and telling that story effortlessly.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
I’m not a full-time artist, but honestly, any person who is an artist works full-time. I first started to consider art a hustle about two years ago when I was working at a hair salon that literally drained my soul. I would work tiring hours just to come home late with no motivation to create. At the same time, the art in my home had started to leave me with no space so I decided to sit on my block and sell. I loved it so much. Just simply meeting people, sitting out in the sun, and enjoying my free time birthed this determination to create. I would stay up every night until 2-3 a.m. and paint until my eyes burned just so I had new paintings for my neighborhood supporters. I didn’t care how tired I was the next day at work, that grind literally tossed me into this side of the art world I never knew I could personally experience. That it was possible to create and share and be able to make money.
Technically, art is my side hustle and I currently work in an elementary school, which I truly love. I have a ton of space to create freely now. I’m finally working towards building a career around children and art. I sell my paintings through my social media, and on sunny days, on the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Those street sales and social media dropoff sales fund my art life. I keep everything simple and minimal because the only goal for me is to create.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
Everything in my life is art. The men I date, the food I eat, all of the outside world, down to the pillows in my room. Art is the basis of life so there isn’t really a balance with art and any other hustles for me, they’re all mixed up together.
A lot of the art I create is inspired by or of strong inspirational women who many people like myself look up to. When creating original pieces I always depict the women as powerful beings because that’s exactly what women are, powerful. Frida Kahlo is a big inspiration in my art, she ignored the norms that everyone else followed — not only in art but how she lived — and I hope to get to a level of depth in my art like she has one day.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
Selling art is more of a side hustle but I’ll claim the “full-time” title in the future. My main hustle is currently school, but I do have a part-time job to fund my art supplies.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
I invest LOTS of time and money into my art. I can sometimes spend over seven hours behind a computer screen creating an illustration or hours repainting the same eyeball over and over because it’s not up to my standards. I try to finesse deals or sales at local craft stores for the best bargain because after a while, canvases and paint bottles add up. In the end, I make sure I take my time so that I can put my best work out there for others to enjoy.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
I try to integrate art into everything because at the end of the day, I enjoy creating. If I have a project for school, I’ll try to pull my creativity out and hope that it boosts my motivation.
Despite enforcing diversity and giving voices to artists who belong to marginalized groups, I still feel as if the art industry is dominated by straight cisgender white men. While I tend to create works that are more personal than sociopolitical commentaries, as a third culture woman of color, I feel as if my persistence in fighting for my art is in itself a form of feminist empowerment. Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
I don’t think I’d be considered a full time artist right now, but art will never be a side hustle for me either. I’m currently studying creative writing and art at Hamilton College, where I’m trying to both focus on academics and use my experiences here to create as much art as possible. I’m not currently selling any works, but I have before. I’ve sold art on national TV in China for $43,000, which was donated entirely towards leukemia treatment for children in rural China. I’ve considered selling works in galleries in the future, perhaps after I graduate from college.
If I were to be asked what my official “occupation” is at this point, I would probably have to say student, but it only feels that way because I’m living on a college campus. Essentially, art will be a part of my life regardless of what I do — it’s come to a point where I don’t think it’s a choice anymore. I could be the busiest student on campus, or a college graduate with a stable 9-to-5 job, and art will still be the one thing that strings everything in my life together.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
Because my college’s art department provides some materials I need for painting, I don’t invest as much money as I probably would. It’s still a solid investment to buy all the canvases and extra materials I need though. As for time, I almost spend every waking minute thinking about art, which definitely has to do with synesthesia. In times when my synesthesia is particularly heightened, I see the world as a painting. Every word I read is a color, and so is every person I meet, and the emotions I feel.
Once my painting professor took me outside the studio and said to paint what’s in front of me, so I painted an orange and purple sky with green highlights. Everyone is able to see the world in its original, natural state. Art and life, for me, has no distinct separation. I want people to see what it’s like to live in art. How do you balance art and other hustles?
I don’t feel as if it’s a balancing act, it’s more like everything in my life moves along and art encompasses everything. I don’t even feel like I need to make time for art, because whether or not I create is out of my control — it’s something I will do, must do, am made to do.
I remember getting insanely frustrated that one of my paintings wasn’t coming along the way I wanted, so eventually I dropped everything and said “I’m never painting again,” took a walk around campus, came right back to the studio, and painted for another seven hours. To me, that is what it means to be an artist.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. How does feminism inform your art?
Feminism informs my art because looking back at the history of art, a majority of the art that gains recognition is made by men, for men, and sometimes even against women. It’s common for notable female artists to get left out in art movements. Being a female artist in a patriarchal society is hard, especially if you’re a black female artist because the world is constantly against you. I love making art to uplift my people. I make art to retaliate against living in an unjust patriarchal society. I make art that is representational so that brown and black girls can envision themselves in my work. It’s reassuring to me when people tell me they can relate to my work and resonate with it.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
I’m actually a full-time student studying graphic design at Coastal Carolina University. I’m just now finishing up my freshman year so making art is my side hustle. It’s dope because I’m doing what I actually want to do while still getting the education thing down. The summer is going to be a more productive time for me as I’ll have more free time to work on my art and commissions.
I’m fortunate enough to get the opportunity to participate in local art shows. Whenever I do shows, I make art prints to sell at the show and network. I’ve met so many cool people through the couple of shows that I’ve done. Local shows are dope because you get to meet other creatives that you didn’t even know lived in your area. It took me a minute because I procrastinate a lot, but I just recently opened up an online store to sell my prints. I receive so much support from people all over the world and I’m very grateful for my supporters, they help motivate me to not be lazy and actually make some art.
If I’m not busy in school and I’m on a break, I’ll make money serving tables at this local restaurant back home. It’s just a regular little waitress job, nothing special. It’s easy pocket money that I can use to buy materials for my art, making and selling prints, and buying food haha.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
A majority of my time and money goes into my art. It consumes so much of my energy and time especially when I’m working on a big piece. I really appreciate taking my time with my work to fill it with sentimental details. I feel like the more energy and patience I put into a piece, the better it turns out. My money goes to the materials I need to draw and make prints. Copic markers are my favorite medium yet they’re so expensive, so whenever I get money I’m always trying to cop new markers or refills. Along with that printer ink to make art prints is also very expensive so making prints in general costs me a lot of my money. But I look at it this way, all the time and money I put into my art is an investment. So I don’t mind putting in the extra time and money when it comes to my art as it’s pays off in the end.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
Balancing art and school is pretty hard. If I’m not working on a project for school I’m probably making art prints in my dorm room. I have to choose between getting an assignment done for class or working on my own stuff. I usually draw in my sketchbook in class like during a lecture or something. I find that to be very productive because it’s hard for me to sit in a lecture without doodling or something.
