Meet Emma Orlow

“Born and raised on the Upper East Side, Emma is a confessional writer, aspiring curator, taurus and an only child. In high school she co-founded a global webseries about telling the stories of teenagers via videos of their bedrooms which garnered a front page NYTimes spread.  She is currently graduating from NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a concentration in confessional art and contemporary female artist. Emma writes poems and creates text art that focuses on the relationship between female sexuality and food.  Emma is also working on a curating collective and trying to put together her first show which is going to be an entire home for visitors to explore.”

 ♫ LISTEN TO EMMA'S PLAYLIST | ⌨ LAST GOOGLE SEARCH

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Outfit, Vintage

on her morning routine

My morning routine is usually making awkward eye contact with my neighbors across the way who have seen me eat snacks in my underwear, have sex, and cry way too many times because for no reason I refuse to get blinds. After that’s over, I usually put on music and try to remind myself to hydrate.

on her interest in confessional art

Confessional art as a genre intends to reveal a truth that is inherently shameful. I guess I like that because I don’t go to therapy and am an only child, so it’s the way that I deal with things on my own. Plus I like turning gross, rotten memories into the silliest, most colorful looking objects to cherish. Although I suppose you can argue that all art intends to reveal something autobiographical, even a paired down abstract painting. I like making work that most people probably think is embarrassing, like anything about the time my laundry bag opened in the elevator and this guy handed me back my period stained underwear seems like relevant fodder, even though period art for the most part is pretty done at this point.

“I used to work as an editorial assistant at New Distribution, which represents all these amazing independent magazines I love like Buffalo Zine, Food For Fashion, PIN-UP, and Editorial Magazine. I care about spending full price on thoughtful independent print projects because for titles that are actually going back to long-form journalism and using really experimental typography in their layouts I just feel like this is the most functional form of art to indulge. My favorite books of all-time are “The Glass Castle” and “Please Kill Me.” In the photo above though there some other good ones: Frida Kahlo’s diary in particular uses such poetic language to talk about selfhood and colors. I can always go back to it for inspiration. There’s also a hardcover poetry book I self-published called “I Want to Scratch ‘n Sniff You,” as well as a Japanese photo series on pregnant women and the uncanny of the domestic sphere.”

— on her favorite books

on the beginning of her art series

My best friend in high school and I started [The Do Not Enter Diaries]. Part of it came from the fact that we were obsessed with the art direction that went into the bedrooms in some of our favorite films and how it was, in a lot of cases, the crux of the characters’ development. We knew how much we had worked to make our own bedrooms these special havens and how much we hoped it said about us and our friends. We wanted to showcase how something as simple as the way you decorate is a form of storytelling. The other part was we felt like we didn’t have the outlet for all of our weird ideas in our claustrophobic high school atmosphere and wanted a space of our own to work on. It was very low-tech—we only had a crappy camera and didn’t know much about web development but it was such a fun and important learning experience. It was incredible that we got the kind of press we did. The fact that MTV and Amazon’s E-book office invited us to their office at one point was insane. But I am honestly glad none of that came into fruition at that point in my life.

on moving on to other projects

[We didn't continue The Do Not Enter Series because] we were at first limited to our friends and friends of friends and those who emailed us, which didn’t make the project nearly as diverse as we wanted it to be. If we had a bigger network it would’ve been different. But eventually we started getting correspondents from as far as Slovakia and Shanghai, which was great. I think it had a lot of potential, but there are still so many other issues I would’ve loved to touch upon and it was hard to keep the film style consistent when the correspondents were sending us the footage. We realized that having your own bedroom itself was such a privileged concept and we wanted to explore more subjects who were engaging with the teenage bedroom in nonconventional ways. Had we had better resources—funding, even just a better camera-- I would’ve loved to delve in even deeper. But in the end, we both went off to college and got involved in other projects and being obsessed with archiving the teenage bedroom sadly seemed less pertinent all of a sudden.

Dress, Vintage

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Top, American Apparel ; Pants, Bode New York

“I just finished a series called “Packed Lunch” which are humorous silk tapestries that use food metaphors for different erotic situations. I am kind of fixated on the relationship between food and sexuality, mostly because meals are a way that I archive a lot of memories. Someone recently told me that Graham crackers were created by this religious guy to keep boys busy so that they wouldn’t masturbate. I am so into that. I’ve been thinking of what foods would be the equivalent for women. Rewriting a mythology around Cheetos, maybe…where a psychoanalyst was like, women eat Cheetos because they remind them of penis envy, or something? I don’t know. I also just bought a dollhouse off of Craigslist that I am going to recreate, where each room is a different story from my past. I recently got back from this curators intensive program and my friend and I are brainstorming work for a curator collective we want to start.”

— on creating more art projects

on her beauty routine

I don’t wear much makeup, but when I do it's usually a little bit of the Bare Essentials bronzer, Glossier Boy Brow, and maybe some sort of black eyeliner or red lipstick, depending on the occasion. I also recommend Glossier Priming Moisturizer, St. John's Shield Light Regenerative Bath & Body Oils, DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Parfum Spray, and C.O.Bigelow Rose Salve.

