Cher Strauberry Fields Forever

March 06, 2020

When Cher Strauberry purchased her first skateboard in 10, 11 years, she and her friend Stevie hit a parking garage to skate around. Strauberry had taken an indefinite hiatus from skating after breaking her ankle several times from it in her early teenage years. In the years after she stowed away her boards, she had become a punk musician in her own band, Pookie and the Poodlez, touring and adapting to her new life as a rocker.

In 2017, pro-skater and office favorite Leo Baker had approached Strauberry to tell her that he was a fan of her band, inspiring her to pick up a board once more. Frequenting the parking garage with Stevie, Jeffrey Chueng ended up joining them for a session, and in that same year, Unity Skateboarding was founded. "We would all skate around together in this parking garage. And after like three times of doing it, Jeffrey just told us that he ordered 10 skateboards on eBay and that he's going to start a company called Unity Skateboarding and asked us if we would ride for it," recalls Strauberry. The years following marked a major turning point in Strauberry's life. In 2018, Strauberry announced that she was transitioning.

Black-freckled and stars emblazoned, Strauberry has become an icon in her own right. She has been featured by Thrasher, sponsored by Vans and Converse, and she wants you to know that she's just warming up.

office beauty sat down with Strauberry to chat about everything from morning routines and product recs to her Lost Boys' bedroom.

Interview by Vivian Cheng
Photos by Colin Matsui

Read the interview below.

You've said Cher was inspired by Clueless, which is one of your favorite movies, but why Strauberry?

It's Strauberry, because my last name has always been Straub, and kids at school would just call me Strawberry. So like, I just changed the spelling, or I've left the spelling depending on which way you look at it.

If your life was a movie, it would be called ________.

Ooh, um Maybe Later.

Your mother is a mortuary cosmetologist. Did that have any hand in sparking your interest in makeup?

Maybe? Oh my God, I've never even thought of it. She did do that, but it wasn't her only job. I never really thought about it like that. I think it was more my sisters, like in high school. One sister was a cheerleader, and I think it was her mostly.

Can you speak a little more to how your sister encouraged you to pursue makeup?

I'm trying to think about it. Sorry, I did just wake up. Um, okay. How did I get into makeup? I really don't fucking know. I guess it was more my sister, 'cause I would have all these cheerleaders at my house all the time.

You've spoken in the past about transitioning in front of the Internet. What's your current relationship with social media like? Has it evolved?

Ooh, that's a good question. I do love the Internet, and I love going live on Instagram and doing my makeup there. Tons of girls—when I first transitioned, I only knew one or two makeup lists. And when I would go live and do my makeup or whatever, all of these girls would chime in and give me tons of tips and tell me like, "Oh, you should use this color corrector instead of the one you're using, 'cause it's better for your skin tone and like what you're trying to like get rid of." And I'd be like, "What the fuck, really?" And it would totally work all the time. And then, I just kind of had a bump of girls chiming and helping me through Instagram Live.

But I do love Instagram a lot. It's weird to find like—I don't know. Sometimes it's really nice, 'cause I don't have a lot of like—I'm not really close with family or anything like that. So, sometimes it's really nice to be on Instagram and have people hit me up and say nice things. But they can also be the exact opposite of that too.

And now, it's more followers than I've ever had, but it's kind of just like a little blown out too. It was kind of fun when it was more tight-knit, and I knew a lot of my followers. Now when I can post something or go live, anything could happen, you know what I mean? People can be like super rude, mean or just out of pocket, or like just messaging me to try to buy Supreme clothes or like just like weird shit. It's love-hate basically.

Building off of that, do you get inspired by makeup looks that you see on Instagram or YouTube?

I like old riot girl books and zines and stuff. I pretty much like old punk books. That's where I find more of my inspo from. But I do save pictures on Instagram if I see someone's make-up that I like.

It sounds like you have a special relationship with Unity Skateboarding, which office actually featured in Issue 11. Can you speak a little bit to your role with the company?