I’ve never actually considered myself a feminist. My art is geared towards the celebration of the African American woman. The life of the Black woman is a beautiful celebration of the human spirit, thus I am compelled to create an ample body of work dedicated to us. My work examines the ideas of femininity and race and the complexity and vulnerability not often associated with being a black woman based on the socio-cultural stereotypes assigned to us.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
After graduating, at the beginning of the recession, my transition into the art field felt…impossible. Even internships were difficult to come by. Jobs were scarce, even if you held a Master’s degree. So, I took up a couple administrative positions to pay the bills alongside a few internships, but never really dove in head first. After leaving my last administrative position, on a maternity leave, I was able to stay at home with my now 18 month old son and refocus full-time on my art career once again.
A couple years back, I found out about a site that allowed me to upload high res images of my pieces in order to have them duplicated as canvas, giclee prints, or even on outerwear and home decor. I’ve been able to make some sales via that site and obtain a small commission. Alternatively, I also joined another website that allows me to upload original pieces, fully priced, and have them sold through their third party site. They take care of all the legalities of the transaction with no commission to their company. To supplement this inconsistent cash flow, I enter juried art shows and competitions. These shows are great for exposure, experience and in some cases creative critique.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
With this time period being my transition, as much as I’d love to spend night and day in the studio, I spend the majority of my time researching and educating myself further on the market. I’m constantly keeping an eye out for what’s new in the contemporary art world and comparing it to historical art periods. It allows me to continuously evolve in my various mediums of art and refine my vision.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
Right now, my number one priority is being a mom. However, whatever time in the course of a 24-hour day that I can sneak in an art article or two behind a locked bathroom door, jot down some creative ideas while singing the ABC’s with Elmo or serial scrolling on IG through my favorite art influencer’s page during a walk to the park, I’ll squeeze it in between diaper changes, messy meal times, screaming fits, playtime, and cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Does art actually pay off?
Consistency, tenacity and determination are key to having a lucrative art career. Connections are pretty huge too, so networking really works in your favor. Flexibility has proven helpful to me as well. Although painting, printmaking and drawing are what I’ve been trained in, I’ve also taken interest in photography and interior design. That’s not to say to stretch yourself thin dabbling in everything, but rather express yourself in various creative outlets so that you’re constantly exercising your artistic muscle. All in all, it ain’t an easy market to be in, especially as an African female in a white male dominated field, but if you believe that your work has something to say, then make that statement loud and clear!
Strength and power of women and the beauty that lies within them have a very clear and constant influence on my art. The mostly female subjects of my paintings and drawings captivates, physically engages the viewer, and connects the viewer to the subject. However, my inspiration comes from my personal observations of people, nature and my own life experiences, hence I wouldn’t say that feminism has been a conscious topic of my art yet.
For the last six years I worked in customer service three days per week and only recently resigned from this part-time office job. I am excited to finally be able to focus entirely on my art business as a full-time artist.
Are you a full-time or part-time artist?
Monetizing my art did not come naturally to me. After my friend talked me into selling her an art print of my drawing, I received inquiries from other people who wanted to commission me for drawings. But I was so attached to my work and also too insecure and unknowledgeable about the industry to demand appropriate prices.
So, I would sit for 20-30 hours on a drawing, then pay a print service for a high resolution scan, a canvas print and for framing of the artwork and then ended up selling it to customers at near cost price while keeping all original work to myself. I was not making any money, but the excitement of having people interested in my creations fulfilled me more than money. It took me a long time to better understand the value of my work. I figured that if I wanted to make a living out of my passion, I had to start treating it as a business instead of the hobby that it was for most of my life.
I try to use every channel available to me to sell my art. Exposure is the key of having your work seen and attracting potential clients. Galleries and agents obviously take a big cut off the sales price of an artwork, so I try to promote myself as much as possible and focus on my social media presence. Almost all my commissioned work is ordered through my Instagram page, where people all around the world are able to view my portfolio. In my opinion, social media is by far the most important asset to this business.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
It’s hard to pin down how many hours per week are spent doing work for my art business. If you work another “money job,” whether it’s part time or full time, you are usually forced to put your employment first, which puts you in a constant conflict between making money to live and pushing your art business forward. I’d spend my office lunch breaks replying to all my art-related emails and messages, bookkeeping, preparing social media posts, planning projects and shipping to make sure that I can focus entirely on actually painting or drawing during my time at home in my art studio, instead of spending studio-time doing admin. When I do commissioned work, I pull all-nighters now and then, but I usually try to give clients realistic deadlines to give myself enough time.
Apart from investing every minute I have into my art business, I also make sure I invest financially into the aspects that will move my art business forward. Printing, framing, art materials and a good online presence rely not only on your own time, but the services and supplies of professionals. Financially, art is similar to any business: you need to invest first in order to get something out.
Our art definitely has aspects of feminism in it. We’re commenting on the hypersexualization of women in society, the exploitation of this, and how it leads to fame. It’s exposing the conflict in our culture, which is our simultaneous obsession and oppression with female sexuality. We play into this ourselves and are really aware of it. We use shock value and our own bodies to start a discussion and begin reclaiming the power to create our own narrative.
Our art is also about doing what we want, and having the confidence to present ourselves in a way that we choose to. It’s so innate to us. It’s about feeling free and having fun. Our mom always told us, “life is a party, shoot for the stars, you can be anything you want to be, as long as you’re a good person.” Women should feel empowered and confident to do what they want to do, and be who they want to be, and that’s what feminism is to us.
Are you a full-time artist or is it more of a side hustle?
We are full time artists. When we graduated NYU we knew that we just wanted to go for it and give it our all.
This is a business like any other. New businesses are going to face challenges until they learn what works and what doesn’t. Not everything we do is going to be super successful. We’re learning how to grow our brand and that won’t happen overnight.
We recently started working with De Re Gallery in Los Angeles and we have a solo show coming soon. Before, we were mostly selling direct to consumer via promoting our products on Instagram, and we still use Instagram as a tool to sell and promote our work. We also have an online store for custom paintings and smaller projects. We’re launching some merchandise soon that will be available on our website as well.
How much time and money do you invest in your art?
We always say there aren’t enough hours in the day! We are in the studio almost every day and when were not physically there and painting, we’re still working. Some days we’re in meetings, some days we have photoshoots, some days we’re taking inventory on materials and buying more of what we need. Right now, we’re investing all of our time, and all of our efforts into this.
How do you balance art and other hustles?
We struggle a lot to find a balance between our work, and personal lives, which can be tough, but everybody has to deal with that. It’s also probably a bit more complicated for us because we’re together literally all the time, so our work and personal lives are completely intertwined.
Does art actually pay off?
