Holly | 24 | Dance Professional | From Vancouver, Canada
Moved to New York City and fell in love
I downloaded Tinder as a bit of an experiment. Spent straight four hours flipping through it and deleted it. I don't like shopping for men.
December 2015, New York City
Akua | 19 | Founder of HouseOfAama | From Los Angeles, lives in New York City
Where did you spend your adolescence?
I grew up in Downtown Los Angels – Leimert Park and in the Ingelwood area.
How would you describe your style?
Afro punk or Afro grunge – with a feminine touch.
Which music do you like with which drugs?
I like all music but most of all I like Blues, 60s and 70s (like the Doors) – gritty rap & hiphop, plus jazz, especially Afrocuban Jazz.
All of this music have a common melancholy theme to them if anything I would smoke weed with it. But that's not really my thing. My pops is Jamaican so you would think so but not really. (I'm not straight edge though).
What’s that jewelry on your forehead?
A Tigers eye – a chatoyant gemstone.
Does your first name have a special meaning?
My name means Wednesday – it is a Ghanaian name.
Who chose a Ghanaian name for you?
Both of my parents decided on my first name. On my fathers side we trace back to Ghana in specific Ashanti from Jamaica. My parents grew me up with a heavy understanding of my ancestry and with knowing our connection and linage to Africa, it's reflected in my name choice our lifestyle etc. I have twelve siblings, we all have special names. One of my sisters is named Abena – which translates into Tuesday.
It seems as if parents and their kids have stopped fighting existential wars? Do Millennials have no intention to revolt against anything?
Us Millennials? I don’t know. I haven’t had a rebellious adolescence. My mum and I were always very close. In the end there is no secret between us: My mum is a very intelligent, calm und and patient person who gives the best advice. We like working together for our brand House of Aama as well as just hanging out.
Does your mum tell you a lot that she was completely different when she was your age?
My mum growing up with parents from the South she definitely reminded me that us (our generation) have smart mouths and get away with a lot. But in terms of being different and a black sheep she always says were completely the same.
August 2016, New York
Nika | 22 | Photographer from Brooklyn
Do you like your mum?
Yes.
What’s more important: Being interested or being interesting?
Being interesting.
Have you ever faked an orgasm?
Have I ever faked an orgasm? Yes! Who didn’t? I want to know/meet that girl.
Biggest gender stereotype we need to overcome?
Women are sensitive. Men are strong. Women are seen as week and man as strong puts people in many compromising positions. Transgender people changing that view a lot.
Can you say no?
No, not really. It is possible, but kind of hard for me.
Are you nice to everyone?
Yes.
Why?
I love everyone. Everyone deserves to be loved.
Do you think almond milk makes sense?
Yes, a live changer! I love almond mild.
Which part of your body do you like the most.
I have a love-hate relationship with myself. Sometimes I like my eyes.
Where do you live?
Lower East Side. I was 18 when I moved out. I always lived with someone. Right now I live completely on my own. I don’t like being on my own. It is scary.
The best thing about New York City?
Being accepted.
The worse?
All that negative that comes with the city. There is a very big drug scene, a lot of bad people – just as many good people, there are many bad people. The moment you get mugged and somebody put a knife on your throat is most fighting.
What means youth to you?
Youth is very important to me. It is something I’m really scared to letting go. I know I will reach a point one day and will not be able to do certain things anymore.
What’s the name of the person you want to kill?
Anna. She is my old roommate. She told my mum my biggest secret.
What’s the secret?
That – I can’t tell.
Any daily rituals?
My art. My writing. That keeps me alive – everyday.
Did you have any resolutions for 2016 you already broke?
Many, yes. I was gonna try to be a lot healthier like life-style-wise. I kind of broke that already. Try to have a closer relationship with my mum. I kind of broke that already, too.
First thought while waking up?
I hope my boyfriend is ok.
Why shouldn’t he be ok? Why do you ask yourself everyday, if your boyfriend is ok?
I can’t tell you.
What’s the impact on your life?
The more I get older I realize I’m a co-dependent person. The first thing I do when I wake up, I always need to speak to my boyfriend or otherwise I worry the whole day.
If you say you are codependent? Do you look for men that you can take care of?
Yes.
How long have you been dating?
Fifteen months. He is my big love. We have a special bond. It is a very emotional and sometimes difficult relationship but in a way the best thing what could have happen for my work.
Why?
I always have found inspiration for my work in dysfunction. I thieve in a dysfunctional environment. It is not good for myself, but for my art. At least I’m making great pictures.
Why? My father had a very severe illness and was basically dying in front of us for five years. So I was around all the time. He died when I was 15 but his illness started when I was 10. My mum was the care-taker and I was home-schooled. So from what I was 10 until I was 18 I was my mum’s care taker (pretty much).
She is emotionally very unstable and once I moved out I was with that boyfriend (Levan), he never had a mum so I was put in the mother role for him as a addition to a girlfriend. I definitely project that on all my relationships – bringing myself in the position to take care of someone. To my new guy I’m kind of like a mum, too. I always have to know where he is, I’m afraid he’s not good – I worry all the time.
