Happiest of holidays to you and your chosen family. To renewed hope and boundless love in the New Year! Thank you for supporting Otherwild.
TRANSANTA x OW HOLIDAY RAFFLE
https://www.transanta.com/
@transanta
Transanta is a social media based mutual aid project that provides trans youth who are unhoused, in foster care or otherwise vulnerable living situations with crucial support. Using their instagram account they post holiday wishlists (with a corresponding amazon registry) so anonymous gift-givers can fulfill the needs of trans children and bring them some joy. It's a shining example of how uncomplicated and easy giving can be.
With proof of donation, you can be entered into our holiday raffle and win something special from Otherwild! EMAIL DONATION SCREENSHOT TO HELLO@OTHERWILD.COM
Stay tuned on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for full details.
PROJECT Q HOLIDAY PARTY AND FOOD DRIVE
https://www.projectq.me/
@project_q_
ProjectQ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Madin Ray Lopez that provides a range of vital personal care services for LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness in the Los Angeles area and beyond. What began with free gender-affirming haircuts, hair color, and wigs to LGBTQIA+ folx has expanded into a thriving community hub for care and connection.
If you're in Los Angeles you can drop by their annual HoliGAY Party, it's all ages and free. They will be accepting food and clothing items for their Free Store and/or their food drive, help them reach 300 items by 12/23!
"Our mission is to use hair and self-empowerment as a form of social justice."
FOR THE GWORLS X MOI RENEE
@forthegworls
MOI RENEE T-SHIRT PRESALE
For the Gworls is a Black and Trans-led collective that fundraises to provide gender-affirming care, support and joy for Black transgender folks. They currently have some gorgeous shirts available, an homage to groundbreaking trans drag queen, Moi Renee, emblazoned with an image of her from the video below and the text "MISS HONEY THE BITCH IS BACK MOI RENEE".
Purchase one for you and all the gworls, link above!
RACHEL'S READS
OW founder, artist and certified bibliophile shares her round up of reads from 2022.
The Hearing Trumpet - Leonora Carrington
Tramps Like Us - Joe Westmoreland
Never Simple: A Memoir - Liz Scheier
A World Between - Emily Hashimoto
Slaves of New York - Tama Janowitz
Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust + Murder in Queer NY - Elon Green
Run Towards the Danger - Sarah Polley
Gay Bar: Why We Went Out - Jeremy Atherton Lin
Desire Lines - Cary Alan Johnson
My government means to kill me - Rasheed Newsom
All this could be different - Sarah Thankam Mathews
Since I Laid My Burden Down - Brontez Purnell
Weight of the Earth - The Tape Journals of David Wojnarowicz
Love Me Tender - Constance Debre
Don't forget to follow us on insta @otherwild and tik-tok @_otherwild_
squeEegEEe
Squeeeegeee is a reexamination of all. A freeform art receptacle and adaptogenic studio/agency offering infinite creative services and ideas.
Squeeegeee makes items and markets them in intuitive and unstructured ways. Puncturing viewers with digital and physical experiences full of irreverence, elegance, play.
Visual language processing and absurd narrative creation in brand campaigns, photography, engineered garments, product design and more. Ongoing experiments in curiosity.
Squeeegeee creates handsome, off-kilter documentation, providing spectators with whimsical interpretations of phenomena within single points of space and time.
Squeeegeee excites relationships and nurtures experiences in Los Angeles. Maintaining a unique cross cultural perspective and network with satellite offices in Marseille and Tokyo.
To squeeegeee is to present.
To squeeegeee is to enhance.
To squeeegeee is to giggle.
To squeeegeee is to freak.
-Lauren L. / Otherwild Manager
Pearl - Mia Goth / Ti West
Really enjoyed watching Pearl in the theater to get into the Halloween spirit. Lots of costume inspo and beautiful film stills.
Also throw all your dollars at Roses In The Dark- A Strip show that exclusively features Black Queer dancers! @_roseinthedark_
-Salima / Otherwild Photographer
Inside Killjoy's Kastle: Dykey Ghosts, Feminist Monsters, and other Lesbian Hauntings - Allyson Mitchell and Cait McKinney
One of the holiest/gayest experiences of my life was performing in Killjoy's Kastle in Plummer Park in 2015. I was a riot-ghoul in a torn mini skirt who roamed a haunted library with a giant prop copy of The Second Sex sneaking up on unsuspecting bystanders and moaning PROBLEMAAAATIC! It was spooky, campy and delirious.