We’re not sure if there’s ever a way or a moment when we’ll realize, “Okay, everything we’ve worked for, it’s finally paid off.” Or maybe we are just not quite there yet. We are still hustling, still working. Some days are better than others and success comes in waves. People only see the success, but there’s also a ton of struggle, work, and time behind that.
If you want something, you just need to go for it and make it happen! People ask us all the time, as an artist, how to get their work more noticed. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, do what you love, and take a stand for what you believe in. If a gallery won’t show your work, have your own gallery show! Figure out what works and how people respond to what you’re doing. It’s a business like any other, it’s a constant hustle.
We also try and be as authentic as we can and stay true to who we are. We love to see that people like what we’re doing. Our fans and their support means so much to us because we have invested so much in this, so to know we have support makes it easier for us to keep hustling!
I guess I finally angered the skincare gods because after years of skin neglect with zero consequences, I have begun to severely break out.
I’m sure this sounds whiny coming from someone who has never had skin issues. But I got used to a bunch of skin faux pas, like sleeping in my makeup, and it shows.
I started getting acne in large areas and it was leaving scars. I’m also a skin picker, which was never an issue with the occasional teensy blemish, but is a huge problem now that my skin is worse. So like, I popped a group of five pimples and the area got so inflamed that it formed a scab. I picked that, too, so now I have a one-inch scar that looks like I got hit with something.
My first step in my skincare journey was using tea tree oil. I honestly love it because it moisturizes and reduces the look of scars, but it wasn’t stopping new breakouts. Plus, I wanted to work on getting rid of scars completely. So I ultimately decided to buy a Clarisonic!
The main reason anyone should invest in a Clarisonic is because my muva Oprah recommended it and she would never lead you astray.
But if that’s not enough, I also love how completely it removes dirt from my face. If you think you’re accomplishing this already, you’re probs wrong. I don’t care how bomb your face wash is or how soft your Victoria’s Secret washcloth feels, once you try cleansing with a Clarisonic you will see the horrific truth. It removes way more dirt and makeup than I thought existed on my face and all of my skincare products even work more effectively because of it.
It beeps every 15 seconds or so and then turns off after 4 beeps, which I didn’t really understand until I googled it. So apparently I’m supposed to start with my forehead area, and then switch to my nose-and-chin area, and then do each cheek. I was just rubbing it all over until it turned off but it works way better when I actually follow the directions. Who knew.
It has three different kinds of brush attachments and they’re each really expensive, so it can get pricey over time. I just use the Sensitive brush attachment and it works perfectly. Each one is supposed to last three months if you’re washing them regularly, and my kit started with three, but I don’t know yet how I’ll feel spending $30 every 3 months.
For now, I’m fully in the honeymoon phase. It’s so gentle that I’ve even used it on scabs without it reopening the wound. I also notice that my scars are way less visible now and my breakouts aren’t as severe, so I’m honestly in love (until I run out of brushes). It’s worth the price (again, so far).
Just a warning: you absolutely have to clean your brush weekly or it gets really gross. Just washing off the soap is not good enough! So I unscrew the brush head and use antibacterial soap, because otherwise it’s like putting mold and bacteria back on your face. It also hasn’t stopped my breakouts completely in their tracks so I find I’m still breaking out, but I’m happy to at least see the problem dying down.
Whenever celebrities decide to get off their vacation-going, selfie-taking, social media hiatus-ing butts and promote something, we get pelted with a flurry of attention-grabbing sound bites and stunts engineered to make us go from calmly sitting in front of a laptop to being shooketh real quick.
Let’s take Miley Cyrus for an example.
Yesterday she released her first single in years that wasn’t fueled by excessive drug use and a need to rebel against the system. One of her press stops was Radio Disney, where she got surprised with a video of her first audition for Hannah Montana.
Obviously she’s pandering to her long-term fans who have been patiently awaiting her return to normalcy – the same fans Miley’s really counting on to like her new album. But honestly, everybody loves watching audition tapes, so really this is a gift all Miley fans can appreciate.
“You’re all going to freak out,” Miley remarked as the video started to play, adding that in the video she can’t believe she was bold enough at the time to wear a T-shirt that said, “I should have my own TV show.”
The video shows that baby Miley was just as precocious as adult Miley, although it’s hard to glean that much from the video unless you watch it multiple times because they’re watching her audition on a teeny tiny iPad that everybody in the studio was talking over.
Not that Miley seems to mind. She can’t help but describe the viewing experience with a whole bunch of positive adjectives.
“That is so funny. That is crazy. That is a jewel. That is a gem,” Miley gushes.
Still, though watching the video may be slightly disappointing to some Miley fans, it is undeniably cute – just like her new single “Malibu.”
Unless you’re cursed with seriously bad acne, you probably just get acne in certain places on occasion. Personally, I hardly ever get pimples. But when I do, they’re always on my damn chin.
If you consistently get them in the same place, there’s almost guaranteed to be a reason for that. It could be a hormonal imbalance, or your diet, but it could also be your phone.
If you’re getting pimples smack dab in the middle of your cheeks — there’s a really good chance it’s your phone, according to Dr. Whitney Bowe in an interview for Teen Vogue.
Yikes, right? You’re not quitting using your phone anytime soon. And although you probably don’t talk on the actual phone all that much, sometimes you’ve got to be old school like that.
Another cause for cheek pimples? Not washing your makeup brushes enough — something we’re all guilty of.
This is a bummer, because both makeup brushes and phones are two things you’re not giving up, but the good news is all you have to do is clean them both properly and frequently.
But how the f do you wash a phone? Well, because brands have realized that phones are literally loaded with germs, they’ve started offering products to help you out — like Well-Kept’s cute lil phone wipes that are only six bucks!
I know you probably think that you can just spit on your phone and wipe it with a tissue, but you can’t. I mean, 16% of cell phones were legit found to have poop on them. Like, actual traces of turd germs!
If that’s not enough to get you to wash your phone, I don’t know what is. Not to mention getting rid of those stubborn cheek pimples!
While it’s possible to read this a myriad of different ways since it’s incredibly vague, my fingers are crossed that it’s a sign the song will be about Taylor Swift, who happens to be both a bad liar and a huge fan of wearing red lipstick.
And I’m hoping Selena chose the window shade motif as a way of saying the song will be so shady Taylor’s gonna have to retreat even further into the near total media blackout that is her life right now.
Because honestly, are Taylor and Selena even friends anymore?
Taylor said absolutely NOTHING on Instagram about the last song Selena released, and saying nice things about her friends’ music on Instagram is basically Taylor’s favorite thing to do.
Granted “It Ain’t Me” was technically a Kygo song featuring Selena Gomez, but unless Taylor has rules stipulating she’ll only tell the world how much she loves your song if it’s actually your song, it was very rude of her to ignore it and might be a sign there’s bad blood between them.
