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writings-in-ebony · 4 years

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Heritage - Chapter 1 Steve Rogers/Black!reader

Summary: With only a few weeks until his departure to college, Steve must still endure the requirements put upon him by being in the Rogers family. This included attending galas that his family hosted in order to boost their ego and flaunt their successes. Steve would rather be at home doing anything but showcasing himself as the family runt, but whatever his grandfather says, goes.

Author’s note: Welcome to the first official chapter! It took a while to write because I was trying to figure out which direction I wanted this to go in. The reader, who is not present in this chapter, will show up soon and her appearance will be explained in that chapter’s author’s note. Likes and reblogs are always well received and I love comments and asks! Thanks again, everyone!

Word Count: 2784

Warnings: If bad language counts as a warning…

Chapter 1: 1987

Steve stood in front of the large mirror positioned over his dresser, fumbling with the sliver of silk that was wrapped around his neck. He twisted the silk every which way, not understanding why it wouldn’t take shape, and it began to frustrate him. In actuality, the entire night awaiting him was going to be frustrating. It was the annual gala his family held. A night advertised as a showcasing of the achievements of the Rogers family, but it was actually a circle-jerk filled with bloated egos, secret promises, false compliments, and all the other unsavory traits that the upper percentage held. And Steve had to entertain that nonsense for an entire night. Oh, and he was livid.

He had begged, begged, his father to allow him to miss the gala, to which his father happily obliged considering he was already ashamed at the runt he had for a son anyway. But after notifying his own father, Cashel, of the news, Jeremy quickly returned and told Steve that he was required to go due to his grandfather’s orders. Jeremy didn’t seem very happy about the news either, but Steve had no choice. He’d rather face a thousand galas back-to-back than face the wrath of his grandfather, so he faced the music and was taking it like a champ.

Seven minutes later and Steve still was struggling to tie a fucking tie. As if sensing his frustrations, Bucky appeared in the doorway and smirked at him. Bucky was Steve’s own personal bodyguard, personally hired by Cashel himself. However, it was more of a friend protecting a friend since both boys grew up and were raised together. When questioned about it, Cashel merely waved a hand and stated that “He knows you better than anyone, therefore, he should be fit to protect you from any of the dumb circumstances you always get yourself into.” Bucky thought this was the funniest thing, but Steve didn’t crack a smile.

“You need help with your tie?” Bucky offered, already stepping into the room.

“I would say no, but I’ve already waisted so much goddamn time,” Steve grumbled, dropping his arms to his side as he gave up.

“You kiss your mother with that mouth?” Bucky pursed his lips as he mocked his friend. Steve didn’t even satisfy him with a reply. Instead, he pointed to his tie and raised his chin.

Bucky stood a head (and a few inches) taller than Steve, making Steve look like a child next to him. It also didn’t help that Steve had a soft, boyish face and his appearance made him look like an overly grown 12-year-old. So, one could imagine how flirting with the opposite sex went.

“There, done,” Bucky announced as he patted the sides of Steve’s suit jacket to smooth out the wrinkles. Steve nodded and muttered a thanks, turning back to look at himself in the mirror. He really was a poor sight. His skin was too pale, his cheeks and eyes were sunken in, and he looked too thin. But this was the usual. He was born a runt, which meant that he didn’t possess the quality characteristics that were passed down to every firstborn in his family. He didn’t have the strong build, chiseled jawline, piercing eyes, nor the basic ability to shift into a majestic wolf. No, Steve was just fucking regular. And that’s why he hated these galas because that is all his family saw him as. A regular born to a family of gods.

He really thought that when he hit the peak of puberty, age 16, he’d have a sudden change and become the wolf he always knew he could be. But it never came and now, just a little over a year later, Steve felt like it would never come.

“Hey, what’s on your mind,” came Bucky’s quiet voice. He sounded concerned; all sense of humor sucked out of his voice. Steve didn’t want to tell Buck, his pride flaring up at the sign of weakness, but he’d been feeling shitty this entire week leading up to the event. And knowing Bucky, who was also a wolf and had gotten the gift early on, he could smell the mixed emotions flowing through his friend.

“I…I just wonder whether I’ll ever be good enough,” he sighed, pushing away his pride. “And don’t say, ‘Hey Steve, it’s okay. You know your family cares for you,’ because you know that’s bullshit.” He sounded so bitter and pitiful.

