#77: Legae Letebele
We're joined by fashion student & photographer/stylist, Legae Letebele, who tells us more about Kimbap, thrifting at Dunusa/MTN, Mitski’s entire discography, The Handmaiden (2016), and so much more!
““Who are you?” is always such a difficult question for me to answer because I don't know when to be vulnerable and when to give a generic answer – I guess I am something of an overthinker. But who isn't? My name is Legae Letebele (they/them), I’m 20 years old, and I am constantly figuring myself out. I am in my last year of studying for a BA in Fashion Media at Stadio School of Fashion. I am also a photographer, and an aspiring fashion stylist. I love cats and hope to own one one day. I remix songs very poorly as a hobby – I only use GarageBand lol. I also have a bunch of hobbies that I practise on and off, and hobbies that I have yet to get to – essentially, I am a hobby enthusiast. The other day I was talking to someone and they said that sitting and thinking about your life is depressing. That was a crazy thing for me to hear because I am constantly pondering about my life and what I want from it. I am constantly practising transparency and vulnerability with myself and others (have you heard of Brene Brown? lol). Anyways, I think that’s enough about me. Let’s get into my recommendations!”
We welcome Gae to The FRM Newsletter to share what they’ve been into recently!
😿🎧 Music
First things first, I LOVE listening to music. I listen to music whenever I can. In fact, I am listening to music right now, as I am writing this. I recommend the following tracks or mixes in no particular order of preference:
Mitski’s entire discography – She has a playlist with every one of her songs ever. That is what I am listening to as I am writing this.
PiousRadio – I recently started listening to them and I didn’t know I needed this sort of thing. They have a guest host for every episode where they play a special mix of tracks, like a DJ set. At the moment I particularly like the episodes titled ‘Beloved, My Creature’, ‘An Ode to Feminine Audacity’, and ‘Illuminati Breakfast’. When I have no idea what I want to listen to, I put on PiousRadio.
Moses Sumney – I can’t describe how deeply in love I am with this person’s music. I want to say listen to everything, but that’s not helpful. So I'll say start with the album ‘Aromanticism’. That album has my entire heart.
Billie Martin – One day I was feeling really heated about something and Billie Martin’s song ‘Fish’ came on and I instantly felt better just from signing along. Her music has such a calming effect. I love her and you’ll love her too.
There is honestly SO much more that I listen to, but if I had to mention everything then this newsletter would turn into a ten-page essay (I’m not kidding). Just look out for songs that I post on the gram.
🗽🎬 Film and TV
Let’s get into film/TV/screen time in general. I think my love for ‘watching’ – as my niece and nephew would say – is sometimes self-sabotage. I’ll watch a series or a movie when I’m meant to be doing an assignment, or when I could be doing a hobby. I think I use ‘watching’ to escape reality. Whether my reality is that I have an assignment due soon, or that I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts. I know I’m contradicting myself. I didn’t say I LIKE pondering, just that I’m constantly doing it, and sometimes I need a break from that. So here’s what I recommend if you have a busy mind like mine:
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (series) – I’ve rewatched this series maybe four times (it’s like 8 seasons long), and I will continue to rewatch it for as long as I live. Same with Superstore.
Feel Good (series) – I’ve been a fan of Mae Martin ever since watching this series. The humour in this series is truly special and I want everyone to experience this.
Handsome Podcast (video podcast) – Speaking of Mae Martin, they host a podcast with Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster and I love it. This was the only thing I was listening to at some point last year. Their humour is so dry and silly and it’s my favourite thing.
The Handmaiden (2016) – Set in ancient South Korea, this film is about a man who gets a young orphan girl to help him seduce this wealthy countess and steal her fortune or whatever. But things don’t exactly go as planned. I especially recommend this to my fellow queers/lesbians. It's essential actually.
Gayotic (video podcast) – This has been one of my favourite things to watch/listen to lately. Members of a band called Muna gather and talk about whatever, and sometimes they have a guest who joins them. They are really funny and they have really chaotic energy, and they are gay (hence the name).