Although TBH, telling the world you’re going to be releasing a new single on the same day Miley actually releases a new single probably wasn’t the best idea publicity-wise, Selena.
Unless you wanted it to fly under the radar, in which case, mission accomplished.
Anyway, whatever tf “Bad Liar” means, we’ll probably find out in six days, assuming that’s what the clock on Selena’s website is counting down to.
Until then feel free to email me at maria@galoremag.com to tell me all about your own theories.
Guys love to make everyone think they’re getting laid 24/7.
Girls, on the other hand, keep their thot-tivities on the DL for the most part, because slut-shamers are still lurking at every corner.
Because of this, it’s easy to assume that most good-looking guys are inviting over a new rando babe each night, and girls are browsing Tinder for their true love and using the “third date rule.”
55% of the female survey respondents said they’ve had one or more one night stand, whereas only 45% of guys said the same. Obviously, this isn’t a huge difference, but the number of girls reporting they’d had one night stands increased by 7% from last year, whereas males decreased by 25%.
You also have to acknowledge the stereotype that guys are way more likely to lie and say they’ve banged more people, whereas girls may be inclined to lie and say less. A stereotype that is most likely true, even in anonymous surveys like these.
Well, boys might be the OG players, but once ladies start getting in the game, they legit always win. It’s just way easier to get laid as a girl than a guy, and guys have nobody to blame for it but themselves. If girls weren’t conditioned to think that putting out for a rando was “bad” and “un-lady-like,” guys would probably get it in more. Or, you know, if guys stopped being such desperate dorks.
About three weeks ago we first noticed that wife-beaters were coming back because Kylie decided to wear one for a casual Coachella cuddle.
And today on her way back from a Dior event, Rihanna decided she needed to let her chest area breath and she slapped on a black-wife beater under the fur coat she was wearing, and then she hit the streets of LA.
Now, don’t get it twisted – we’re definitely not suggesting Rihanna’s getting her fashion cues from Kylie, it’s just a sign that celebrities wearing wife-beaters isn’t an isolated incident, but a fashion trend in the making.
Our entire office is entirely at odds on whether this lewk is tragic kingdom or dabomb.com, so let’s just say she wore it, pictures were taken, and life went on.
On Friday afternoon the Kardashians took a filmed field trip to Planned Parenthood to “raise awareness” and they all took a very different approach when it came to dressing themselves.
Here’s what their Planned Parenthood outfits say about them.
A post shared by Kardashianjenner (@kardashienjenner) on
Kim Kardashian is a Grade-A glamour puss so unlike most people who find themselves paying the ole Planned Parenthood offices a visit, bb girl kept things rich girl realness.
She wore black strappy heels, a long black bodycon dress – ribbed for her pleasure – gold layered necklaces, and a fresh weave.
On the one hand, this outfit suggests that Kim is completely anal about how she appears on camera when she’s just hanging around the house with her fam in track pants.
But I think it’s more of a sign of respect.
When Kim visits companies, she likes to wear heels to show whoever that she’s serious – like when she visited Snapchat headquarters last summer.
But when she visited Snapchat she also wore bike shorts and a leather jacket, so the fact that she put on a dress for Planned Parenthood seems like Kim was doing her best to broadcast how seriously she was treating the visit.
Then again, it’s hard not to take a meeting more seriously when you’re going in to talk politics and not just test out a new filter.
A post shared by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on
Kourtney’s brand is not giving a fuck and that’s pretty much what her outfit’s conveying.
Wearing a velvet bralette with a matching pair of velvet leggings and a velvet Adidas jacket, Kourtney’s outfit practically screams, “do I look like I care?”
A post shared by Kardashian’s/Jenner’s ❤Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.❤ (@kardashiansjennerss1) on
TBH, Khloe looks like the only one who’s ever been to a Planned Parenthood before.
She’s wearing leggings, a long baggy-ish tank top, sunglasses and an oversized jacket.
So either she DGAF about the meeting, or she genuinely got confused and thought Kim and Kourtney just wanted to go to Planned Parenthood to pick up condoms or get a sex talk for kicks.
Celebrities can afford to go pretty much anywhere on vacation, and yet for the most part each and every celebrity vacation ends up happening in these same six cliché spots: Ibiza, St. Barths, Turks and Caicos, St. Tropez, Cabo San Lucas, and Aspen.
To make matters even more cliché, each cliché celebrity vacation spot has its own vacation cliché that it’s great at fulfilling.
Some are great for getting black out drunk, some are great for bragging about how happy you are, and some are great for getting it on.
Allow us to explain.
1. Ibiza
Ibiza is a small island in the Mediterranean Sea, otherwise known as that place celebrities like to go to get blackout drunk and forget about being role models. Unless you’re Paris Hilton, and then it’s just a place you call home.
And even though I’ve never spoken to any of these celebrities personally, I can assure you that each and every one of them LOVES Ibiza, because literally everybody who’s been to Ibiza loves Ibiza. In fact, the only thing people who’ve been to Ibiza love more about going to Ibiza is talking about Ibiza.
Fun fact: did you know you can actually measure the strength of their love by the way they pronounce the word Ibiza? If they say it with a “z” sound, they just loved it, but if they say it with a “th” sound then run for the hills because your friend will literally never stop talking about Ibiza until the day they die or get dementia.
They may also behave like this the next time they actually go to Ibiza.
A video posted by Michelle Rodriguez (@mrodofficial) on
Calm down, people. You can literally get blackout drunk everywhere. You don’t have to go to a Mediterranean Island, just any bar, anytime, anywhere.
2. St. Barts
St. Barts is a small French-speaking Caribbean island known for its white-sand beaches, its yacht-filled harbor, and its horny celebrities. And like Ibiza, it acquires and extra “th” if you’re extra fancy, because you can also spell it St. Barths.
For example, when Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner wanted to get away from it all and bask in the warmth of each other’s arms during their short-lived, and not possibly fake at all romance this year, they went to St. Barts.
When Beyoncé wanted to get some alone time with Jay-Z and forget about being a mom for a while, she went to St. Barts.
I could keep going, but I’ll spare you.
3. Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is a collection of 40 low-lying coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Bahamas, where teenage boys and girls and middle-aged couples can go to make sure the rest of the world knows what a great time they’re having.
This year, Kylie Jenner took Tyga, Kendall, Bella Hadid and a personal photographer to make sure that each and every blissful moment was captured on film.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have also been known to spend some time in Turks and Caicos, including that time they went over Christmas and nobody could stop talking about how they probably got married down there.
They didn’t, of course, but that didn’t stop people from speculating how happy they must be together.
Nothing humble happens in Turks and Caicos, believe me.