My dad is a dermatologist so I think I’ve grown up being really skeptical of most beauty products that say they can rock my world. I am still totally attracted to makeup with really groovy packaging or anything that smells like a Jamba Juice smoothie. I still think simple stuff like Dove soap really gets the job done best. I am wary of complicated ingredients.

on her shopping habits and style

Most of my wardrobe is vintage, junky thrift-shops, and random online places I follow on Instagram. I love 10 Ft. Single Stella Dallas, Amarcord Vintage, 9th Street Haberdashery, Coming Soon, and Georgia Vintage. I just want my wardrobe to look like a lava lamp sort of spilled all over an episode of Lizzie McGuire.

Dress, Vintage

Top, Topshop ; Skirt, Vintage ; Tote, Rube Goldberg

emma's favorite books

How Should A Person Be by Sheila Heti, Chelsea Girls by Eileen Myles, The Diary of Frida Kahlo by Carlos Fuentes, A Coney Island of the Mind by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, I Want to Scratch 'n Sniff You by Emma Orlow

emma's favorite movies

The Doom Generation, Coffee and Cigarettes, Reality Bites, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion

emma's favorite places in nyc

Lowkey brunch spot: B&H Deli

Favorite sandwich: Cheeky Sandwiches

Best bookstore: Mast Books

Photography by Audrey Cotton 

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Meet Rachael Yaeger

“Born outside of the Adirondacks, upstate NY, Rachael is the creator and editor of The Working Pair—an online editorial that showcases couples; their lives, love, work and the balance of it all. She went to Flagler College for Communication with a minor in Journalism and got her MA in Marketing from Regent’s College in London. She is also the founder of Human NYC, LLC. a front-end focused development shop for thoughtful design and has worked with clients such as Saturdays NYC, Coming Soon, Basic Rights, Tanya Taylor, Sandy Liang, Sight Unseen, Know-Wave radio.”

 ♫ LISTEN TO RACHAEL'S PLAYLIST | ⌨ LAST GOOGLE SEARCH

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Top, Adidas ; Jeans, Zara ; Robe, AYR

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Top, Zara ; Pants, Datura ; Shoes, Nike

on her morning routine

I like to get up around 7:30 AM, Hugh and I snooze the alarm a couple of times. Shower, fight with my closet a bit. The walk through Chinatown and seeing all of the cheap, colorful fruits makes my day. Coffee from Happy Bones. They're family. Human NYC shares a studio space with RoAndCo. We do team morning stand-ups at 10 AM, and then get building websites and working on projects.

on her career path

I grew up with the lucky mentality that the sky's the limit. My parents always did the best that they could do to enable me to fulfill my goals, from playing sports to studying abroad, to going on scuba diving trips, to going to graduate school in London. I knew I wanted to work with people and talk; I also have a certificate in mediation. I graduated in 2009 with my MA and went home to upstate NY, I was substitute teaching and called my friends to see what they were up to, they graciously set me up in the city. I landed with a sublet on E. 7th and Ave. A, a bartending job and an interview at Gin Lane.

on creating her projects

I started The Working Pair as I couldn’t believe there were people in solid relationships in New York. I felt like there was a stigma that if you were in a relationship you were lame and not working hard enough on your own career path. I wanted to prove the opposite. You know when you meet two cool people and you’re inspired by them, and then you realize they're actually a couple and it blows your mind, that’s what I wanted to find. I started with Archie Coates (pluspool.org) and Emily Coates, from there the site has really been an extension of that friend group. I’m super grateful to work mainly with photographer Meredith Jenks, and started out by shooting with Ryan Patterson. The Working Pair is truly a labour of love.

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““Modoc” is the best book ever written! “Plein Air” is designed well and visually beautiful. “Riposte” is the epitome of my zine obsession. I have to limit my trips to McNally Jackson and Bouwerie Iconic.”

— on her favorite books

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Jeans, Zara ; Watch, Timex ; Ring, RILA

on creating opportunities

I left Gin Lane in 2013. I felt a surge of entrepreneurial spirit and wanted to go for it. I started theworkingpair.com and opened a gallery on Meserole and Manhattan Avenues in Greenpoint with my dear friend Jill. We curated female focused shows and printed two zines, one with Akila Berjaoui solely of her work and the other entitled, “The Babe Show” highlighting creative women around us. In 2014 my now technical partner Michael, left Code & Theory where he had been after Gin Lane (where we met originally) and we started working together again on websites. The gallery allowed me to work in a more tangible way, but with both curating shows and building websites I get to work with people by providing a platform to showcase their work and grow their business. I realized at Gin Lane how meaningful it is to work with friends. Once you’ve been in the trenches together, you establish this trust that makes it so easy and fun to do work as a team.

on her favorite job

My favorite job was at an Ace Hardware store called Coakley's. I like working, I started working at a young age babysitting, I also like painting walls and garage doors. I did an internship with my Aunt's company in DC and learned a lot about production! I went into Gin Lane on a Friday and kind of jumped in on a Monday. I had a Blackberry and a PC, and Gin Lane's founder Emmett immediately took me to the Apple store. We built websites for clients so I quickly realized that designers and developers were my keys to success. I enjoyed working with our internal team and managing our external clients. I also got to shoot content and help to build @adidasWomen with social media and digital strategy.

