Complexd Women

Name: Kristie Danielle
Age: 23
Place of birth: Silver Spring, MD
Current residence: New York, USA

My ethnic background is made up of English, Polish, French and Native and African descent, but I see myself as an American. I think it’s a beautiful thing when various cultures, traditions and races come together. It helps to eliminate prejudice and encourages people to open their minds. I am a firm believer in oneness, we are all just human beings as far as I am concerned.

I co-own an eco-friendly online store called 9th and Fontain . We sell vintage clothing that we collected when travelling along the east coast and in the Philippines and Arizona. I also make and sell sustainable jewellery through the site. I have made pieces for Solange Knowles, Erykah Badu, and Christine Teigen.

Before we set up 9th and Fontain, my friend and business partner Julianka used to be my arch enemy…

…until I realised our personalities and style mirrored each other.

That is why through our business we promote female unity, peace, friendship, creativity, and green living. I also have a passion for creative marketing so I work with various marketing, music and magazine companies. My aim is to become an innovative marketing strategist.

I once read something somewhere that said you find your own style when it becomes as natural as breathing. I wear a lot of chunky shoes, big rings, tribal jewellery, long dresses, heavy velvet, snake patterns, sheer fabrics, midriffs, chokers, funky hats and bushy hair. I would sum up my style as the witches serpent sprinkled with pixie dust.

I love being a woman; we are the centre of the universe because we can carry and nurture a new life. We are peace and beauty and we can stimulate the artistic drive in men who often have us as their muses.

I am Complexd because I stay true to myself. The ability to love what I do, have my own opinions, my own tastes and dance to the beat of my own drum. I sometimes lose myself in relationships and work, but I’ve realised how important it is to spend time learning about and loving myself. I am who I am today and every day I am closer to becoming the woman I want to be.

Name: Emily Hawkins
Age: 24
Occupation: Fashion PR Logistics
Current Residence: London, UK

I was born and raised in a tiny village called Pen-How in South Wales. There were no other children in the whole village so me and my older sister had to be creative and imaginative.

I work at a luxury fashion PR company in London. I studied design at university but always flourished more at the marketing and PR side.

After I graduated I moved to New York with no money, no friends and nowhere to live. I started off as an intern at the New York office of the company I now work for where I would deliver clothes to all the major publications on foot. It was such a buzz because fashion had always been my escapism since I was a child.

My personal style is very electric. One day I’m stuffing tulle up the shoulders of a vintage shirt for extra shape, and the other I’m putting a bag on my head!

The strongest people in my life have all been women. My mother is a warrior. I’ve watched her go through some tough times while maintaining a family, a profession and a smile, and a glamorous outfit. She is my sole inspiration and that’s what’s beautiful about women, we just keep going.

I am Complexd because I’m just a young woman with white hair trying to follow my dreams.

Name: Analisa Nunez
Age: 25
Place of birth: Moca, Dominican Republic
Current residence: New York

I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and me and my family moved to New York when I was eight years old. When I started elementary school I couldn’t speak any English. I only knew how to ask to go to the toilet and when I spoke with my strange accent, the kids would look at me like I had ten heads.

My mother worked extremely hard so that we could visit family back home every summer. I had an amazing childhood and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I’m a freelance Visual Merchandiser. I’ve worked in Retail since I was 16 and found my true passion in the art and creativity that goes into designing windows and merchandising a shop floor.

I started out interning and doing projects for artists, photographers and department stores to build up my portfolio.

My personal style is tomboyish!

But sometimes I like to try new things and mix-match items.

Being a woman allows me to experiment, take risks, express myself instead of keeping my thoughts bottled up and bond with my fellow sisters.

I’m Complexd because I’m awkward, passionate and artistic. I can easily wipe away my tears and be myself again in my own little way. I do this by writing or sketching my feelings, ambitions and frustrations in my notebook. Sometimes I sketch for hours until I feel better. Then, I simply crumple up that paper and throw it away because I no longer need that feeling anymore.

