Isis Nicole
I interview cool people and obsess over nails. I pretty much find inspiration from creators and positive thinkers. You can get an idea of my interest by viewing my blog, as well as stories and interviews composed by me. To any online editorials or glossy publications looking for someone new, take a chance with this gal right here.
"Tell him I’ve been too fucking busy or vice versa"- Dorothy Parker
I'd love to hear from you so make yourself known. All interview inquires send to gigi.mag.support@gmail.com
xx
@isisnicole
after reading a few stories juicer than Cosmo…like forreal Cosmo don’t come nearly as correct as IMBOYCRAZY, i started to think of my own escapades. which are many. but what can i say? i’m 21, single, and spent my coming of age years in a big city. i’ve met a lot of guys, had some free meals, and enjoyed good company. still no one makes me blush like this one dude who puts me on pause. straight poison, and i’m still interested. the cool thing is though, if i do come out of this spell alive, and we actually happen to make monogamous magic, i will be able to tell our story. ‘oh how did you met?’ well i got really drunk after breaking up w/ someone, and there was this familiar face posted on the wall staring at me. i even have the video to prove it! party was busted. i was beyond the point of no return wasted, and needed to be carried home. literally. i was a hysterical mess, crying and laughing at the same damn time. peeing in public. and the worst….throwing up on his arm (protected only by his hoodie). he returned me home safely to my homegirls. and i was pissed he didn’t come upstairs. today i don’t blame him! anyway, the next day i called to apologize and make breakfast as a sorry. he accepted my apology and munchies….and we’ve been talking ever since. true story bro!
50 QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY ISIS NICOLE
1. Favorite band or artist?
Anyone can tell by listening to what plays on my blog.
2. Did you enjoy high school?
It was cool. But my college days were way better.
3. Phrases you say a lot?
What!!!! Na uh! Shut up. Hella. Sweet.
4. How do you handle stress?
I listen to music, eat food, drink, sleep.
5. Do you have a lot of friends?
I don’t know really. It feels like it.
6. If you could live in a different city, where would you live?
NYC, London, Ibiza, but Chicago is amazing.
7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
On a boat sippin champagne with the man of my dreams.
8. Believe in love at first sight?
Hell fucking yeah. But it doesn’t happen often.
9. Favorite genre of movie?
I love Korean dramas. Number one, they have the best sex scenes and number two, the most scandalous women. I also love stuff by Larry Clark and Harmony Korine. So um foreign flicks and American grit. Speaking of grit, a good western does it for me too. And educational flicks about the ocean. Oh and really cheesy black films that go straight to Netflix.
10. Have you ever been in love?
Not until this year and it blows.
11. Do you move on quickly?
I would say so. Which sucks for guys.
12. Do you create art?
I write and get my nails did.
13. Problem with today’s girls?
Too insecure and no sense of privacy. And they also exploit themselves with no results.
14. Problems with today’s boys?
Also too insecure and in lust with lies.
15. Do you day dream?
All day.
16. Do you miss anyone?
I do. I miss a few people actually. They mean so much to me.
17. Are you close to your siblings?
Very much so. I’m the oldest too.
18. Pet Peeves?
When people bite their forks and dirty ass bitches. I hate people who don’t clean.
19. Most attractive features of the opposite sex?
Eyebrows. Eyes. Lips.
20. Do you think you’re attractive?
Of course!
21. How old do you want to be when you get married?
Don’t know. I’d have to get a man first.
22. How old do you want to be if you have kids?
In my early 30’s….and that’s not even practical!
23. Have you ever gotten down dancing with someone you didn’t know?
Yeah, who hasn’t!
24. How do you clear your head?
Enjoying cookies. When I get the Chips Ahoy blue bag I have to use both of my hands becz I like to dip the dripping milk onto the next cookie so it’s soft in the middle. I was told I look like a lame when I do it but it’s the only way I can eat my Chips Ahoy. Or just having sex.
