Whos Inspiring Us Right Now
Image: Ashley Johnson
Right now, its all about restoration on ATPB; from what we do with our bodies and our skin, to how were spending our time, and who with. For me, the end of the year is the perfect time to go through my social media feeds and check out who Im following. Its important for me to have a timeline that delivers on an inspirational and aspirational level and the end of the year is the perfect time to hit unfollow on accounts that either distract me, or just dont make me feel great about myself.
Inspiring Women on Instagram
As we enter a period thats a preparatory phase for the year ahead, I wanted to share some of the women who are seriously kicking ass within their own industries. Read on for some serious inspiration!
Ashley Johnson, Photographer and Craftswoman
For the past few years, Ive been a huge fan of Ashleys photography and Instagram. In fact, she inspired me to hold my first photography exhibition. Her work is truly beautiful and shes become especially known for her maternity shoots all women are queens in front of her lens. When she isnt creating iconic imagery shes using her creativity over on her food account @hiaj.eats and creating pretty homewares such as cushions, pillows and ceramics, sold via @coolandbrownshop.
Instagram dies tomorrow; where do you go for inspiration?
Ashley: Instagram doesnt inspire me at all, so if it no longer existed Id continue finding inspiration where I always have: Pinterest, galleries, thoughtful events, travel, beautiful shows, cinematography, magazines, great websites/blogsthere are so many places to feel inspired both inside and outside of media.
Ryan Norville, Florist at Oat Cinnamon
Scrolling through Ryan Norvilles creations on her website youd be forgiven for thinking youd stumbled on the most beautiful moodboard, and not, in fact, an online shop. Her style makes total sense when you learn that she made her way to floristry via design and photography.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to be where you are?
Ryan: If someone would like to be where I am in terms of working for themselves, or pursuing a passion independently, its necessary to be willing to start from square one. If you are building something totally new you have to let being uncomfortable be your new normal. There is also a level of patience needed when building something of your own and you have to be honest with yourself. If youre doing everything you can to work toward your goals simultaneously, then you have to allow time for the process to work. Anything worth having takes a significant amount of time, and that looks different for everyone.
@nkrecicki and @monmoon came to Lalito to talk to me about my style in and out of the kitchen. Then they let me rant about my feelings and the things I want to see for myself, my team, @lalito_nyc and the food industry at large. Click da link to see this Florida girl turn out some looks for Vogue World 
Kia Damon, Chef and Culinary Director at Cherry Bombe
I first stumbled across Floridian Kias work when I was searching for food inspo on one of those rainy, cloudy days when only that sunny Cali-latin cuisine will do. As well as creating food that inspires, New York-based Kia is also Culinary Director of the gorgeous Cherry Bombe magazine.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to be where you are?
Kia: Dont be afraid to create something youve never seen before and dont hesitate to say no to opportunities that dont feel right. Find your community your close, true friends and lean into them. Talk to them when things are going well and especially when they arent. Its easy to get caught up in the noise and the voices of industries, so make sure you have your people. Lastly, just be you! Some folks will love it and some will hate itbut you wont have any regrets.
with topics, detailed concerns, and your dream guests.Diarrha NDiaye, formerly at Glossier and currently working on her own brand Ami Cole
New Yorker Diarrha is someone who truly inspires and comes across as just so, well, nice. When I interviewed her for my podcast, I was inspired by her version of being kind and working with a glass-half-full attitude and how that translated to getting the job done and doing it with style and grace. Diarrha has worked at the likes of LOral and Glossier and knows both the social strategy side and the lab side of the beauty industry, so it was only a matter of time that she created her own beauty line, Ami Cole, named after her mother and inspired by her home, Senegal.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are?
Diarrha: Spend time alone to really get to know who you are, what you want and, more importantly, what you dont want. This clarity creates a stillness within. I call it my spiritual bank. When Im stressed out or feeling doubtful this bank serves as my internal reminder and fuels me to keep going. Because at the end of the day, thats the goal: to keep going. Once you gain this clarity promise yourself to accomplish one thing towards your dream, every day. That one thing could be as small as responding to an email or as big as filing a trademark. Each one will bring you closer to the end goal.
