#18: Whitney Rhodes
This week we are joined by our multitalented style queen, Whitney Rhodes, who tells us more about the legendary Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, Bob's Burgers, owning OG streetwear brands, and more!
Whitney Rhodes is a hypertalented fashion stylist and model based in Cape Town. She’s a fashion drop out who has also interned at Cosmopolitan (apparently by accident) and worked as a PA for a local brand. She does much more than only styling – still gigging and dancing wherever she can, or even making things with her hands!
We welcome her to The FRM Newsletter to share what she’s been into recently.
👠🇫🇷 COCO CHANEL
You know when you people say “love at first sight”? That’s exactly what I felt hearing about Coco Chanel’s story for the first time. About who she was, how she grew up, and just her overall passion for clothes. She’s the reason why I’m on the path that I am right now.
Idk I think everyone who's everyone that loves streetwear should own either Supreme, Stüssy or Carhartt. It's an investment. They literally paved the way for streetwear and street fashion. I like to think of myself as a hybrid between Chanel and Carhartt.
🔥👌 Gold jewellery
I can never leave the house without gold hoops, my two silver rings and my gold chain. That's always going to be the foundation and they immediately elevate any look. I could be in a t-shirt and sweats and still look like I'm in between meetings because I've elevated my look. My biggest advice is find your "foundation" and go from there.
💅💗 Self-Care
I'm a big advocate of this. Dress good for you. Order a cute lunch box cake FOR YOU. I am dating myself and I highly recommend having an outer body moment and just dating yourself. You learn a lot about yourself – as cheesy as that sounds.
👩🏽🎤🎤 Top 4 artists that have held me down since I was born
Beyoncé, Ari Lennox, Tyler, The Creator and Kanye West. Not only have these people gotten me through my most life-changing moments but they've contributed so much to my style, my way of life, my way of thinking. Music has SO much influence on almost everything after all!
♻️🧥 Thrifting!
You’ll never catch me rocking fast-fashion – it’s always local or thrifted (unless it’s campaign work – and work is work). I’m big on being sustainable and I’d like to think I’m helping, one thrifted top at a time. Also, please support local and stop asking the homies for discount!!
I’m really into Bob’s Burgers/Friends. It’s my coping mechanism for life and growing up. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have a good laugh.
💯🙌 Today’s advice
“Find something you like/doing and learn how to ask for it.”
📕🖕 ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’, by Mark Manson (2016)
I don’t care what book you’ve read or what books you’re into but you have to read ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’ – especially creatives or anyone fresh out of studying, or just entering that big phase of their life. There’s some good realistic life lessons in there and even if you don’t take the advice and live by it – it’s still good to gain another perspective (I’m heavy on gaining more perspectives in life). But love a good wolf book too haha.
🌊🫰 Romanticising CPT on a budget
Also, life can get a lot but we’re on a budget. So I also love doing wholesome things with my friends and partner, like going to the baths after work and taking a dip, or supporting local businesses like Pizza Shed every Wednesday. Cape Town is so so beautiful so why not act like we’re travelling in the city by romanticising your life? (I highly recommend that)