TOP, SANDY LIANG ; PANTS, ZARA ; BAG, Loeffler Randall ; Shoes, Teva ; Sunglasses, crap eyewear

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Pants, Datura ; Shoes, Nike ; Watch, Timex

““Apartmento” is my favorite magazine on this planet. When I left Gin Lane, I wanted to move to Barcelona to work for them, their aesthetic is perfect. Cass Bird is one of my favorite photographers.”

— on her favorite magazines

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Kimono, Vintage ; Bra, Negative Underwear

on her beauty routine

We recently launched theklog.co so I got into Korean skincare. I really like sheet masks! I use Glossier tinted moisturizer for that dewy look end-goal. I like to stay hydrated and listen to my skin. It looks best when I have been outdoors, not showered for a couple of days. As for tips, never wax your eyebrows, wear sunscreen (hi mom, I'm 29 and now realize this), DRINK WATER, smile, try to get rest, a little oil on the ends of your hair. I think confidence is everything, which comes from within.

I also recommend Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Lucas Papaw Ointment, Glossier Priming Moisturizer, MISSHA Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator, MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence, and Glossier Balm Dotcom.

on her shopping habits

I like to rep the brands that we work with! And I want to work with people that have brands we believe in. I wear Negative Underwear, Datura, Sandy Liang + pieces picked up from travels like my long black skirt from Berlin or red Kimono from Toronto, high waisted mom jeans, t-shirts from friends like Laferrera.pizza and acid.camp. I also wear all of my dad's old jackets, a white cable knit soft Woolrich sweater from my mom, a Timex from my brother and my Grandad's Pendleton's. My style is cozy. In an ideal world I am wearing all Rachel Comey, Apiece Apart, Acne Studios, The Row.

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Kimono, Vintage ; Bra, Negative Underwear ; Watch, Timex

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“I like brainstorming, art, reading, interacting with people, conveying messaging, marketing for me was like building a fire for ideas. ”

— what keeps her going

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Top, Sandy Liang

TOP, SANDY LIANG ; PANTS, ZARA ; BAG, Loeffler Randall ; Shoes, Teva ; Sunglasses, crap eyewear

rachael's favorite books and magazines

Riposte Magazine, Apartamento Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, Modoc by Ralph Helfer, Cass Bird: Rewilding by Cass Bird

rachael's favorite places in nyc

Happy Bones for coffee

Little Chair Cafe

Mr Fong's for a bar

Rintintin for dinner

Madhufalla Organic Juice & Smoothie Bar

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Meet Yousra Elbagir

“Sudanese-born, British-educated journalist currently working in Khartoum, Sudan as a writer for the Guardian, CNN Africa, Reuters Africa and Content manager for Elephant Media.”

♫ LISTEN TO YOUSRA'S PLAYLIST | ⌨ LAST GOOGLE SEARCH

Yousra’s favorite books

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T-Shirt, & Other Stories ; Top, Misguided ; Jeans, ASOS

on her morning routine

I usually spend quite a bit of time checking my phone with one-eye open for the first 30 minutes I'm awake. Once I drag myself out of bed, I brush my teeth, shower and wash my face with an all-natural Tumeric soap from India. It's amazing - exfoliates and purifies - I also use it as a body wash. Then I use the Pixi Glow tonic and moisturise with Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré. I usually put on a thin layer of Clinique Moisture surge tinted moisturiser with SPF 15 if I'm heading out for the day. I have a lot of allergies and really sensitive skin so I avoid any other skin make-up or sun protection.

on her family and childhood

My dad is a Sudanese journalist and politician, and my mum is his business partner and publisher. His newspaper - Al-Khartoum - was printing in Khartoum, London, Cairo, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Before I was born, my dad was exiled for being government opposition. He hopped over to the University of Exeter in the UK to get his PHD in political science and that's where I grew up until I was 8. We then moved to Khartoum and I studied high school there for the next 7 years. When I first arrived it was really difficult assimilating, I remember getting teased quite a bit. But by the time I left for London at 16, I had a strong group of close friends and became fluent in Arabic. I did my A Levels (SAT equivalent) in London and read Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews, graduating last summer. I made the big decision to move back home for field experience as a journalist, where I now work at our family production company Elephant Media and have been there ever since.

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““Asmarani is the chap-book of an incredible Sudanese-American poet, and very good friend of mine, Safia Elhillo (@safiamafia). This girl plucks poetry from the heavens. She’s got a book coming out called The January Children and I feel like my autographed copy of Asmarani is going to be priceless very, very soon.””