Oh yeah, I met Jeffrey and Gabriel a long time ago through music. Then they made Unity and started it basically, but it pretty much started 'cause me and my friend Stevie were skating in this parking garage. And we all knew each other from music and art, but none of us knew that the other ones skateboarded at all. And then I got my first skateboard in like 10 years or 11 years or something. So we would skate in this parking garage together, just me and Stevie. Then, Jeffrey saw us doing it on Instagram, and he was like, "Oh my God, you guys skate? I used to skate all the time, and I want to come skate with you guys." Then we were like, "Oh, what?! Jeffrey skates!" And then we would all skate around together in this parking garage. And after like three times of doing it, Jeffrey just told us that he ordered 10 skateboards on eBay and that he's going to start a company called Unity Skateboarding and asked us if we would ride for it. Now it's just completely crazy, and it's like, I'm a pro skateboarder.

What's a phrase you find yourself saying often?

"I'm so sure" from the movie Valley Girl.

When did you first realize that people look up to you and the things you've accomplished?

Well, I still trip out on that a lot. I first realized mostly through Instagram probably like a year ago. My message requests are still at like 99 plus. They have been for over a year and a half or something. I would go through the message requests, and tons of it would be people being just super fucked up honestly, being like really mean and gnarly. I've even gotten death threats out there and shit. But there'd be so many kids who were like, "I live in this rural town, and like, you're the best. I love your music." So pretty much, I guess that's like the first time I noticed that. It's kind of overwhelming to think about, so I don't think about it too much. I try to tell kids to follow their hearts all the time. But yeah, I don't know if it's really like hit me.

You've already gone through so much in your life, and I won't get into details. But do you have any advice for your fans who are grieving or going through a difficult time?

Remember that it gets better for sure. It goes up and down. Like anytime I've been at my lowest, things have gotten way crazier and better than I ever thought it would be. And I think that's because I stuck it out, you know? So just remember that it gets better. And remember that you do have control over your own life a lot of the time. If you want something to change, you can change it most of the time if you really try.

What are you listening to while you get ready lately?

Ooh, such a good question. Wow. I love it. I always get really obsessive with records. I've been listening to like Jay Reatard and his girlfriend's band Angry Angles. I've been listening to that record from start to finish for the past month. I also like old girl groups and stuff, like The Supremes and The Ronettes. I have a girl groups of the '60s, '20s golden hits cassettes that I love getting ready to. Have you seen that movie Adventures in Babysitting? It's got this really good intro where, like, you're all getting ready in her room. Kind of like Lizzie McGuire maybe too. She's just like dancing in her room and getting ready. So I love to like dance around and be crazy like those movies when I'm getting ready. I really like Adventures in Babysitting though—I think it's the best intro to any movie ever.

Do you color your hair on your own?

I do a lot of the time. Sometimes I ask for help if I don't do it myself. I don't like tone by myself, 'cause I don't know anything about toning. So if I bleach it, I normally have help. But just hair colors, yeah, I do it all on my own. There's a beauty supply shop not far from my house. It's one of my favorite buildings. It's just a giant pink building with purple trim. I just go there and either get like Manic Panic or Arctic Fox; those are the main ones that I use.

Are there any other beauty products you live and die by? It can be more than one.

Oh yeah, the Milk Makeup star stamp is my absolute favorite. I love that stamp specifically. Like, I wear it almost every single day. And Wet n Wild liquid liner, it's like $3. That's what I do all the strawberry seeds and freckles with. That's definitely key. Red eyeshadow—always on hand. What else? I'm really into black lipstick, and I like the Smashbox one a lot. But I have to have the Milk Makeup star stamp. If I don't have that, I kind of freak out.

Do you have a morning or night beauty routine?

Not really, I keep makeup wipes, and I usually take it off at night. I actually slept with my makeup on last night, so that's not good. But my morning routine is pretty standard. If I'm working, I give myself around 30 minutes to do my makeup. But on days that I don't work, I love taking an hour and a half to get ready, and I love taking my time mostly 'cause I'm dancing in my bedroom or something.