“Listen, I get it. You’re upset you have to go to this thing tonight. You’ve never liked these kinds of things. But think about it. You’ll be getting shipped off to college in a few weeks, somewhat free of the gaze from your family, and you’ll have a chance to make a name for your own damn self. They don’t define you, Steve,” Bucky finished, clapping a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“I know, Buck. Thanks.”

“Nah, man. You just gotta get your head in the right space and realize that you are a wolf on the inside. You might can’t shift, or do the other crazy shit, but you think like one. You’re one of the smartest men I know and to me, you act more like your grandfather than anyone.” Steve scoffed and gave Bucky an incredulous look. “What? You don’t see it?!”

Steve chuckled and pushed Bucky away, thinking this pep talk was going wayward. “Alright, Buck. I think that tie of yours is too damn tight.”

“Are you kidding? Man, don’t let me make a list of how you both compare,” Bucky started, giving Steve a look of challenge.

“Oh, so you guys are making lists now?” came a snicker from the door. They both looked up and saw it was Steve’s mother, Sara. She was giving them both a look of amusement as she walked in. Bucky, shifting into professional mode, stepped back and bowed his head at her.

“Mrs. Rogers,” he greeted. She waved a hand at him and insisted he relax. So, he did. She walked over to her son, who was still pouting, and gave him a heartwarming smile.

“Oh, you look so handsome,” she cooed. “You might just get a girl, yet!” She looked way too excited by that fact and this caused Steve to turn intensely red.

“Mam, getting a girl is the last thing on my mind right now!” he groaned, closing his eyes. “Plus, how am I going to date her when half of the women here are basically family!” He was stopped by his mother grabbing onto his arm and dragging him out of the room.

“Hush up, boy. Women have friends! Now, c’mon so we can get you set up with someone before the introduction,” Sara grinned and stared ahead determinedly. Steve whined and heard a quiet laugh behind him. He whipped his head around and glared daggers at Bucky, the asshole.

True to her word, Sara whisked Steve around the ballroom and introduced him to about ten ladies before she was called away to mingle with the wives of some other important figures. This left Steve to go finally plunder the hors d’oeuvres and sweets table at the far wall of the room. Dinner wouldn’t be served for another hour since this was the time to mingle and schmooze. So, once his tiny plate was stacked with various meats, cheeses, crackers, and tiny cookies, he placed himself at a far table and ate in solitude. Bucky, who was still on the job during this event, was briefing with the security team and keeping an eye on Steve from across the room.

About halfway through his plate, he was approached by none other than Rumlow, a neighborhood bully and Steve’s longtime enemy. He sneered as he towered over Steve’s small frame. “What’s happening, Rogers?”

“I’m happily eating my food,” Steve announced, not caring to entertain Rumlow’s shenanigans. All he wanted was to finish his cheese and crackers. Rumlow didn’t react to Steve and still had that ugly sneer plastered onto his equally ugly face.

“Well, good to know you’re eating just fine. I just wanted to let you know that I have officially been promoted to become my father’s underling. Like his assistant, with perks,” his sneer curved into a wicked smile, as if rubbing the information in Steve’s face brought him sincere joy.

Brock Rumlow and his family belonged to the Italian mafia that lived across town. His father, Vito, was a well-known caporegime and was known for his cold exterior and brutality. There were always stories and rumors surrounding the man and how he ran his section of soldiers. One such rumor, a famous one that Bucky had told Steve, was Vito beating a man to a literal pulp using only his fists and raw strength. Steve thought it was all hearsay until he had the chance to meet the man personally. He was a hulking mass of muscle, with steely eyes and a strong jaw set in a permanent grimace. Steve hated the man on the spot and made it his own personal vow to avoid him and his idiotic son whenever he could. However, Brock’s incessant need to find and torture Steve (both mentally and physically) made that vow extremely difficult to uphold.

“Congratulations, Brock,” Steve blandly complimented, hoping that playing along will speed up Brock’s departure. “I do hope you rise through the ranks and make your father proud.” He was really rubbing it in, and he raised his glass of water in a mock toast.

“Aww, Steve, no need for the fake praise. I know it’s eating you up inside to know my father actually respects me,” Brock still had a smile on his face, but it was beginning to look like his family’s signature grimace.