— on her favorite poetry

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T-Shirt, & Other Stories ; Top, Misguided ; Jeans, ASOS ; Shoes, Nike

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Top, Kilimanjaro Fashions

on her love for Sudanese culture

I fell so deeply in love with Sudanese culture as soon as I moved back. Studying anthropology really made me look at things in a different light - things I'd taken for granted before. The music, the food, the perfumed oils and heavenly sandalwood incense (bakhoor). At Elephant Media, we focus a lot on uncovering Sudanese culture. Through those projects, I've been introduced to an incredible community of contemporary artists - people who are constantly producing beautiful work regardless of socio-economic circumstance and lack of exposure. My room in Sudan is full of Sudanese art. I had to physically stop myself from bringing it all with me to NYC for the month.

on her writing

Someone asked me once if we burn newspapers as incense at home. It was one of the most spot-on metaphors I've ever heard. My family is very media-oriented and our newspaper was around long before I even came into existence. My sister Safia is the only one who managed to escape the madness - she's a doctor. My eldest sister Nima is a senior foreign correspondent for CNN and my brother used to run our printing press and has now evolved the family trade into new media by founding Elephant Media. When I first moved to Sudan at the end of last summer, I started writing for the CNN Africa website. My first article was on Nuba wrestling, a thousand year-old tradition hailing from the south of Sudan that had meant displaced and persecuted Nuba were competing in the Khartoum and were being trained by the Japanese embassy for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. I'll never forget how I felt when it was published, I was just elated. I had been published by CNN and Reuters News before but never on Sudan or anything Sudanese. That really set the tone for everything I've gone on to write the last year - a blend of culture, human interest and news. I started writing for the Guardian in February, mostly on stories we work on at Elephant Media. I was recently able to combine my two worlds more seamlessly with Elephant Media becoming a partner of the Guardian Africa Network.

Shirt, H&M

““As a black, Muslim, African, Arab woman, Ive always known that I relate to some of the most underrepresented groups in the world. At home in Sudan, I’m the majority and growing up in the UK, I was a minority. Shifting between those binaries has really shaped who I am. I’ve always looked at it as a strength, access to a unique perspective that I can try and share with the world through connecting with people and telling their stories in a compelling way. I still have a long way to go but the aim of my entire body of work is to push the developing world narrative to the forefront of the media.””

— on how her culture shaped her

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Top, H&M ; Pants, Misguided

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T-Shirt, & Other Stories ; Top, Misguided

on her sensitive skin

When I found out I was allergic to fragrances, I started using some of my mums perfumed oils because it's applied without a spray getting it everywhere. Now my mum mixes a special little bottle for me. I've had people stop me in the street and ask me where they can buy it. She's not selling! I think it's really important to monitor how your skin reacts to the elements and different products. My allergies have meant that I pay really close attention to that. There was a period of two years where my skin was breaking out constantly and what I thought was acne turned out to be a rash from my long list of unknown food intolerances. Listen to your skin, it'll always tell you when something shouldn't be in your system.

I also generously lather on moisturizer before I sleep - it's the best time for your skin to rehydrate. Additionally, I would recommend: Clinique Moisture Surge, Embryolisse, Pixi Glow Tonic Toner, and Mixed Chicks conditioner.

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Yousra's favorite beauty products

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All the rings are hand-crafted Sudanese silver - two from an incredible silver-smith called Bul Bul based in the capital's twin city, Omdurman. He comes from a long line of silversmiths that goes back a thousand years. The heavy silver necklace is from Yemen, my sister Nima got it while traveling from work and I inherited it/semi-stole it. The long silver necklace with the blue and red is from Zara UK. Was so surprised to see something like that on the high street - looks very East African. The gold choker is from a Kenyan designer who displays in the Nairobi Norfolk Fairmont hotel gift shop.

Top, Zara ; pants, Missguided ; Shoes, & OTHER STORIES ; Sunglasses, Sincerely Tommy ; Bag, Zara

Yousra’s favorite food in nyc

I tried Senegalese food recently at Africa Kine restaurant in Harlem. It was absolutely incredible - best grilled fish I've ever had. 

Boulevard on Malcolm X boulevard has the most amazing soul food. 

Champs vegan diner in Brooklyn kept me going back there every weekend! Was so great to indulge in some mac & cheese and not worry about my face swelling up. 

yousra’s favorite shops in nyc

As for shops: I love Sincerely Tommy in Brooklyn - fell in love with their Perspex sunglasses.

I'm also obsessed with this Senegalese shop in Harlem called Kilimanjaro fashions. It's on 116th and Malcolm X boulevard and just full to the brim with these colourful African prints. They have an in-store tailor that can alter any purchases and make custom designs using their printed fabric. 

yousra’s favorite books

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

What is the What by Dave Eggars

Asmarani by Safia Elhillo

Meet Lisa Przystup

“Born in Falls Church, VA Lisa is a Brooklyn-based writer who has written for Garance Dore, New York Magazine, The WILD Magazine, J. Crew, La Garconne and more. She’s also a florist who has done flowers for the likes of Ulla Johnson, Rachel Comey and Stone Fox Bride and her work has appeared in Vogue, New York Magazine and Elle.com.”