February 2016, New York City
Katharina | 29 | Editor | Filmmaker | Lives in Berlin, Germany
Do you eat too much and sleep too long?
Sometimes.
What do you like about your body?
Almost everything.
The part of your family history that affected you the most?
My parents died when I was a child.
Do you often think how you should be then rather be happy how you are?
No, I am done with this kind of thoughts.
Are you comfortable being on your knees naked?
Sometimes.
What drives you crazy?
To be patient.
Did a man ever hit you?
Yes.
What do you miss on a daily basis?
The ocean and my parents.
October 2017, New York City
Anne Lise | 21 | Model | From the South of France | Lives in New York City
I grew up in a small town and was the only redhead in the whole school. With my hair color, my white eyelashes and my eyebrows, I was always the other one, the outsider, for my classmates, for everyone except my family.
At some point I posted the first picture of me on Instagram, an agent in Paris saw me and a few weeks later I moved to New York and became a model. I began to seek explanations for my appearance in art history books and ancient French fairy tales.
In fifty years, there will be no more redheads. We are dying out. Maybe that's why so many men want to make the real redhead experience.
Autumn 2015, New York City
Rawda | 27 | Makeup Artist from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 2016, Los Angeles
Wanda | 20 | Student from Berlin, Germany
July 2016, Berlin
Mari | 16 | From Evanston, IL
Ever want to be the most funny/beautiful/interesting girl in a room?
For a long time, I’ve felt like I’ve always had to be the most perfect and put together version of myself that I could be. But, even at that standard I hold myself, I’m not really ever the most funny or beautiful or interesting person out there. I still get like surprised when people pay me any attention and I don’t want it or care about getting it. I don’t really know why I want to be perfect so badly.
First kiss?
My first kiss was with my current boyfriend’s close friend. We joke about it.
Last selfie?
I took my last selfie with a frozen custard in a Culver's after being at Illinois State Beach Park all day. I look exhausted but excited to be in the presence of dessert.
Autumn 2016, Evanston, IL
Devon | 26 | Painter from Virginia
How was your last year?
My past year was like every year of my twenties. Exhausting. Exciting at times – a relentless emotional seesaw.
Fun fact about your life?
I’ve always been weirdly lucky if that counts as a fun fact? Growing up, my parents used to enter my name in sweepstakes and I would often win. This past year I randomly won a free flight & a free haircut from a salon in SOHO.
What do you like about your body – in 2018?
I like how lean I am right now- that my upper arms are toned, and my stomach is flat and tight. I know that that is not on trend to say but it is what it is. I also know that in a few months I’ll probably gain some weight back and my face will be a little more cheeky and I’ll have bigger breasts again and I’ll like that too.
Why do people plan New Year resolutions?
I think people plan new year resolutions because they want to better themselves for one reason or another. Humans inherently want to improve. We want to rely on the hope that situations have the potential to be better than they were or are now. I think a most of the time resolutions don’t work because the hope exists but the determination to follow through is misplaced. People don’t want to put the work in.
Worst thing about last year?
I learned that someone I cared about was lying to me. I have a bad habit of loving the idea someone instead of the person as they are. The dissolution of the friendship opened up a bigger internal conversation (that I probably should have had with myself a long time ago) regarding realities and expectations.
What or who do you miss on a daily basis?
I miss my Nona daily. This past year was the first year without her so navigating birthdays and holidays was particularly hard. We sold her house so now there’s no physical place to visit in order to remember her. The grief comes in waves. I keep a candle next to my bed that I light when I think of her. She used to light candles at her church for anyone who needed one. Often for me. Sometimes I light it and talk to her. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and forget that she’s gone.
January 2017, New York City
Justine | 23 | Model and Fashion Design Student from Berlin, Germany | Lives in London
September 2016, New York City
Jemima | 31 | Fashion journalist from Berlin, Germany
May 2016, Berlin
Marnie | 24 | Student from Berlin, Germany
July 2016, Berlin
Isabel | 26 | Illustrator from Nashville, TN
October 2016, Nashville
Jane | 22 | Stoner, Organizer, ManEater | From Berlin, Germany
May 2016, Berlin
Aissa | 23 | Film student from New York City
June 2015, New York City
Moon | 17 | Student | Creative Entrepreneur | Lives in Brooklyn
What’s your secret talent?
That’s a great question! My secret fucking talent is. Man, I think – I just could do everything. Ask me … what do you want to do – and I got you!
Any bad habits?
Procrastination. Fuck! I’ve been procrastinating a lot.
Where do you want to be in three months?
I’ll be graduating! I will be happy as fuck A N D I will be out here in the ciiiiiity.
March 2016, New York City
Maya | 18 | From Venice Beach, CA
April 2016, Los Angeles
Maria Clara | 19 | Student from Portugal
September 2016, New York City