If there’s ever been a person who is wholly tapped into the culture, it’s Lynette Nylander. She’s a writer, editor, creative director, and so much more: the current Executive Editorial Director at Dazed simultaneously runs her own creative consultancy, imaginethat, and a publishing house called Onomatopoeia. She spoke with us about how she does it all, and we got a glimpse into how the more personal aspects of her life—like her magnificent collection of furniture—all came together.
♫ Listen to lynette's playlist | ⌨ lynette's last google search
on her morning routine
I wake up in the morning anywhere from 5:30-7:30am. Depends on what I’ve been doing the night before. Normally, I just dive straight into emails. I use my Cafetiere to make a cup of coffee, and I check my NYTimes app. I am pretty simple. I’ve been really into incense or a candle in the AM recently, and that’s something that normally has been a night thing, so that’s new. I sometimes have music playing, often NTS radio, my Spotify, or a podcast, so I can be on top of the news or current affairs as I work.
on her upbringing in london and moving to new york
I grew up in London and lived there until I moved to New York four years ago. I moved to New York for a job. I identify as a Londoner, but New York is incredibly important to me, and I am super proud to live here. It doesn’t welcome everyone, but I have found an incredible group of people here, and it makes me happy.
on how she got her start in the industry
I had always been pretty keen on working in fashion. My work experience was actually while I was in school when I was 14. We had a work placement week, and I interned with one of my friend’s mother’s who was a buyer at a fashion brand. I was so green, but she was very encouraging, and I remember she said to me that she thought I would go far. Things like that really stay with you at the age.
Writing was never part of the plan. I was always good at English Literature, reading, writing, and I loved film as a child. More importantly, I still love stories; I used all of that to become a writer but did I plan on it? Hell no! I didn’t think people who looked like me even did what I do now.
““Oh, God! The self-doubt, the finding yourself, most probably. I was lucky that the career part soared, but there was so much other stuff going on. I dated some pretty shocking people, put myself in silly situations, and didn’t really understand how to be kind to myself. In my 30s, I feel a lot more put together in myself and who I am, and what I have to offer.””
on her new role as dazed’s executive editorial director and juggling it all
Well, the job wasn’t anything I was thinking about until Ib (Kamara) and Jefferson (Hack) contacted me one morning in November and told me about it. But I had always admired the brand and came from the magazine world, so it felt like an exciting thing to be a part of. There has been no preparing for it per se. I think it's been about using a culmination of the skills I’ve developed over the past 12 years.
I am extremely regimented with my time now. My Dazed time, Creative Direction and consultancy time, personal time, weekend time. I think being like that makes me be able to do the stuff I want to do and do it well. I have had to tell myself recently not to take too much on because it's detrimental to myself and others to do that.
on how to work collaboratively
I think I try and work with people who I know bring a completely different skill set than me and then trust them implicitly! And then I hope they feel the same about me. I love chewing the fat about ideas or projects. Turning them around, flipping them over, and seeing what makes them stick. I think my advice would be to be patient, know what your skill is, and give people the space to exercise theirs.
on covering racism in the fashion industry
I covered those things because these are the things I find important in the world and what I want to shed a spotlight on. I think we all have a role to play in that. I think if my existence, my role, and my position give people hope in progress, then that's good, though it's important to have our eyes wide open and understand there is a long way to go.
on advice for those aspiring to do creative work
I may be outdated, but I really think those who put in the work and don’t just talk about it on Instagram are those who get where they need to be.
““Creative directing came as a natural extension of my work at magazines. People ask you to use those same skills, curation, message, taste, and storytelling. It’s just doing it for brands instead. I am always naturally drawn to references and things I like. I don’t like things being SUPER fashion or anything like that. I ask myself, where is the fucked up element in it? I have a lot of books on both sides of the Atlantic, and I look at those. I speak to people and see what they like and what they don’t. I am a big believer in saying that ‘somewhere between why I like an idea and why they do is probably where the good idea is.””
on what she’s reading
Blackgirl, Brownstones by Paule Marshall was given to me by my friend Tessa the month I moved to New York and moved to a brownstone in Bed Stuy. It was fitting. Some other books I love are Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine, Duro Olowu: Seeing by Naomi Beckwith, and Intelligence for Dummies by Glenn O’Brien. I subscribe to the NY Times, The Cut. I read Apartamento for some interior stories. I don’t really like social media, but if I were to choose one, it would be Twitter because I like humor and words. I’m also starting a zine and book publishing company called Onomatopeia that has a leaning towards women and POC creatives, and I am really passionate about it.
on her beauty routine
I believe in a beauty routine really being what works for the person. The idea that I can suggest something to someone and it works perfectly for them, I don't believe. But what I have found to be helpful is a cleanser by IS clinical. It has a nice texture. I then use Barbara Sturm enzyme cleanser when I need more exfoliation. I use a charcoal mask by Origins, a hyaluronic serum by Barbara Sturm, and a face cream depending on the season. Right now, it's Augustinus Bader. I like Biologique Recherche P50V 1970 and their Placenta Serum. Have also used that Vintner’s Daughter face oil, and it was nice. I use Dove body wash. Jergens on my body as lotion, and sometimes at night, I might layer some Le Labo lotion on top. On my hair, I use Charlotte Mensah hair oil, Ebin 24 Hour Edge Tamer, and more recently, Olaplex 5, which is incredible. Viviscal supplements for hair growth. My makeup is usually Pat McGrath concealer, powder and blush, Glossier Boy Brow, and Fenty Lip Paint.
on her style
Wonderfully confused, maybe? I don’t know. Nothing really goes but then kinda perfectly goes. I like color and clash. A little ‘90s, a little ‘70s. I know about a lot of designers through work, I suppose, so I never need too much help in that regard. But I like shopping at Maimoun and think they do a really good job of spotlighting new designers.
on unwinding
I meditate sometimes. I have therapy. I believe in ritual, and I think there is something calming about the way you can put yourself to sleep, for example. I also like the odd glass of wine.
on her furniture collection
My furniture I had to collect from scratch. When I came to NY a few years ago, I had absolutely nothing. Most of it is found stuff and things I’ve sought out on Craigslist, like my desk and coffee table. My friend Charlotte owns a furniture store in Livingston Manor called Taylor and Ace and has such wonderful things. My most prized furniture piece is my Gaetano Pesce Feltri chair in my bedroom. It is where I read my books.
lynette’s favorite spots in new york
Coffee Shop: Saraghina Bakery, Favorite Park: Prospect, Museum: The Met, Store: Bode. As far as recent events go, I went to this book club Whaam threw that was cool. I also went to this beautiful flower farm in Livingston Manor called Elm Garden. Go there and ask for Paul and he will tell you some amazing facts.
lynette’s favorite spots in london
Coffee Shop: a tie between the Algerian coffee shop espresso stand and Monmouth, Favorite Park: St James’, Museum: Camden Arts Centre, Store: Notting Hill Comic Exchange.
five accounts to follow
@evgrieve, @liana_ava (I like her #neverworns videos), @thewhitepube, @blklivesmatter, @parisreview.
images by clémence polès, interview by marina sulmona