Offline Encounters with Edgar Gonzalez & Liz Ridgway
Welcome to Offline Encounters in its newest form- conversations with creatives, from chefs to artists, athletes, and founders, on what it means to scroll less and LookUp more.
As you well know now, LookUp is a brand creating physical reminders to LookUp from your devices, starting with a tin box. As you may or may not yet know, The Charlie Fund is a non-profit that provides resources and programming to help educators, caretakers, and students build emotional fluency + tools to build healthier, more intentional communication. And we are so lucky and excited to be partnering them.
Together, we’re holding space for conversations with creatives, from chefs to artists, athletes, and founders, on what it means to scroll less and LookUp more. In celebration of Mental Health Month and as part of this partnership, LookUp is committed to donating 5% of sales to The Charlie Fund during May.
Our next two conversations were with Edgar Gonzalez, the founder behind @andafterthatnet, part creative agency, part community project and maker who focuses on cut and sew pieces inspired by film and music, and Liz Ridgeway, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist and founder of @mentl.sesh, who specializes in providing individual therapy to elite athletes, high performers, and creatives.
An announcement for our NY-based LookUp crew that will be in the city on Saturday, June 15th! Join us for an epic block party in Soho with OnFemme and Nordic Poetry (and sponsored by our favorites- Hampton Water and Rosaluna), for vintage shopping, no-phone fun, and sips.
What makes film + television such a strong connection point for people?
Media in general is, in my opinion, is at best just a mirror to whatever we are living through and while preferences may change we have all experienced the same emotions- joy, loss and everything in between and through seeing it on screen we can better understand it/ come to terms with it.
Through that, how does it feel to know that your designs help people connect offline through media they’re passionate about?
It’s my favorite type of message, a common one too, “I bought the t-shirt before I watched it but it is now one of my favorite movies” all of the media I base my work on is either close to my heart or to people around me whom I keep close to my heart.
You’ve built a creative community largely through your phone from McAllen, TX. with people from all over the world. What’s it like when you finally get to be in the same room as those people?
It’s always beautiful and overwhelming- there’s a sprinkle of nerves and impostor syndrome but it is largely forgotten when the love and conversations start flowing.
As someone whose work depends so heavily on screens, how do you make space to disconnect + be creative?
It is something I desperately want to get better at, but lately there has been many large changes in my life and I have been going on long long morning walks in the mornings- and I am learning to cherish those quiet moments so much because of the peace I am able to feel within.
An Offline Encounter with Liz Ridgeway
How do you think about fashion as a way of getting to know yourself? What about for channeling creativity?
For me, fashion has always been a way for me to explore my interests, tastes, tell my story, and express myself. I think of it as a nonverbal way to communicate who I am as a person to others. It definitely helps with my career as a therapist too - connecting with clients or potential clients, because I’m a firm believer in showing up authentically as myself, including my style and what I wear. It’s quite common to catch me in nostalgic pieces, whether it be rocking vintage sportswear, or Disney apparel, it’s a way for me to connect with my inner child and have a reminder of the things that make me happy and memories associated with that. Personally, I struggle with my own confidence, self esteem, and loving my body, so experimenting with fashion and my personal style is another way that allows me to channel my creativity (I love fun textures and color/pattern play) by working on improving the relationship I have with myself.
The internet is full of outfit guides and style how-tos. Do you have any tips for developing personal style without all the noise?
It’s really important to find the balance between what’s true to you and being open to taking inspiration or tips from the internet. One important reminder is that just because a lot of other people online are doing something, doesn’t mean you have to follow or do the same. Try to take inspiration from the style you resonate with and put your own spin on it. Think of who you are as a human being and the story you want to visually tell and do your best to tell it through your style. Think of the qualities or characteristics you can show through your outfits. Prioritize comfort. Follow people online who you feel motivated by, rather than those who make you feel insecure, jealous, or bad about yourself. Know that it’s okay to experiment and see what works for you and what doesn’t work when you are trying to find your personal style. It might take some time until you pinpoint this for yourself, but ultimately if you like it and it makes you feel good, then that’s what matters.
What are some ways you connect to yourself (without screens)?
Some ways that I connect with myself sans screen is by playing sports, cooking, spending time outside, trying new restaurants with friends - really just remembering all the other facets of my identity and honoring them by making a point to do those things. I grew up a huge Philadelphia sports fan, so now that I live in the Philly suburbs I’ve been spending a lot of time at games. I also really enjoy cooking because it forces me to be present and can be a challenge, so I try to cook dinners for my family during the weekdays. I spend a lot of time outside in nature, going on walks, playing tennis, or with my dog. I think for me the biggest way to connect with myself is to constantly remind myself that my identity isn’t just that I’m a therapist, or someone with a social media presence, that I’m so much more than that.
Who is someone in your world who inspires you to LookUp? (put your phone down, be present, etc)
Someone in my world who inspires me to LookUp is my friend (and also my talent manager) KJ. Even though both of our careers involve being online, we do a really great job when we are together to be present in the moment. Something KJ always says is “if you like it, then it’s cool” and this always reminds me that our personal style is truly unique to who we are as people. Owning our authenticity is way cooler than being a clone.
Thank you to Edgar and Liz for joining us in our Offline Encounters series, and for being a beautiful reminder to us all of the beauty that exists outside of our screens.
We challenge you to take one piece of inspiration out into the world with you this weekend- check-in with a friend, make a thing, unplug.