Killjoy's Kastle is the queer antitode to the Evangelical hell houses that populate deeply conservative parts of the US seasonally. It's a roaming, immersive guided tour through psychedelic queer histories and performances that delight, arouse, provoke and terrify. Inside Killjoy's Kastle, is available for purchase at Otherwild.
-Lauren W. / Social Media + Store Associate
]]>Welcome back to the Spill! This August, we asked the Otherwild team to share something they were excited about and compiled a love letter to our favorite artists, makers and events below. We hope you find something that resonates, and if you do, share it with us on insta, tiktok or email.
EVENTS AUGUST + SEPTEMBER
DECAYDENCE - A Solo Exhibition from Salima Allen
"From photographing objects for the web shop, to opening my very own solo show at Junior High, I am so grateful to Otherwild for giving me the opportunity to shoot for the store and expand on my photographic skills!"
https://juniorhighlosangeles.
RAINBOW KIDS FREE LEGAL CLINIC
Started by two queer parents in Los Angeles who wanted to connect with more queer parents and kids IRL, the Rainbow kids @join_the_rainbow_kids seek to bring joy and connection to all kids and families in LA!Since the formation of Rainbow Kids in January, they've held monthly workshops, meetups and themed events for queer kids, parents and allies all across LA. Everything from drag queen story hour to tie-dye workshops to dance classes with Pony Sweat (!!!) and park hangs with the Bob Baker Marionettes. Most of these events are outdoor, accessible and operate on sliding scale so all can join. We couldn't adore the Rainbow Kids more but their latest offering is particularly crucial to the well-being of the queer community and all families.
They're organizing a FREE LEGAL CLINIC for queer families to learn and understand their rights and begin any necessary steps forward toward securing a safer, legally-recognized family structure in the eyes of the draconian US courts!
The date and time are TBD but they have assembled a helpful resource guide and step-by-step instructions for families to prepare before they attend. Join their email list for weekly updates on this event and more.
THINGS TO SEE + THINGS TO READ
FIRE OF LOVE -Sara Dosa / Neon Pictures / National Geographic
You've GOT TO see Fire of Love this Summer. A love story and nature documentary with dazzling up-close footage of volcanoes and the couple that explored them together until their deaths. I was floored by the footage and intrigued to read more about this natural phenomenon once I got home!
-Salima Allen / OW Photographer + store associate
NOPE - Jordan Peele / Universal
Nope is the stuff of legendary Summer blockbusters. It's a feast for the eyes, shot across the truly alien landscape of Agua Dulce and northern Santa Clarita Valley and the jungle of Los Angeles. A genre-blend of sci-fi, horror and family drama that simultaneously explores Hollywood's legacy of Black Westerns. In turns terrifying and hilarious, grand and self-referential, it's full of Peele's divine plot twists and subversions. SO. MUCH. FUN.
SARAHLAND - Sam Cohen / Grand Central Publishing
Sam Cohen's debut novel is a collection of short stories exploring, to name a few themes, multiple selves, queerness, the Jewish diaspora, sex work, girlfriendship, sororities, fandom and twinning. Strung together by the ever-morphing narrator, aptly named, Sarah. This book felt like a mad chain letter between me and every brilliant queer friend I've ever had. I ate it up. https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/sam-cohen/sarahland/9781538735053/
-Lauren White / OW Social Media + store associate
Not Everyone is Going to Like You - Rinny Perkins / Penguin Random House
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You - Big Thief
I don't think Big Thief could make an album I didn't like. Their new album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, has all the moodiness and feelings you expect from Adrianne Lenker's voice, but with some extra twang. A must listen for anyone who loves a folky love song.
Small Spells Tarot Deck & Guidebook
There's something really special about Small Spells' work. Her guidebook is my favorite I've used - provides great insight but lends itself to open possibilities and meanings in a different way than others I've used. Not to mention her incredible drawings (she's on my list as someone to get tattooed by, too!). I started using her black and white deck in December - after my previous deck finally gave out - but I've been referencing her digital guidebook for years. This is the tarot that I recommend to everyone, both customers and friends.
Meow Meow Tweet Tea Tree Charcoal Facial Soap Bar
I have the most sensitive skin. My face gets bright red and burns if a product is too intense, has any irritating ingredients, etc. I've been using the Meow Meow Tweet Pink Rose Clay face soap bar for years and I love it. However, my skin has been struggling lately with lots of breakouts and just being generally bummed from wearing masks all the time. So, I decided to try Meow Meow Tweet's Tea Tree Charcoal face soap bar to help with the acne. I had assumed it would be too harsh for my skin - especially with the first few washes - but it wasn't at all! It feels just as gentle as the pink clay, even with the tea tree and charcoal. I'm really excited to have found a zero waste product that is working on my acne while gentle enough for me to use daily.