Image by Taybah Qureshi

Name: Stuttee Mehra

Age: 19

Place of birth: Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

Current residence: London, UK

I was born in a small town called Ajmer. I lived in different parts of India with my grandparents until the age of nine when my mother got a job in the UK.

Images by Phaldeep Ashan

I’m a full-time student at university and I do modelling and promotional work part-time. I would describe my look and style as feminine with a touch of preppy.

I love being a woman because we have brilliant communication skills and can express ourselves in so many different ways. I enjoy experimenting with interior designing, fashion and food.

Image by Taybah Qureshi

I am Complexd because I have been blessed to have people in my life that love and support me, but aren’t afraid to tell me where I’m going wrong.

Name: Alexandra Leigh Frumberg
Age: 22
Place of birth: Garden City, New York
Current residence: Wall Street, New York

I was born and raised in a large tight-knit family. My mother is Catholic with Irish, English and French roots and my father is Jewish with Hungarian and German roots. My parents have always encouraged me and my siblings to engage with the world around us and seek out our personal passions.

Since the age of 17 I wanted to be a fashion photographer. I feel very privileged to be able to pursue a career I am passionate about. Living in New York is a continuous source of inspiration for me. It encompasses my life both personally and professionally.

I use my clothing to express my moods and emotions so my personal style is in constant flux.  Some days I feel extremely exuberant and wear bright colours and other days I feel more innovative so my style is a bit edgier.

The human experience is different for women than it is for men. I love being a woman because we can openly express our emotions.

I am Complexd because I’m analytical and intuitive and objective and subjective. My art is my passion and my enthusiasm for it drives me to create the work I produce.

View more of Alexandra’s work here

I studied at The University of the Arts London – London College of Fashion (LCF). One of the perks of studying at Europe’s largest provider of education in art, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts is being a part of vastly talented alumni. When I graduated I dabbled in styling and art direction and used our large online gallery which showcases the work of students across the six creative colleges to source designers and photographers.  I find it really encouraging reconnecting with fellow graduates who are achieving their goals. I get a sense that we are a part of a large network of new talent that will be taking over our respective industries together.

Fellow graduate Jacqueline Rousseau, whose graduate collection I absolutely loved, got in touch with me today to update me on her progress since she graduated.

Jacqueline Rousseau photographed by Adrian Barry

Hi Jacqueline nice to hear from you, what have you been up to since we graduated from London College of Fashion (LCF)?

Well, after graduating from LCF, I was chosen by the British Fashion Council to complete an internship with Burberry Prorsum. After that I worked for an accessories label in London called The Jackson Twins before moving to New York City – where I currently live and work. I’m originally from Indiana but I studied fine art first which took me to Cambridge, England. I decided to study fashion design in London because I was really inspired by the UK.

Graduate collection photographed by  Fabrice  Lachant 

So is New York inspiring you more right now?

I moved to New York last year, because I wanted to start up my own label. The garment district in NYC is an amazing resource for designers and offers me the opportunity to build up my line. Setting up my label has been both rewarding and challenging. The most challenging part is getting my brand out there, as there are hundreds of new designers. But I am astounded by all of the creative and talented people I am meeting along the way and that has reinforced how much I enjoy what I do. I draw inspiration from everyday things I see. I’ve been feeling really nostalgic lately, so something like an old piece of clothing hidden away or a forgotten song that comes on in a shop or a bar can ignite a whole chain of creative thought.

AW11 photographed by YU + MA

What’s the difference between street fashion in London and street fashion in New York?

I would say that both cities have great street fashion, but I think that people push the envelope further in London by really exploring their personal style and just going for it. I can see some similarities with East London and Brooklyn.  I like how everything is so compact in NYC, you can see a lot by just walking  around. And I also like the people; they are really interested in others’ story.

SS12 photographed by YU + MA

I launched an online magazine called Complexd since we graduated. What makes your designs Complexd?

