interview and photography by Maya Kibbel
It had been a lovely but busy year for me and I was ready to go back “home” – which for me is NYC. (Using quotations, as I’ve traveled/moved so much growing up, to me, “home” is where you feel most rooted and your soul finds peace) After flying back, settling in, and an hour or so of shut-eye, I ran over to Lomography to stock up on my favorite films and find some new ones. The manager was so kind, quickly helping me find what I needed, we talked a bit, and he invited me to drop by a party at the store that evening. A few hours later, I arrived at the party and the manager introduced me to some wonderful people but knew I should meet Grace Gardiner. So, Grace and I were introduced and we had an instant connection.
You know those (rare) times you unexpectedly meet someone, instantly vibe and a conversation can go from level 1 to 10 instantly? Well, that’s how it was when I met Grace. It turned out we also had heaps in common. We’re both from New Jersey (I’m not a native, but I spent my elementary years there), we worked in the same industry – respectively, ran in the same circles, and many more deep and personal matters. Now would probably be a good time to throw in a visual of that evening. I was super jet-lagged, completely buzzed, at an art show party with lots of artsy people – pretty people, pretty art – most likely laughing way too loud, being overtly sentimental, cozied up with Grace on a West Village stoop, wearing sky-high, glittery platforms and fishnets – that I managed to rip before I even left the apartment. I’m not quite sure how late we were up/out talking/spilling our hearts out, but I asked if she was open to doing a test shoot at my place with my new (used) camera. She was totally up for it and a few hours later, at 8 am sharp she knocked on my door, I let her in and believe I still had an open drink on my counter from a couple hours prior.
“You know those (rare) times you unexpectedly meet someone, instantly vibe and a conversation can go from level 1 to 10 instantly? Well, that’s how it was when I met Grace.”
We chatted and laughed while shooting a simple, single roll of film. It was as chill and unorganized – in the best of ways – as a shoot could be. After, I had the film developed by a friend, he called to say the camera was faulty and wondered if I still wanted the film. Hearing that, only made me want to see the results even more. I discovered the “fault” (I prefer “serendipity”) with the camera, was that it only shoots multiple exposures – inconsistently, might I add. I loved the results and was a bit nervous about what Grace would think, but she too was delighted! That camera has since been a treasure and getting a roll developed is exhilarating, as I never know how the images will play out in a multiply exposed, mixed-up way. That camera will always remind me of Grace and personally, I think our unexpected friendship and the unexpected film results run a fortuitous parallel.
Grace, you’ve shot for or been featured on C-Heads 5 times before this, but never done an interview. So that we may learn a bit about the beautiful model and soul that is you, could you give us a little introduction of yourself?
I’m a Capricorn sun, Leo moon, and Virgo rising. That means I love money, attention, and cleaning my apartment. I’m from a small town in South Jersey but no one has heard of it so I just round up and say Philly. I currently live in Brooklyn and have technically been modeling full time for the last 7 years. I had a brief stint working at a kombucha factory, nannying, archiving film, and doing other odd jobs last summer when I could no longer work because my platinum blonde hair finally broke off. I occasionally make playlists and write silly blog posts and interview bands for a skating/surfing/music magazine (I do not skate or surf but they trust me because I wear really baggy pants and really, really like music). In my free time I walk in big circles around New York and cook and bake for my friends.
While I’ve written my take on how we met so unexpectedly but quickly became friends, what’s your viewpoint on how we met, became friends, and decided on a test shoot only a couple of hours later?
Oh boy. I had quit smoking that week and after a few shots of tequila ended up chain smoking with you on the stoop outside of the party. I think we did the typical drunk girl thing where you spill all of your secrets and talk about the most intense and traumatic memories you can dig up, all without letting it kill the party vibe! I remember someone came out and took a photo of us and I frantically tried to hide my cigarette because the only reason I quit smoking was for an ex-boyfriend who hated it, but ended up posting it anyway because we looked cute.
“My friends are incredibly important to me. I really do feel like the luckiest girl in the world, being surrounded by such inspiring and caring people.”
This shoot was as impromptu and last-minute as it gets! I’m not even sure how we decided on clothes and such! It was just a test shoot so I’d have some pictures of you, and to try out my camera. What were your memories of the shoot? And what were your thoughts on the (unexpected) results?
I remember going to your Lower East Side apartment the next morning and the massive loft being empty except for a green velvet couch, a half-unpacked suitcase, and a fridge full of Four Loko. I thought you were the coolest person I had ever met.
I think you were about to fly to Japan and I was about to fly to LA and we did a shoot that normally would have taken hours in about 30 minutes. I remember it being a breath of fresh air for me, shooting with someone for fun who just wanted to hang out and make cool pictures. No teams, we weren’t trying to sell clothes, it just felt like girls hanging out. The pictures are some of my favorites so I was super excited when you reached out about running this story!
As someone who’s traveled so much from such a young age and works in an industry where there can be quite many fake people, what are your thoughts on true friendship, unexpected friendship, and long-distance friendship?
My friends are incredibly important to me. I really do feel like the luckiest girl in the world, being surrounded by such inspiring and caring people. I lived in LA for a few years leaving a lot of really amazing, close friends back in New York. It was really difficult for me, it sounds dramatic but I remember nights completely breaking down and sobbing on the phone with them, begging them to move to LA or scheming how I would get back to New York. I eventually ended up moving back which was probably the best decision I’ve ever made. Community is so important to me and I know I have something really special here so I always make sure to let the people in my life know how much I love them and how grateful I am to call them my friends.
“I remember it being a breath of fresh air for me, shooting with someone for fun who just wanted to hang out and make cool pictures.”
Lastly, you’re still so young, but have already had a long and successful modeling career – with much more still to come! As your job is very demanding, do you have a hobby or favorite thing to do? Especially to unwind and keep yourself balanced when you get a day off?
I’ve recently been really into cooking and baking. I just got back from 3 months in Los Angeles and was staying at a house with a nice big kitchen and nice appliances and finding new recipes and trying them out quickly became my new favorite thing to do. It was so therapeutic and a great way to get my brain to turn off after a long day. I’m back in New York now in my tiny kitchen with a very unpredictable oven but have been able to keep up cooking or baking something new almost daily, it’s been so fun for me!
