Why This Tampon Company Is Getting in the Sex Game
It’s not ‘cause sex sells.
It's personal.
Your sex life, that is. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't have options when it comes to what happens in your bedroom (or couch, or kitchen table).
Enter the newly launched Sex by LOLA: gynecologist-approved sexual health products designed with a woman's needs in mind. Adding condoms, personal lubricant, and cleansing wipes to their arsenal of products, LOLA is taking the next step in their mission to become the first lifelong brand for a woman's body.
"We recognized a pattern across all areas of women's reproductive health -- that every stage in a woman's reproductive life had problems in ingredients transparency, branding, and content," share the co-founders, Jordana Kier and Alexandra Friedman.
LOLA's dedication to a women-first motto, led them to wonder: "What about our needs as women? Until now, our only options have been products aggressively marketed towards men and their desires."
That's why it makes perfect sense that they've introduced Sex by LOLA — designed first and foremost for women. "We wanted to deliver better products designed with women’s needs and vaginas in mind, and we wanted to be honest about our ingredient list," they explain. "Everyone deserves to know what’s going on and inside their bodies and should be empowered to make informed decisions in their sex lives."
Want more? Check out Sex by LOLA. Launched today.
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Create & Cultivate 100: Food: Yola Mezcal
THEY BOTTLED MAGIC.
THEY BOTTLED MAGIC.
Forget yolo, this year it's all about Yola.
Lykke Li, Yola Jimenez and Gina Correll makeup the co-founders of Yola Mezcal, the Oaxaca-based brand that is creating opportunity for economic independence in San Juan del Rio.
It is handcrafted, distilled on the namesake farm, bottled BY WOMEN (HELL YES!), with a recipe passed down from Yola's grandfather. In 1971, Luis Jimenez purchased a mezcal farm in San Juan del Rio, Oaxaca. At present, the trio honor his OG recipe and preserve the 300-year-old method of traditional mezcal making. They're also committed to making their process more sustainable.
They're keeping it family and they're keeping it real. However they are breaking from tradition in one major way. Yola's bottling facility in Oaxaca employs only women and they pay their workers a living wage.
We'll cheers to that.
Drink up more of Yola's goodness below.
Names: Yola Jimenez, Lykke Li, Gina Correll Aglietti
Instagram Handle: @lykkeli @ginacorrell
Business Instagram Handle: @yolamezcal
How did the three of you meet?
Lykke: I met Gina under the stars in the Hollywood Hills and Yola at a house party in Mexico City.
Yola: I met both of them in Mexico City over the past decade. We drank mezcal in both occasions and became instant friends and from those nights two of the must important and rewarding friendships of my life began.
Gina: I met Yola ten years ago when she was opening La Clandestina, her bar, in MX City. I met Lykke ten years ago when she was playing one of her first shows in Los Angeles. They met subsequently and coincidentally in Mexico City and the three of us have been friends ever since.
At what point did you know, let's launch a biz! And let's do it together?
Lykke: Gina and I lived together in Laurel Canyon and Yola would come stay with us-- we became quite excellent at throwing a party in between my DJing, Gina's cooking, and Yola's mezcal. One day thought, this is exactly it, let's bottle this, name it Yola and bring the best atmosphere possible and most importantly surround ourselves with like-minded women. We, of course, have grown out of that simple state of mind and are now mostly interested in creating opportunities for women in Oaxaca while preserving a completely artisanal mezcal.
Yola: We began by having dinners at the house that Gina and Lykke shared in LA.
I would bring mezcal from Mexico, Gina would cook and Lykke would play music. They were magical nights that we wanted never to end. We all loved mezcal and were committed to keeping the traditional methods of production intact. On one of these magical nights it hit us that we should create Yola mezcal which would encapsulate these ideas as well as the feminist ethical practices that have been lacking for so long in the alcohol business.
"Feminist ethical practices have been lacking for so long in the alcohol business."
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Gina: In the beginning of our friendship, Yola would come stay with Lykke and I in LA. The three of us would spend a lot of time together drinking Mezcal, throwing dinner parties, and sharing ideas about what it meant to be modern women. We realized there was an undeniable synergy between us, we had an amazing product at our fingertips, and a common vision and voice.
Yola, your grandfather's passion was mezcal. At what point did you realize it is also yours?
Yola: When I inherited the farm and begun to understand the amount of work, talent and sophistication it took to make and how it was a beautiful tradition we had in Mexico that needed showcasing.