I love contrasts. My designs are sexy, but feminine. I like to use different textures, and sometimes clashing colours. For Spring Summer 2012 I made a screen print from a stud layout I designed- the contrast of the screen print with the actual studs is beautiful and Complexd.

To view more from Jacqueline’s collection visit www.jacqueline-rousseau.com

Image by Whitney Summer

Name: Haruka Sakurai (HARUKASALT999)
Age: Ageless
Place of birth: Japan
Current residence: New York

I was born and bred in Japan. My mother is a housewife and my father used to be a musician. My father is a very interesting individual, he was not the greatest family man, but he taught me very valuable life lessons.

I have been Djing for almost 15 years and music has always been a major part of my life. I started playing the piano and violin from a very young age and by the time I was 14 I had a collection of records. When I got my turntables the fun really started.

 I love sharing my music with people and seeing them dance during my set. It makes me the happiest person alive!

I surround myself with what I love and whom I love. My best assets are my ears and eyes to listen to good music while watching good people enjoying themselves.

Women are such beautiful creatures, we go through good and bad, but always follow our hearts. I believe everything happens for a reason, so I take those lessons and use them to grow and keep moving forward no matter what!

Image by Elliot Goldstein

Name: Nefertiti Yates, Age: 20, Place of Birth: Los Angeles, CA, Current Residence: Atlanta, GA

My mother is Mexican and my father is Irish. I grew up in a trilingual household, where we spoke English, Spanish and used sign language.

I’m a model/writer, my family is very artistic so creative writing came naturally. I enjoy writing screenplays and I am currently working on a book. Modelling also allows me to express my creativity. I recently did a photo-shoot with VIBE magazine that incorporated words and imagery.

I define my style as ‘Psychadelic Exotica’. I love to mix exotic prints with vibrant colours. Think leopard print leggings teamed with brightly coloured halter tops.

I love being a woman because we are brave and sexy. Whether we are walking in 6-inch stilettos on an uneven pavement or giving a speech at the senate…we can still be confident and charming.

I am Complexd because my big curls suit my ‘off the richter scale’ personality and flamboyant sense of style.

Name:  Kristen M Stuart
Age: 23
Place of birth: Long Beach, Ca
Current residence:  Long Beach, Ca

I’m German, Scottish, and Polish. My mother is a Housewife and my father is a Inspector.

I was a photographer before I started styling. My love for photography started at a young age when I used to go to my oldest brother’s house and stare at his photography books for the whole day.

Since the day my fiancé, photographer Mike Nguyen asked me to style a photo-shoot for him  I have loved every moment of it.

My personal style varies between feminine and edgy. Sometimes I love to play dress up and look like a lady and sometimes I like that rocker chick edge.

I love how diverse we are as woman. We come in various  shapes and can experiment with many different styles. Women are beautiful creatures, and I’m honoured God made me a woman.

I am Complexd because I have a twin brother who is my complete opposite. He is always proud of me for all the blood, sweat and tears I put into my work.

Kristen M Stuart – Wardrobe Stylist

www.kristenmsstylist.info

Twitter: @kristenmstylist

Name: Ratula Banerjee
Age: 30
Place of birth: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Current residence: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

I was born in a small town and grew up in an Indian Bengali family. My father worked for the Indian Air Force so I lived with my extended family whose culture and religions were diverse and varied. As a young girl I enjoyed classical singing and attended convent school in my teens.

I’m a theatre and television actress and I also dabble in fashion styling. All it takes is hard work, dedication and passion to make  a career out of the things you love to do.

My style is unconventional; I’m a free-spirited person who lives, loves and laughs a lot so I like to wear bright colours. Right now I call my style retro hippie reincarnation.

A woman’s greatest skills are  patience and understanding. We make good listeners who have the strength to support and the heart to care. We have the ability to create, nurture and transform.

I am Complexd because I am many forms of me. I am a woman, a friend, a lover, a mother and sometimes I am crazy and random.