25. Were you a good child?
Still am.
26. I love….
Diplo.
27. Do you smoke?
Occasionally.
28. Do you like to party?
I do actually. Not at clubs, but I like to be around cool people.
29. Do you get embarrassed easily?
Only around this one guy I’ve been complicated with for 2+ years.
30. How are you feeling right now?
Hopeful.
31. What are you interested in?
Just being around a diverse group of people and music. I like meeting different people then finding similar interests. I also really dig nail art and weaves and finding stuff on the Internet.
32. Has it been a good year so far?
I can honestly say my dreams came true. I watched the throne, had a paid trip to London, and spent an entire evening with my favorite DJ/producer in the world in my favorite city in the world. I want more good things to come so I’m trying hard to keep up the momentum. I want this forever!
33. What are you looking forward to?
This summer. I would like to meet Skywlkr @xskywlkr of the Bruiser Brigade. He seems pretty cool. And just like landing a paid writing gig. That would be cool. To actually work doing what I love. And seeing my nail girls shine. Madeline Poole, Astrowifey, Disco Nail and the whole NailPorn team are incredible…damn near iconic. It’s an honor to have witnessed their art. And to get a follow on Twitter!
34. Are you a hopeful person?
Yes.
35. Are you really flirty?
I don’t know. Sometimes…it depends on the man. If it’s a guy I find really attractive yeah I will flirt.
36. What do you do before you fall asleep?
Shower and then put on perfume.
37. Are you religious
I have faith in God. I identify as Christian.
38. What is your “type?”
Oo! This is tough question. I like ambition. I like someone who is into music. And someone who has a great sense of humor.
40. Have you gone through any weird phases?
Yeah, but 7-8 years later they turned out to be trends. So often I feel ‘like been there done that.’ Everyone nowadays looks silly. Few ppl ever learn to just be themselves. That’s what I always do.
41. Are you worried about anything?
Yeah.
42. Band or DJ at your wedding?
Motherf****ing DJ!
43. What you’re listening to right now
A podcast on Tall Tales with Alexi Wasser. She talks a whole lot about Diplo, sex, and married dudes.
45. Do you have any secrets?
I keep secrets if I’m asked to.
46. Is it easy for you to open up to people?
I would say so after I’ve already sized you up.
47. Are you a hopeless romantic?
Not at all.
48. Would you move in with your bf/gf before marriage?
I don’t know.
49. Do you think sex is a key part of a relationship?
Sex is hella important.
50. What do you sleep in?
That’s a personal questions!
Booty Werk By Isis Nicole
As much as I talk about boobs, I know in my heart of hearts that the ass is really where it’s at. I’m mean come on! No one can deny a glance at something so round and bouncy and perfect. There’s got to be a reason the lower-end gets paid and pleasure. I personally am a fan of my own little big booty becz it’s plump, but I can also appreciate a juicy patooty when I see one. Not to be mistaken with the church butts OR the type that’s one bowl of beans away from being a hot ass mushy mess. Yuck! I’m talking about the one’s that actually put in maintenance and represent for the derrieres across the globe.
After watching the ‘Watermelon Woman’ I took a good look in the mirror at my own body then started blogging my thoughts. Maybe I am ‘lucky that my breast are small and humble’. I’m petite but the little bit of fat I do have goes to my bottom half adding some proportion, Thank God! When I’m in the moment with a guy, it’s not the bee stings he’s reaching for. It’s my ass! And I like it that way. But I wasn’t always like this. It took some time (not a lot) to accept my shape as it is. So now I think it’s kind of sad when girls feel pressured to ‘improve’ to be appealing. This isn’t supposed to turn into some let’s hold hands and build our esteem piece. To be frank, unattractive b******* still do exist. But I do want girls to take away that confidence is key. If you can only afford to love your natural being, treat your body to a intrepid lifestyle. If you gotta rock the Booty Pop, own that shit! If you’re going under the knife, think long and hard about it. It’s not necessary but if you do it, do it for the love of yourself, not the acceptance of others (which hardly makes sense but I get what I’m saying). It’s a cold world out there where sex appeal is said to be everything. You were born in your body so you might as well treat it like treasure. Find your favorite asset(s) and take care of it. That’s all I had to say.
i’m such a huge fan of @ttauritraph0use to the point i remixed my picture taken by @cameron_derby.
just for old time kicks, again, here is 18+. I’m working on new interviews.