Describe your bedroom and where you get ready.

It's cool. The easiest way to describe it is something like—have you seen the Peter Pan movie Hook? It's kind of like the Lost Boys' fort. I have a downstairs, so I have couch, a record player, and art supplies down there. There's a big craft table. It's lofted in, so it's like a fort. I have this like wooden staircase that goes up to where my bedroom is, and I have a queen bed that's covered in flowers. There's like strawberries and flower tapestries on the wall where my bed is.

Then I have two big mirrors—one that I get ready in front of with my record players and stuff behind it. But I made my own vanity by just taking like Christmas lights and wrapping it around the mirror. And I have a bunch of Kurt Cobain posters with kisses on them and stuff all over it and a bunch of punk girls like cut out on my mirror.

And this is in Kansas city?

No, my partner lives in Kansas city, so I come out here, but I live in Oakland, California. But yeah, it's really cute. My band mate who plays drums in my band is also my roommate, and he builds me cute little things. Like he built me a little makeup stand for underneath my mirror, so my makeup can sit on that. He even built me a little stand for my cell phone for when I go live. It's really cute. He's a very sweet boy. Before I moved in with him, he heard me talk about it on tour so much. I would be like, "Oh, if I just had like a tiny stand to put my phone on for when I go on Instagram Live." It's like right in front of my mirror. I used to just like stack my phone on a bunch of books and tapes and records, and shit was always falling during the videos, and it would be really funny.

What do you have planned for 2020, and do you have any resolutions?

I got so many plans. I've been skating for Vans shoes, you know. I just switched from Converse to Vans, so I'm going to be doing a lot of stuff with them. And I have like lots of big news that will come up this summer, but I can't say too much about it. I'm starting a project with two other queer skateboarders that I'm really excited about. I wish I could talk about it, but it's not going to be released until summer. I'm also filming a new video part right now that'll come out in June. I just did a little Spitfire part for Spitfire wheels. I have a new record that comes out on 4/20 this year, and I'm really excited about that. It's all like bedroom kinda girly pop songs that I wrote, but it's like 31 songs. But pretty much just those really, and I'm just trying to skate as much as I can and play as much music as I can.

What's the title of your new record coming out?

It's called chering is caring.

Beauty

Marcelo Gutierrez Leads With Intuition

September 24, 2024

For the month of September, office partnered with Alpha Industries to highlight eight icons in New York culture. Each of our September cover stars has shaped the next frontier across fashion, arts, music, and beyond.

Our sixth September cover star is Colombian-born, New York-based makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrez. An intuitive storyteller, Marcelo's work bridges the gap between fine art and beauty, constantly challenging conventional ideas around gender and self-expression. Arriving in New York at 20 years old with aspirations of becoming a painter, Marcelo’s journey quickly expanded to include film and, eventually, makeup as his chosen medium. Starting off working in restaurants and taking on gigs here and there, the move to New York, like the decision to quit his 9 to 5 and work with Tinashe, was a leap of faith. Today, risk-taking remains a central tenet of his process and career. Since launching his career, with beauty icon Pat McGrath championing and encouraging his work, Marcelo has painted some of the most iconic faces — including Madonna, Bella Hadid, Alexa Demie, and Paloma Elsesser — and has found other artists that naturally fit into his universe, like hairstylist Evanie Frausto and photographers Renell Medrano and Petra Collins.