Where do your (respective) drive and passion come from?
Lykke: Whatever makes me feel alive; whether it's music, food, travels-- and of course the sweet burn of Yola.
Yola: The women that work on our farm.
Gina: I grew up on a farm in Ojai, which sparked my passion for food and sustainable farming practices. My father was a music producer. So, I was constantly surrounded by great food and music... both are now the cornerstone of my career.
What are your (respective) biggest pet peeves?
Lykke: Gold!
Yola: Unkindness
Gina: Excessive use of plastic and wasted produce.
What are your biggest fears about running a business together?
Lykke: That it can take away from our friendship, but at the same time there is no one else I rather have by my side then these two badasses.
"There is no one else I rather have by my side then these two badasses."
Yola: That we could ever disappoint the women that work for us.
Gina: The biggest have been overcome.
How can we stay original when we are so saturated by other people's work?
Lykke: Don't even look to what other people are doing but simply follow your own inspiration.
Yola: By not measuring our achievements by the ones of others.
Gina: Every time it feels like we're becoming apathetic or there's too much noise, the three of us regroup and usually find sincere inspiration.
What about your careers make you feel the most complete?
Lykke: To see the community of women we've built around us, all so strong, complex and unique.
Yola: When we hire more women on the company.
Gina: A sense that the product we're putting out into the world is something I believe is bringing people joy, while maintaining integrity. As well: employing women that I find talented and complex and giving them an opportunity to explore and grow within the company.
If you (respectively) had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?
Lykke: I could spend all day at flea markets bargaining.
Yola: Siri Hustvedt because she reads about everything.
Gina: I don't want to trade!
You all come from very different backgrounds. At what point in your careers did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the women you are today?
Lykke: I try to find it everyday, it's a process, you do things because you simply cannot not do them and then try to gather some strength and acceptance along the way.
Yola: I could do that early on in my life because I've had the luck to be born in a place with choices and access to education which unfortunately is rare for women in my country.
Gina: 1. I read an article when I was young where a girl I looked up to said: 'life is short, work with your friends". 2. In my early thirties I experienced a lot of personal loss, and I realized I need to do something meaningful with the time I have here.
What's the best advice you've each ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?
Lykke: To be an artist is to always be dissatisfied
Yola: Don't take anything for granted and be graceful.
Gina: Lykke told me early on in our friendship - "if you don't know exactly what you want how are you gonna get it"
When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?
Lykke: A shaman in Mexico told me; just redesign, redesign!
Yola: A detour almost always, I was told many times that the things that I wanted would never happen, like working in the alcohol business being a women, even it has been complicated many times I was never deter.
Gina: Make sure you have a get away car.
What song do you each sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?
Lykke: "Passion Fruit" by Drake
Yola: "La Maza" by Mercedes Sosa
Gina: "What's Love Got to do With It" by Tina Turner.
TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FOOD LIST CLICK HERE.
Ladies Clap Back: A Roundup of the Raddest, Baddest Feminist Merch
Every day can be International Women’s Day.
Image credit: Glamour Mag
While feminism is far from a new phenomenon, interest around it is at an all-time high. And we are here for it. When Dior’s Paris show last fall featured “We Should All Be Feminists” T-shirts as part of its Spring 2017 collection, the (political) statement took on a whole new meaning. And to give the T even more gravitas, Dior announced that it’s donating a portion of the proceeds to Rihanna’s non-profit organization, the Clara Lionel Foundation (which supports and funds effective education and health programs around the world).
Some background about that T-shirt: Dior collaborated with writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who penned an essay of the same name as an adaptation of Adichie’s 2013 TEDx talk. And if you haven’t yet had the chance to hear the TEDx talk, you might recognize this line: “Feminist: A person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes,” as it appears in Beyonce’s “Flawless.”
Natalie Portman was seen rocking the “We Should All Be Feminists” T-shirt at the Women’s March in L.A., while RiRi stepped out at NYC’s March with a pink THIS P**SY GRABS BACK hoodie, designed by Victoria’s Secret model Leomie Anderson and created by LAPP The Brand.
Even Karl Lagerfeld had a huge feminist-inspired moment in September 2014, when he staged a feminist rally starring the likes of Gisele and Cara, megaphones, and posters of the “He for She,” “Ladies First” and “History is Her Story” variety.
