Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women: Tavi Gevinson, The Style Rookie

Tavi was honored as one of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women at the 2010 Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Read about the other honorees here.

Name:
Tavi Gevinson
 
Age:
14
 
Year in school and school:
Freshman in high school
 
Your email address:
stylerookie@gmail.com

 
Your website:
thestylerookie.com
 
Your “claim to fame” – aka why you were part of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women!: 
I’m one of those people who spends too much time on the computer (I’m a fashion blogger.)
 
What are you doing to change the world?
I’m not sure I can claim this, exactly! I will say that I’ve been pleased to see the responses and engage in conversations with my readers about beauty standards, creativity, and feminism.
 
What was your inspiration for this?
Other fashion blogs.
 
What is a quotation or message that drives you?
Kate Bornstein said that as long as you’re not mean you get to do whatever you want to make yourself happy.
 
What has been your proudest accomplishment so far?
I think the writing I’m proudest of is on my blog and was just part of my insomnia and procrastination equation.
 
At what one point did you really feel like you’d made an impact?
It was comforting to be at Fashion Week in a somewhat hostile environment and hear, “Thank you for writing that post about Terry Richardson!” more often than I’d expected to hear it (which was not at all).
 
What would you say was the “coolest” moment in your life thus far?
Probably meeting Rei Kawakubo, my favorite designer.
 
What is a challenge you’ve faced while trying to achieve your goals?
Just the usual criticism and skepticism and trollism, which luckily hasn’t been a problem because I haven’t allowed it to be a problem.
 
If someone gave you a million dollars to benefit your cause (or your research, your company, etc.) what would you use it for?
A magazine I’m starting for wallflowerly teenage girls in 2011.
 
In 10 years I hope…
to be creative and happy and in the midst of a revolution.
 
What 3 adjectives would people use to describe you?
I’ll just use my favorite I’ve ever gotten: shockingly prepubescent-looking.
 
What is your biggest weakness?
Time management.
 
Who is your hero and why?
I have many! I’ll name one, Isabella Blow, for her creativity and balance between eccentricity and modesty.
 
Who is your biggest cheerleader, supporting you every step of the way?
My friends I’ve met through the blogging community or related projects.
 
Describe your idea of a perfect day.
A Saturday, no homework, building a fort in the woods with my best friend and playing games and reading the whole day and then having a sleepover and watching movies.
 
What do you like to do outside of your work?
That “school” thing some of you may have heard about.
 
Which of this year’s Glamour WOTY award winners would you most like to meet and why?
Cher! How can anyone not love Cher? And Constance McMillen, because she sparked a bit of a revolution.
 
What was your favorite part of Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
Sitting next to Kendall Ciesemier and getting to fangirl and share excitement with her.
 
What did you wear to Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
A gold sequined Wayne dress my friend outgrew and hand-me-downed to me.
 
Who did you bring as your guest to Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
My mom.
 
Who do you think should win a Glamour WOTY Award next year?
Lady Gaga, duh.
 
What is your favorite thing about Glamour magazine?
It focuses on real issues in a way that doesn’t condescend but instead encourages action.
 
What does “glamour” mean to you?
Confidence, above all.
 
How does it feel to be honored as one of Glamour Magazine’s 20 young women who are already changing the world?
Exciting and motivating.
 
What advice would you give to our college women readers?
Do whatever you want to do as long as it doesn’t hurt others.