📕💔 Books
I sadly haven’t done a ton of reading this year. In my defence, I am a Media student so I am constantly reading. But here are some books that I remember reading at some point in my life:
‘The God of Small Things’ by Arundhati Roy – The story is devastating and infuriating. Roy’s writing is so special. The way she uses similes and metaphors is so fascinating. I wish I could read this book for the first time again.
‘Sexed Up’ by Julia Serrano – In this book, Serrano talks about how society sexualizes us, how we sexualize each other, and why it’s harmful and how we can do better. I urge everyone to read this.
‘How Can I Get Through to You’ by Terrance Real – I don’t know if y’all have noticed but there’s a real battle of the sexes happening right now. This book gives more context on that. I don’t even know how to give a proper blurb of this book, but I think this one is actually essential. For the entire human race that is.
🎌🎨 Art
Art is a really broad topic. It goes beyond paintings and sculptures. The music, movies and series that I’ve mentioned are art. I just think I’ll recommend things that move me intensely, and things that I just find cool:
Lexie Alley (@lexiealley on IG) – She takes Mitski’s performance photographs. I absolutely love them. I actually want to explore event photography because of her work. So book me if you would like me to take pictures at your event for really cheap because I have zero experience doing that but I would love to gain some.
Ann Vendi (@annvendi on IG) – Their work really reminds me that there are no rules. They inspire me to take my ideas a little further, to experiment and to explore more.
Evelyn Tan (@o3oeve on IG) – I don’t even know what to say. Just check out her work.
Hayley Chi Hay Chiu (@hay.chiu on IG) – I find it hard to believe that she uses paint on canvas to produce her work. The detailing is incredible. Her hands are gold. I don’t know what else to say.
👖🌏 Fashion
I feel a bit of pressure to sound really smart when talking about fashion because that’s what I'm studying after all. It’s the one thing I should have a lot of opinions about. Fashion is such a broad, subjective, and complex thing and everyone has different feelings towards it because everyone experiences it differently. I think everyone should just dress how they want without shame. Corny, I know, but that’s genuinely how I feel. Anyways, here are some random ‘fashion’ stuff that I think y'all should check out.
Bliss Foster – He makes youtube videos about a bunch of different fashion stuff. If you follow fashion week and stuff, I think you’ll like his content.
Thrifting at Dunusa/MTN – If you have a very limited clothing budget but you really like clothes, go to Dunusa. But go with someone who knows the place well so you don’t feel too overwhelmed. A good chunk of my wardrobe is from Dunusa. Also, I know crochet stuff is really in right now so if you’re looking to get a cute hat or scrunchie check out @acupofsaget on IG.
🍜🍣 Food
Cheese sando – Guys, I don't know why I love bread so much. Yes, just regular plain brown Sasko. I love it. My favourite way to eat bread is with a good spread of butter, grated mature cheddar cheese from Woolies, and a big mug of 5 roses tea with gang milk (you have to heat the milk up with the teabag and sugar). But lately I’ve had to be more intentional about what I eat because my anaemia has been making me feel so sick, so sadly I don't eat my favourite snack anymore :( I know it sounds simple but that shit slaps, I swear. Even better with some jam on one slice.
Kimbap – Omg I’m obsessed with kimbap. I’ve been eating it everyday for almost 2 weeks now. And it’s so simple to make. I make mine with a nori sheet, sushi rice, scrambled eggs, baby spinach, tuna mayo, and julienne carrots and cucumber. Then I just drizzle a bit of soy sauce over it for some salty goodness. Plus it’s bound to have a good amount of iron from the eggs, tuna, and spinach so it’s a win for me.
Oats with cinnamon apples – I’ve probably been eating this every morning for a few months now. It’s heaven in a bowl. I just cook oats regularly (add some damn salt to your oats) but with a splash of milk. Then I add a bit of butter and sugar when it’s done cooking. Then I add some apple cubes that have been tossed in a lot of cinnamon powder. Then another splash of milk for some moisture (I hate dry food). And then you suddenly have an uncle named Bob!
✅🕔 General tips
Lean more into the things that make you feel good, as long as they’re not hurting you or others.
Delete social media once in a while. If you find yourself doom scrolling on Instagram or TikTok or whatever for more than an hour, just go ahead and delete the app. I’m sure you can find a better use of your time.