Lamar is a muse for the ages, a lens through which we can explore the love within both our hearts and others'.
Check out the video and photos below.
If you find yourself chanced with the opportunity for good conversation, at office we recommend dropping the composure. Get weird, because hey, everything else is. So, to inaugurate the future of small talk, we gathered some of our favorite artists, models, and all-round icons for a fever-dream interview sesh.
The next time you find yourself at a [Zoom] party making eyes with a babe across the [virtual] bar, hit ‘em with this survey.
Heejin Diamond, contortionist
What have you learned about yourself this year?
Took advantage of the confinement to launch my contortion studio in Paris and write my pedagogy.
What do you do?
Always create.
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Maxinihiliste.
Escapism or realism?
There is only the escape that is a reality. I write my emotions in movements much like a dancer.
What icons have influenced your practice/work?
Pina Bausch, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, Leonard de Vinci.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
An Albatross to travel freely without getting tired.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Play sports and stay locked up with my husband to create.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Marry to kiss, kiss to kill time.
Who is your mortal enemy?
The Laziness.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I have no opinion on the matter.
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
Penis cage.
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
Yaaaoooeeeeiiihhhh (Orgasm).
La'Shaunae, model
What have you learned about yourself this year?
I learned my worth when it comes to nearly everything in my life. Romantically, financially, emotionally. I'm not afraid to ask for what I want AND need anymore. My time is way too valuable, you know?
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Maximalism because the more the better, just like me.
Escapism or realism?
Escapism because I’m highkey depressed and delusional.
What icons have influenced your practice/work?
For the most part, I get influenced by my own personal thoughts and ideas and opinions, but I think the pink haired girl from LazyTown looks so cool.
How do your internal fantasy worlds influence your external reality?
This is deep and I dont know how to answer? So, uh, it gives me the special spiral serve. Gives me the ability to shitpost and overshare everyday. I don’t know what I’m talking about but it sounds right.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
A pretty lime green and brown cow because it’s what I already am. Or an elephant, they’re so beautiful and sweet too.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Being zooted and recording myself dancing to my 2008 middle school playlist from my scene phase. I’m stuck there.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Azealia is a top yes? So fuck Azealia, marry Martha so I can have great meals everyday, kill the Anthony person because I will never chose an old white man I've never heard of over a problematic girl rapper.
Who is your mortal enemy?
Myself. And the baby from Ice Age.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
If they dont listen to Bones or if they can’t decipher for me what Cocteau Twins says in their songs, then hate.
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
The bender from Unbound because it's the coolest shit ever without even trying. I need to do that challenge.
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
It was made for horses. Not humans, and I am not only a child of God but I am NORMAL!!!
Coumba, model
What have you learned about yourself this year?
This year has honestly been really transformative for me. I have a much better relationship with time. I’ve learned to respect other people’s time, and also accept it as a construct. It’s paved the way for a lot of mental and emotional healing in that now my life feels a lot more fluid and free. I’ve also learned how to truly enjoy being alone and find things to occupy myself. I think it’s really important to not hold other people to making your life substantial and constantly moving; sitting through those tough thoughts and working through them. I’ve also learned that I’m really distanced from my cultural heritage as a Muslim Senegalese and it’s something I need to work on.
What do you do?
I’m currently working as a model in London, and I'm also a full-time graphic design student.
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Minimalism for sure. I think everyone is working towards unlearning the conditioning that having items and a grandiose lifestyle defines your level of happiness.
Escapism or realism?
Being an American, I think we are naturally escapists. Escapists in mind and body; constantly dissociating or looking for something better.
What icons have influenced your practice/work ?
I wouldn’t say that I have any icons. I really enjoy coming across and learning about other people’s work and way of life. I guess it’s more abstract in that I really appreciate values of dedication and experimentation.
How do your internal fantasy worlds influence your external reality?
I think I’m constantly living in a fantasy world because I genuinely believe we are living in one. Everything goes and your thoughts make up your reality. External reality is just something we all have to work around but I think we all both individually and collectively have a power to make the world we want to live in.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
I would choose a tube worm or some other type of sea floor creature. Mostly because they’re unbothered and not charged with any symbolism.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Making isolation sexy was really tame for me. Lots of just walking to the kitchen in a nice bra and underwear and a low heel.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Fuck Azealia Banks, marry Martha Stewart, and kill Anthony Fauci.