But while Chanel’s “women’s protest” back in 2014 felt like a throwback to a bygone era (and almost felt theatrical in its grandeur), the groundbreaking Women’s March this past January was all too real. And all too necessary in an era where we need to make our voices heard as much as possible. Because this year, shit’s getting REAL.
Consider feminist-inspired gear our way of clapping back to 2017; a way of flexing our feminist muscles and using our voices -- so even if you aren’t heard (and shame on the world if you aren’t), you will be seen. After all, fashion has always been a form of self-expression.
"Consider feminist-inspired gear our way of clapping back to 2017; a way of flexing our feminist muscles."
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In honor of International Women’s Day, we rounded up some of our favorite feminist-inspired goods: best enjoyed the other 364 days of the year.
THE FUTURE IS FEMALE
photo credit: Otherwild
Those “The Future is Female” sweatshirts spotted on Cara Delevingne and girlfriend St. Vincent in October 2015 have become an Insta phenomenon (and spawned similar merch like pins and baby onesies). While they might seem like a recent political statement, there is feminist history behind them. According to a New York Times article, the OG “The Future Is Female” T-shirt design was worn by Alix Dobkin in 1975, when photographer Liza Cowan took a picture of Dobkin (her girlfriend at the time) for a slideshow she was working on.
Thirty years later, Rachel Berks, the owner of LA-based shop / graphic design studio Otherwild spotted the photo on the Instagram account, h_e_r_s_t_o_r_y. Berks made 24 T-shirts, which sold out in two days. She made another batch and decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to Planned Parenthood. Soon she introduced the sweatshirt design, and the rest is literally, her-story, as the T has taken on a life of its own.
NASTY WOMAN
Photo credit: @AlfieFriday
Get yourself a “Nasty Woman” T-shirt or reusable bag, made by Amanda and Cameron of Google Ghost (50% of the T-shirt’s proceeds go to Planned Parenthood; 20% of the bag’s proceeds go to the ACLU).
NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED
photo credit: Casetify
Studio15 is a socially responsible fashion brand geared towards millennial women and founded by total boss lady, Jia Wertz. The company supports female entrepreneurs in developing countries by donating a percentage of proceeds to fund women-led businesses in Uganda. The brand launched “The Future Is Female Collection” on Presidents' Day to make a statement against the current administration's comments about women, immigrants and refugees.
For International Women's Day, Casetify released an ENTIRE "Nevertheless, She Persisted" Collection. Protect your rights. Protect your phone. All in a day's work. CAN YOU HEAR OUR FEMINIST VOICES NOW??
STRONG FEMALE LEAD
photo credit: bando
One of our favorite “girl gangs” ban.do created this “Strong Female Lead” sweatshirt, among its wide array of other femme-perfect swag.
Stay warm when taking down the patriarchy.
LET'S CALL THEM, ACCES-HERIES
Check your self-ie. Protect your phone with these “Nasty” cases by Casetify.
We’re having our cake and eating it too. Feminist blogger slash baker Lyndsay of CocoCakeLand.com whipped up these delicious messages on her sweet creations and was featured in the resistance-leading mag, Teen Vogue, as a result.
Wear your feminist flair with enamel pins, buttons and patches from the likes of jewelry brand Bing Bang NYC (50% of “girl power” swag’s proceeds are donated to women’s organizations) and our favorite “Girls’ Only Club,” The Wing. We love the Bang Bang Bad Bitch Circle Patch or the Girl Power Button Starter Pack.
Speaking of NYC-based The Wing, its feminist merch is a call to arms, especially “The Self Supporting Tote.” The tote's text comes from a call to action written by Anna Cardogen Etz in the early 20th Century. The letter, "Self Supporting Women of Hornell" argued for the creation of a women's club and was printed in the local newspaper in Hornell, New York. (A tote that literally carries the weight of women’s issues.) Or wear your feminism on your keychain.
So let’s make sure feminism is more than simply “a mainstream trend,” and actually becomes the norm. Instead of proclaiming to “Wake up like this,” let's stay woke. Happy International Women’s Day, ladies.
Karin Eldor is a writer specializing in career, fashion and lifestyle. After several years in the corporate world as the Social Media Manager and Copywriter at ALDO, she took her side hustle full-time and is now living out her dream as a contributor for COVETEUR, Levo, Shopify, 818 Agency, and of course Create & Cultivate. Her mission is to offer guidance and mentorship to women by aligning with brands that value self-expression, integrity and impact. Follow her on Insta @alwayskarin.
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