4. St. Tropez
Saint Tropez is a lovely coastal town on the French Riviera where yachts and the celebrities who know people who own them flock to like flies on a hot summer’s day.
Speaking French is not a must for this celebrity vacation destination, but you do have to be willing to make small talk with other vacationing rich folk while you pretend to be bored with literally everything that’s going on around you.
5. Cabo San Lucas
AKA Cabo.
We all know Cabo.
Cabo is where underage teenagers use their parents money to get blackout drunk with their friends before college, and believe it or not, of age celebrities think it’s pretty fun too.
Only they tend to go to Cabo to show off their super hot bikini bodies.
If you don’t already love yourself, don’t go here. It won’t help.
6. Aspen
Aspen is a ski resort town where rich people like to walk around and feel rich, maybe even richer than they already are.
Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Gigi Hadid and Mariah Carey LOVE to stop whatever they’re doing, throw on a fur-lined down vest and maybe, if they’re feeling really brave, they’ll even hop take a ride down the mountain to find the perfect spot to take a selfie. In fact, if the spot is really that perfect, they may even strip down to a golden swimsuit because YOLO.
Remember back in high school when you were awkward and people didn’t even acknowledge your presence half the time unless it was to copy your homework? Or maybe you were considered “popular” but were still bullied by the fellow popular girls for some other unknown reason?
No matter what your high school experience was, I’m sure we all entertained the idea (in our heads) of being mega popular and having all the boys and girls eating out of the palm of your hand. But if you think about it… where are those girls now? Chances are they now have shitty style, no sense of self, are begging for attention online and have gained 30 pounds. Not saying anything is wrong with gaining weight — but we’re talking about the kind of girls who care about such things.
But now the tables have turned, you are out of high school and college, you’ve somewhat found your place in life, you’re fly af and you’ve just glowed up completely. And now they are all in your DM’s and your Facebook messages saying how cool you are now and looking to you for validation.
This reality is true for a lot of girls who weren’t appreciated in high school. Whether people made fun of them for the way they dressed or the things you were into, they all want to be like them now because it’s considered cool now.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
I took to Twitter and asked some of my followers who were considered “weird” in high school and see what they had to say.
Thomjana Ferguson, who is now a professional model who has been featured in Solange Knowles’ “Cranes in the Sky” video and modeled for her online store the Saint Heron Shop, was teased in high school as well.
“I was a choir nerd, I dressed awful, wore glasses and braces,” she told Galore. “I cut my hair [super] short previously and many guys said they wouldn’t date me, because of my hair.” She further explains that she got into modeling to boost her self esteem and now she is a professional who is signed with an agency in NYC.
On the other hand Brianna Leigh explains how she actually was popular for being weird, but still made fun of by the other popular kids.
“I was popular but if you were within the popular circle, I was the bitch that got roasted and it was because I believed in myself,” she said. “I didn’t want to be this fake ‘Basketball Wives’-ass bitch.”
Brianna further says she would be bullied because of the area she lived in and people would say she was “ghetto,” but now everyone wants to be “ghetto.”
Zuri Hunter loved crystals and astrology in high school and was considered weird — and now everyone is into it.
“I was straight up asked once if I ‘worshiped the devil’ because I was carrying around a ‘practical magic’ book that day,” she said. “Allllll these people from my high school still follow me and like my shit all the time on social media and tell me how cool I am and that the vibe I give off is great.”
People from her high school support her now but didn’t in high school…as always.
Thomjana, Brianna and Zuri have three totally different stories but are all doing that damn thing and thriving in their work and personal lives. The girls that used to clown them in high school are now begging for a follow and a DM back. They are the prime example that it does not matter if you are “weird” or dress differently or are creative and artsy in high school and people don’t understand.
So if you are reading this and you are still in high school or college and you still feel like you’re considered “weird”or made fun of for being different, DO YOU BOO. The world does not thrive on things staying the same, embrace your differences.
Take is from me and Thomjana, Zuri and Brianna, first they laugh and then they copy. Chances are the things you are into aren’t even that weird. They are just not old enough to realize that there are a ton of people that like the same things you do. I promise they will want to be you in a few years, just wait and see.
Remember the time when you had to flip through an issue of Us Weekly to find out who wore (insert clothing of choice) better? Well, now that valuable intel’s sitting right in your iPhone!
Instead of a weekly glossy to distract us from homework and/or office duties, we need to thank the ‘gram for making fashion look better than ever. Before you can type up a new Google search for your favorite celebrity’s new outfit, let me do the sleuthing.
Based in Bangkok and London, designer Vatanika Patamasingh knows exactly what women want. Packed with sleek cuts and an extremely strong eye for detail, it’s no secret that she attracts the eyes of our former cover girl Charlotte McKinney, who is spotted in Vatanika’s super sick power dress for the Tribeca Film Festival.
Not only am I OBSESSED with Vatanika (thanks, Char!), Justine Skye and Hailey Baldwin are also frequently spotted in her clothes. While international shipping from Thailand may be quite a stretch, Revolve‘s got you covered!
A post shared by Cotton Citizen (@cottoncitizen) on
Based in Los Angeles, this local brand is NOT to be overlooked! As an L.A. native, Adam Vanunu caters to the needs of West Coast girls. Whether it be sitting in the car for more than two hours (damn you, traffic!) or dining with your homies at your favorite hotspot, their finest cotton threads are ridiculously plush!
While the weather’s warming up, you’re less likely to sweat in cotton, which is why you see our cover girl Simi rocking Cotton Citizen’s neon tracksuit. And don’t miss how model Cami Morrone and bicoastal “It” girl/actress/singer Caroline Vreeland rock it. If you feel that neon ain’t your thang, go for Vanunu’s tie-dye hoodies like Sofia Richie. What makes Cotton Citizen so special is that every single garment is made in its L.A. factory and finished by hand. Thanks to its cute little hidden location on Melrose, you can skip class and splurge on a new tracksuit!
A post shared by Lorraine Zalta (@chokedbyathread) on
On the other side of the coast, Brooklyn-based designer Lorraine Zalta makes the most magical chokers. Although chokers were the “It” accessory last year, Zalta’s Choked by a Thread has timeless designs that can make you rock it all year long. It’s absolutely no secret that her ’90s-inspired chokers embrace the neck of Alessandra Ambrosio. Although Kim Kardashian hasn’t been spotted wearing it herself, she plugs Zalta’s denim choker as one of her top faves.
A post shared by F A P Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. (@fillesapapa) on
Who remembers that sequin maxi skirt that was sold out on Nasty Gal three years ago? If you are one of those peeps who wants to know the brand after all those years, please write this down: Filles á Papa.