After a few hits and misses 18+ and I were finally able to get in touch over the telly to talk music and other sexy stuff, like their connection to Prada and how they find CGI strippers on Youtube. Just to get you up on speed if you ain’t already familiar, 18+ is a two piece group who might be based out of LA, but definitely of existence on the internet, also related somehow, but doesn’t give out too much information. Tricky and obscure at it’s finest right? I know! And I’m not going to lie, I was totally nervous on this one! Only because in my mind, 18+ is so anonymous and unusual and cool. What could they possibly have to say to me? But sure enough they spoke. Well, we spoke and you can see the words we exchanged after the jump.
18+ Boy: We got four bars. Four bars! How many bars you got?!
Isis Nicole: I have…three.
18+ Boy: Okay, okay!
Isis Nicole: How come 18+ is such a mystery?
18+ Boy: I don’t know. You don’t have to attach your personality to the internet.
18+ Sis: I think also it’s nice to give out little information about us individually and just kind of let what we make speak for itself.
Isis Nicole: Are you two related, like brother and sister or just like good friends?
18+ Boy: Ummm we’re related…
Isis Nicole: And are your names a secret? Would you tell me?!
18+ Boy: (Long scary silence) Uh, no.
Isis Nicole: Do you guys make your videos?
18+ Sis: We find them. They come from various sources online. We search different things like CGI strippers or CGI dancers, CGI beach getaway. We think that there’s enough out there for us to procreate that we don’t really have to make those ourselves to begin with. There’s enough for us to use and edit to our liking to match or not match our song.
Isis Nicole: What inspires your music? Because I feel it’s very sexual, you know? But like I love it.
18+ Sis: Thank you!
18+ Boy: Yeah it’s pretty sexual, but I think also since it’s anonymous we can operate in a bunch of different modes that don’t have to necessarily relate to who we are in our daily lives, we can address a lot of different subject matters. Then we can also take our real lives, like real relationships and not have it be weird for other people that are involved maybe.
Isis Nicole: How would you describe your sound anyway?
18+ Boy: It’s just like electronic-pop music
18+ Sis: my little brother was talking about it as ‘rap water’ and I think he kind of came up with that after watching the ‘Drawl’ video. He’s only 12-years-old. I kind of like that. There are formal ways to talk about it and then there are these lose terms that can be inspired by the way that the music is making you feel. And I think sexual is good. Anything that feels real is good, in terms of what we’re making. It’s nice to not be afraid to just say what we’re feeling.
Isis Nicole: You know how 18+ has links to Prada, is there a connection between you two and the fashion world?
18+ Boy: I guess so (laughs). They’ve given us money before. And possibly in the future they’ll be giving us money pretty soon.
18+ Sis: We came first. ‘Drawl’ happened and then Prada was interested in us. We’re kind of interested in seeing how this can spread across different worlds whether it be pop, art, or fashion. We’re interested in fashion, like that’s cool.
Isis Nicole: Are you ever going to follow anyone on Twitter?
18+ Boy: (Laughs) That’s a good question. Probably not. If we follow 1 person then we have to start following everyone. Like who would we not follow that follows us? That would just be rude.
18+ Sis: I think the only correspondence that people will ever see is that we correspond personally, not for the public. So like we send emails and we share what we have to share and we will reply to people on Twitter. I think it would be to be too much for us to pick and chose in terms of following people.
Isis Nicole: Will you guys ever be more tangible? Outside of the internet?
18+ Boy: Probably.
