• GIRL WITH PURPLE GUCCI'S

      SUMMER 2021

       

      THE NEW MUSE

       

      STARRING IFE IBRAHEEM OF Z MAGAZINE

      by TOBI GBILE

    • THE NEW MUSE

      STARRING IFE IBRAHEEM

      WHO IS SHE?

      NAME: Ife Ibraheem

      AGE: 17

      HOMETOWN: Rancho Palos Verdes, California

      UNIVERSITY: Fordham University Lincoln Center Class of 2025
      FUTURE PLANS: Fashion / Creative Director for a major fashion house or magazine; Celebrity Stylist

       

      ***

       

      Personally, I love to get a read on who and what is up next — especially in times like these where we're finally up and out in the world again. I couldn't think of anyone better to be the covergirl of this month's issue, than Ife Ibraheem, who is probably one of the coolest teenagers on the planet, and most definitely the modern day reincarnation of True Jackson, VP.

       

      Before graduating from high school (yes, you are reading that right), the future Fordham University student and two of her friends started Z Magazine, the LA based fashion and lifestyle magazine that you most definitely don't want to sleep on. No surprise why her style is LITERALLY unmatched.

       

      Right after I graduated from high school, I started Girl With Purple Gucci's — in an effort to start my career in the music, TV, and fashion industry. Let's just say that it's worked out so far :)

       

      Your Creative Director job opening? Keep it on ice. It's Ife's.

       

      xoxo

       

      TOBI

       

    • SIS — YOUR STYLE IS UNMATCHED! WHEN DID YOUR PASSION FOR FASHION START?

      "First off thank you so much, that means the world to me.
       
      I would say that my passion for this industry really started when I began working on my magazine. I started it because of how passionate I am about how fashion can inspire and truly change lives.
       
      But this passion really blossomed during quarantine because I was able to dedicate numerous hours to putting together outfits, studying the history of different brands, and understanding the genius behind some of my fashion icons. So it's been in the works for about 3 years now."

      WHO INSPIRED YOU THEN AND NOW?

      "I gather inspiration from several sources, so I don’t think I can pinpoint one specific person or thing, but I will say that seeing Black people thrive in this space is more than enough inspiration. This includes people like Mowalola, Telfar Clemens, Ade Samuel and Law Roach.
       
      In terms of my personal style, I get inspired by everything and anything. Of course I have my Pinterest board, but I love seeking inspo from people on the street — or strangers on those “NYC street-style” accounts.
       
      I also love people like Alana O’Herlihy, @e_ttg on instagram, Devon Lee Carlson, Lindsay Vrckovnik, Maria Bernad, and so many more.
       
      Your inspiration should come from all over, but it’s important to not let that influence overpower your personal creativity that you add to your style."

      DID YOU FEEL REPRESENTED AS A YOUNG BLACK WOMAN?

      "I would say that representation in this industry as a young black woman is scarce, but definitely on the rise.
       
      One of the main reasons I wanted to get involved in this space was due to the lack of diversity and representation.
       
      I believe that it’s difficult to be what you cannot see, and I want to serve as one of the catalysts for Black women in fashion. There is also a lack of Black influencers via social media.
       
      I’ll be scrolling on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Pinterest and only see a handful of POC, which is super discouraging. I also think that it creates this mindset for younger POC that in order to make it in this space, you have to be white — which is incredibly untrue."

      HOW DID ALL OF THIS LEAD TO Z MAGAZINE - AND HOW/WHY DID YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS START?

      "Z Magazine started in my hotel room while I was on vacation with my family in 2019, I believe.
       
      I saw this group of NYC teens doing something similar, and I was like: “wow, they seem so dope, and they look like they're creating awesome content while having fun.”
       
      So I thought:
       
      “If they can do it, so can I.”
       
      That’s when I reached out to one of my friends, Chloe, who is an incredible photographer, and then we started brainstorming.
       
      The rest is history.
       
      I really just wanted to create a safe space where people, specifically the people in my generation, could share their ideas, talents, and opinions."

      WHO IS THE Z MAGAZINE AUDIENCE, AND WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO GAIN FROM YOU ALL?

      "Z Magazine is mainly for GenZ, but I think that people of all ages can enjoy the content within it and walk away inspired.
       
      I want the people who open up this magazine to feel motivated creatively, seen, heard, and celebrated.
       
      As a teenager, if I saw a couple of people my age doing something like this I would be like “sign me up!”
       
      I want people to realize that anything you want to do in life is achievable with hard work, determination, and help from the people you surround yourself with."

      AS YOU HEAD OFF TO UNIVERSITY — HOW DO YOU SEE Z MAGAZINE EVOLVING AS YOU GROW?

      "I think that Z Magazine can only go up from here.
       
      As I grow in my thoughts, ideas and experiences, I believe that the content in the magazine will reflect these changes.
       