Who is your mortal enemy?
Probably the entire cast of The Hangover.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I think I’m indifferent because I’m personally not into it but it’s a big part of culture at the moment I guess.
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
Most likely one of those massive dragon alien hybrid dildos. But without the dissolving egg.
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
Neigh, never take a downer.
What have you learned about yourself this year?
Hmm that I need to breathe and just love because getting stressed out because of other people’s actions is just dumb as fuck.
What do you do?
I’m a director, 3D artist, model and all around dumb bitch.
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Maximalism all the way.
Escapism or realism?
A little bit of both but mainly escapism.
What Icons have influenced your practice/work ?
Jojo Siwa and my grandmothers Agusta and Elísabet.
How do your internal fantasy worlds influence your external reality?
They influence all my work and let me not take life too seriously.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
a flamingo because they are pink, elegant and live in warm climates.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Tbh weed and music at 2 a.m. and it just happens.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Marry Martha, Kill Azealia and fuck Fauci.
Who is your mortal enemy?
Before and after weight loss photographers.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I mean I love myself so ….
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
The one that sucks on the clit- so fun to give women pleasure.
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
A hard neigh from me.
Rachel Lena Esterline, artist
What have you learned about yourself this year?
I can be less scared. Weirdly life gave me wings during all this intensity. In the beginning of the pandemic, I felt paralized and didn’t want to shoot at all. At one point I literally yelled at the News that I’d had enough brainwashing! Afterward I parted with my city, my plants and apartment and went for a (masked) ride – first to a farm in Oregon where I could put my hands in the dirt, then Portland, then NYC. I’m headed back to SF soon, but the theme of indeterminacy...it’s kind of where everyone’s at. All of this change positioned me right on time for the revolution taking place in this country and around the world. When I’m less afraid, I can listen better, do more and be more for the communities and voices that I want to uplift through my work.
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Unity and inclusion need each other.
Escapism or realism?
Everybody needs a moment to breathe, but... COVID & climate fires are real y’all.
What Icons have influenced your practice / work?
Norma Jean Almodovar is an American author and sex workers activist I’m obsessed with. But, most of my icons are transient souls – our exchange is fleeting. I think that’s why the camera is so key, because it’s quick and sometimes I can get a glimpse of that exchange documented. If you see a human being through my gaze, they’re iconic.
How do your internal fantasy worlds influence your external reality?
Oh, I’m always floating around your world, but I’m never really here.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
I’m a cat who knows she's a dolphin.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Mirrors and lenses.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Don’t kiss and tell, not getting married, and not about the death penalty.
Who is your mortal enemy?
When you say people’s names that gives them power – that’s why we need to say the names of black lives taken in the name of police brutality and white patriarchal supremacy. So instead of giving the enemy power, I’m saving it for people who need it.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
Who?
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
Diva Dolphin Blue (with Wings).
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
Neighhh.
Yet the urge to do more in the heat of the moment struck them—a community-driven sidewalk sale. “We unintentionally started something," Sachiko explains. "Me, Wiggs, and Perry had this idea and we were like, ‘Oh, maybe we'll do it once and we’ll raise a thousand dollars. We weren't like, ‘Oh, we're going to start a movement,' you know? But it just like, because of everyone else involved in it, it turned into this huge thing that we couldn't even imagine.”
The physical and mental exhaustion behind protesting turned the wheels for this group as they searched for other facets of justice reform. “We literally just had the idea of just doing it once to try to make a difference, especially because Sachiko and I were pretty active in going to protests and stuff, and the exhaustion behind that. Like me, personally, I was handing out supplies, like face masks and snacks and all that to the protestors. I was working with Procell doing that. And the exhaustion behind that, it was insane. And we were like, what can we do? And we had the idea, we thought about it. It was only something that was talked about. But Sachiko kind of like put the coal into the fire because she texted me to follow up and was like, are we on this Sunday? And then I was like ‘Okay, we got to really do it then.'"
Each part of this working motor turned when they realized they had all the pieces in means of community and a knack for selling. They realized that connections and a group of friends surpassed the sole luxury of friendship and could also serve as a helping hand. Whether that was someone who made videos, sold vintage clothing, or could make juice cleanses—they had a friend for it. But, the act of utilizing these friends in the means of reformative justice and community building was unintentional. There was always someone who could just accidentally further this initiative and just wanted to out of the kindness of their heart.