“Well, Brock, unlike you, I don’t need my father’s approval nor respect to have a personality. And I definitely don’t need you coming over here and acting like you won whatever imaginary competition you’ve formed in your head,” Steve waved a hand, nonchalant about the entire thing.

“Listen here, runt,” Brock growled, loud enough to attract attention from a few others. “For someone who has so much shit to say, you can’t even stand on the same level as your grandfather and father. You’re useless, pathetic, and I’m damn sure surprised you’re still here and not in the fucking garbage where you belong.” Steve felt his fist tighten its grip on his napkin. “I’ve been promoted by my father, something you’ll never have the chance of doing. Heh, I’m surprised your whorish mother is still here.”

“Enough!!,” Steve’s voice erupted, echoing off the walls of the ballroom. His voice had unnaturally deepened and he felt a boiling rage under his skin. He wanted to fight Brock, and he was seconds away from throwing a punch. However, he couldn’t act on his feelings since the entire room had gotten silent; all the attention aimed at the seething young men. “You listen here, and you listen good Brock. You can talk about me, my father, and anyone else in my fucking family. But if I ever, and I mean ever, hear you utter something other than a compliment about my mother.” Steve leaned in close to Brock, making sure only he could hear him. “I will hunt you down and kill you myself.” And with that, Steve grabbed his plate and made his way to the attached balconies. He needed some fresh air.

Conversation began once Steve reached the balcony’s doors. He was pissed. Pissed at the fact that Brock had challenged him like that, but also because he had lost his cool so quickly. He felt the rage dampen within him as he eased down onto one of the marble benches. It was cool tonight and Steve was grateful for it. It felt like a splash of cool water on his face, something he needed right now.

He placed his plate on the bench and gazed out at the gardens that surrounded the venue. There was no one out there tonight, yet, the owners had decided to cut on the lights and the fountains. All for show, he guesses.

“I saw your exchange with Brock,” came a voice from behind him. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise and he turned to see it was his grandfather, Cashel. Steve straightened his back and was about to stand when his grandfather raised a hand and motioned for him to keep sitting. The man was giving him an unreadable gaze, yet he could tell Cashel was reading him like a book.

“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to disgrace our family,” Steve apologized. There were a lot of things he’d do but piss off Cashel was not one of them. It was a funny situation really, given that Cashel has never shown him any direct animosity. In fact, besides his mother and grandmother, Cashel is the only other family member who doesn’t look at him like he’s…waste. But he’s also never been doting. He’d just sit and stare at Steve as if he was trying to solve the most complex problem. Like Steve was hiding the biggest secret and he needed to find it out.

“Apology accepted. However, you did not disgrace our family. It’d have been more disgraceful if you’d let the boy keep hounding you like a dog,” Cashel provided, taking a seat at the other marble bench. He looked otherworldly tonight. To any normal person, they’d think that Cashel was Steve’s father, but that wasn’t the case. The man looked a little over 50, but his real age was 108. One of the perks of being a wolf was you age at a drastically slow rate, meaning Steve looked like a child and his grandfather looked like an aged model. It sucked that this was the only wolf characteristic he had, but it was better than nothing.

Steve was pulled from his thoughts when he looked up and caught Cashel giving him that stare again. All he could do was blurt out a small, “What?”

“You know Steven. You fascinate me,” the older man chuckled, rubbing his salt and pepper beard.

“How so?”

“Here I have three sons, two who are nothing like myself and one who dedicates his…basically, his livelihood to me. And out of all of them, you are the one who I can see the most of myself in.” Steve was speechless. Where was this coming from?

“And I’m not just talking about your irritating stubbornness or the way you walk, no, there are more things we have in common than just on the surface.” His grandfather’s eyes seemed to glow as they aimed straight at Steve. “How do you feel about the family business, Steven?” The question was so sudden, and Steve didn’t know whether to answer it truthfully or lie. He knew if he truthfully answered, his grandfather might not like what he has to say. However, if he lied, which was something his grandfather hated, then the consequences would be far worse. Truth it is.

