TRIN: Founder's Pick for January
TRIN: Founder's Pick for January 2021
Written by: Elyana Riddick || Date: January 20, 2021
There are two things that I know about art that I believe most people can agree with: 1. Art lacks borders, and 2. There is no art without meaning. In creating SHADES & COLOR, I wanted to feature all kinds of art—visual, music, entertainment, literature, and dance. The true purpose of featuring this art, however, is exposing the stories behind it. I wanted to give voice to rising BIPOC artists of all kinds and share the fantastic work they bring about in their passions.
It was intimidating finding artists to feature on my website. For one, not many artists have time to talk. Creative processes, brain breaks, and business consume a lot of time for BIPOC creatives. This combined with how much admiration I had for them, it felt almost burdensome asking to give their time to me.
Trin was one of many people I contacted, inquiring about interviews for SHADES & COLOR. I was attracted to her Twitter because of her chic fashion sense and her creativity in presenting her pieces. I saw Trin as Fendi and Givenchy dolls, literally double-taking at the realization that she wasn’t a Mattel produced toy. She served Y2K, high-fashion, and statement looks. It was hypnotizing. Combined with the presentation and makeup, I knew I had to send her a DM.
Trin’s personality is magnetic, she’s confident in who she is and what she produces. Her start to fashion came at an early age. In elementary and middle school, after concocting an idealized wardrobe for herself in her mind, she would sketch her ideas out on paper. She knew early on “that fashion was basically the love of (her) life.”
With this passion came unsubdued confidence. Trin was no stranger to the glazes of others. When it came to 8 AMs in college, she was sure to have on four-inch heels, tiny crop tops, and even dramatic fur coats. The negativity never gets to her: when it comes to criticism about her personal looks, she’s “not trying to hear it.” In all honesty, Trin has more confidence in her left pinky toe than I have in my entire body. I can only dream to carry myself as powerfully as she does.
Although serving looks since sixth grade, Trin has been building her brand and platform for 3 and a half years. This came with a fair share of challenges. There was hesitance at first if she would even succeed pursuing her passion, taking on a more “traditional” career path to satisfy her parents. She does wish to have taken the fashion route—travelling to Paris and New York to learn was a dream for her—but she continued to hustle. She experimented with social media, finding herself unsure of what direction to take her craft. Things clicked within the past year, and although she didn’t amass a giant following, she did reap benefits.
As her own biggest motivator, Trin adores reveling in the progress of her work. Her creativity is experimental (taking many forms), and she never sticks to one source of inventiveness. Shopping from thrift stores to Bloomingdales, Trin has used inspiration from old school fashion (like Apple Bottom and Baby Phat) and her current environment in her creative process. Trin’s process defies chronology and structure. Ideas pop in her head, many times, faster than she can physically put down. She finds herself letting her creations “marinate” in her head, letting photos and looks settle until inspiration strikes again. When her pieces come together, however, it’s all worth it.
Trin combines graphic design and makeup when encompassing the final look for her outfits. Each of her scenes are unique, yet they all hone in on a nostalgic and dashing ambiance. It’s almost as if you revert to your younger self, flipping through pages of magazine catalogs while scrolling through her Twitter feed. Trin cares heavily about complementing her outfit, giving emphasis to matching her makeup with her look. Using tones from her pieces, Trin adorns herself with a soft glow, fierce eyeshadow, and colorful lipstick. Her careful eye and creative juice simultaneously brings professionalism and fun—the makings of a fashion icon unlike any other.
Even when stuck in the fantastical world of her clothing creations, Trin is cognizant of her racial identity. Whether in her work or everyday life, Trin flaunts her blackness unapologetically. She wants to see more people of color in creative spaces, saying that there is undoubtedly enough space from them. She’s “not here to assimilate or water (herself) down to be deemed ‘acceptable’ to a nonblack audience, and (she doesn’t) think other black creatives should either.” Trin is all in with fashion and all in for black success in creative spaces. It’s time for her to dominate the world.
In my short, wonderful encounter with Trin, I’ve come to know three things about her. The first, she takes in quality and produces absolute magic. Two, she’s a master at taking confidence and creativity to new heights. And three, she’s who I want to be when I grow up. If you ever get a chance to work with Trin, I’m certain that she will blow you away with her talent and personality, which is why for the week of January 31st, Trin is our SHADES & COLOR Founder’s pick. Congratulations, Trin, on being our first!
You can follow Trin on Instagram and Twitter. Be sure to subscribe to her YouTube for fashion tips and look-books.
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