CONTENTSTABLE I. A Letter from the Co-Founders II. A Letter from Caroline Ricke III. Into the Future: An Interview IV. Fast Facts with Caroline Ricke V. State of the Art VI. Thank You
TABLE CONTENTSOF Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-17 Page 18-19 Page 20-31 Page 32-33
META A Letter From A FOREWORD FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR EMBRACING OUR UNAPOLOGETIC SELVES
>
In Issue 06: STATE OF THE ART of our MINI series, comedian Caroline Ricke explores the world of cyberpunk fashion by bringing back the nostalgia of metallics and clamorous shapewear. Her early rise to fame is largely credited to her satirical sketches roleplaying a real-life Elle Woods, and with this issue, Caroline is proving that she can do both. Commonly recognized for her 2000s-inspired outfits, Issue 06 brings out a different side of Caroline’s reminiscence––that of cyberAtnostalgia.META,our
What bridges the gap between fashion and the individual is the intimacy of self-expression through clothing. Content creator Caroline Ricke, also known by her pseudonym “Rich Caroline”, is paving the way for finding self-expression through fashion with a comedic twist to introduce a more personable approach to the beau monde.
mission encourages an elevated exploration of self through fashion, and Caroline Ricke is one of the few creators making an active push to embrace our unapologetic selves. So, read on to explore the cutting-edge interpretation of the 2000s era we know and love with a zany twist from the beloved Caroline Ricke.
JoyLove,Chen, Creative Director Tiffany Hue, Editor-in-Chief X >
XOXO, CAROLINE A LetterCarolineFrom Ricke
X > >
Hi, it’s Caroline. I love fashion, comedy, and most importantly fashion-comedy. I write and produce short-form content showcasing my fabulous closet and my incredible friend group (well, it’s really not a group. I fly solo). My goal is to subvert the typical influencer archetype. The personality I portray on screen is dumb, awkward, and self-assured. I love her. I’m referring to this character as “her” and not “me” because we are truly different people. Very few viewers know that. As time has passed (I’ve been on social media for about four years), the character and my real personality have started to blend together. The Caroline I portray online may be stupid, vapid, and anything but Einstein, but she has helped shape me into the person I am today. It is a pleasure to share her with everyone that cares to listen. I loved fashion growing up. I always wanted to go to the grocery store with my mom so I could look at the magazines near checkout. Those magazines were mostly about cooking and fitness. Regardless, I always dreamed of being on the cover of one. And guess what? Look at the cover again. That’s Growingme! up, I never considered myself that funny. At least not funny enough to make a career off of my personality. But I decided to take a stab at it anyway, and now my followers know me as the vain, self-loathing rich girl. What a legacy I’m gonna leave behind! If you don’t know who I am and you decide to look me up, enjoy! And if you don’t look me up, you’re immediately blocked. Anyways, I am so excited to be included in this publication! Take care and enjoy.
P.S.Carolinexoxo,IfIever make it to the big screen, I will be using this letter as my Oscar’s speech.
IN TO FUTURETHE AN INTERVIEW WITH CAROLINE RICKE
The idea for her iconic ‘rich’ counterpart was brought up from humble beginnings. Cooped up in her college dorm room in the Midwest, Caroline sought excitement in the midst of her routine lifestyle. “I needed to do something creative,” says Caroline of her call to the public eye. What began as a casual outlet for comedy and venting became an entire persona better known as Rich Caroline.
First, there was Sharpay Evans, and now there is Rich Caroline, the ‘it girl’ of social media known for her lavish lifestyle and facetious humor. Created by the mastermind known as Caroline Ricke, her ‘rich’ alter-ego was born from a concoction of class, sass, and utter deception. Today, the beloved Rich Caroline combines her dynamic wardrobe with deadpan comedy, and Caroline Ricke has built an empire for the ages.
Decked out in her asymmetrical Alexander McQueen button-up and metallic skirt from The Attico, Caroline became one with her character in front of the disruptive silver backdrop. A cacophony of laughter poured through the studio with each snarky comment Rich Caroline shared, while Caroline Ricke’s endearing personality was met by coos and awws.
“SO I STARTEDJUSTLYING.”
When Caroline was fifteen years old, she broke her back, but the comedian was able to view this unfortunate event as a blessing in disguise. Because of her injury, Caroline spent time exploring new modes of self-expression. “In Ohio, no one dressed out of the box. I went to an all-girls private school, and on free dress days, people would think I was weird for wearing fun outfits I made by myself, or for wearing things that I thrifted.” Today, secondhand is all the craze, and it is clear that Caroline became a trendsetter for sporting what makes you feel good regardless of what others think.