“I don’t necessarily like it,” he began, gaging his grandfather’s reaction. It didn’t move. “I don’t feel the need to exploit others for monetary gain, nor do I like paying others to carry out my dirty work and leave them with the consequences. However, I know why you do it. You came to America for the sole reason of protecting your family and the nature of us, as wolves. And this is your way of accomplishing that goal. It might not sit well with me morally, but some things need to be done in order to get what you want.” He had looked down at his hands towards the end, really taking into account the sacrifices his grandfather made. When his gaze raised back up, he was greeted by his grandfather’s lips quirked into a knowing smirk. “What?” he questioned again.

“That was well-spoken, Steven.” His grandfather raised himself off the bench, straightening his jacket. “I’ll have to take what you said into consideration. Now, I must be getting back to my party. Can’t have the host gone for too long,” he chuckled and walked off the balcony. Steve was left there staring at his grandfather’s back, mouth slightly parted, wondering what the hell that was all about. He looked out towards the garden again, eyes landing on the fountain shaped like a turtle. His grandfather was strange, but the man was always ten steps ahead of everyone. He was scarily accurate about everything and he always said everyone had a place in the family. The only problem was, what place was he considering giving to Steve?

Taglist: @mygirlrenee

#Steve Rogers #steve rogers imagine #steve rogers x black!reader #steve rogers x poc!reader #black!reader #poc!reader #marvel #marvel fanfiction #fanfiction #heritage fanfiction

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handsofdarkness · 4 years

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Within Temptation’s Sharon den Adel: “There are more better days than bad days”

You put the questions to Within Temptation singer Sharon den Adel

It’s been a big couple of years for Dutch megaweights Within Temptation, but with their planned tour with Evanescence getting nudged back, we thought we’d help Sharon den Adel pass the time by fielding some of your questions. Who knew Shazza had such a problem with ducks?!

How are you doing now after your hard patch where you made the solo album? Tammy Black (Facebook)

“That’s sweet. Really, it’s a process. It’s been two years now [Sharon’s father passed away in 2018] since that period was going on. Of course, something doesn’t really end but the sharp edges get off. The music really helped me, and also being on tour again for Resist really helped – it was a very positive tour for me. So, it’s getting better, but it’s like, wounds heal, but they heal slowly. But there are more better days than bad days, that’s the good thing.”

Do you see a time in the future where you’ll release a compilation album of rare/unreleased material from your back catalogue? @jaimcferran (Twitter)

“Not really. Maybe b-sides; there were a few jams which were pretty good, actually, looking back on it. Maybe if we made a new arrangement on [the songs] or something we could try. But a lot of things that didn’t make it to b-sides were really bad, I think. Ha ha ha!”

What’s the best way to address the issue of the number of bands with female musicians on festival bills each year? Ben Willmott (Facebook)

“That’s a difficult question. My opinion about it is: of course I would like to see more women on the bills of festivals and on radio. I think the more visible women are, the more seeds will be planted. I think it’s even harder in a country like America to get on the radio or get any exposure when you’re a female because it’s more masculine; they just wanna hear men’s voices. In Europe I think it’s slightly different; we get more support just based on the music. But that’s just my feeling. Maybe I’m wrong.”

Which Within Temptation album brings back the greatest memories? @krystianc1997 (Twitter)

“It’s not like one period was the best period of our lives, but I must say we had a lot of fun on the Unforgiving tour. It was like a Monty Python movie on the road! It was one of the funniest times that we had on tour. We still have a lot of fun because most of those people are still there. A lot of the crew members are very dedicated and have been with us for over 10 years – and all these people are having a really, really hard time [during the coronavirus situation), because they’re all self-employed.”

How many times, and with how much ferocity, did you swear when Ice Queen repeatedly broke the PA at Bloodstock 2015? And did anyone get fired? Andy Taylor (Facebook)

“Oh my god! Ha ha ha! Heart attack after heart attack after heart attack. We have a certain orchestration that supports the music – [for Bloodstock we did it] totally differently, and people didn’t even notice. It was like, ‘Why did we even make the effort?’ Ha ha ha! I will never forget that show. ‘Oh my god, how can this go so wrong?!’ It was so nerve-wracking.”

What’s your favourite movie(s)? Scott Sitompul (Facebook)

“From Dusk Till Dawn is one of my all-time favourites. I’m not really a horror addict – although some people in my house are – but that movie surprised me so much. I like that you think you’re watching a road movie, then suddenly all hell breaks loose.”

Would you rather have one giant duck or an army of tiny dinosaurs? Rachel Williams (Facebook)

“I don’t like ducks much so give me the dinosaurs.”

