Our generation is all about stories. Tell us a good one and we’ll be instantly hooked. That’s one of the reasons why we love Instagram influencers and fashion bloggers in general, because through their photos they capture a moment in time which tells a pretty graphic narrative and Leandra Medine is our favorite storyteller of them all. Her Man Repeller means ‘so many different things to so many people’ — as Leandra would say herself and what started as a simple blog for documenting fashion trends that women love and men hate, has shaped into a pretty powerful voice of a generation. The articles are witty, filled with satire, but above all else they are honest and kind of give you a sense of belonging, as well as empowerement. So how did a girl who made mockery out of fashion, became an actual fashion icon? Our guess is a combination of things like her eclectic taste which looks like a flawless mess, her satirical writing style and her skilset of badass business tacticts. So here are few things we’ve learnt from here while watching her media empire grow.
1. LESSON №1: Constantly Evolve
“Well, I’ve never let Man Repeller just stay one thing. I’ve changed so much in the past seven years and I’m sure that if Man Repeller was still so literally a personal style blog about trends that women love and men hate, I wouldn’t feel energised and motivated every day.” — Leandra Medine for Vogue
Leadra Medine, rocking this awesome bareback strappy maxi dress, SOURCE: ManRepeller
2. LESSON №2: Dare To Be Different
“Generally I aim to create visual paradoxes. I never want to look like I’m dressed to fit in a box.” — Leandra for MatchesFashion.com
Leandra Medine
3. LESSON №3: No Make Up, Just Confidence
“So the reason I don’t wear makeup is because I am lazy. And don’t get me wrong — I am as much a sucker for the newest “anti-aging miracle cream” as the next guy. Just because I don’t wear much makeup doesn’t mean I don’t believe in good skin. I want to know that if I don’t wash my face, I won’t tarnish my pillow. I don’t want to see the ingredients that constructed my previous night’s visage wiped off into a towel. I also read somewhere that if you sleep with mascara on your lashes they are 70% more likely to fall out so as far as I’m concerned, maintaining real lashes that aren’t quite as plump as they can be is ten times more compelling than having none at all.”
Leandra Medine
“More important than that though, I am comfortable with how I look. I don’t hate what I see when I look in the mirror. Even if legions of others don’t agree. I have accepted the reflection that reliably bounces back at me for its perks and its flaws. I understand that there are thick, dark circles under my eyes. I have grown to appreciate them. I have noticed that my nose grows a little hookier on a near-monthly basis. That’s fine. I know there are wrinkles ready to stake their claim as full time residents on my forehead any moment now. My dad has those, too, and I find that endearing.” — Leandra Medine for Man Repeller
Sometimes all it takes for you to conquer the world is nothing more than confidence and humor.
Mindthis Magazine continues the proud partnership between Bastet Noir. If you liked this story, there’s plenty more to come, just hit that sign up button to get in Bastet Noir’s inner circle of coolness and never ever miss a thing.