If you look up queer, you’ll find it most often defined as anything that goes against established social norms.
With the queen of heteronormative traditions, Valentine’s Day staring us in the face, we are reminded of the difficulty of finding another human to shower with love. Yet we need to first look in the mirror and remember we have our damn selves to cherish, gush over, and love. We need to allow our individual selves to find what makes us truly happy. After all, sexuality is a journey and love shoots in all directions.
Entangled in the netting of a society that loves stereotypes, I often struggle in the search for a partner I want to be romantic with. As you may also have experienced in your own life, being queer isn’t easy, even in the LGBTQ world. Media shouts at us from all different platforms about how we should act, dress, live, and love.
It is time we break tradition of (the warm fuzzy feeling) by moving forward past antiquated ideas and embracing the endless possibilities of love. Be it platonic, romantic, or most importantly singular with one’s self. Loving ourselves starts by owning the masculine/feminine energy that we all possess. Finding the beauty in what makes each of us unique, on the inside and outside, will boost our confidence and strengthen our self-love.
In January fate would cross the paths of two strangers at the Madonna Inn. Leila, a golden curled lass covered in silk and feathers and myself, a blue haired boy with horns and hooves. What would follow this wild creation is a blossoming friendship. Phones calls and hang outs in sun drenched LA would bring up topics such as dragon women sperm eaters, celibate monks, sexual frustrations and what it means to be “queerâ€.
Shared annoyances with sexual stereotypes along with histories dotted in miserable intimate moments sparked an awareness for us to delve deeper into what it means to be entirely who we are.
Leila and I embarked on a visual journey of what ‘queer’ means to us. Breaking the molds of “boy kiss boy†and “girl kiss girl,†we showed each other our vulnerable selves, radiating our innate feminine/masculine energy. In so doing we discovered when we own who we are, explore the possibilities of love, and evolve sexually that is when we will feel the most happy, satisfied, and fulfilled.
You saw her grace our magazine as a cover girl in 2017, and now she’s back! Jordyn Woods is such a girl-boss extraordinaire that it’s hard to keep up. From her rigorous workouts on her fitness app @frst.place, to her fashion collaboration with PrettyLittleThing, to launching her own fashion line Woods By Jordyn (to name a few), Jordyn shows a superb capability to hold it down for herself. It’s a wonder how she still has time to be a loving daughter, sister, role model and supportive bae to Karl Towns, a Dominican-American professional NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Maybe she gets her super strength from being a Libra, or Black Girl Magic or both.
From endorsement deals to modeling, Jordyn Woods has done it all by the age of 25 – but she’s not stopping now. Jordyn embodies all things Galore; beauty, poise and grit. We’ve caught up with the designer while she’s hard at work on her new clothing line, Woods by Jordyn, a body positive – curve loving evening wear line that is here to stay.
Jordyn! Long time, no see! Galore and Jordyn go way back. How has working with other brands and partnerships helped evolve and mold your brand now?
Yeah! I’ve done so many fun events and shoots with you guys. With brand collaborations, it takes hard work and time but when you’re doing your own brand you have to give it your all, you have to give it 100%.
I think with other brands a lot of things have been trial and error. As an entrepreneur you’re gonna hit bumps in the road but this time around I’m really hands on with every single little step; if something doesn’t work out I know exactly what happened or where it happened and how to fix it. The evolution of me as an entrepreneur and as a woman is taking the next step on being hands-on on everything. Growing and evolving is the next chapter.
A lot of celebrities will do deals and partnerships and they’re not hands on with it. When things are wrong, when the production isn’t good, it all falls on them at the end of the day. When I hear you say that you’re hands on with everything; down the design, fit, cut and overall pleasing your customer – I can appreciate hearing that.
Yeah definitely, I would say it’s been a lot and it’s been a journey, I feel really good about it because at the end of the day no matter how things go I know that I put detail and time into every little thing, big and small, from sizing to quality and inclusivity. I really thought about what I think was everything, of course there’s always more to learn. I really took my time with it. I’m super happy with it, and I think other people will be too.
Good! How about living in California, has that influenced your brand?
Well I’m kind of a bi-coastal girl now *laughs*. I’m always back and forth, but at the heart of it I really am a Cali girl. I do think that it just depends. My new line includes mesh dresses. It’s so versatile that no matter who you are or where you’re from, you probably will feel comfortable wearing it. I swear, it’s like the sisterhood of the traveling dress because it looks good on everyone.
Are there any pieces that are your absolute favorite that you created that you are working into your wardrobe?
Yeah, I’m starting with only three dresses. They are all the same fit, just different designs, different colors. I did an all black one a little more basic for the safe girl, then I did a really beautiful sunset dress. The vibe of it feels so warm when you look at it. And then I did the mix of the color and the black for every different type of mood.
Are you planning on collaborating with anyone to broaden your audience for the future?
I would love to do some full collaborations. As of right now I am just getting everything off the ground. Definitely in the future I would really be interested in doing some collaborations. I would love to get local artists to design dresses and stuff like that. The possibilities are endless and I am very open. I think collaborating with dope people is a huge part of evolving as a brand. Mixing ideas is really fun! There’s so many talented people out there that don’t get enough recognition either.
Here at Galore we love you so much, we are thrilled we get to share this collection!
