There are many people I love, many people I adore, and one of them is the fabulous Emily McEnroe. If you don’t know her, start: read her blog Magenta Lightning, and the first ever interview I conducted with her. You’ll immediately fall in love with her and her coolness. I asked Emily for a second interview—I just can’t get enough—and being the cool girl that she is, agreed. I was uber happy about it, and tried to make the questions very cool, but of course the answers were the most important.
1. How was your interest in fashion, art, and photography sparked?
My interest in fashion was sparked before I could talk. I was always piecing outfits together. I was lucky because my mom always had amazing clothes around that I could experiment + dress up with. Clothes has always been an outlet for me, a way for me to express myself without having to think. With art my dad is truly the reason I have such a strong appreciation for it. He actually collects art + over the years has taken me to amazing art exhibitions [Lucian Freud to name one]. Since I was little I have always asked him the background on the pieces he collects + artists that he likes, which has ultimately shaped my artistic view. This goes the same for photography.
2. Growing up, what where some things that influenced you?
I’m a very passionate person so I tend to think that everything influences me. My family + friends have always been my main inspiration. As I believe I mentioned in my last interview, I was lucky enough to have the ability to travel + so seeing the world + being around such different types of people + cultures has always been highly influential.
3. What are things you are most passionate about?
My blog has been a pretty consistent outlet that I have been passionate about for almost 4 years now. Besides that there is so much that I am passionate about that it is hard to put it all in writing. I love movies + dance [modern specifically] reading + everything in between. My biggest passion is meeting new people + experiencing.
4. What do you think is the relation between fashion and art? Do you think it’s important to have that relation?
I think that fashion + art are interchangeable. You can’t have one without the other. I always am so confused by people who don’t use clothes as a representation of art because I think it is such a great way to express yourself.
5. Bob Colacello once said that, elitism had become politically incorrect, but it can be a good thing if it’s based on accomplishment, creativity, productivity. How do you think this applies to our current culture?
I think in today’s culture elitism is impossible to not notice. It is everywhere + unfortunately, in a lot of cases it isn’t a good thing. Having said that, I do think that there are people with wealth + status who are hard workers + creative + it’s important to focus on those people, + attempt to silence the voices of everyone else.
6. In your own personal definition, what is feminism? Who is a feminist icon for you?
Feminism is a subject that is very important to me + close to my heart. To me feminism is giving women an equal shot, a voice, + an ability to have the same economic, political, + social rights as men. I’m all about feminist icons, + anyone that has been reading my blog consistently can see that. There are a lot of feminist icons I look up to, but my number one is Joan Jett. Not only because of who she represented as a female badass rocker back in the day when she was in The Runaways, but also because of the icon she continues to be today.
7. What is something you think our current culture has lost?
I think that the more people are “connecting” to twitter/facebook/instagram etc they are inevitably “disconnecting” themselves from real life connections. I think that for many people this is a loss because there means of connecting are so negative. Because I see so much negativity + hate on these platforms I try as best I can to have a blog that is positive + hopefully inspiring.
8. You’re not the Gossip Girl type, never were; but what were you like in high school?
I had a really special high school experience. I went to a high school in NYC that was so accepting of being different that totally changed my life. I had [+ still have] an amazing group of friends that are so special + aren’t interested in being entitled or spoiled, but are truly sophisticated and honestly just good people. I was really lucky because I was constantly surrounded by inspiring people + places. Some of the fondest high school memories I have was getting dressed up + going out to dinners and just being around great people.
9. What’s your favourite quote?
Truthfully I have collected hundreds + hundreds of quotes over the years so this is a really tough question. I don’t have a favorite quote but this is definitely one of them: “I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, + sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” – Marilyn Monroe
10. One artist, one model, one photographer, one editor you admire
Artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Photographer: Diane Arbus
Editor: At the moment I don’t have a favorite editor
11. Favourite Movie
My favorite movie is called What’s Up Doc starring my grandfather Ryan O’neal + Barbara Streisand. I also love any Chris Farley Movie, + have seen them each 100 times.
picture via…where else? I’ve shared the link so many times it should be falling out of your bum
