The Urban Bush Babes, or UBB as they like to call themselves, is a collective of the twin sisters Cipriana and TK Quann and their friend Nikisha Brunson that created a NYC based blog. The blog covers a variety of topics, natural hair being their trade mark. They aim to educate and create a further understanding and embracement of natural hair and are doing a damn good job in doing so. On their blog UBB has a large educative yet fabulous section that covers everything one needs or could ever wish to know about natural hair. From a hair dictionary to regimen to product list these girls have got you covered.
TK
Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?
Songwriter, writer, rapper and singer working mainly in electronic music. Also executive contributor for Urban Bush Babes covering fashion, music, social, food, travel, art & culture and fitness.
We’ve seen some pretty major conversations take place about the way people think about natural hair recently, especially in the fashion world. Do you feel like people’s perceptions have changed at all?
Yes, perceptions have changed however mainstream acceptance could be greater. Sometimes people are so hung up in this old idea of what beauty represents, whether it be hair or beauty, that they refuse to see our differences is what makes us beautiful. This ideology that blond hair and blue eyes is more appealing in the eyes of certain companies is asinine and their acceptance of that ideology is negating the beauty of diversity when it comes to the color of one’s skin, lifestyle choices or the natural state of one’s hair. The ideology of “good hair” within the industry and communities is absolutely absurd. All that does is create this vicious circle amongst women. Who is better, what is more attractive or appealing? Sometimes as human beings we get so caught up in something, that is absolutely meant to cause friction and separation, we fail to see entertaining it does not make us stronger but weaker when as a people we should be supportive of one another and acknowledging the power of that positivity. Especially as women when sometimes certain things are designed to pit us against one another; whether it be phrases, ideologies or actions
Is there anything you would change about the industry?
More diversity, diversity and diversity!
Who are your biggest style icons?
Our mother, Lisa Bonet, Rihanna, Solange, Aaliyah, and Cher.
Dream date?
My boyfriend.
Your blog covers a huge variety of subjects, from fashion to music to health, how do you stay on top of all these different areas?
By having a passion for the topics we cover. The mind is multi-faceted so there are no rules that one must focus on one topic, or one way of thinking.
Current song on repeat? Kendrick Lamar – The Blacker The Berry
Worst habits?
Cupcake whore.
Who is currently your favourite designer?
Way too difficult to narrow down to one choice.
What’s the best thing about living in New York?
So many ethnicities which creates an ambience wrought with culture. I think the greatest gifts we receive in life are what we learn from one another, in particularly our differences and being exposed to various cultures, and that exposure opens your mind and your ability to accept those differences. Sometimes people are so consumed with what is right in front of them, caught up with living in their bubbles, they can’t see the possibilities of someone or something amazing in the distance and they lose the ability of accepting those who are different from themselves or even just living in a space by saying, “Hey I might not understand or get it but I accept that you have every right to be you and I will not bully or cause you harm because I don’t understand.” No one should have to die for their differences and the greater acknowledgement of this frame of thinking is one’s exposure to different cultures and New York is the epitome of this representation to a certain extent. Also what is not to love about being exposed to various cultures especially when it comes to food! Of course a foodie like myself would think of that, lol.
And the biggest challenges?
As accepting as New York can be we also have a heated racial climate that is hard to negate right now. Derogatory assumptions and stereotypes based upon skin color and culture, sexual identity or religion. As much as New York is a hub spot for diversity the evidence of those constricted by trepidations based on stereotypes is unfortunately very much prevalent. Also gentrification and landlords raising rent fees. I am not opposed to gentrification, but I am opposed to residents living in their boroughs for years and being unfairly forced out of their homes to accommodate those who are willing to pay unjust spikes in rent. Whenever I see a Starbucks pop up I know the rent is about to sky rocket.
What is your staple wardrobe item?
My go to Citizens of Humanity denim jumpsuit. Whenever I run errands or when I travel since I fly quite a big overseas during the summer.
Highlight of your career so far? Has and will always be working with Cipriana. I feel incredibly fortunate that I am able to make a living working with my best friend who is my sister. We have so much more we wish to achieve but no matter what we accomplish working with my sister will always be the highlight.
Is there anyone you’d really love to collaborate with?
Quite a few but too long of a list.
What inspires you?
Strong, positive and intelligent women like my sister and my mother.
CIPRIANA
Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?
Cofounder and Editor in Chief of lifestyle publication; Urban Bush Babes
What made you want to start Urban Bush Babes?
Urban Bush Babes was always about creating a platform where women of color could feel comfortable being themselves. So when I cofounded the site in 2011 with Nikisha Brunson and my sister joining in 2013, we wanted to show the multifaceted lives of different women—we’re chefs, we’re lawyers, we’re students, we’re doctors, we love Pink Floyd, we could be in the middle of the woods fishing… I just wanted to show different examples of what wasn’t being shown in mainstream media. And it kind of blossomed into much more than just women of color. The unifying message of it is to be who you are and love yourself, because when you love yourself, you’re able to do anything. We wanted to promote that platform and do it while showing a different side of beauty and fashion, and showing it in a more diverse way.
We’ve seen some pretty major conversations take place about the way people think about natural hair recently, especially in the fashion world. Do you feel like people’s perceptions have changed at all?
Yes, especially with the movement of the .com and social media. These two areas have created a massive change in ways that many people were unknowledgeable about which goes well beyond hair. The mainstream ideal of beauty is changing through us utilizing and producing content that is much more relatable. Not waiting for someone to open the door that leads to diversity but rather taking control ourselves and using the power from within. Now we as a people can create the change we want to see via these outlets. Through this digital change we have created a much more accurate representation of all kinds of beauty including hair.
Is there anything you would change about the industry?
Continuing the path of creating more diversity.
Who are your biggest style icons?
My Mother, Cher, Diana Ross, Lisa Bonet and Diane Keaton
Dream date?
Well part of my dream date already came to fruition when a special person surprised me by taking me to one of the best restaurants in the world, the 3 michelin star; ‘Eleven Madison’ in New York, but the conclusion of that dream date would end up in Lapland, (Finland), Venice (Italy), South of France then Greece for a 4 week retreat.
Your blog covers a huge variety of subjects, from fashion to music to health, how do you stay on top of all these different areas?
Loving what I do. If you love what you do the passion and motivation and eagerness to discover or stay up to date in your field never ceases to exist. I also surround myself with people who are creatively in tuned with what they do. That kind of environment constantly inspires me. Concluding with utilizing the New York Times, other news outlets and social media for current discoveries.
Current song on repeat?
Glass Animals ‘Gooey’
Worst habits?
Still learning to multitask without being unpunctual.
Who is currently your favourite designer?
Sigh I have so many but a few are; Mara Hoffman, Terry Gates, Tome, Yvonne Kone, Baja East, Rebecca Minkoff, Stella McCartney, Zimmermann, Chloe, Armani, Marimekko and Jonathan Cohen
What’s the best thing about living in New York?
The energy and diversity of the city
And the biggest challenges?
Remembering to pace yourself in a city that never sleeps
What is your staple wardrobe item?
My mother’s hand me down cropped leather jacket.
Highlight of your career so far?
To have my twin sister, TK join Urban Bush Babes as Executive Contributor. Not only a pleasure to work with my best friend everyday but she makes difficult business decisions that much easier to cope with, now that we handle the workload together.
Is there anyone you’d really love to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with Conde Nast Traveller again with TK but this time regarding, food and travel combined with photographer Terry Gates’s 360 work.
What inspires you?
My mother, twin sister, people, what I do and the gift of life!
Words by Indiana Roma Voss, Interview by Eva Klein