Interview Sahir Ahmed
Photography Adam Powell
Videography JP Blair
Styling John Colver
Talent Marcelo Gutierrez wearing Alpha Industries MA-1 Heritage Bomber
Creative Direction Mitchell Connell
Makeup Assistant Kaia Shi
Photo Assistant Brian Karlsson
Video Assistant Ian Wishart
Creative Producer Liv Solomon
Production Assistant Sophie Collongette
Location Eiron’s Cut
Design Direction/Art Direction W—E Studio, Claudine Eriksson, and Piera Wolf
Graphic Design W–E Studio, Hannah Nathans
Special Thanks To Joe & The Juice

Marcelo’s unique approach draws on his lived experience as a queer person, celebrating the fluidity of identity and the power of makeup to tell stories beyond the surface. His work has been featured in leading publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and i-D, and in campaigns for brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Luar. Whether backstage at fashion week or collaborating with photographers on set, Marcelo develops characters based on his understanding of the subject rather than projecting his own narrative onto them. His is a practice that extends far beyond artifice. For this cover story, we visited Eiron's Cut, Marcelo’s barbershop in Ridgewood, where, much like the characters he brings to life, he dons his own armor.

Do you have any daily rituals?

Waking up without an alarm, actually, which is usually still around 7 a.m. Then, I'll make some celery juice with a little grapefruit and pineapple. I'm most creative in the morning, so I just let my mind wander to figure out what I'm feeling after that. Around 11, I'll go to the gym, and then I just kind of let the day take me where it's supposed to take me.

When do you know that you’re going to have a really great day?

When I don't wake up anxious, don't check my phone — when I don't have Instagram installed on my phone — I wake up feeling great.

Describe your perfect day.

My perfect day is one where I have nothing planned, and I can kind of just forget about the day. I don't even know what day it is, I don't know what time it is, and I can kind of just go with the flow and do everything I need to do to get my body and mind right. I’d usually end the day seeing my friends or just coming here to get my brows done.

What’s your relationship with your barber like?

Intimate. He's the only one who touches my eyebrows. If he's not in town, I have to pretend I know how to do it, but it never works out. I have one here in New York… in Paris, and I always go to the same one whenever I travel. I still need one in London. Raul Lopez always puts me onto the right barber.

Are you a spiritual person?

What leads me in life is definitely my intuition. I feel like my intuition is always right and whenever I overthink it, I fuck up. That goes for makeup, that goes for work, that goes for relationships, that goes for everything. Second guessing yourself is like the end of you.

Why do you love what you do?

I love working in what I do because it keeps my soul present and it keeps me young. It keeps me young because it keeps me curious. It challenges me every day to try and be a better version of me. You have to constantly find inspiration which keeps you engaged in life versus robotically working a 9 to 5 you know? No offense to the 9 to 5ers, but freelance forever — unless I get the right contract.

The beauty of New York is that it's a place where everybody just goes after exactly what they want and at the same time, we’re figuring it out as we go.

For you, what does it mean to get into character?

It’s like the development of armor. I mean that’s what fashion and beauty are. And in a city like New York, we all build these like sub personas of ourselves that get us through — now with the internet, like, we all have these digital personas and it just keeps you safe.

What’s your creative process when working with a team on set?

I always look really closely at the photographer’s work — their lighting, what they usually shoot. Then, in my head, I create a narrative to their work. I think about it like an actor, like who is this character? What have they gone through? Maybe it’s just moisturizer because that’s all the person should have. Maybe it’s freckles because they’ve been in the sun a lot.

I don't like moments where it's just about the makeup. I always ask what the shoes are. Shoes say everything about a person. Is it a stiletto? Is it a sneaker? If it's a stiletto, maybe she has eyelashes. If sneakers, maybe just some cute liner or a lip liner. Head to toe only.

If you could only work with lips or eyes for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

Lips hands down. Eyes just take so much time. Eyes are also so personal. You have to really read the person to understand what they should carry in their eyes. For a lip, it’s like, what do you want? Also people look at lips a lot when you’re talking so it’s very sensual. Lips can be very provocative.

How do you approach working with a new client?

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with people that I share universes with, so we might also share the same language. When I’m working with a new face, I just go into it with an open mind, assuming that they're a wonderful person. You have to be able to just be their friend for the day.

When's the last time you made something that felt truly magical?

My new book. It's called Nothing Precious, and it comes out in November. So get ready.

What time period does the work in the book span?