♫ LISTEN TO LISA'S PLAYLIST | ⌨ LAST GOOGLE SEARCH

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Top, J. Crew ; Pants, Belt & Earrings, Vintage ; Shoes, Zara

on her morning routine

I wake up and resent the alarm with every bone in my body, shuffle out to the kitchen to a cup of coffee because my husband is awake before I am 99.9% of the time, procrastinate getting ready and out the door until I have no choice but to madly rush through my “beauty” routine: wash my face with a Clarisonic I got last Christmas (can’t tell if it’s really made a difference but now I’m too paranoid to stop using it), then some sort of eye treatment from my multitude of Kiehl’s Eye Treatment samples, smear overpriced but damn good Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat under my eyes, Diorshow Black Out Mascara, Hourglass Brow stuff for my anemic asian eyebrows, MAC matte bronzer and then this Bobbi Brown stuff in a pot that makes it look like my cheeks are living in a perpetual summer. Then out the door with toast in hand.

how she started out

I moved to NYC because I had my tunnel vision focused on making it as a fashion writer (or really any sort of writer for that matter). What no one really tells you is how difficult/impossible that is. I pursued it pretty tirelessly, checking everything off the list—Master’s degree in journalism, internships, networking, establishing hard-fought relationships editors only to have them leave the publication, following up (always following up) etc. and just really hit a wall after many, many years with little to no results/income/progress and needed to step away from it all for a moment, which is when I started doing flowers. Copywriting was always in the back of my mind as an option that I really didn’t want to embrace but I’ve learned that 1. you can actually make a living doing it and 2. you can actually get pretty creative and still have a voice and still be challenged coming up with smart ways to reach people.

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“So these books aren’t necessarily my favorite books of all time but rather a snapshot of what I’m reading right now/recently read and liked. I’ve been endeavoring to read East of Eden and started it on our honeymoon—the language is heartbreakingly beautiful in its practicality and sparse matter-of-fact-ed-ness and it reminds me of why I ever wanted to be a writer. It’s too beautiful for ugly subway rides—I almost want to go on a retreat somewhere befitting of its beauty and finish reading it there.”

— on her recommended books

on her interest in flowers

After hitting a wall with writing I needed to just step away from things for a moment and separate myself from the tireless pursuit of it all. I had recently done a story on Brooklyn florists for New York Magazine’s The Cut and thought I’d trying playing around with flowers. I have such a Type-A, perfectionist personality that it felt really good to try something that didn’t have all my hopes and dreams wrapped up in it. My husband and I head upstate quite frequently so I sort of used that as a testing ground and practiced form and all those good things with the wildflowers and blooms that are rampant (and free) up there. Then I started reaching out to contacts I had from pitching fashion stories to pitch flowers instead.

on selecting an arrangement

The actual process is sort of different every time. Sometimes I’ll see an arrangement that really inspires me and will work off that, other times I have a specific color scheme I’m dreaming of working with or that a client specifically wants, and other times I go the less thinking route and just go for it. My favorite part is making the arrangements. I’m pretty not great at everything else, which is a bit of a problem since it turns out that arranging feels like it’s actually just 10-15% of the package. You have to be business savvy and be willing to take a pretty big financial risk—getting a studio and a team—in order to grow and I’ve just never been ready for that, which means my business has always had a pretty low overhead. It works for me but it is tough when you see other people pulling off larger, more glamorous installs and projects but then I have to remind myself and my ego that I chose this level of engagement and that it’s what works best for me for now.

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Top, Vintage Dior ; Jeans, Vintage Levis

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on her beauty routine

I’ve been using Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner for as long as I can remember and I just recently discovered Oribe products—all amazing—but the Surfcomber Mousse is exceptionally so. I just put it my hair after I take a shower at night, go to sleep with my hair wet and in the morning my hair has just the right amount of gritty texture and wave (although my real dream is to get a perm, this’ll do for now). Love the idea of body oil as a moisturizer and I have this great one that smells like roses and earth and makes me feel like I should be at the beach but I like the ease of lotion and I’ve been feeling Kiehl's Creme de Corps for a couple of years now. I also recommend Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque.

on her shopping habits

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of online shopping, mostly stalking Etsy for vintage goods. Stella Dallas in Williamsburg is great too but it can be a real undertaking since there’s so much stuff in there. I usually go with a specific mission in mind. I also feel pretty lucky to know a handful of friends who are amazingly talented designers: Ilana Kohn, Aurora James of Brother Vellies, Marissa Maximo of Anaak…I love wearing their pieces. Rounding all that out, there are the usual big chain suspects: Zara, Madewell, J.Crew. And then there are the designers I covet but can never pull the financial trigger on: Rachel Comey, Apiece Apart, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Caron Callahan etc. I’ve also been working my way up to a pair of Jesse Kamm pants—resolving to do that here really really soon. Oh! And Ace and Jig for textile amazingness.

on her favorite records

That Bon Iver album makes time stop. AA Bondy (paired with Timber Timber) is great for driving around Joshua Tree at night as the full moon rises over the mountains. Melaena Cadiz has a voice like a train. The Iron and Wine album is perfect for playing Gin Rummy in bed with a mezcal gimlet in hand—actually, it’s the perfect soundtrack for peaceful contentment. 

Top, Vintage Dior ; Jeans, Vintage Levi's

“My man and I just went on our honeymoon in February—we sort of drove all over the desert-y areas of the west coast and hit other little spots along the way too. Joshua Tree and Ojai were great but we really fell in love with Tucson—it’s a real gem of a town that for some reason a very specific demographic (ahem, people who live in Phoenix) tend to hate on but don’t listen to a word they say. I like to think that the people who end up drawn to it and loving it are the exact people Tucson wants in its arms anyway.”

