Issue 1: Lunch Break

NOT BLAND.

Lunch Break

Featuring Amy Serrano

Lunch Break is a monthly segment in which we interview icons, creatives, and influencers frommarginalized groups. We ask them to take us to their favorite lunch spot to talk about their background,their creative process, and what it’s like being on the job.

Amy Serrano is a former celebrity stylist and YouTuber. She studied at California State University, Long Beach where she began her career in fashion. Amy has styled Katy Perry, Meghan Trainor, Shakira, and many more. She currently has 274 thousand subscribers on YouTube, and is notoriously known for being one of the most influential Glossier representatives. Amy currently lives in Downey, California where she continues to create videos, teaching women everywhere about beauty and style, for her YouTube channel.

BTC: Why is this your favorite lunch place? AS: This is my favorite lunch place because you can literally try something new each time, and I like that there’s always a new spin on tacos, like I love tacos regardless. BTC: I know that you have an infamous collaborative playlist called “Not Bland” on Spotify. Did you play any music whilst being a stylist, or is it something you like to listen to alone? AS: I listen to the playlist literally every single day no matter what I’m doing; in the shower I’ll put it on, while I’m editing my YouTube videos, in traffic when I’m feeling down, cleaning - it’s just my go-to playlist! BTC: What do you love the most about being a YouTuber/stylist? AS: I would definitely say the connections, I love meeting people, I love that my days are never the same and it’s never redundant. Everyday is something new and I need that. As a career, it goes with my lifestyle. BTC: Yeah, it’s not a wakeup, work, go to sleep, repeat type of schedule. AS: Yes! I tried doing that nine-to-five kind of job and I was so sick - like physically ill - because I didn’t want to go to work, which is why I love styling and doing YouTube because I can create my own schedule. Especially with styling, I get to meet someone new on a music video or meeting new directors, new makeup artists, and it’s always something fresh. With YouTube, it’s connecting and constantly making new content. BTC: Like your new fall trend styling series! I loved the 80’s inspired one. How long does that usually take you? AS: Thank you! Going through the rack of clothes maybe an hour or so, styling definitely takes awhile, and editing can take up to eight hours. BTC: What was the best advice or words of wisdom that some of your entrepreneurial friends, like Emily Weiss, have given you?

AS: I remember at a Glossier trip in New York, we were talking about Instagram, and that our pages can be really well-curated. Emily said that it’s always better to be real, and raw, instead of very edited and trying to create the perfect feed. It’s also way harder to create a perfect, color coordinated theme, which is really beautiful and I’m so envious of people that have that gift but it’s so refreshing to hear from her, because Glossier is so successful, and they’re known for having a very real, raw aesthetic. BTC: What would you tell your 16 year old self now, in terms of style, confidence, etc.? AS: Definitely would advise to not care about what other people think; in my teen years, I would always want to meet a certain persona or fit into what I thought I wanted to be. We shouldn’t put ourselves in a box, and there’s no right or wrong way to be you. I feel like now, it’s more celebrated to be ourselves, and I love seeing that. BTC: I completely agree! With representation in mind, more people of color are becoming leaders for notorious brands, like Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton. Is seeing this make you think, “ugh, finally” or celebratory? AS: I think it’s more celebratory because for me, this is just the beginning. We’re not at where we need to be at all, but it’s also hope. I feel like even my generation isn’t fully there yet, in terms of integration, but I look at younger generations like my little cousins and I see that they’re more open minded and they are for sure the future. BTC: And finally, what are you most excited about, any future projects?

AS: I really want to revamp my website, especially like “AskAmy” (a section on her website where anybody can ask styling questions to Amy anonymously for special events, what to wear with certain pieces, and more). BTC: I’ve actually asked a couple questions on it! AS: Really! I definitely want to get that going again, 2.0 it, make it more user friendly, responsive, and essentially just style the Internet. BTC: That’s so exciting! Thank you so much, Amy!