Nicolaia Rips Hates Sweatpants

Nicolaia Rips is upset that she may never write something as good as Colette's The Pure and The Impure, but as a twenty-something who has already penned a memoir—a coming-of-age tale about her bohemian upbringing in the Chelsea Hotel; is the features editor at Homme Girls; and has bylines with The New York Times, Air Mail, The Face, and Interview, she is well on her way to literary greatness. Here, she shares her thoughts on The Pure and the Impure, sweatpants, and glitter.  — Maraya

SIGHT

The Pure and The Impure by Colette: Currently reading Colette's The Pure and The Impure. Every couple of pages I come upon a line so sneaky, so quick, so sensitive, that I'm forced to make an otherworldly noise of longing AND betrayal—betrayal that I have never, and will never write anything as good.

SOUND

Want One and Poses by Rufus Wainwright: There are only two albums I listen to when I work and those are Rufus Wainwright's Want One and Rufus Wainwright's Poses. I have listened to these albums with such regularity that it's created a Pavlovian response, where as soon as I hear Rufus's dulcet voice I know it's time to WORK. This quirk has driven every roommate I've had into madness.

TASTE

Culina Coconut Yogurt: Culina Coconut Yogurt. The base of my personal food pyramid. I'm dolloping it on everything, savory and sweet. I am NOT Vegan. I wish I could be a brand ambassador for Culina Yogurt.

SMELL

Odile Perfume by Gumamina: I am wild for Marissa Zappas, a smaller NYC-based perfumer who understands the sensibility of scent—which is nonsensical, both personal and external, the soft joint between who you are and who you want to be. I recently sniffed Odile at ScentBar and it's lingered in my memory.

FEEL

The Karla Laidlaw School Ruched Mini: A sexy bastardized version of a plaid skirt. Imagine a Catholic School student adapting her uniform to the limit. I find a lot of my life is in search of uniformity.

NICOLAIA’S ESSENTIALS

My closet is a little bit like the costume department of the Big Apple Circus—lots of animal print, frills, militaristic boots and frou-frou heels, ballet flats, an assortment of leather pants from the ’80s given to me by my mom, absurd hats, chains, whips, sheer dresses, antique lace and then, relegated to the tech department; black cardigans and severe trousers. I never buy new. I love Poshmark. I love Buyee. I love the Chelsea Flea Market even though it's gotten absurdly expensive. I prioritize my own comfort but I also know that I'm very comfortable with what others would find uncomfortable, and I HATE clothes that are TOO comfortable—sweatpants, hoodies, yoga pants. My friends influence my style most. Levis 501s or 505s, vintage only, or JNCO denim. Tiny waist with flared hips is the best silhouette. If it doesn't work, get it tailored. My favorite bag doubles as a pillow on trips. I have a hard time getting rid of things, but when I do, I purge. I can't get dressed around people; I can't think with others in the room. None of my shoes hurt my feet. 

Shop the Essentials: Prada Leather Riding Boots, Sandy Liang Mesh Ballet Flats in Nude, Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage 1980's Evening Jacket, Fiorucci Vegan Leather Trousers, Marithe Francois Girbaud Puffy Bag Pokachu In Blue

“Improv is always bad.”

Nicolaia Rips

VANITY

Recently I've been inundated with color theory tips. I think I'm a cool winter. I don't know. I hate eyeliner and I love lipstick (I've replaced this Armani lipstick upwards of three times). I hate glitter on my eyes but I like glitter on my lips (Isamaya Liplaq in Chrome). I do most of my makeup on the train or in a bathroom somewhere (my rouge palette with a compact gives not-in-Kansas-anymore). I always use sunscreen typically La Roche-Posay, but recently I got the Supergoop Unseen Glow sunscreen and it gives the impression I just returned from vacation. I wash it all off at the end of the day with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser even though I know it does nothing because that's what my mom and grandmother used.

Luxury/Splurge: Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Velvet Liquid Lipstick 

Drugstore Discovery: Cetaphil Face Wash

Cult Classic: Supergoop! Glow Screen SPF 40 Highlighting Primer

Indie Option: Isamaya Liplacq 2.0 in Chrome 

All Time Ole Reliable: Les Filles En Rouje Lip Palette Les 4 Rouje Cream

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