Platform Crocs in Blush
Am I almost 30 and writing about how much I love crocs? Sure am. These blush platform crocs were my holiday present to myself and they are incredible. Obviously they're comfortable as hell and they compliment pretty much everything in my generally earth-toned wardrobe. They've become my go-to's.
Black Forest Bakery
I fucking love bread, y'all. Black Forest Bakery is a queer, family-owned, organic, plant-based, sourdough-focused bakery that serves out of a cute little van on Hillhurst here in Los Feliz. The best mornings involve taking my dog for a walk, getting an oat milk cappuccino from Maru, and grabbing a sesame sourdough loaf from Black Forest. My favorite way to eat it right now is toasted with tahini, some apricot jam and Fly by Jing's Sichuan Chili Crisp. Or, you know, just ripping it off the loaf in chunks like a bear.
Do you like talking about movies? Do you enjoy hearing other people's takes on movies, especially from an intersectional feminist lens? Then the Bechdel Cast is for you. There's nothing I enjoy more than a bad movie (you should see my Letterboxd) except maybe listening to comedians Jamie Loftus and Caitlin Durante rip them to shreds. If you're looking to laugh out loud and think critically about media (whether it's a movie you love or hate), then you should definitely check it out. Depending on your taste, I'd recommend starting with any of the following episodes: Shrek 2, You've Got Mail, Speed or The Matrix. Trust me.
x Bree
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I'm too embarrassed to admit how much of my day is spent staring at screens. Usually that time is spent performing the myriad tasks that running a business requires.
Sometimes I succumb to the doom(ed) scroll as we all do, and other times, my procrastination leads me to online and IRL inspirational gems, like these:
My friend Svetlana Kitto wrote this fascinating essay about Sara Penn and her wonderful clothing + artifacts shop Knobkerry. I can't wait to check out the exhibition + catalogue at the Sculpture Center in Long Island City, NY, which runs from Oct 14–Dec 13, 2021.
As a former competitive jazz dancer (!), I am no stranger to isolations, grapevines, chassés, pivot turns, jazz hands, etc. Yet, as an adult, I've struggled to find a way to stay in shape that didn't feel like a chore.
Enter Pony Sweat Aerobics.
"Pony Sweat is a fiercely noncompetitive dance aerobics celebration dedicated to the liberation of all bodies." I recently joined O.O.O.B.N.A. (On Our Own But Never Alone): A Dance Aerobics Video Zine, and I am (for the first time in a very looooooong time) truly delighted to work out. It doesn't hurt that Emilia is a joyful breath of fresh air, and that we seem to be on the same wavelength musically (think: The Knife, PJ Harvey, The Cure, Planningtorock, Grace Jones, Whitney Houston, Bikini Kill + + +)
I know I am late to the party on this, but I'm finally watching I May Destroy You.
I am watching this show more slowly than I normally consume episodic entertainment (am no stranger to binge-watching), as there is so much to unpack. Michaela Coel is truly brilliant - as as the show's showrunner, director, star, and writer.
I've been slowly digging in to Sarah Schulman's Let the Record Show: A Political History Of ACT UP, New York, 1987-1993. It's a compelling deep dive into the history of ACT UP + AIDS activism. It's a phenomenal look at this crucial history, with advice and inspiration for activists today.
I kept spotting photos of the gorgeous, newish LA restaurant, Chifa and was shocked, amused + mystified, as it used to be Hal's Eagle Rock Pet Shop, a spot where I'd occasionally grab a case of dog food. Luckily, when the pet shop moved out, Chifa, a family owned restaurant offering delicious and healthful Chinese and Peruvian cuisine - completely metamorphasized the space.
On my recent visit to LA, we had our OW employee dinner in their converted al fresco parking lot, and it was as delicious as it was stunning.
There's so much more we can't wait to share. Stay tuned for next month's MOOD.
xo Rachel
- owner/founder of Otherwild
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Here at The Spill, we're stoked to bring you the latest Otherwild news, thoughts, and all that. Today, we'll highlight one of our favorite sustainable hair and body care product lines!
We have so many seriously incredible makers and love everything we carry (that's why we carry them). With The Spill, we'll give you a deeper look into many of our makers, products, and just general vibing with Otherwild goods.
~~~Today, we're talking about sustainable hair care.
If you've been to the shop lately, you may have met our new shop member, Bree, and their mullet.