It's all new work shot by Renell Medrano and Aidan Zamiri. It’s made up of like 25 people that make up my family here in New York, like Raul Lopez, Lola [Leon], Evanie Frausto, and other muses that have been so intrinsic to my experience here. I wanted to make a book that felt like the laboratory of NY, that we can look back on with nostalgia — the same way we look back at New York in the 80s and 90s — because it's worth documenting.

If you weren’t a makeup artist, what would you do instead?

If I wasn't a makeup artist, I would be a filmmaker. And if I wasn't a filmmaker, I'd be unemployed. I just wouldn't have a job. I can't keep a 9 to 5, I have too many opinions. And then I get fired.

How do you want to be remembered?

As a very intentional artist whose focus was community and beauty through the lens of identity, rather than through the lens of artifice. I celebrate and enhance beauty, creating characters based on someone's identity — not projecting identities onto people.

How did you find your community here in New York?

So I got here when I was 20, I had no money, I didn't know a single person, and I just found myself in a way. Well, I did my research. I was a Tumblr kid and I knew where I wanted to land here. I found myself in spaces that were super creative and queer from the beginning. Seeing people I know go from bartending to being some of the most famous fashion designers, photographers, supermodels in the world and all of us being part of it together has been really beautiful and kind of remarkable.

The beauty of New York is that it's a place where everybody just goes after exactly what they want and at the same time, we’re figuring it out as we go.

What was the last 9 to 5 you had?

I was a host at the Soho House restaurant in Meatpacking. That’s when I was just getting into makeup and I kept calling out of work because it was impossible to do both. One day, Tinashe called and booked me out for an entire week. I had no money and just jumped the gun. I quit my job and worked with her that week. I had like $15 to my name for two months. It was a good job too — working in retail, in restaurants really teaches you how to deal with people.

Were you afraid?

Yeah, but you have to take risks — to do things that are uncomfortable in order to get you to the next level. Not taking risks is the equivalent of sitting on your couch constantly. You’re comfortable. It’s easy. I’m constantly taking risks every day, working with people that intimidate me or that I’m excited to work with and the risk is fucking up — but you don’t fuck it up.

Beauty

I Tried the "Astro-Analysis" Facial at Raquel New York

July 24, 2024

On my birthday earlier this year, I had my natal chart read by Monica David, an esthetician at Raquel New York. It was my first time having my chart read by a person, having previously only tried online calculators like cafeastrology.com. I wondered if hearing such predictions from another person would add to their validity or if, for an hour, Monica and I would be partners in speculation. From its ancient roots to today’s sun-sign horoscopes in newspapers, magazines, and the internet, astrology has attracted as many skeptics as believers.

I’m somewhere in the middle. I can’t get myself to fully subscribe to the idea that life is predetermined, yet the accuracy of astrology readings can be hard to deny. What I believe is that humans tell themselves stories to make sense of things and astrology readings are essentially that. Just stories. Perhaps, destiny also meets us somewhere in the middle.

By Sahir Ahmed
Photography by Liv Solomon

The month of my session marked exactly a year since stylist-turned-esthetician Raquel Medina-Cleghorn opened the NY-based skin studio with business partner Erika Dunn, whom she met during her time as a lead esthetician at veteran Joanna Czech’s NY studio. I had heard rumors about Medina-Cleghorn's studio, and Willy Chavarria, Paloma Elsesser, and Emily Ratajkowski’s go-to esthetician, whom Simone Rocha visited ahead of the 2023 Met Gala. She recommended Monica, especially because of the "Astro-Analysis" that came along with her client-tailored sessions. When booking, Monica’s only available date was my birthday, a coincidence that felt somewhat like a brush with fate.

