This week, I caught up with young activist and “craftivist” Luella Mink to find out a bit more behind the girl with the oh-so-very intricate swag.
Mink’s an avid “freedom fighter” and a rebel with a cause. Here’s what we learned about her:
Tell us about your website. You sell vintage apparel and jewelry?
FreedomFighters vintage and accessories was inspired by my love of accessories. For a long time I fought with being comfortable being myself, and FreedomFighters just came to me one day, with the concept to feel free to just be yourself. Fight for freedom and self-expression.
I’m really influenced by the ’60s and ’70s: Cathleen Cleaver, Angela Davis, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, simply because they didn’t care what people thought of them. They stood up for what they believed in. I put a little twist on my pieces by fighting for freedom in the fashion industry. I receive a lot of attention through my style without wearing Gucci and Prada and I don’t even try. You shop on 5th Ave, I shop at a thrift store and I get more attention than you do.
My pieces are inspired by Erykah Badu who is featured this month [November]. The “Evolving” piece was inspired by her tattoo in the “Window Seat” video. I have Black Panther inspired pieces coming soon, everything relates.
The dashikis and the afros are from the ’60s/70s eras. What’s so significant to you about that era?
I didn’t even notice that a lot of who I am is reflective of that time period until recently. I’ve been studying African American history since I was 13, and that was just from me being around African-Americans my entire life; I didn’t want to be ignorant of [their history,] some of which dates back to the struggles in the 60’s/70’s. I am attracted to freedom speeches…speeches in general. When people stood up for what they believe in.
Are you African American?
No.
What is your race?
I always say I’m a combined effort of everybody I’ve ever known. I pull from what’s around me. I’ve been surrounded by African Americans and I always heard them say, ‘Oh I wish my hair was straight,’ or ‘I wish I had your hair!’ and [for me] it’s, I wish I had YOUR hair. We’re never happy with ourselves, but do what makes you comfortable. Just because I’m not black doesn’t mean I can’t rock an afro. Just because you’re black doesn’t mean you can’t have long, straight hair. You can do what you want. People always say be comfortable with who you are, but what really does that mean? Without the clothes, makeup or hair? I don’t feel like those things make you who you are. Who you are is what you build yourself up to be. You build this character for yourself and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. They say, ‘Oh that’s not your real hair so that’s not you’ but I don’t think that’s true.
No, I don’t think that’s true.
It’s debatable. I just don’t like one dimensional statements like that. It’s narrow-minded to think just because I wasn’t born with blush on my cheeks doesn’t mean I can’t wear it.
You have many different Afro styles, lengths, different colors. Where did you get this idea to rock all this crazy hair? Not too many people are brave enough to take their hair too extreme.
I don’t take my hair to the extreme. People think I’m into it more than I actually am, I take 20 minutes to do my make-up. I’ve been doing professional make-up since I was 15. It’s just the way I live. I don’t go out of my way to be “wild,” this is just an extenuation of me. It’s the art of evolving. Me experimenting and finding what’s computable for me – that’s it.
You’ll never catch me in just a ponytail and I think that’s what people expect, because my skin is lighter than yours. That’s not how I’m comfortable.
Are you an active Occupy Wall Streeter?
Yup.
Tell us about your involvement.
I was there Pre-Occupy Wall Street. I went to the meeting when they were doing the planning before September 17th. I’m with the Fiasco street team, a team that represents Lupe Fiasco. I went to volunteer and stuff. Lupe really encouraged us to get involved with the movement. He went off track from the tour he was on just to come bring 50 tents to New York City.
As Americans we are numb to a lot of things. We’re like robots, we don’t even know that things affect us when they do. I’m not in school because I can’t afford it and that’s just one of my reasons enough for feeling obligated to take part.
Earlier you mentioned the Black Panther pieces you have coming out, are you involved with the Panthers?
One of the leaders of the Black Panther Party contacted me this past week about one of my pieces, and they want to archive three of my necklaces. It’s the Black Planter Party/Huey.P Newton Foundation, so it’s dope.
Is it true that you don’t have any style icons in fashion?
Nothing. It is zero of my interest. I like that I can get people’s attention with the way I dress. I am my own style icon. Once you meet me, your going to learn so much more about me. I’m so much more than my clothing. when I was 15, I would force myself to read fashion blogs, thinking, ‘I want be up on this,’ but it wasn’t sincere to me. I would try and blog about fashion and stuff, but it felt forced. When I began writing about what inspires me, people actually started liking me more. They could see that it was more genuine.
Does the music you listen to reflect a lot of your beliefs and what you fight for?
I don’t listen to much music with words [because] a lot of it is negative. I listen to a lot of Jazz and Classical music because it don’t want their message playing in my mind.
Lupe Fiasco of course, I’ve been a fan for six years. He really changed the way I see the world. He makes me question everything and not just accept everything that’s thrown in your face. I listen to a lot of speeches as well. I re-play Angela Davis speeches until 7am. I just can’t really get with the music of today.
So you never got with any Kanye or anything?
I did. I liked Kanye’s College Drop Out sometimes. I feel he’s more “trendy” now. I like Drake too, but I don’t really enjoy much mainstream. I just can’t get with the trendy stuff.
I’m more into the conscious hip-hop. Everything I do, I like learning. Erykah Badu, Common, Mos Def.
What are your ultimate dreams/goals?
I just want to inspire people, make a difference and change the world.
The vintage stuff I sell is for the many people who ask me where I shop. I did that for them, not for me. If you want a certain look, you can just go shop at TheFreedomFighters.com.
Once you get people with what you do, its then what you do with your “celebrity.”
You can follow Luella on Twitter @QueenLuella and check out her website http://forthefreedomfighters.com/
Stay on the look out for who we’re going to feature next week! It could be you!
Keep Grinding!