While their cut is super low maintenance and doesn't require much, you can get everything they use (or very similar products) to style and care for their hair here at Otherwild. They were even using these things pre-working with us.
Let's dive into their routine and one of their favorite care brands, Fat & The Moon.
I've been using ranges of vegan/natural/organic/non-toxic/sustainable/low-waste products for over a decade.
I've leaned too far into it in some ways, using only pink clay bar soap and jojoba oil on my face (that level of simplicity works for some, not for me).
But in other ways, I wouldn't make the sustainable switch - namely, with my hair. I had the vegan and non-toxic ingredients down but kept buying shampoo and conditioner in single-use, not easily-reusable or recyclable plastic bottles.
In 2020, as many of us did, I let a lot of my lo-waste lifestyle go to the side as we all figured out what was going on, and things like bringing your own cups, bulk options, and compost drop-offs were halted.
Well, I've leaned very much back into it this year, including making swaps for things I hadn't before.
For example, my favorite tissues are upcycled from a retired pair of sleep shorts (don't knock it til you try it - they're SO soft). I tried out some bar haircare (not FATM) that just didn't work for my needs, so I thought I was just out on more sustainable hair care.
Then came Fat & The Moon!
I've seen and been intrigued by Fat & The Moon products for awhile. I was always drawn in by the branding, and I don't know why I didn't try them sooner. Now that I have, they are an integral part of my routine.
These are just a few of the reasons why FATM has basically become my body care soulmate:
I wash my hair about once a week. Currently, I use the Day to Day Conditioner.
I towel dry my hair, and once it’s damp but not soaking, I use lots of Spirit and Salt Mist. I’ll flip my head upside down and spray, followed by spraying right side up.
I follow that with lots of scrunching (both upside down and not). I’ll also section the ends and twirl them in opposite directions to support more waves.
I used to never brush or comb my hair because I was so focused on keeping its body. Now, I like to regularly brush it to distribute oils and get out any tangles, especially since I don’t wash often. I generally give it a little comb through before bed using a super wide-tooth bamboo comb.
However, I’ve been thinking about getting a more malleable brush or incorporating a scalp gua sha comb to better support and stimulate my scalp. We love natural oil distribution.
While my ends are on the dryer side, my roots - mainly my bangs - can get pretty oily. So on days when it’s feeling a little gnarly or flat, I use a cocoa-based dry shampoo to add back some life.
If your hair is anything but platinum and you’re using a dry shampoo that leaves a white cast - you have to try a cocoa-based one. Uh you know what else is great about cocoa?
It smells like cocoa.
I'm truly obsessed with the Moon Fat Bod Oil. My skin is really sensitive, and my hands have been perpetually bummed from the extra washing and sanitizing these days.
My newly discovered, full-body moisturizing dream team is the Moon Fat Bod Oil paired with an unscented lotion. I'll sometimes put a teeny bit of the Bod Oil on the ends of my hair if they're looking really dry.
If I could live in the bathtub, I would. FATM's Soothe Bath Soak is so soothing (obvi) and leaves me silky smooth after my very long unwind sessions. It's perfect for decompressing before bed.
Don't be surprised if soon all of my body care is from FATM - I wouldn't be.
For awhile now, Otherwild has been a space where we talk about stuff other than the products we sell.
Since it’s launch in 2012, Otherwild has always strived to be more than a retail space–a project that’s as much about community-building as it is about selling beautifully-designed goods.
That concept has taken shape in myriad of ways:
We’ve always committed aspects of our business to social justice initiatives, mutual aid and raising funds for both grassroots and national organizations that we believe in, and creating grants for artists and makers.
In 2019, we expanded our offerings to include products that encourage low-waste use cycles, something we live and believe in to our core. We introduced our refill station as a further means to that end.
Over the years, we have worked to ensure that we are consistently updating, to upgrade our sustainability practices in the production and distribution chains.
Throughout, we’ve had the most wonderful collaborators and employees. Otherwild has thrived because of the collective creative spirit that we all have shared together.
Many of these beautiful people have gone on to pursue their own dreams – such as magazine founder/creative director, artist, small business owner, herbalist, professor and more.
We are proud of what we’ve spent nearly a decade building…but have realized that for so many reasons, we’ve stopped sharing a lot of our core values and interests, becoming a space where we mainly sell objects and products. And to be honest, that is a huge part of why Otherwild is here.
We love and live with these products, and hope you find some that you love and will live with too. BUT–we want to return to sharing stories again. And that’s where The Spill comes in.
Some things you can look forward to on The Spill:
Thank you, in advance, for taking part!
XO Otherwild
and a look back at some of our community-driven moments...
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