18+ Sis: Yeah.
18+ Boy: With the way things are going.
Isis Nicole: That’s kind of exciting!
18+ Boy: Oh yeah, it’s very exciting! We started practicing with our live setup within the past month, and we’ve been negotiating our first live show. As soon as it’s concrete we’ll announce it. But it might not happen.
18+ Sis: We are working at it and we are rehearsing. We’ve been busy.
Isis Nicole: Busy! That’s awesome. What are some 18+ challenges? Do you two have creative differences or trouble getting your name out there?
18+ Boy: No, we definitely haven’t had trouble getting our name out there. It’s all happened without our consent almost! The biggest challenge with the live show though is figuring out what it should look like. We’ve pretty much got it figured out how to actually perform the music, but even that will be difficult to do in front of people… kind of like private people. But it’s still a really fun challenge.
18+ Sis: We don’t really argue in terms of music. Either we like it or we don’t like it. And we can make different versions of things and go by what we feel. We’ve been really lucky to be given so many opportunities, but being able to manage everything and stay organized is a challenge as well.
18+ Boy: Also another challenge that we’ve both been facing is the need or the impulse to make or remake certain songs. Like people have a certain conception of what 18+ should sound like based on maybe 4 or 5 songs. Then the mixtape came out and there was a wide variety of sounds that some people liked and some people didn’t like. It’s weird. You have to sort of stay within a certain area to some degree but still challenge yourself and the audience. It’s weird having an audience at all honestly.
Isis Nicole: Well I definitely like your music. A friend of mine, Helen Koh, put me on to your music with the ‘Drawl’ video and I was just like ‘this is so weird, I like it.’ It all flows together very well. I just wasn’t sure if it was going to be something I could experience live outside of the computer.
18+ Sis: What do you imagine in terms of us being tangible. I’m kind of interested in an expectation?
Isis Nicole: I don’t know because it would have to have some kind of social media involved. Like those holograms and blur your faces out.
18+ Boy: Yo we’ll just have 2 holographic 2 PAC’s.
Isis Nicole: Are there any collaborations 18+ is hoping to do?
18+ Boy: Probably just people within our friend group getting involved. I personally like making collaborative beats for 18+ just because it’s a way for me to learn different ways of making music.
Isis Nicole: What are your least favorite trends on the internet?
18+ Sis: I want to be nice. I have a list but I don’t really want to answer that!
18+ Boy: (Laughing!)
Isis Nicole: I mean a list can’t be that bad.
18+ Sis: Keep logos away! I don’t know. I think like…I’m just maybe tired of irony in a certain form that’s been happening using the internet as a vehicle for that. I don’t want to get too specific.
18+ Boy: Yeah maybe like ironic appropriation in general. Because I can totally see how someone could think we also just ironically appropriate things to be cool or whatever. But I think widespread ironic appropriation of stuff sort of cheapens what we’re doing almost. So things that are very close to what we’re doing that lack integrity or something like that but still get widely disrupted is somewhat annoying.
18+ Sis: We’re really into sincerity being as real what real can be. Even with our recordings as well, not over producing things like ‘Drawl’—- as simple as possible and communicating exactly as we are.
@18plus18plus
(Source: isis-nicole)
In the Sates, skank sounds more like some trashy rendezvous after too many shots of Tequila, but over in London, SXANK is the underground fashion, art and music scene for zealous youth. Run solely by triangle crazy, Apple-product geek, and brand builder, Samira John, SXANK aspires to grow beyond streetwear and into a mixed-media culture. In this Q&A, Samira discusses her inspiration behind SXANK, possible collaborations with nail artist Jenny Bang, and what to expect in SXANK’s future after the jump.
Name
Samira
Hometown
London
Age
21
Website
http://sxank.tumblr.com/
http://sxankuk.bigcartel.com/products
Most Known For
My crazy ass temper in the clubs.
Unknown For
Being the one man band behind Sxank!