Will you do a collaboration with Floor Jansen again? @MartVila (Twitter)

“I don’t know! I think working with somebody has to do with if you have the right song for someone. It’s about those kind of choices, not about the person themselves.”

If you were a superhero what would your name be and what would be your one weakness? Nick Jeffree (Facebook)

“Ha ha ha! These are very difficult questions! My superhero name would be Catlady and my one weakness, apart from ducks, would be singing along with really bad songs. Whenever I see a karaoke bar, I have to go in and do karaoke. So if I was trying to rescue someone and there’s a karaoke bar… I’ll be in the karaoke bar! What’s my song of choice? Something from Grease, of course!”

What tips would you give to aspiring women in metal, to help inspire them to reach the levels you have reached? Cynthia Luna Frost (Facebook)

“I think in general, for anyone wanting to go into music, it’s easy to be like someone else, but it’s so important to find something that you love doing, because that will make you maintain it and try to make it better. Ambition is the most important thing when you start making music, and your vision will determine how special you are. Uniqueness and vision is a good recipe in music and will make sure that you’re different from all the others.”

When making music for Within Temptation, do you write the lyrics before composing a song? Or does the tune come first and then the lyrics? Zaina Z. Arekat (Facebook)

“I start [writing lyrics] when trying to make music and vocal lines. Most of those words stick because they have a certain emotion, but it’s always afterwards that it’s difficult, because you know you have a direction that you want to go and you have [some placeholder] lyrics that you have to change into something real with the right emotion. But the words have to fit! It’s a lot of work, but it does make you stay as close as possible to the demo. For me, it doesn’t really work to write lyrics out before I start singing. What I do is that when I feel like [the music is] going in a certain direction, I’ll start writing lyrics so that I can fit them in. But most of the time, they come out of the blue and I have to shape it!”

What do you think about the current state of the fashion industry and do you still create and design at home? Muses Of Metal (Facebook)

“Well, every single time we go on tour I still work with the designer for the band. Fashion nowadays… there are a lot of things going on! You have to find something that suits you and fits you. For me, music is the most important thing, always, but fashion is a nice thing to be busy with. I like to do the clothing of everybody and those kinds of things.”

Was it strange suddenly being widely acknowledged for an album that already was three years old when Sony re-released Mother Earth? Petromax Skavholm (Facebook)

“We felt when we wrote the album, ‘This is a really good album, why is nobody playing it? Why is it so hard?’ We sold out venues, but nobody was writing about it or playing us on the radio. The people who should have us on their radar for new things weren’t picking us up. But people loved it so much, they were going nuts when we were playing! So we didn’t know what was happening, but when it did get re-released afterwards, it was confirmation that we were right about our own music, and that we did have something special. So it was really nice to see that people really did like the album. It was a compliment to our music, and that was really nice.”

#Sharon den Adel #within temptation #2020 interviews

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imagemakingii · 3 years

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Interview Transcript

R: So Skinny, you’re 19? 20?

S: I’m 19. September.

R: Is that Libra?

S: Oh my god no, I’m a triple Virgo.

R: What is it that you do in your own definition?

S: I feel like, I’m a jeweller, and I’m a designer, and a creative but also a maker. And I’m like the best DJ ever when people let me.

R: You’re a DJ?

S: Yeah, I’m the best DJ. But like, honestly, no one really lets me. No big venues.

R: What kind of music do you play?

S: I love all music, I really do. But I feel like acid rock is really cool.

R: So you’re a creative and a maker. Do you prefer the making side of things to the research side?

S: I feel like makers and designers a lot of the time are two separate things. Makers really understand materials and medium. Whereas designers can think of an incredible idea and give it to a maker. But I definitely relate to both, kind of jack of all trades, master of none.

R: Your own personal style plays a huge role in your designs and art, how important is curating a self-expressive style to you?

S: I feel like it’s important to think for yourself first of all, find inspirating from the past, and accept that your style will always be changing and evolving.

R: Especially nowadays, with fast fashion, people tend to buy trends rather than what they actually like.

S: Yeah, I’m constantly surprised by how many people buy into trends.

R: You came to New Zealand from Greece, how has your cultural heritage impacted your work, and your way of expressing yourself?