As of now, this brand is known for their embellished streetwear and crazy cool tops, which are worn by Hailey Baldwin. How fucking cool is that!? Not to mention, former cover girl Keke Palmer and Jourdan Dunn also swear by the brand’s take on sexy streetwear. For all the fishnet lovers out there, they have festival-friendly jumpsuits, dresses and swimsuits for you! Promise me that you won’t wear this in front of mom and dad.
A post shared by Death By Dolls (@deathbydollsofficial) on
London-born designer Sara al-Saud is all about that denim. Whether it be dripping with fringe, decorated with holes or tied up with laces, no outfit can pop without these essentials. Although the brand is based in Los Angeles, Death by Dolls injects hints of the designer’s hometown with quirky details (think of cutouts and lace or off-the-shoulder bombers).
If you wanna channel your inner glam girl for the ‘gram, ring up your sugar daddy and ask him for his credit card before he plunks it down.
A post shared by Danielle Guizio • NYC (@danielleguizio) on
When in New York, treat the street like it’s your catwalk. Given that the majority of street style fashion only looks good on Instagram, Guizio makes each piece of her brand translate from the ‘gram to IRL.
For those nights when you need to get a seat at Catch, a sheer turtleneck bodysuit is NOT to be kept in your closet. Every girl from Taylor Hill to Bella Hadid is flaunting it in this brand. Apart from the most Instafamous design, Stella Maxwell sports a pair of zippered pants from Guizio!
Thanks to earning a lotta celeb love, Guizio’s pieces have been selling out faster than those cookie doughs at Do. Subscribe to the newsletter, add everything to the cart early before anyone else gets it and milk up that discount!
Blogger/designer Rumi Neely is here for the “girls who get it.” Knowing that having an eye for detail is mainly seen as an obvious statement, Neely subverts it with extremely minimal cuts and delicate jewelry.
As the American Apparel for the bougies, the brand’s sleek off-the-shoulder tops, tight bodysuits, silky slip dresses, Sharon Stone-esque halters and super thin chokers are seen on everyone from Winnie Harlow to Rihanna. While you may wear a bra here and there, Are You Am I will give you the freedom to be comfortable AND sexy without ever having to put one on.
If you recall NYFW, at least more than one influencer or celebrity has been spotted wearing patched bodysuits, jeans and logos that say “GCDS.” As an acronym for God Can’t Destroy Streetwear, this Milan-based brand is born to help you serve looks.
YouTuber/model Amanda Steele swears by their graphic Dior-esque tee while Victoria’s Secret Angel Romee Strijd pounds the concrete in their white ankle boots. Although it may be from Milan, GCDS is THE brand that every NYC girl must have in her closet.
A post shared by Berlin / New York (@_namilia_) on
If you’d like to agree with the rest of the world that Vetements is avant garde, don’t get me started. Instead of doing the clichéd oversized puffers like every other high end streetwear brand out there, Namilia disrupts this trend by launching the most anatomically surreal creations in this world that no other brand will do.
Staying true to its edgy artsy Berlin and NYC roots, the brand ain’t afraid to splash your feed with its mind-boggling dickini top. It’s no secret that this fun statement piece has been spotted on NYC’s finest from Alicia Keys to Princess Nokia. International babes such as Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix and Tommy Genesis also swear by this brand for non-basic pieces to elevate their wardrobe.
A post shared by GRLFRND DENIM (@grlfrnd_denim) on
As one of the hottest brands to come out from L.A., GRLFRND Denim is not to be missed out on! Inspired by your favorite ’90s supermodels (e.g. Linda Evangelista), ’00s babes (e.g. Karolina Kurkova) and today’s Vogue cover girls (e.g. Gigi Hadid), GRLFRND goes HAM in the denim department.
Whether it be uneven hems, distressed denim or different shades of blue, GRLFRND makes you feel like you want a piece of it. It’s pretty clear that Sports Illustrated cover girl Hailey Clauson, Stella Maxwell and literally, every other Victoria’s Secret model swears by this brand.
ICYMI, tattoo artist JonBoy collabed with them a couple of months ago for a one-off collection you cannot find anywhere else. But if you missed it, don’t grab your Kleenex. You can always have custom embroidery on yours soon!
Shopping for swimsuits and finding the right brand is a harder task than walking around town with at least 10 pounds of clothes on your arms.
Given that we are born with all different shapes and sizes, Frankie’s Bikinis is here to bless your bod with a flattering suit. With more than 600,ooo followers on Instagram, you can’t sleep on their designs! Whether it’s tie-dye or millennial pink, you MUST grab it before it goes off the site.
If you are averse to color, look to Madison Beer as your go-to bikini goddess. Believe me, nothing looks better on you than a little black bikini!
A post shared by Seville Michelle (@sevillemichelle) on
If you are in NYC, you may have seen this brand’s Jesus head chokers at VFiles or Planet X.
While not many of us know her name outside of NYC or the ‘gram, give Seville Michelle a follow. As an NYC native, she draws upon the streets to create the most beautiful gold chokers. Instead of super delicate fine gold chains, Seville Michelle makes ’em big AND bold whether it be filled with Jesus heads or maritime chains.
It’s no secret that NYC babes Bebe Rexha and Teyana Taylor cannot live without theirs! Although Sofia Richie is from L.A., she also sports a choker full of Jesus heads on her neck. As someone who likes all things big and bold, add one to your cart stat. And if chokers ain’t your thang, throw on some XL hoops!
Honestly, I have more than a million reasons to be in LOVE with Pop and Suki.
Created by Suki Waterhouse (a.k.a. Cara Delevingne’s sidekick) and TV presenter Poppy Jamie, Pop and Suki is for the girl who doesn’t wanna carry too many things. In place of the matching tattoo, you and your bestie CAN get matching handbags with customizable names alongside changeable straps.
Thanks to its minimalistic approach to design, the brand draws in everyone from Paris Hilton, Hari Nef, Lady Gaga and Victoria Justice. Even Bumble collabed with the brand! To all the bloggers out here, your prayers are answered. Waterhouse and Jamie just made their signature camera bag a little bit bigger to carry everything but, your makeup cabinet.
A post shared by Current Mood (@currentmoodclothing) on
What exactly is your current mood? Whether you wanna go punk, raver babe, emo, hippie or kawaii, Current Mood is the brand for you to channel your inner Jekyll and Hyde.
Thanks to its eclectic aesthetic, celebs like Bella Thorne and Paris Hilton go goo goo gaga for their statement bags. If bags ain’t your thang, tear a page or two out of the Hadid handbook and pair edgier statement tops with a hat and a sleek jacket for the night out.
Brazil may be known for their handsome soccer stars and genetically blessed supermodels, but don’t let their shoe game fool you. As the perfect marriage of trendy, classy and sexy, Schutz shoes are born to be in your closet whether it be the highest heel or the lowest flat.