The mention of sidewalk sales first gained attraction due to a viral Instagram video where Aaron posed a 90's car salesman, Uncle LeRoy. An idea then snowballed into an actual legacy that would happen consistently on Sundays in the summer of New York. "I was with Max, my really good friend Max, who helps make these videos with my old roommate, Andrew. So there used to be these car ads where it was like 'Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!' I was like, 'We got to make something like that to where it comes off so low budget-looking to where it's like, oh my God, this is stupid. So like the jacket that I had, the Viking horns, and the glasses, like, those are the things we found in the apartment." The engagement from that video along with genuine connections sparked the first sidewalk sale in Mcgolrick park in honor and donation towards @emergency_release_fund & @eji_org. Raising $14,976.11 in 5 hours sparked an outreach from companies and friends pleading to get involved.
"I think we all worked really hard, but all of those people like came to us, which I think is so insane. We didn't reach out to people, like PR people and companies being like, 'Can you guys donate?' They would come to us and be like, 'Can we donate?' Like that's so crazy," Sachiko tells us. "And the first one was so special because it was so many familiar faces that showed up to support. And that's New York city, like New York City is just like, it's community. It's your friends. Like if it's something, people are going to have your back and show up. And everyone bought something. There were people that were like, 'I don't even see anything I want, here's a hundred dollars.' And I'm like, 'Are you sure?'"
Selling commodities like designer and vintage wear, celebrity pre-loved clothes, and items ranging from custom tie-dyed Supreme boxers to Sachiko's floral arrangements, each grand total grew. Each Sunday, donations increased by the thousands with 100% of the proceeds filling funds like the Elijah McClain foundation, hand donating to small businesses, filling up community fridges, and registering voters.
With the accumulative grand total of $266,546.67, it's no question that community comes in clutch. Wiggs goes off to explain "For me, you know, living in New York everyone has their own bullshit. Everyone has their own like 'I heard this, I heard that' about someone. But everyone's still kind of connected from like, what is it? what do we say? Like two degrees of separation, you know? And when you see these people show up and support, that's something that's impressive to me."
Behind the three faces of the project is a group of friends and friends of friends that they call the "ready-set crew."—a crew that helps set up and clean up each Sunday, along with many other vendors that are truly imperative to the process. This includes people like Paul, Leah, Lylynn, Tom, Andrew, Ian, Brianna, and more who are just as necessary to this operation. Banding together in weak moments throughout history is thick in tradition, sometimes all it takes banter over Modelo, a road blocked street, an assemblage, and free pizza to truly make a change and save what is to be considered the heart of New York.
Lead image — Body suit and leg warmers by Rui Zhou, shoes by Rombaut, jewelry by Alan Crocetti
Breaking into the fashion world via radical self acceptance and truly honest self expression, Crook is bringing autonomy and creativity to modeling. In these glossy, radiant, Grace Jones-inspired shots, her riotous yet poised and peaceful demeanor is captivating.
We spoke to Crook below about creativity, fashion, and inspiration.
Left — Corset trousers by Dilara Findikoglu, boots by Rombaut, bracelet by Chloe, rings by Rathel & Wolf, ear jewelry by Alan Crocetti
Right — Full look by Shushu Tong, corset by Fleet Illya, shoes by Chloe, jewelry by Alan Crocetti, choker by Inaurem
Hi!
Hello!
Where have you been based during covid?
In London, mostly. In my bedroom, in my garden, in the parks; I spent a lot of time sunbathing in the park. I don’t know how much we can say, but going to squat raves and warehouse parties.
How is that?
Fun, really fun. I enjoy sitting in and being quiet and still, but you need contrast, right? So yeah, partying as well.
How is it there?
I have no idea, I don’t know what to think of the situation. It feels like they make one rule and then they make another. We’re learning change is so constant, that to just be truly present in the moment with what’s happened is the only salvation, I believe. There’s a new rule you definitely can’t have more than 6 people, so the second wave of lockdown is maybe happening? But then I just did my first live public performance last night.
What kind of performance?