— on her favorite place

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Dress, Ace and Jig

JUMPSUIT, MADEWELL ; BAG, VINTAGE ; SUNGLASSES, RAY-BANS ; SHOES, MARAIS

lisa's recommended books

The Lover by Marguerite Duras, Blue Nights by Joan Didion, Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler, You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein, East of Eden by John Steinbeck

lisa's favorite movies

Cinema Paradiso, Finding Nemo, Amelie, Ain't Them Bodies Saints

lisa's favorite records

American Hearts by A. A. Bondy, Around the Well by Iron and Wine, Deep Below Heaven by Melaena Cadiz, For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver

lisa's favorite places in nyc

Achilles Heel for stupidly good small plates and cocktails (and the occasional chicken/lamb/goat roast)

Alameda for the best unpretentious burger

Troost for the best backyard hang—go on a Monday for their bratwurst and sauerkraut night

Acapulco diner for huevos rancheros 

Porter James = furniture eye candy 

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Meet Ysa Pérez

“Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico but raised in Rochester, New York, Ysa moved to NYC in 2008 while she was an Advertising Photography student at RIT to intern at Nylon Magazine. After graduating, in 2010-2011 she worked as a photography assistant at GQ Magazine under Photo Director Dora Somosi, supporting the photography department. Off the clock, she’d photograph musicians, rappers, DJs and nightlife which led to shooting assignments for magazines such as Spin, Vibe, XXL, New York Mag & Bloomberg Businessweek. She currently lives in Miami Beach both photographing and training in martial arts full-time.”

♫ LISTEN TO YSA'S PLAYLIST | ⌨  LAST GOOGLE SEARCH

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Ysa's favorite cameras

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Top, American Apparel ; Jacket, Kenzo ; Pants, Ralph Lauren

on her morning routine

I wake up everyday around 6.45am. I like to accomplish a lot of things in the day and when you’re in a place where the weather is inviting like Miami, you just want to be up. I usually start the day looking at my phone, doing my emails or I’ll just go straight to the beach and meditate.

on her start in photography

I took a basic 10th grade photography class and I shot a black & white photo of a gloomy set of railroad tracks and my teacher acknowledged it was good. That was it until college. These two students at RIT were in need of a model and reached out to me on Myspace (so dated). At the time, I was undecided at University at Buffalo, but seeing their space, the facilities and equipment, I was convinced I could probably do that. From there I transferred to The Rochester Institute of Technology for Advertising Photography.

I always had a good eye and have been using photoshop since I was like 12, my mom was a graphic designer, but when I started at RIT I took really shit pictures. I mean, you’re experimenting and you have no clue how things work, what lenses to use, what you’re trying to say through your work - it’s a process. It took me almost as long as I’ve been doing this professionally, to now completely be confident in the way I shoot. I never second guess what I’m framing, and when to press the button.

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Shoes, City Snapper

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on how she shoots

I work candidly based off the energy between me and what’s going on, I use natural light and I don’t interfere. Occasionally for portraits I’ll direct a moment, but more or less I just want to document what’s going on. My process is more simple than people think, I shoot film and I use an 8 year old DSLR. It’s not what you use, it's how you use it. It’s also about being able to tell a story through the images despite the subject matter.

I just use a 5D Mark II which came out years ago, when I was in photo school. Everyone was in awe it could record video. Big 2008 moment. I’m not sure why I chose Canon instead of Nikon, but it’s probably because my first camera was a basic Canon Rebel to survive my first year of photo school. I don’t keep up with what’s coming out next, digital cameras used to come out like twice a year, now it’s every few months a consumer friendly DSLR comes out, so I just use what I got and edit how I do. My work looks different from other people’s for a reason.

Right now I’m shooting for Budokon University, a mixed martial arts school based in Miami Beach, Florida. I enter dojo spaces with people that have been doing these art forms a majority of their lives so you need to you walk into their space with respect. I can’t be intrusive and disturb the students or instruction, so I’ll just sit in a spot, observe, move when I have to, mostly everyone says they never notice me there and trust me, I grab a lot of content. I just work fast.

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Top, American Apparel ; Jacket, Kenzo

““When I began the point & shoot phase in college, I bought this shit 35mm Ricoh off eBay and wasn’t really impressed with the photos, but thought that was that. Then 2011, I met a photographer in London, Tom Oxley, and he had this Contax T2 sitting on his desk. He let me shoot a few rolls during my stay, and when I returned to the states I fell in love with how crisp the images were. Contax got that Zeiss glass.””