Thanks to its versatility, celebs like Janelle Monae, Sara Sampaio and Olivia Palermo naturally gravitate to the brand. Legitly, this brand is NOT for the basics! While I ain’t no fortune teller, I have a feeling that more and more girls will be seen wearing this Brazilian shoe brand in no time.
Nowadays, most artists handle internet hate pretty much the same way. They post a semi-cryptic tweet about their butt-hurt feelings, share some sappy quote about “loving yourself” and then follow it up with a selfie captioned with a paragraph about how “others’ words don’t define you.”
It’s all pretty predictable and eyeroll-worthy coming from the rich and famous, really.
Singer Jess Kent has a much more entertaining and probs mentally healthy approach: she pretty much laughs at internet hate.
The Aussie native singer just recently released the video for her song “Trolls,” an anthem that basically says F U to online haters with a smile, even shouting them out by saying, “This one’s for all you little shits.”
“The reason song is kind of up and bouncy and fun in kind of a sarcastic way of saying, ‘f the haters,’ ” Jess told us. The 22-year-old is about as down to earth as it gets and is pretty much un-fazed by industry standards. In fact, she seems to take everything with as little seriousness as possible.
“I think one of the things about ‘Trolls’ is the place that it stems from was actually kind of a funny place,” she told Galore. “The reason we started writing the song, the writer I was with, Dan Hugh, we were kind of hanging out and we ended of just talking loads of rubbish and then we ended up on a YouTube rabbit hole of I don’t know what we were watching!”
From there, they went off on a tangent talking about how insane internet culture has gotten, and the idea for the song was born.
Jess describes “Trolls” as an “internet ‘Shake It Off,'” and really doesn’t see any point in giving people hiding behind computer screens and iPhones the time of day.
“I know you like to make statements/All you demons in basements,” she raps in the second verse — which is something a lot of more sensitive stars should keep in mind! Internet trolls are the lowest form of humanity. Their opinions don’t matter whatsoever.
“There’s going to be people in real life and social media for everyone, not just me, and you can’t base your life off something one troll said.” she says, also noting that the song may have been a way for her to help mentally prepare for hate she could encounter as her career grows.
“I think it was a little bit of self therapy to try and wrap my head around the thought that that may be something I have to deal with in the future,” she said. “You definitely need to have a thick skin in this industry!”
Social media pretty much dominates every industry now a days, especially in music. So many artists, including Jess, have found their fame through the internet. Print ads and magazines seem to have much less of a voice in how society portrays certain figures, whereas sites like Twitter and especially Instagram have become responsible for the rise and fall of so many artists. However, Jess doesn’t seem all that concerned with anything that pressures her to be anything but herself.
TV moms are just like regular moms — there are good ones and then there are the ones who criticize everything you do and sleep with your ex-boyfriend just because they can.
Here are a handful of our favorite moms, ranked from best to worst.
1. Lorelai Gilmore
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Lorelai Gilmore is one of those great TV moms that can only exist on TV. See, Lorelai is only 16 years older than her daughter Rory and consequently they have no trouble be\ing best friends who share the same sweaters, music preferences and talent for digesting large quantities of food while maintaining perfect figures.
And honestly, they’re not just best friends , they’re the kind of best friends who can make jokes about how maybe if the other person had flowers growing out of her vagina she could finally be able to keep a man.
Goals?
2. Connie Briton
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
No matter what television show Connie Britton is on, she’s one of the best TV moms. I can’t remember any of the names of the moms she played on Friday Night Lights, Nashville or American Horror Story, but I still loved them all because she’s Connie Britton and nobody with hair that shiny could ever be bad.
3. Ashley Marin
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Pretty Little Liars isn’t exactly known for its responsible adult figures, but Ashley Marin is a great mom. She will do literally anything to keep her daughter safe and out of jail, including sleeping with a cop and destroying incriminating videotapes.
In addition to navigating all that drama she somehow manages to work a full-time job, have a somewhat active dating life, and keep her hair looking flawless.
Women, we really can have it all.
4. Kris Jenner
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Sure, Kris can be pushy and/or thirsty at times but let’s be real, if it wasn’t for her hustle the Kardashian family name would be worth a fraction of what it is today. And if she were a man, she wouldn’t be called pushy or thirsty — she’d just be called successful.
And even though she’s the kind of embarrassing mom who comes to pole dancing class with you because she thought it’d be fun, her daughters love her in spite of it all. Aww.
5. Reba
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
I’ve never seen an episode of Reba before in my life, but Reba seems pretty chill as a person so I have a feeling she’s at least an alright TV mom.
Like it says in the show’s theme song, she’s “a single mom who works too hard / who loves her kids and never stops / a gentle soul with the heart of a fighter,” so really, how bad could she be, right?
6. Cookie Lyon
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Cookie is… well, Cookie’s a lot to handle. On the one hand, she can be fiercely loving and protective of her children, willing to go to great lengths to help the achieve their dreams, but on the other hand, if her kids piss her off, she’ll stop at nothing to teach them a lesson about respect.
But don’t hold it against her. She’s a soap opera mom. The cards are stacked against her.
7. Lily Van der Woodsen
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Like most fictional Upper East Side parents, Lily Van der Woodsen has a self-absorption problem. It’s not that she wants to be a bad mom but sometimes she goes into auto-pilot mode and can’t help herself.
Of course, it also doesn’t help that for the duration of the show she has an on-again, off-again relationship with the father of her daughter’s on-again, off-again boyfriend.
Again, being a soap opera mom is hard.
8. Cersei Lannister
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Bitch killed her husband so that her son she had with her brother could be king. If that’s not love then I don’t know what is. Sure, she’s kind of scary crazy, but then again, aren’t all mothers crazy when it comes to their their kids anyway?
9. Nancy Botwin
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Nancy’s a single Mom who makes a lot of mistakes. After her husband dies she starts selling weed in her suburban neighborhood, slowly becoming the biggest game in all of Agrestic, but then shit hits the fan when she starts sleeping with a DEA agent she didn’t know was a DEA agent and if you’re really curious you can just go on Netflix and watch the whole thing.
Needless to say, she has a lot of things on her plate so she’s not always the most active mother she could be.
Sadly, both of her kids grow up to more or less hate her with one of them commiting a murder before he’s old enough to drive a car.
10. Julie Cooper
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
If you remember anything about The O.C. then you remember that Julie Cooper was a total MILFK — Mother I’d like to fucking kill.
She was entertaining af and would probably be fun to have a drink and talk shit with, but we wouldn’t want her as our own mom. Mostly because she had a hot and heavy affair with her daughter’s ex-boyfriend. Oops.