Top 5 vices
APPLE products, the London underground, being ‘anti-girly’, Instagram, and beans on toast!
Currently on your playlist
A$AP Rocky “Purple Swag” and “Goldie”, Stalley “Party Heart”, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, and Schoolboy Q.
Least favorite trend(s)
Internet fame, and those chunky Jeffrey Campbell’s that all the girls wear these days, hideous!
I want to understand the spelling of SXANK! Tell me more about it!
Well here in London, we use the term ‘skank’ to describe dancing. We don’t dance we skank hard! (Laughs!) I just chucked in the letter X to make it look dope.
What’s the inspiration behind the collection and how did you prepare for your lines launch?
I don’t get inspired to be honest. I simply mess around on Photoshop creating patterns and shit, and it always turns out looking trill. The ‘Perspex’ chain is the creation I’m proud of most. Preparing for the launch was a hassle. I simply made sure I tweeted as much as I could and got a lot of people involved with promoting.
How do you source your fabrics?
I print on American Apparel t-shirts, buy them in bulk. And I get my perspex from a secret source here in London.
I’m guessing SXANK spends a lot of time spreading the word around London. What are the cool kids of your city into these days?
Yeh definately, if I’m not designing or making, I am promoting. I go to a lot of music events such as BUMP (@weareBUMP) in London. London is full of urbanites as I like to call them, especially East London, where I’m from. You won’t walk five minutes without spotting a snapback, Nike Air Max 90’s, and a gold tooth!
You also do jewelry. Can people get custom pieces?!
I don’t see why not! Drop us a email, we’ll speak business.
Would you consider this to be a celebration of youth culture?
Definitely! I’m just simply sharing the stuff that I’m into with everyone else and putting my own touch on it.
What’s the most challenging part of starting a clothing line and how do you overcome it?
MONEY!!! You need money to get started. My main job is my side bitch but Sxank is my baby.
What’s your fascination with nail art?! I’ve seen you shoutout Jenny Bang a few times. Does SXANK have a few collaborations with her?
Jen is a close friend of mine. She’s blowing up in London atm! Worked for Sophy Robson of NailPorn and a few others. You never know we might get into talks of Sxank patterned nails! Follow her on twitter @Love_Bang.
What do you want to be remembered for this year and in the future?
I want to be remembered for having the balls to start my own label, hope the success continues, and maybe collaborate with some other labels very soon.
What can people expect to come from SXANK this summer?
Snapbacks!!! Loads of more t-shirts and maybe even some backpacks on the scene.
What advice would you give to people rising off the internet?
To get OFF the internet!! There’s only so much you can do on here, it’s a good promotional tool but you need to get recognized in the real world. Meet as many people as you can. These days its all about who you know and networking.
@SXANK
illy Lussiano, a hair artist wonder woman who hopes to positively impact the lives of all girls, is by far one of the sweetest people I’ve ever interviewed. I actually came across her in September when I was on this massive Euroasian hair search, which she probably doesn’t remember! And now she’s on my list of bloggy love. See how life works?! In this Q&A illy Lussiano talks inspiration, a history with mixed hair textures, sex friendly hairstyles, wanting to work with Disco Nail + Eriko Nakao, and more after the jump!
I prepare by actually getting a feel for my clients, talking with them via email or text (mini consults). Then they come in for their appointments and we do a full blown consult so at this point we have already established a level of trust and comfort. This allows for my clients to be open and honest about what they really want to know about hair and what they want their hair to look like.
By now just about every nail fiend has come across the ‘hoodratism’ Kidney Stone Ale phenom, so I had to get word from the 23-year-old Nail Jerks x Chipped and Broke creator herself, Lila Robles. I mean literally, getting down to what’s really good in order to have a better sense of Robles intentions. What did I find out? She’s in the nail game to invest in her future. Her art exists as a contribution to nail culture, and you can see why Kid Sister, Chippy Nonstop, and more f*** with her after the jump.