— on her love for Contax cameras

Ysa's favorite beauty products

on her beauty routine

Ever since Budokon, my regimen has gravitated towards being more authentic. I’m extremely active there’s no need for makeup, plus it’s Miami, it’s going to sweat off anyway. I always tone and moisturize, but I keep a natural thing going - I ride my bike outside, tan, go into the sea for salt water (which cures everything), I workout. I steam & sauna for my muscles. I just take care of myself - being healthy is how I view beauty. For products, I would recommend: Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer Daily Hydrator, Botanics Faical Oil, and Nivea Lip Butter.

on how she handles her hair

Ironically now that I’ve finally grown out my hair, I’m in humidity Miami, and the combination of my Puerto Rican roots, active lifestyle, presents a lot to deal with. My routine is kind of a process - when I shower I can’t let it air dry otherwise it instantly frazzles and bigs up, I I have to instantly comb it through, put coconut oil, braid it, let it dry, then unravel it few hours later. Blow drying it here, also impossible. Shoving hot air in my face here is punishment on punishment. I actually need like 8 days for my hair to naturally retain full moisture but it’s impossible to avoid washing it when I attend jiu jitsu 4 times a week and get my hair in a daily sweaty tangle. We’re always identifying who’s hair is on the mat.

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““I love to thrift, I’m a nostalgic kind of person. I like old things and I have relationships with brands that fortunately send me clothes anyway. Being a gypsy, it’s easy to acquire clothing when you’re traveling so I have to be very conscious. Been going to the same places in Bushwick since I lived there 2008, all the Mexican/Spanish thrift stores always win. We know what’s up. In LA I found that the thrifting is completely different but the places to go are The Goodwills. Hollywood one is dope, also the one on Beverly, and rare one is Downtown, not many people go there and it’s super organized. As I get older though, my style becomes more simple. It’s funny to think as a photo assistant at GQ I would wear skirts and heels, I would even keratin my hair to make it full time straight, but when I started freelancing, that urge to present myself formally disappeared, as I’m behind the camera. Now in Miami, I have a very athletic lifestyle — always been a tomboy, so right now it’s minimal clothing daily: shorts, sports bras, bathing suits and jiu jitsu rash guards, for real.””

— on her style

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Jacket, Kenzo ; Pants, Ralph Lauren

ysa’s favorite spots in nyc

In NYC, Ippudo in East Village, 65 4th Ave, the best ramen ever, there’s just no question. Also do not leave without eating the pork buns and if shishito peppers.

Commodore in Williamsburg, it’s the place you’ll start running into people the longer you live there, because it’s somewhere easy to chill (when it’s not insane) and yeah obviously the best fried chicken hands down. Bonus are the biscuits that come with lavenderrrrrrr honey.

After Commodore, you get two in one - head next door to Momofuku Milk Bar and get a CEREAL MILKSHAKE. If you like downing the end of the cereal bowl and know that specific taste I’m referring to… RUN there. And ask for extra cereal topping. Bonus you can buy the mixture and take it with you my international people.

ysa’s favorite spots in LA

In LA, the one stop place is SWINGERS. I’m all for reasonably priced organic delicious food where I can get a stack of pancakes ahi tuna sandwich, or a steak ANYTIME 7am-2am. 

LA is all about acai bowls, my bank account was dying the few months I was there just from those. The best > Liquid Juice Bar, get ‘The Chronic’ trust me.

ysa’s favorite movies

The Fifth Element by Luc Besson

Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino

Natural Born Killers by Oliver Stone

Risky Business by Paul Brickman

Outfit, Vintage ; Jacket, BornxRaised

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Meet Zoe Beyer

“Born in Santa Monica, Zoe studied film and U.S. history at Wesleyan University. She has lived in New York for six years and worked in marketing and social media at A24 for 3.5 years. Some of the campaigns she has worked on include Ex Machina, Amy, Room, The Witch, The Lobster, and Swiss Army Man.”

♫ LISTEN TO ZOE'S PLAYLIST | ⌨  LAST GOOGLE SEARCH

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Top, Objects Without Meaning ; Pants, Rachel Comey

on her morning routine

I spend the first 5 minutes of every day in bed with my cat. She responds to her name so I can usually summon her from across the apartment. I feel great when I exercise before work so I try and do that a couple times a week. On the other days I spend the morning reading news (New York Times and Deadline) and catching up on articles I've saved throughout the week, usually from Jason Hirschhorn's Mediaredef emails and Ann Friedman's weekly newsletter, or things I've found on This. or Rex.

I get dressed and ready as quickly as possible. I try to look my best but I resent the effort it takes. The "getting ready" process is my least favorite part of being female. Getting unready is wonderful though. I love getting home from work, cleaning my face and putting on mask.

“I fell in love with movies in middle school. I got in trouble a lot but my parents were nice enough to recommend films to watch while I was home grounded. My dad told me about “All About Eve” and “The Third Man” and I just went down a rabbit hole from there. ”

— on her love for movies

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Top, Vintage ; Pants, Ilana Kohn

on the start of her career

Before A24 I could not have told you what movie marketing was. I thought the only interesting jobs in film had to do with getting movies made. So I started interning at A24 while I was waiting to hear back from graduate programs. I was trying to go back to school and study film production. A24 was a new company with less than 15 employees. This was before Spring Breakers came out. I was at the front desk answering phones and at that point there was no one running their social media accounts so I took that on. By the time I heard back from schools I’d created a role for myself at the company. I thought if I waited for the right time I could turn what I was doing into a job. So I stuck it out a couple more months and they hired me. Getting a foot in the door at the right time was very serendipitous but once I was “in,” I could tell the company was doing something special and I wanted to be part of it. I remember reading about something Eric Schmidt told Sheryl Sandberg when he was convincing her to join Google. "If you’re offered a seat on a rocketship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.” This is all to say I did not set out to work in marketing.