It’s part of a continued collaboration with Keiken, a digital arts collective. We’ve been collaborating for nearly two years, digital world building. We made a CGI film together. It’s called “Feel My Metaverse”, and then there’s a new one, “We Are at the End of Something”. That one was in collaboration with Ryan Vautier. Really fun world building experience where I get to throw out my wildest ideas and then they make into some sort of reality. But the performance last night was a really intimate thing. We made tattoos that augment reality, I don’t wanna say too much…
What did the performance entail?
It was a combination of dance. At first it was about interacting with technology, so the audience members come in and technology is activated through a tattoo or sticker on my chest. So they activate it and they get to see an augmentation of me. After everyone had that experience, then I gave a small dance. A six minute thing, more along the lines of an offering than a performance. I worked as a dancer before and toured the world and danced on big stages, and it took a lot of the heart out of dance… it’s quite cold and meaningless to perform to a black space. When you meet the patrons supporting the work, they really have no interest. So it’s about finding those people you can collaborate with, who have a good intention, who have something that they really care about spreading.
You give so much when you perform, and you want it to be some sort of exchange of energy, and maybe you don’t feel that when you’re performing to a big empty space on a big stage.
Yeah, at that point, I'd rather just dance my own dances on my own. Instead of working so hard to dance someone else’s dance. It’s making something very natural to all of us into a commodity and into fitting into the capitalist system. I’d much rather be in collaborative spaces where if I am dancing, I’m facilitating someone else’s expression, them facilitating mine, so we can really work to grow something together that is honest and true, rather than something that is trying to please an audience. A sharing of energy, definitely.
What would you say your mission is as an artist?
To create change, to show that change is possible. To be free. Above everything, to be free. Freedom for myself, for my loved ones, for any and everyone who can receive it, who can be vulnerable enough to accept it as their reality. To show freedom is possible and it’s the realest thing. Way more real than any kind of lower energy frequencies or emotions.
What makes you feel the most free?
Expressing myself. Expressing myself in the many different ways that are possible. Allowing myself to be multifaceted, and in that, reminding other people of their multifaceted nature. It makes me feel free to realize myself, I guess, and through modeling and through this shoot in particular, I got to realize myself in a way that I’d never been able to physicalize before. That process of collaboration, of bringing something together, it was magic. Jacob and I, the photographer, after it was done, we were looking at some of the photos and we just cried. Because it’s been both of our wildest dreams to create something that really meant something to both of us.
Left — Dress by Paolina Russo, harness by Fleet Ilya, shoes by Rombaut, jewelry by Alan Crocetti & Shaun Leanne
Right — Jacket by Robert Wun, tabis by Maison Margiela, jewelry by Alan Crocetti & Rathel and Wolf
So can you speak a little more on the shoot? What was the idea behind it and how did that translate into the photos?
It was kind of a whirlwind. The day before, I found out it was going to happen. It was meant for another model, but she was so tired from doing other work, and I think Joel had a surplus of clothes from another shoot and wanted to do a full story on it. He was like, the world needs to see you. So yeah, it was, for me, about showing something otherworldly. That something otherworldly is entirely possible at the same time as it being a fashion story. I’ve always been very inspired by Grace Jones, and her work and her collaborations with photographers, and Jacob is also really in line with that. We spoke about how we might make the skin look more alien or more dark and delicious. I really believe he did magic in the edit in creating this alien version of me.
That’s very cool. I see a parallel between photos I’ve seen of Grace Jones… The glowing. The skin. It’s like there’s light behind it. Hard to explain, but I know you know what I’m talking about.
I do, exactly, the combination of… well I put a lot of work into my skin anyway, but the makeup artist, Georgia Hope, she’s a meticulous perfectionist of a makeup artist and she would touch me up and doing things to finite detail, which I really adored, and I think Jacob really wanted to celebrate the melanin, and celebrate the skin. It was also the middle of summer as well so I was naturally more tan and glowy.
What’s one last thing you want to say about these photos?
I guess I wanna say, these images in particular represent a childhood dream coming true. I get to see myself, I continue to, this collaboration in particular… seeing myself in a way I’d always dreamt but never really thought possible. Maybe I always thought it was, but other people told me it wasn’t. So, that really cheesy thing of, Follow your dreams, keep going after it, because it can happen! That’s how I feel.
