Who? Erin, 22 and Tiffany, 24
Where?
ERIN: Queens, New York all day everyday.
TIFFANY: Born and raised in Queens, NY. Relocating to Brooklyn VERY soon
What do you do?
ERIN: I'm a children's wear designer but I enjoy making art dolls. I loooove fashion and being creative. I graduated from Fashion Institute of Technology majoring in Fashion Design, specializing in Children's Wear. My ultimate goal is opening my own " Mommy and Me" stylish boutique!
TIFFANY: I'm currently a coordinator at Warner Music Group. I love
art, design and children! Recently I applied to an Art Education
graduate program. I would love to become an art educator at the
Brooklyn Children's Museum.
What inspired you to start Love, Mama? WE
LOVE DOLLS, ART, COLOR,FUNK, SOUL and FUN! We grew up with cloth dolls
in our home. Our mother began collecting cloth dolls when she had us.
She found the dolls in TOY R US didn't represent her black daughters
and were not unique. So when she attended her first black doll show she
FOUND HER ANSWER! Soon our grandmother began her own doll line named
Mama Love dolls. It was their goal to have positive images in our home
to refer to. And our dolls were some of those images. They were brown,
stylish, colorful, well made and individual. It's our goal to continue
that legacy. Therefore we began Love, Mama in 2001 with the guidance of experienced doll artist like Adrienne McDonald. Currently our dolls can be found on lovemamadolls.etsy.com
What inspires you?
ERIN: Art and people.
TIFFANY: Frida Kahlo, textiles, NYC, music, African and Indian art, children and my elders.
Why are you fly?
ERIN: Because I'm a down to earth, intelligent,creative, funny and loving young black woman.
TIFFANY: I'm fly because I acknowledge the FLY in everyone. I'm
open-minded, supportive, caring, funny, happy, stylish and focus! And
because my sister and I are the youngest black doll artist I KNOW! Doll
making in our community was once essential because dolls of color
weren't produced. Doll making is a dying art form now. But I hope some
more creative people join us by learning the craft. Now that would be
REALLY FLY!
Advice:
ERIN: Education is your freedom. Love and stay true to yourself. Don't talk to boys haha. Don't be afraid to go after what you want. Don't wear black and orange together, you'll end up looking like a Halloween decoration.
TIFFANY: Erin said it best EDUCATION IS YOUR FREEDOM! Everyday
challenge yourself to learn something new. Acknowledge the past so you
know how your present was created and so you know how to make a better
future. History is so important! Keep an open mind because you can
learn a great deal from simple conversations with your peers and
elders. Follow your own path. Keep positive images & people around
you. Don't be afraid to be an ARTIST! Create every moment you have.
Find your voice and love who you ARE FIRST! And loving yourself may
take time. Be patient with your growth! Don't rush life! And yah orange
and black is a hard look to carry off. However hard never means
impossible.