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Top, Objects Without Meaning ; Pants, Rachel Comey

“I’m one of those people who picks at their face the second there’s a blemish. It’s compulsive and insane behavior. Even though I know it will make things worse I still do it. It could be right before I’m going to a wedding there’s literally no stopping me. So I’ve started getting 30 minute facials once a month at a place by my office called Heyday. It’s helped a lot and I don’t pick as much.”

— on her beauty routine

on her beauty routine

It's easy to get caught up in the idea that there's some perfect beauty routine that will leave you looking amazing but I don't think that's true. I've settled on a few products that seem to work for me. I have dry skin and I've found Vintner's Daughter face oil at night and Glossier Priming Moisturizer in the morning keep things balanced and hydrated.

I also recommend Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Natural Sage Deodorant by Weleda, Rodin Olio Lusso Perfume, Jurlique Balancing Foaming Cleanser, and Biafine.

on her shopping habits

I like wearing things I can move around in. I'm usually in jeans and sneakers or comfy pants and flat shoes. Black is my favorite color, so I've accepted there's probably always a bit of cat hair on me. One day I hope to design a portable lint roller that comes in a plastic case so it won't stick to the inside of your purse. I would market it to fashionable cat-ladies. I don't have a lot of go-to stores but I can always find something at No. 6. I love Duo for vintage.

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Top, One Step Up ; Pants, Ganni

top, carson potter ; pants, vintage (from duo) ; shoes, converse ; bag, clare v.

zoe's favorite books

The Beach by Alex Garland, Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor, The Body in Pain by Elaine Scarry, I Love Dick by Chris Kraus, The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

zoe's favorite places in nyc

MIMI on Sullivan Street is my favorite neighborhood spot to get a drink. I like their Negronis and flourless chocolate cake.

Souen is great if I'm in the mood for something clean and healthy. The best burger is at Raoul's on Prince Street. You can order it at the bar and it comes with a side of fries and au poivre sauce. 

When I'm meeting someone for work I like getting a coffee or tea in the library at the Nomad hotel.

Nails/waxing: Tenoverten. It's so close and open until 10pm! 

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Meet Eva Goicochea

“New Mexico-native raised in California. Éva has been in New York for three months (went to FIT many years ago.) She moved her with her husband to live in a walking city, get some seasons in, soak up the museums and culture and generally just go the opposite way of most folks. She is the founder of a design studio and a watch company, Tinker Watches. She has a band of animals. ”

♫ listen to eva's playlist | ⌨ last google search

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Shirt, Madewell ; Jeans, Levi's

On her morning routine

After putting my contacts in (I'm blind otherwise), I go to the kitchen and take out the Vitamix for a green smoothie, flip the switch, and then prep breakfast for all of our animals while they stare at me impatiently. Then I make a cup of tea, get ready (SPF is a must), and sit down to work. Ian (husband) is on dog walking duty so I wave goodbye as they make their way down the street.

on her background

I studied advertising and marketing at FIT and then organizational communications. At the time, there was no Squarespace, no social media, but I have always been into computers and found myself designing websites for friends. Now I run my own branding and web studio while working on Tinker and Maude.

on breaking in the industry

I joined the Everlane LA team early on as the social media manager. At the time, our office was in the loft of an art bookstore next to a strip club on Hollywood Blvd...cut to fast growth and a big new HQ 1.5 years later. Not wanting to make the move up to SF where everyone was relocating, I left. I started freelancing, missed being at a product company, and decided to build a watch line with three amazing people. Our first round arrives in a few weeks.

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Tinker Watches

“Amongst an assortment of books from New Mexico—where I’m from—and books on engineering and design (Ian’s an engineer) is this old Shel Silverstein book from my childhood. I can pretty much reference his poems for every situation. Anyone remember Something Missing?”

— on her favorite book

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Éva's favorite books

On what she is working on

I'm also developing a modern condom company called Maude that speaks to all sexes. Sex is universal. Condom marketing isn't. We're in the middle of product development now, but we're hoping to launch later this year.

on shopping and style

I have a lot of basics and try to stick to a muted uniform since my work life requires a lot of creative decisions. Think Steve Jobs: simple, comfortable, sometimes boring. I buy at Everlane, Need Supply, and COS, and have been popping into Anthom and Frankie now that I'm in New York.

on her beauty routine

Daily, I use organic face wipes, anti-aging serum, then an SPF moisturizer. Every week, a face brush to exfoliate. As for makeup, I keep it simple: A swipe of mascara, maybe eyeliner so I don't look too tired, and a lip/cheek stain.

on her pets

I got our eldest dog in New York while in college. The others Ian and I got together through a series of foster failures over 8 years through volunteering with a rescue. We refer to our home as the Goicochea Home for Geriatric Animals.

on her furniture

We have a mix of vintage finds and pieces from the usual suspects: Room & Board, CB2, etc. I call our aesthetic Georgia O'Keefe-goes-to-Sweden: A nod to our Southwest heritage, but minimal and monochromatic. 

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Jumpsuit, Movint

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