Name Lila Robles
Name of Business Nail Jerks
Location San Jose, CA
Age 23
When and why did you decide to work in the nail industry?
I loved getting fancy nails forever, but when I came across a t-shirt called NailsDid on MySpace my eyes instantly glued to the screen. It was as if everything that I loved and stood for was captured and silkscreened onto this shirt for me! Patrick Nagel infused ladies with the NailsDid touch and Hoodrat humor. I adored it! Later in that same year I discovered Mama which led me to finding out about M.I.S.S., the ultimate women’s urban culture outlet. This magazine was like no other: it had nails on calendars with sneakers, I was like damnnnn!! I emailed the editor Gabriella asking where I could get these nails done at to look just like theirs and she actually said they had to make them because no other salon wanted to do the outrageous nails they set out to achieve. When I heard that I was like oh my God, I have that same trouble too. When you get your nails done and you want the new new on the nail tip, the salon nail techs get mad. They wither, don’t know what you’re talking about, or they just don’t want to do it. This was a time before nail art really hit its prime. Like now you can go into a good nail salon and ask for what you want but before…it was a whole other ballgame. So I did what any other rational nail lover would do. I went to beauty school and did the manicurist license since it was the fastest.
Do you have a staff or is this all a business run by you?
Currently I do not have a staff, it’s all collectively run by me. Entrepreneur …maybe ;)
I started as an intern for M.I.S.S. and they let me help on their nail calendars. I worked on the calendar until they RIP’ed, maturing in their business and to be frank they had been there, done that, and onto new and better things. But I continued contributing to M.I.S.S. and ended up on the Nailsdid column.
How do you market yourself?
I wanted to do something so I created Nail Jerks a design, photography, nail collective. Nail Jerks brings culture to nails, redefines basic French tip manicures and uses nails as sign language. Nail Jerks is set to bring prints focusing on lifestyles and individuals. I’m gifted in the natural marketing department so it just flows. My work with Nail Jerks comes when inspiration for a print or photo come into place either by client or my own ideas. A lot of people want bling nails and I give it to them. It’s the Hoordatism. The way I market is to effectively communicate with my audience. I like making great visual that attract the eye period. The e online interweb has had a major effect on marketing. You can tap in and access so many people and gather more information faster and bigger then ever. If you’re not using the Internet for marketing or you don’t think that having a Twitter will not impact your business at all then you are totally under a rock. You have so many supporters out there you don’t even know it yet! Sometimes you just start and you invest in your future. When I get paid I’ll let you know.
Has your Tumblr pages performed the way you want it to?
I recently got over 1k notes and even hit Tumblr radar from an Instagram picture I linked to my Tumblr. I obviously do not have 15k followers but thanks to reputable nail gurus that reblogged my post I got there. And now I have more like 1k followers. Hashtags also make a difference.
Who are some of your clients?
I’ve worked on Kid Sister, Chippy Nonstop, Cult of Beauty, M.I.S.S., and various models.
Are you familiar with organic polishes? How hard are those to come across?
Organic polishes? Well I am a Whole Foodie and they do sell nail polish there but I’ve never seen organic.
Who are some of your competitors if any?
If you are doing your own thing then competitors don’t exist.
What does nail art mean to you?
Nail art means nothing but girliness in your own individual way. It is another form of expression and cuteness.
How would you describe success?
Success is when you are doing what you really want, and the creativity never stops, and you are never bored. Success is landing that client, or that gig, or even that stoke of paint in a fathered motion and doing it again and again and the excitement never ends.
What advice would you give to other nail entrepreneurs?
If you’re not bringing anything new to the table, don’t come [where] you aren’t welcomed. But if you want to be a “Nail Entrepreneur” then do it. Why wait? Because some other girl will pick up on a wave and run with your shit in your head and then it’s your loss. Don’t be a sorry ass.
bout that humpback whale life
For one of my birthdays I want to go whaling and see humpbacks and belugas.