The session began with a consultation addressing my specific skin needs — dehydration and tightness. Despite my sensitive, acne-prone skin, and reluctance to let anyone touch my face, knowing Monica had experienced acne herself made the session more reassuring. The New York native has been into skincare as long as astrology, finding her passion for both in high school. We started with an exfoliating treatment, followed by a deep tissue lymphatic drainage massage, LED therapy, extractions, and a microcurrent massage. Throughout the session, she pointed out key placements in my natal chart, reading me better than any of those websites ever had. I left the facial feeling ready for 26. Read below.

This session originally took place on March 11, 2024 and has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Monica David — No allergies, right?

No, but my skin barely absorbs anything. That’s been a problem recently. Maybe I don’t drink as much water as I used to.

Are you exfoliating?

No, actually not really. I used to always exfoliate with an AHA or BHA. I’ve just gotten super lazy.

That’s probably it. This layer of dead skin on the surface is always piling up so your skin won’t absorb the product as well. Exfoliation is super important for that reason.

That makes sense, maybe I’ll start exfoliating again.

I can guarantee that you’re going to notice it gets better. So have you ever had a chart reading before?

Never by someone else.

Birth chart report from Co-Star

The computer-generated ones are pretty good, honestly. The readings I do are mini, not as in-depth as you would get with someone that can sit down with you for a few hours. I’ll go over the meat and potatoes of your chart.

I’ll start off by noting that there are two intense aspects between two planets — your moon aspecting Pluto. The moon represents our emotions, what brings us security and comfort, and also the relationship to the mother. Pluto is obsessive and intense. What I see here is a very deep wound in your family life and probably most closely associated with your mom in some way. My boyfriend has a similar, almost identical aspect, and he actually lost his mom to cancer. Can you confirm?

Yes, but my mom is still alive.

It could be generational trauma as well. It can mean that she's experienced a lot of loss in her life, therefore she is the way she is. Do you know about Chiron?

Not too much.

It’s an asteroid that represents our deepest wound. It's nicknamed the Wounded Healer. For you, it’s in your fourth house, which is really the base of the chart: it brings us security and builds our emotional responses because it represents your roots and your home — reflecting that wound in your family life. Would you consider yourself an emotional person?

Yes. I’d say that I’ve become more attuned to my emotions recently.

Your first house, the house of self, represents your physicality and how you’re perceived by people, especially their first reaction to you. People call it the mask. Your ascendant is Leo, even though in truth you're a Pisces, people are going to notice you: you’re going to light up a room like the sun. However, having your moon in your first house — your moon sign being Virgo — is going to deeply influence your overall self.

In your case, your true core is your moon sign, Virgo: it’s what brings you comfort, the emotional part of you — how you feel nurtured and how you nurture others. People with moon in the first house wear their heart on their sleeve. People can sense how you feel, it’s hard to hide even if you try.

I’d say that’s true.

Your sun is in your eighth house, which I personally like. The eighth is all about transformation through intense experiences regarding intimacy, sex, and loss. And money as well — other people's money. With sun in the eighth, you’re someone that likes to explore the depths of yourself. Intimacy is important. You don't like anything superficial. You want to connect and merge with another person on a much deeper level. A closer look at the eighth house would suggest that you may have an interest in taboo subjects or anything related to the occult. You may sometimes struggle with the emotional upheaval bubbling under the surface due to your Chiron, but it’ll also act as a positive aspect for healing and healing others.

Moon opposing Jupiter in the eighth house also suggests someone overly indulgent, quite emotional. The work you do is very creative and artistic, although you may be a bit picky and critical of it.

That tracks! I feel like I’m constantly changing through my relationships, especially romantic ones. Going through cycles of rebirth.

That’s exactly it. You’ll constantly experience metaphorical deaths and rebirths in this lifetime.

Wait I love that by the way.

Yeah, lymphatic drainage is the best; you can actually feel the fluid leaving your face, the muscles tightening — everything feels lifted.

So, your north node is in your second house, which is related to our possessions, like the money we earn. You want to gain a sense of security in this life through your earnings and possessions. It will give you a sense of self-worth. While the eighth house is very deep and intimate, and other people’s money, the second is strictly material possessions. Okay now let’s put you under the red light.