      I hope that it becomes more diverse and creative with time and funding."

      WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THAT BIG BRANDS HAVE OF OUR GENERATION? HOW CAN WE DO BETTER?

      "I can’t think of a specific misconception at this moment, but I think that brands tend to lean on their own interpretations of our generation, rather than the teenagers within the generation itself.
       
      Instead of watching a few Tik Toks and then calling it a day, brands need to sit down with real teenagers and listen to them, study them, and understand them.
       
      That’s the only way I think that they will be able to produce authentic content that doesn’t come off as corny."

      LASTLY, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM IFE IN THE FUTURE?

      "GIRLLLL, I pray that we see big things from the “future me".
       
      I really want to expand on my knowledge of fashion and really immerse myself in it. I’ve also started to really work on my styling game, and just challenging myself whenever I can, so hopefully I can land a gig doing some styling in the near future.
       
      I’m also praying that I’m able to land an internship with a big brand or someone whom I look up to in the industry.
       
      I’ll be working on Z Magazine, but in a role that requires less of my hands-on work, and more overseeing instead.
       
      And lastly, I’ll be posting fits on the gram for all to see!!!"

    • SUMMER PLAYLIST

      You heard it here first. This is a glimpse into what I'll be listening to all summer long. Standouts include TGBEAM, SILVER SPHERE, and Bleachers!

    • SZNL TO WATCH

      SUMMER EDITION

      What have I recently discovered that I can't get out of my head?!

      SILVER SPHERE

      Up and coming indie pop artist

      SILVER SPHERE first came across my radar in 2019 when I stumbled upon her single: boys in bands - a slow and steady pop record with a throwback instrumental, where Silver SWEARSSSS that she's done with boys who play guitars and drums in their moms' garages.

       

      Then, I slept on her for a year, and while wathing Season 2 of The Hills: New Beginnings, perked up my ears when I heard a voice that was eerily reminiscent of hers on the soundtrack. And that's when I discovered ghosts!, and her 2020 EP, "all my boyfriends".

       

      Let's just say that since that episode —​ I have not stopped looping ghosts!.

       

      Her lyrics are reminiscent of a make-believe world in which Lorde went to high school in the US in the 2010s and was plagued with boy craziness (HEARRRRD that).

       

      Her sound is breathable and her production is blessed by the likes of Dylan Brady on tracks such as football game.

       

      And I love EVERY SECOND OF IT!

      THERAPY FOR BLACK GIRLS

      Podcast

      I first came across this podcast in 2018, before moving to Germany to start my job in the sports fashion industry.

       

      So often, black women are expected to be the strongest, most individualistic, independent women in the world. We can't carry all of society on our back, and we too need support to live and thrive in the world that we do.


      That's where Therapy for Black Girls comes in.

       

      It's hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist based in Atlanta, Georgia, and the topics range from body image, to menstrual health, to how music and dance impact our mental health.

       

      How can we be our best selves if we aren't taking the time to self-care? If you (like me, tbqh) need to invest more in recharging and rebuilding to become the best version of yourself, this podcast is definitely for you!

    • TRUTH GEMS

      If you know me, you know I LOVE reality television, and there isn't a week that goes by where I don't watch it, while simultaneously telling my friends what's the latest on how Audrina Partridge and Brody Jenner's re-budding relationship is doing on The Hills: New Beginnings, or who was just eliminated on last week's episode of The Bachelorette.

       

      So you can probably understand my excitement when I was able to bring my passion for reality TV to my 9to5 in an impactful way last month — by bringing in an iconic, fan-favorite from Season 25 of The Bachelor, Chelsea Vaughn, to have an open and honest conversation with myself (and our audience of nearly 200 adidas employees) around our hair journeys as black women, and how hers affected her experience one of the biggest reality shows of all time.

       

      We tackled elements of texturism + the Black hair journey, the Western Beauty Standard, the impacts they have on BIPOC youth, and how they impacted her experience on and after The Bachelor.

      The response, engagement, and positive sentiment from my colleagues is a true reminder that there is a strong desire to learn about all aspects of the BIPOC experience.

      Overjoyed that Chelsea, adidas United Voices and I were able to bring this conversation to the brand!

       

      The truth gem? Don't be afraid to bring your passions and interests into the workplace. It's these unique qualities that opened the door for all of us in the first place. Why would you leave them at the entrance?

       

    • TRAVEL GALLERY

      Shots I've taken of myself, my friends and family, and other things I like to look at around the world <3

    • TOBI Tracker

      What am I sayin?

    • Princess Merch

      Did I mention that I am a published author? Click the links below to purchase my first teenage fiction novel: "The Stunnerz"!

      Author House

      Amazon (kindle/ereader versions available)

      Barnes & Noble (kindle/ereader versions available)

    Book

    Podcast

    Contact

    girlwithpurpleguccis@gmail.com

    © 2021 Tobi Gbile

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