11. Gillian Darmody
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Boardwalk Empire‘s Gillian Darmody is a hooker who runs a brothel, but that’s NBD. The real problem is that this one time she drunkenly seduced her son and then he was so traumatized by it that he joined the army. He came back a shattered shell of himself and ended up falling into a life of crime and drugs that ends with him getting hooked on heroin and then being shot by the man who raised him.
We thought nothing was worse thanyour mom sleeping with your boyfriend, but we were wrong.
Well, co-owns, actually. She built Maxwell’s Chophouse – which has one location in NYC and one in Boca Raton, Florida — from the ground up with one of her daughters, Melissa.
There are lots of heart-warming stories you’ll hear on Mother’s Day, but how about a story about two bosses that used their skills to open two insane bougie steakhouses?
We talked to Babette and Melissa about how they opened their first restaurant on a whim because Florida was boring, how they balance family and business, and how they turned Maxwell’s Steakhouse into the lit place(s) it is today.
If you go to Maxwell’s Steakhouse in Midtown, NYC, you’ll see an insane Art Deco interior that screams “bad and bougie.” Sit down and order yourself a steak, and you’ll feel like you’re really living the high life.
A post shared by Maxwell’s Chophouse (@maxwellschophouse) on
But, the restaurant wasn’t always this way.
Basically, Babette’s husband bought a property that was once an upscale Chinese restaurant. Multiple new owners leased it out, but their restaurants always failed. Babette moved down to Florida the next year to raise her youngest bb, and Melissa graduated the next year and moved down to Florida also. Naturally, Florida is a lot slower than NYC, and Babette and Melissa were both bored.
So, Babette just asked Melissa if she wanted to open a restaurant, and the plans for Maxwell’s Steakhouse began to take form.
“Melissa went to work in a local restaurant to learn anything she could about the business,” says Babette. “We reorganized and redecorated, logos were born, menus conceived, and chefs and assistants were hired.”
They named the restaurant after the baby of the family, Maxwell. They opened after only six months of planning.
“We not only opened a new restaurant, but one that had 250 seats to fill,” she says. “We were always a mother and daughter, but now we were officially business partners, which happily continues today.”
What was the toughest part about starting a business together?
Melissa was always the numbers person. Babette is the aesthetic one and the foodie. She was constantly coming up with new variations on dishes, or breads and desserts. [Side note: they have, like, five different types of bread you can choose from — FO FREE!] To say she was particular was not a stretch. So we had many, many discussions about why we needed to spend more for this food and that ingredient and we didn’t always agree. Finding good staff has always been a challenge. We have always had a certain vision for Maxwell’s and finding staff who follow that vision hasn’t always been easy. We are very trusting and we have been burned too many times.
Melissa, did you ever think that you’d be doing business with your mom?
When we first went into business together I was young and very excited to have the opportunity to be working and learning a business. I worked seven days a week, fifteen hour days. I believed that “I wouldn’t ask anyone to do anything I myself wasn’t willing to do.” That is how I worked to gain the respect of the employees who worked with us, some for the 14 years we were in business.
Then when my mom came to me and said she was thinking of reopening Maxwell’s in NYC, I asked if she “had lost her mind?” After many talks and hours of soul searching, we decided to give it a try… Certainly not an easy undertaking since now I wasn’t in my early 20’s anymore, I was now married with three children who all need my attention.
My mother loves the “party” of the business, she loves the people and the excitement the restaurant brings. We have always been close, and although we have our differences, we try to work through them and don’t let business get in the way of family.
Babette, did you ever think that you’d be doing business with your daughter?
For me, going into business with my daughter was a natural adjunct to our life and relationship. Through the years my second daughter Heidi, now a psychotherapist, worked for our company for over two years when Melissa decided to go to graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. My Son Maxwell was raised in the restaurant cutting strawberries, and was the best cappuccino maker. My other two daughters have always been major supporters.
The restaurant industry — in terms of restaurant owners and managers — is largely dominated by men. Do you find that people are surprised Maxwell’s is run by two women? Are there other ways you feel like you have to prove yourselves as women?
In the beginning, all the liquor and wine reps were men. They always asked for my husband. Melissa and I were always a strong presence in the restaurant, so not too many people didn’t know we owned it, yet there are still people who think they know more just by virtue that they are men. A man recently said to Babette, “I am surprised every day by how much you know.” Funny thing is he didn’t realize how insulting and disrespectful the comment was.
What’s something most people don’t know about running a restaurant?
Everyone knows owning a restaurant is hard work and long days. What people often forget when something does not go the way they like is that this is not their last meal and we are not infallible, and unfortunately, sometimes we do make mistakes. We always want to make the experience better and we are always sorry when a guest is not happy.
If you’re a lovely young lady who’s already decided she doesn’t ever see herself settling down and popping out a few babies, join the club.
Unfortunately, people who aren’t in this club always seem to have a problem with this, and they refuse to believe that you know what you want to do with your own body. You’ll hear things like, “of course you don’t want kids now, but you will when you’re older,” or “your maternal instinct just hasn’t kicked in yet.”
Well, guess what? The whole maternal instinct thing shares a lot of characteristics with the Easter Bunny in that it’s not real!
Or, science hasn’t ever been able to prove that it’s real, at least.
In Professor Maria Vicedo-Castello’s book, The Maternal Instinct, she explains that there is absolutely no scientific evidence that supports the idea of a maternal instinct. There’s also no evidence proving that women are more emotional or better at raising children.
So why are women always the ones who are “supposed” to want to raise children? Well, most likely because of nurture, not nature.
Think about it, if you are a woman who doesn’t want kids, you might worry about finding a bae who won’t take issue with that. What does that mean? That men really want kids! Sure, they probably expect you to be the ones to change the diapers, but IRL men seem to be just as baby-hungry as women are stereotyped to be.
Huffington Post points out if there was a maternal instinct, we wouldn’t be seeing the decline in birth rates that we’ve been seeing since the feminist movement of the ’60s. Essentially, the data shows that once women realized they didn’t have to have kids, more and more chose not to.
In fact, the more educated a woman is, the less likely she is to have kids. You could argue that this is because she’s been busy with work or studying for her MCATs, but it might just be because she has more options and can choose not to do what’s expected of her. Or, she realizes that as a career woman who has kids, she’ll end up doing all the child-rearing work on top of her regular work duties.
Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with having kids or having the desire to care for little children. But, telling women they’re supposed to have a “maternal instinct” is just as bad as telling women they’re supposed to be natural born sandwich-makers, or telling women they’re not supposed to enjoy casual sex because it’s not lady-like.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole “maternal instinct” B.S. was just pulled out of some douchebag’s ass in history who was worried about smart women coming for his job.
This Mother’s Day, celebrate your ability to do whatever the F you want!