What can you tell me about my romantic life?

So Jupiter — Pisces is naturally ruled by Jupiter — is in your eighth house, which means that you’ll benefit from exploring your shadow self. You’ll know yourself better, you’ll come to terms with it and know how to harness it. Jupiter brings good fortune, it's the planet of abundance. It being in the house of other people’s money, you might marry someone with an inheritance or [REDACTED].

Okay, I’m going to do extractions now — I’ll get this little one by your lip over here. So are you seeing anyone now?

No. I like someone. We talk often. It seems mutual but he lives in [REDACTED].

Oh that’s far. How old are you?

26.

Your transits right now are actually very favorable for a relationship at this moment because you have Venus and Mars transiting in your seventh house, which is the ultimate partnership house. It's like marriage partner. It's also good for business too, because it's your business partner, one-to-one relationships, contractual relationships. So it's literally either the person you're going to marry or the person you're opening a business with. So this could be a favorable time for you at work with someone that you work with, but it's also very favorable for creating a new relationship.

I feel like that could make sense.

There's potential for it right now simply because of what's going on in the sky. This is a favorable time for a new union. It doesn't ever mean that it's going to for sure happen, but it's more likely. Yeah. Okay. You have Jupiter in your 10th. This is going to be until 2025. This is great for your career, essentially abundance in your career, your status, how higher-ups see you. All of that stuff is looking really good for a little while. So this is a good time for you to make moves in your work and be seen in a very positive light, if that makes sense. Yeah. Feel renewed in optimism about your professional life. Very good for working with the public, stepping into the spotlight.

Good to know. I'll have to keep an eye out!

You’re also coming up on your Saturn return soon. Your Mercury, Mars and Saturn are in your ninth house, which represents expansion, foreign travel, higher education, different cultures, your morals and belief systems. When you get your Saturn return, it’ll be in this house. With these placements, you’re likely a great communicator. You may enjoy the process of learning and even teaching.

That all resonates. I want to move out of New York at some point and could definitely see myself being a teacher.

Beauty

office people: Sonny Molina

February 03, 2024

More an architect of tresses than a groomer, Sonny Molina's work is as much about art as it is about hair. While many of us think of past hair experiments and shudder at memories of less-than-desirable uneven bangs and botched accidental chops, Molina's textured, unexpected, and trendsetting cuts defy convention and only get sexier as they grow out. A long way from the days of testing haircuts on friends, they now have an entire network of models and creatives eager and willing to go under their shears. Since finding a home in the beautiful chaos of Manhattan, Molina has cut and styled the stars of downtown, including fellow office person and New York star Ren G of Club Eat. Their editorial work has graced the covers of The Cut, Homme Girls, Perfect, and Re-Edition, and their styles have graced the runways of Anna Bolina and Vaquera alike, crowning it girls like Bella Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, and Hunter Schafer. While every look Molina crafts is wildly unique from the rest, they are all united by Molina's love for creative expression and impulse for adventure.

Interview OFFICE
Photography YAHSHEL MACAPAGAL

[Originally published in office magazine Issue 20, Fall-Winter 2023. Order your copy here.]

What is your ideal office?

Somewhere overlooking Manhattan … with plenty of space and light.

If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

Probably some gross billionaire and literally fund all my friends’ dreams immediately!

What era most inspires you?

There is truly something special about every era … but I do love the 70’s.

Who was the last person you hugged, and how did it feel?

My partner Coco, it felt tender.

For you, what is the most sacred place in New York?

As cliche as it sounds, anywhere my friends are!

What does play look like to you?

Blissful with no boundaries.

If you were a hair tool or product, what would you be?

I would be a classic mixed-bristle hairbrush.

What is your favorite texture at the moment?

I'm obsessed with patina … as a texture and color.

Who was the last person to make you laugh?

My dog Kiki. Yes, he’s more of a person than a dog.

How do you win in a fight?

Listen, process, reciprocate.

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Cher Strauberry Fields Forever

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