S: I feel like a combination of purity and religion comes out at uni, and reminds me that restriction and freedom can look so similar. My friend gave me the best quote, like, “the Greek Orthodox church has the best branding,” which I found was so cool.

R: So how do you weave that into your work?

S: I feel that I always think back on how much purity I had as a child growing up in a little Greek village and try to keep that mindset when making things when being influenced by so many things, it helps with all the voices in your head, and reminds you to keep that simplicity.

R: Does living in Auckland inform your work and self-expression in any way?

S: I feel like everyone in Auckland feels like they can be a big fish in a small pond. That gives kids the confidence that they can run the world, which is the best thing and the worst thing. That’s why we’re seeing so many kids from Auckland come out and go worldwide and start things, they take that confidence with them when they go overseas.

R: Take me through what you do in a day.

S: No matter what day it is, I wake up and put on really really loud music and I drink coffee.

R: What’s your favourite morning song?

S: Definitely like the Ramones, or the Sex Pistols. Something very loud. Then I’ll go to the studio. I don’t think in the past three years there has been many days that I don’t go to studio. Like 6 out of 7 days. And I’m constantly surrounded by people, and my friends, who are always the angel and the devil on my shoulder. I couldn’t imagine designing without people around me.

R: So you like the collaboration side of things?

S: Yeah. I feel like having people around you distracts you from spiralling.

R: So you live in the city?

S: Yeah I live in Central. I’ve had two apartments on High Street which has been super cool.

R: So you can pop over to uni really easily then.

S: Yeah I feel like AUT students, especially fashion students, are always in studio.

R: How does social media inform your process?

S: I feel like there’s so many different things to talk about with social media, like it’s really good for staring a brand and selling things. But I feel like seeing what’s happening and what’s hot will never inform your process. I feel like you’ll only ever end up making something lesser that what the other person is made. You should never find inspiration on Instagram, like go watch some old movies or something.

R: So your Instagram name is DJSkinny and has been for a while. Is that different to your real name, are they a sort of alter ego?

S: Everyone in central calls me Skinny, which is really funny. It might be easier to say than my Greek name. I feel like it’s only a persona in the way that you are with your friends versus your mum.

R: Do some of your friends know your first name?

S: A lot of my friends don’t know my first name. My closest friends probably don’t know my last name.

R: So in your jewellery and fashion business, is Skinny like your brand?

S: Yeah I’ve got the website and everything but I haven’t posted on it.

R: Who do you think is more the real you? Or are they both?

S: I definitely think they’re both the real me. But it’s an interesting concept, the person you are, the person you think you are, and the person people perceive you as. And I guess that Instagram is a whole another persona in itself.

R: I’ve always found your Instagram handle so interesting.

S: Yeah, I think the funniest thing said to me, probably two things, obviously I introduce myself like “Hi I’m Skinny, that’s what my friends call me.” And people are like “Oh my god, imagine calling yourself Skinny.” And I’m like it is what it is. What do you mean imagine it? I’m living it haha. And then another girl was like “she’s not even that Skinny.” And I just thought, it’s not even about that. Why are words so important. Words shouldn’t hold that much power.

R: How does fashion design change your views on the rest of the world?

S: Well I feel like I am constantly surprised by how many people still buy fast fashion and buy into trends. I think it’s so crazy. I don’t think I’ve not bought anything second hand in like two years.

R: Do you think fashion students at AUT are more sustainable thinking?

S: I think the cool people are, but I think there are some people that just want to get a degree to get a degree, that wear fast fashion, they don’t read anything on fashion, are not that passionate about it. There’s some people like that. The best people I see in fashion are really sustainable.

R: Who are your biggest influences, and why do you connect with them?

S: I’m going to try put no designers in this one. I really love Joseph Beuys, I think he’s a really good storyteller. I love Lee Krasner, she is the original girl boss. And Nancy Holt, they were both really influential for women in art. I’m really inspired by The Clash, they have great politics.

R: What sets you apart from other designers?

S: I think that first of all everyone is a great designer, and you need to figure out how to put it into a physical form., I have a love affair with metal, like I’m rally in love with metal. If you really love a material or textile, then you design to it, because you understand how it works. my first year was quite tricky for me because I just didn’t have that connection with fabric, so my work wasn’t coming out right, so when I started working with metal that’s when I could see my work better. At uni we have like looks, so I design my garments to compliment the jewellery.

R: You said you had an end of year showcase?