. Boots @tamaramellon . #tamaramellonpartner #kneehighboots #seventiesstyle
Karen Blanchard, Style Blogger and YouTuber
Karen Blanchards style is rooted in vintage finds and modern classics, and above all, finding a working wardrobe that works for you. On any given day this Londoner-living-in-New York could be rocking head to toe denim, showing us how she wears her favorite white shirt, or diving into full-on seventies glamour via prints and corduroy, complemented by her signature caramel curls.
Instagram dies tomorrow; where do you go for your inspiration?
Karen: The streets of New York! But actually most streets in major cities. I miss (fashion/street photographer) Bill Cunningham terribly, but I completely agreed with him that the real fashion and the real stars are on the street. It always has been and it always will. Bill summed up my sentiments 100 percent.
: @alisonclairepeckSubrina Ejoke, Vintage Expert @subrinaheyinkvintage
If youre a vintage lover, youll know that there are levels when it comes to shopping for it, and if your faves are more Jean Paul Gaultier, Norma Kamali and Moschino than recycled H&M and Ralph Lauren polos, youre probably already following Subrina Ejoke.
Instagram dies tomorrow where do you go for inspiration?
Ive stopped using Instagram for my inspiration. I log in to post and log out when Im done. I watch all the 80s and 90s films and TV shows for outfit inspiration. Also, thank goodness for eBay I find old magazines in bulk and I buy them for inspiration. Pinterest is also great and sometimes Ill invest in a good fashion book. When I lived in New York, I would hang out at McNally Jackson, looking through expensive fashion books from Calvin Klein, Helmut Lang and Giorgio Armani (my favorite) for hours. Vogue Runway is my holy grail and lastly, YouTube has some old runway shows that you cant find elsewhere. I spend my evenings sometimes watching the shows for inspiration so I know what to keep an eye out for.
Or so I've heard from living angels Today I absorbed so much wisdom from @russellbrand's 'Under the Skin' podcast. I can't give it a high enough praise! Do you know what the most compassionate people in the world all have in common? _ I found out from the latest episode with @brenebrown. She's a sociologists and widely know for her TED Talk on vulnerability, courage, and shame. I could go on and on about how incredible she is, but just hear her. _ Anyway, promoting things that matter has never mattered to me more. Even in plugging this podcast, it feels necessary because it's a difficult time to find role models. Everyone is flawed; however, those who are brave enough to learn their flaws more intimately, work through them, and ALSO help OTHERS through theirs are people I admire; true angels. Photo by @lowenbraatAnisa Benitez, Brand Marketing Manager at YouTube Music and Founder of More by Her
Anisa is an expert in her field; currently brand marketing manager at YouTube Music, her career has seen her lead marketing for brands such as Time Magazine, Google and RCA Records under Sony Music Entertainment. Shes an entrepreneur and creative director and shes also launched her own platform, More by Her, to answer the growing need for a place where women creatives can find and inspire one another.
Favorite way to find peace when life/work becomes overwhelming?
Anisa: Dancing to good music! Ill get to a dance class or I just put on tunes and groove in the mirror at home. Just 15 minutes of dancing is the therapy I need to feel restored and remind myself that life is about these simple joys.
Joy Matashi, Hair Creative
Irreverent, inventive and supremely talented, Ive been watching Joy Matashi work on Instagram and am always blown away by her creations. As someone whos been lucky enough to write about the hair industry for 10+ years, Ive met many a hair creator, but few are as daring as Joy. Currently living between London and Abuja, Nigeria, the self-taught hair artist puts her style down to her background as a multidisciplinary artist, working in architecture and graphic design. Shes also got a pretty cool personal Instagram project, @blackgirlslovepink, featuring beautifully curated images of black women in various shades of pink.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are?
Joy: Pray! Buy one of those Cloud 9 straighteners that switch on when you click-click it twice, post something online, wing it, then move to another country!
RelatedAll the Pretty Birds Inspirational Women Posts:
Firsts: Kenya Hunt & Florence Adepoju
What Makes Style Blogger Taye Hansberry So Awesome
Pretty Birds: Sherri McMullen
In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney
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