That’s so special.
Yeah, it’s a good feeling.
What was the artistic collaboration like between you and the photographer?
Jacob and I’s relationship is really special because we’ve always just connected. We haven’t known each other necessarily that long. We met on set for another shoot, and then we partied together and got to know each other, and there’s always been a really great energy between us and an understanding. And then for Joel to kind of oversee all the family together, for it to feel like a family affair in a way. There’s people you vibe with, chill with, create with. It’s that thing of, of course it’s me in the image, but there’s a whole village behind me. A whole community of people helping to get me ready and really being involved in the creation. This is my first full editorial, my first full story. Joel was really teaching me how to understand my body as a model and not just as a dancer. Because as a dancer when I get in front of the camera it’s a very different type of shape that I’m creating, and how to refine that into something else. It’s really exciting for me. The images also represent community and family because there were points when I literally had everyone on me trying to get shoes on and hair on.
I’d like to ask you about your experience in the fashion world and what that’s been like for you. I feel like fashion is moving toward a more intersectional space, but it hasn’t really been that in the past, so what has your experience been with this?
I agree, I think this is a really exciting time. We haven’t seen anything like this really since the 90’s, when fashion was—no shade to the past 15, 20 years—the 90’s was the most exciting time. That was a time when fashion really meant something. When the designers really meant something, the photographers… Fashion was really respected as an art form and as a medium used to create new worlds, to make comments and statements. Fashion has always been the thing that has influenced the world, culture, and politics, and all of that kind of magic. I’m seeing it move into that space again, which is really exciting for me. And then my experience: it’s interesting because I’ve always wanted to be involved with fashion and to model. Specifically, I was obsessed with the 90's and always watched the classics: the Thierry Mugler shows, the old McQueen shows. The drama of it all… the drama of the lives of the models as well as what personality they were bringing on the runway. But it’s only been since the George Floyd awareness and the Black Lives Matter movement that people have started to see me. Which… I’m aware is a thing. But at the same time, I’m like fab, because now is the time.
It’s beyond awful that it takes something so enormous and so horrible for people to start to change, but the change is global right now, and I haven’t seen it this global before.
I agree.
Left — Body suit by Rui Zhou, trousers by Acne, shoes by Chloe, jewelry by Alan Crocetti & Shaun Leanne
Right — Jacket and skirt by Robert Wun, ski suit and glasses by Moncler & Richard Quinn, shoes by Crocs
What have you been working on artistically as of late?
My collaboration with Keiken was most recent because I just got back from tour, I still have my suitcase with me. I’ve been working on using the platform I have to use and develop my own teams, and I’m starting to get little murmurings and feelings and hints that certain publications are wanting me to bring my teams into their spaces with our ideas. So yeah, finding new designers, and the designers and stylists I already knew, and feeling like I can use whatever it is, what recognition or visibility that I have, and use that to bring them along. Then it’s just been a lot of self reflection, a lot of meditation, a lot of healing.
When you’re feeling down, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
I bring myself into the present moment. A friend of mine, a really dear friend, a sister of mine passed recently. Her body was found on a New York beach. So I guess it’s just being present. Being in perspective on a situation, gaining distance. Her name was Elie Che.
I heard, I’m so sorry.
Yeah… One of my dearest sisters, who gave me the shoes I was dancing in last night.
I’m sure she felt it.
She came to London and she made space for me. So celebrating, I guess. There’s always stuff to be celebrated. In her passing, she’s left a huge legacy and left so much that I’m really happy to continue on. Remembering that there is always good in every situation.
So to discuss your activism—do you consider yourself an activist?
Like… no. But everyone should be. “Activist” should be the default. So by me claiming the title, in some people’s eyes, that puts me on a different level, when really I’m saying I’m on the base of… not what we should be doing, but what we all can be doing. Everyone’s activism is going to look like different things. It’s a weird line. It’s an interesting one that I’m recontextualizing. Because I don’t feel compelled to speak at protests anymore. I’ve done that, and in the fight, in the protest, it’s just crazy. So much stress and emotional labor. My activism now will take form in the photos that people see, in the art I make, in the things I create and leave behind as traces. I would much rather be remembered for those things rather than the words I say, I guess. Because what is the English language? You know what I mean?