S: Yeah, we’ve got our grad collection coming up which is 10 looks.

R: Do you make the looks to compliment or showcase the jewellery?

S: Definitely compliment. I would never make something for the sake of making something. Something uni has taught me is that I really love a runway performance, so I’ll make 50/50 objects and garments, like a crazy headpiece that you wouldn’t buy or wear, but they’ll be a t-shirt underneath that you could sell. I think like. Margiella is the best at that, or like McQueen, he had the best pieces under things that are super wearable.

R: I feel like vintage archival fashion is really big now.

S: Yeah, there’s a lot of young people at uni that look at archive clothes, and now there’s basic archival shows, like “oh they’re just using early Comme des Garçons or early Jean Paul Gaultier.” Everyone is using them, so you’re considered lame when you use them. Fashion honestly has so much politics.

R: So at uni, you guys are already forming opinions on those politics and things. Do you think within your friend group you guys have different opinions on fashion, or do you become friends with the people with the same fashion politics.

S: I think the same politics, but not the same style. I feel like if you saw us all out together you’d know that we are like a gang, but if you saw our runway shows, they could be quite different.

R: What do you see yourself doing in the future, as in what path do you think your fashion work and jewellery will take in the future.

S: Well I have a flight to the UK coming up really soon in late January. My best friends live there, so they’re sorting it out. London is calling.

R: I feel like you’d thrive there.

S: Hopefully I can take everything and make it bigger.

R; I feel like you’d definitely have the space to do that there. In Auckland the fashion scene seems quite small and exclusive in terms of other people looking in.

S: That’s definitely what I saw, like the 50 coolest people in Auckland will have my ring and then what, you know?

R: Aside from your fashion design work and jewellery, how would you like yourself to be seen?

S: A great romantic DJ with great hair.

R: So you’re a hopeless romantic then?

S: Oh my gosh, everything I do has something romantic behind it. Like not even about a woman and a guy, a lot of my stuff is kind of just like femme fatale. And a create like a muse.

R: Who would you say is your muse?

S: I definitely have a specific woman in my head, a very tall woman. My current project is around gypsies, and carrying all your worth on you, as in jewellery and objects. I have this idea of a very free woman.

R: Yeah, its super interesting and satisfying when you have everything you need on you.

S: Exactly, and what that would mean to us, or to a nomadic person.

R: What is your favourite piece of clothing you own?

S: I need to answer this correctly. I have this really big wool, grey black coat that makes me feel really cool. It’s so long, and it was like $10 from an op shop I still can’t believe it.

R: I’m like itching to go thrifting oh my god, I’ve been scrolling on Depop.

S: Literally, TradeMe and Depop, has all my money. I’m not even joking, me and my friends got drunk and accidentally bought things on TradeMe.

R: What did you buy?

S: I bought the ugliest jacket I didn’t want! I was trying to bid on this other thing but I accidentally bid on this other thing. I’m so upset about it haha. What is your favourite footwear that you have? Because I feel like nothing makes you walk better than your best shoes.

R: I’m obsessed with anything that makes me feel taller.

S: Same.

R: Yeah I’m so short. How tall are you?

S: I’m like 5”10. But I love a heel, I love being the tallest person in the room.

R: Favourite pair of heels?

S: I’ve got this pair of cowboy knee highs that are really tall. They’re so sexy. Cowboys are sexy.

R: I wear platforms a lot too, because the pants I buy are too long for me.

S: Yeah, there is nothing sexier than a pant that just reaches the bottom of the heel. For me, that never happens, but anyway. The coolest thing about having large feet is wearing guys shoes home, to this day I have this guy’s cowboy boots.

R: That’s such a funny story. What’s your favourite piece of jewellery that you’ve ever made?

S: There are so many that I’ve got coming because I’ve got so many looks coming up. I made my friend a two tooth grill that is probably my favourite one so far.

R: I find the teeth rings so interesting.

S: I get so much hate mail about that, people think my rings with the teeth in them are disgusting. It’s such a social stigma, like it was in you mouth and now it’s on your hand and now you’re upset?

R: What kind of movies do you like?

S: I like movies, like the less people now about them – I don’t mean to be that girl – but the less people know about it the more I love it. I love old French films, the romance.

R: What is your drink of choice?