“For me, I didn’t feel like relatability wasn’t enough. I felt like I needed to do something crazy. So I just started lying.” Caroline’s rise to fame is largely recognized by her parody sketches dedicated to being a Harvard undergraduate and sharing fabricated day-in-thelife’s to appeal to wider audiences. “I just felt like at the time, there was nothing too special about me that would stand out to a viewer, and then one lie turned into another.” And thus, Rich Caroline was born from a web of inconspicuous lies.
“My dad forced me to go to prom, and I thrifted a dress and hot glued together a necklace with dominos,” she shares of her introduction to glamour. Family played a large role in her creative endeavors and still does. While sitting gracefully in the makeup chair switching from facial gemstones to a silver fox eye, Caroline shares a laugh with her younger brother and partner-in-comedic-crime, Phillip. The two bicker like any normal pair of siblings would, but the real drama comes when the cameras start rolling. “Say it with more sass,” he directs to his older sister. While Caroline Ricke pays little mind to the imperious directions from her younger brother, her rich persona immediately activates with nothing but a quick smizes towards the camera as she delivers the line of a lifetime: “What’s on the inside matters but what’s on the outside counts.”
Straying away from mainstream styles is what commenced Caroline’s preeminent funky wardrobe. “My older brother brought me to my first thrift store, and I was like, where has this been my whole life?” As a fashion guru, she was never one to play it safe and often found herself crafting new statement pieces for her wardrobe long before she had entered the public eye. “I started honing in on ‘00s fashion at the beginning of the pandemic,” says Caroline of her current style. From her organic introduction to thrifting came a natural eye for turning any piece into that of subtle opulence.
Interview
“I LIKEFEELI’VEBECOMEHER.”
Growing up, Caroline looked up to childhood icons such as Lizzie McGuire or Raven Symone for style inspiration. “I would screen clip outfits from That’s So Raven and try and find the pieces she was wearing,” she reminisces. Today, Caroline is surely giving Disney a run for their money with her multifarious style choices and hysterical humor. From daring poses in racer-thong pants and ear cuffs to elegant postures in a form-fitting Mugler minidress, each look was seasoned with a bit of personality and Caroline’s own ‘00s spin. The longer she spends on content creation, the more comfortable she is switching between her two lives. “I feel like I’ve become her,” Caroline says of her ‘rich’ alter-ego. After years of playing a parody of a character, it seems as though the creator has become one with her rambunctious complement, and her wardrobe certainly speaks to this duality. “My wardrobe is very eclectic, and I love statement pieces,” Caroline shares of her everyday style choices. While fashion is a common mode of self-expression, Rich Caroline takes this proposition to a whole new level. Often sporting elaborate patterns and flashy boots, both Carolines have found a piece of one another through clothing. It is no secret that life in the limelight can be a daunting one, but both Caroline Ricke and Rich Caroline have learned to embrace their unapologetic selves through none other than their personalized couture.
Interview
Interview
As a state-of-the-art content creator, Caroline Ricke is a force. Posing confidently in a studio doused with a disorderly backdrop to challenge her refined persona, Caroline explored a new side of her future by incorporating her effervescent personality with her striking sense of style. With social media’s newfound impact in allowing young creators to build their own online empires, Caroline is finding audiences in both comedy and fashion, and bridging two polaropposite forces of art. Not only does she constantly produce sketches that will leave you laughing at the edge of your seat, but her content is also impeccably decorated with her remarkable wardrobe.
Interview
If you know Caroline, you know her exuberant personality matches the rigor of her unrestrained sense of style. If you’re like us and can’t get enough of her, you can catch Caroline’s new collaboration with Garage Clothing this September. From popping neons to funky patterns to knee-high boots, Caroline Ricke never fails to catch the attention of any room she enters. She is arresting in both personality and style, and there is no doubt she will be turning heads for a long future to come.
FACTSFASTFASTFACTS
One closet staple you can’t live without?
Favorite fashion brand or usCanfashionFavoritedesigner?currenttrend?youtellajoke?
Caroline: Knee-high boots. Caroline: Marc Jacobs. I just love Heaven and the whole brand they have, it’s really appealing to people our Caroline:age. I love capris, I just love wearing them with knee-high boots.
Caroline: I’ll get back to you on that one because my ghostwriter only works on the weekends.
YOUTHANK
Thank you for reading MINI Issue 06: STATE OF THE ART featuring content creator Caroline Ricke, whose personal style both on and off screens inspires a contagious sense of confidence for audiences far and wide. We hope this issue ignited a newfound sense of modern nostalgia to finish off your summer in your own personal utopia. At META, we want to thank everyone who has helped us share our creative vision and aspirations. To those who contributed to this issue, we would like to honor the creativity and spirit of our team: Charles Tran (Set Designer), Lynn Aiko (Stylist), Skyla Swafford (Makeup Artist), Juliette Cornet (Arts + Culture Managing Editor), and Marina Duvernet (Social Media). A special thank you to Ogo for helping us make this vision come to life. From us to you, thank you. Love, Joy and Tiffany