S: I love straight Jack Daniels or Straight Whiskey. I love dark liquor but it’s so bad for you.

R: Oh really?

S: I love natural wine. In central, natural wine is like the new hot thing. It’s so stupid but it’s so yummy. I love a $9 bottle though. And going to a really shit house party and drinking Nitro also.

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antmfunny · 6 years

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5. Tyra’s Back

… and no one’s more excited than Tyra herself, who announces the news in the third person.

Who am I kidding, though? We’re all excited. The contestants are happy to have Tyra back, the fans are happy to have Tyra back, and even I am happy to have Tyra back. She is the Beauty/Boss/Brand (oh, are we not using that term anymore?) of ANTM, so let’s put her back front and center where she loves to be.

The show kicks off with Tyra’s narration: “Many people believe I created Top Model to show girls just how to become models, but no, it was about much more than that.” For whatever reason, Tyra doesn’t explain what that “more” is, but we already know: blatant self-promotion.

She refers to Top Model as “my baby,” which is a sort of weird sentiment considering she has an actual baby at this point, while explaining that she’s returning to prove that literally everyone is beautiful. However, if you think that means she’s casting some objectively unattractive people this cycle, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

Tyra takes her place at panel and refers to her fellow judges as her “new family,” which might be true if you consider your family members totally expendable. On the real, the first judge who dares to speak Rita Ora’s name will get sacked immediately. Don’t think Tyra doesn’t have Miss J on speed dial!

In case you’re worried that Tyra’s become more humble in her time away from the show, she’s still interrupting the contestants to talk about herself. When Sandra, a Muslim, says she’s never drank, smoked or had sex, Tyra brags that she’s the same on 2 of those 3.

OH MY GOD, TYRA BANKS IS A VIRGIN. And here we thought she used a surrogate just because she’s old.

More obnoxiously, after adding Erin back into the competition as the “15th” girl, Tyra suggests that that’s an important number since Tyra started her modeling career at the age of 15. Something tells me that Tyra could get excited about literally any number based on some connection it has to her life.

27: “I love 27! That’s how many go-sees I went to in Paris!”

4: “Oh, #4! That’s how many Americans actually got talent. And one of those is me.”

11: “Eleven is a very dear number because that’s how many days I attended Harvard.”

On that note, yes, Tyra is still peddling the Harvard shit. This time, she’s actually getting the contestants to do it for her. Here’s Ivana:

From that clip, you’d think Ivana went to Harvard, but no, she attended Hampton University and Tsinghua University. In truth, that makes Ivana seem especially similar to Tyra because now they’re both falsely suggesting that they went to Harvard.

And what does Ivana get in return for padding their respective résumés? Tyra initially compliments Ivana’s photo with the word “booch” even though we all know that booch is when a boy does a tooch, so unless she’s saying that Ivana has the ass of a man, Tyra’s a little rusty with her own terminology. For shame!

Tyra’s still into alien beauty at least:

Fortunately, Coura takes it in stride, and Drew even jokes that Tyra is her alien leader.

On a side note, Coura is gorgeous and I’m already nervous that they’ll be foolish and try to give her amazing hair some extensions during makeovers. You know how this show gets foolish!

Another thing that hasn’t changed is Tyra is still hungry. 14 years ago, Janice made fun of Tyra’s love of ribs…

...and now Tyra is doing it by her own admission:

This has to be the genuinely funniest part of the episode. To cut Shanice a break, she is standing there expecting to have her look critiqued, and it’s not as if it’s out of character for Tyra to compliment an unexpected body part. However, it’s not like you can see Shanice’s ribs in that outfit, and even if you could, it’s hard to imagine the judges complimenting a feature associated with emaciation, especially on a cycle with renewed interest in promoting real-sized women.

Last but not least, we don’t get the usual frantic house tour, but if you pay attention, there’s still plenty of Tyra art on display. When Tyra calls it one of the most beautiful Top Model houses ever, she’s not kidding because there’s literally perfection on the walls.

Yup, Tyra sure is back. This is going to be good.

5 Funniest Moments of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 24 Episode 1

#ANTM #america's next top model #Top Model #Cycle 24 #Tyra Banks #Tyra #Shanice #Shanice Carroll #Coura #Coura Fall #Ivana West #Ivana #ribs #art #Janice Dickinson #Erin #Sandra Nyanchoka #Rita Ora

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