THE MAKING OF A MODERN MUSE
EM LORA | GALACTA MAGAZINE
YOU'VE GOT SUCH A DISTINCT SENSE OF STYLE AND PERSONALITY. WHAT'S SOMETHING ABOUT EM LORA THAT THE INTERNET STILL HASN'T FIGURED OUT?
I think people may not know that for me, it takes an enormous amount of overthinking, doubt, and uncertainty in my process of putting things and ideas together. Although those moments are often brief, the distinctness and assuredness of my style are a result of questioning why I'm doing something and for what I'm doing it for. People think I was either "born" with it or just naturally in tune with myself.
YOUR LOVE FOR VINTAGE FASHION AND MAXIMALISM IS UNDENIABLE. WHAT'S THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS THING YOU'VE EVER BOUGHT SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU HAD TO HAVE IT?
I wouldn't really consider anything outrageous. If I felt in my soul that I needed to have it, then it feels like it grew there! But I will say, the most audacious thing I purchased was the 1980s “Clamshell” sectional by Gaines Manufacturing Co. I came across it over 10 years ago in my tumblr feed, and never in a million years did I think it would be in my living room. Found it in Georgia and moved mountains to make sure it got to me here in New York. Could I have focused on the many other gorgeous, readily available couch sets out there? Sure. But was it worth it? A million times more than I imagined.
IF SOMEONE WALKED INTO YOUR HOME WITHOUT KNOWING WHO YOU WERE, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR SPACE WOULD REVEAL ABOUT YOU?
One of the few things I love about curating a space or outfit is how I want the other person to feel and where they should transport themselves to when they're taking it in. My space oozes intrigue and allure, but with an invitation to drop your shoulders and pour yourself something smooth. So I'd like to think my red velvet curtains, antique dry bar, and leopard print accents would reveal I'm a glamorous woman who leads with gratification in any decision I make.
YOU'VE BUILT A BEAUTIFUL LIFE FOR YOURSELF IN NEW YORK. WHAT'S ONE PART OF THAT JOURNEY THAT LOOKS GLAMOROUS FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT CAME WITH SACRIFICES PEOPLE DON'T SEE?
One of the most beautiful parts of my life right now is my self-confidence and the trust in not just my desires but also my visions and uncomfortable truths. Those traits, when they're for real, show up in little but bold ways in someone's life and the way they carry themselves - for example, my home, the details of my wardrobe, and the community around me. But to get there took a ton of daydreaming and hope, ideas that a lot of people around me would tell me are unrealistic and "childish." And as someone who was a people pleaser, that was incredibly hard.
YOU'VE INSPIRED SO MANY WOMEN THROUGH FITNESS, BEAUTY, AND FASHION. WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR OWN SENSE OF IDENTITY?
I used to maladaptive daydream a lot as a kid and would escape through the media forms around me. I have a lot of people ask me how and where I got my "aesthetic" from, but really, an aesthetic is just a curation of you. The way the vixens in the 2000s MTV music videos turned heads, my bratz dolls and the fur on their tiny jackets and the platforms on their boots, the way I would feel when I saw a movie scene with candles and red curtains, the martini glasses and low back dresses the women of New York had on when I was walk by the restaurants holding my babysitter's hand - all of them had me mentally teleporting to a dream life and world I wanted to live out. At 11 years old I was even talking to an imaginary audience, feeling a sense of pride for showing people my systems and way of thinking. You gotta go off of the feeling. It all goes back to how you want to feel and how the feeling moves in your body.
YOU HELPED SHAPE AN ERA OF FITNESS CONTENT BEFORE DECIDING TO STEP AWAY. DO YOU THINK THE INTERNET SOMETIMES FALLS IN LOVE WITH A VERSION OF US WE'VE ALREADY OUTGROWN?
Absolutely. I love being an influencer, I love being online, and I love making things make sense for other people. But the internet is also a regressive place, especially in this new age with younger Gen Z where all they know is connecting to influencers online. There's a sense of ownership, almost a black-and-white type of thinking where nuance and comprehension aren't really there. So if they discovered me as a fitness person, then that's all I am to them in and out of the internet. It's understandable, but it's also not realistic. Though I will say I was never really strictly fitness since I've always felt passionately about showing other sides of myself and my life online in the past, so a good majority of my audience weren't really surprised and already felt this coming.
WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU ONCE BELIEVED ABOUT BEAUTY, SUCCESS, OR BEING A WOMAN THAT YOU NO LONGER AGREE WITH?
I used to believe that in womanhood, independence means never needing anyone. Don't get me wrong, I love doing things myself and would naturally gravitate towards that when it comes to tackling things head on. But there's a softness and intimacy in leaning on others, and I used to carry so much hurt and stress alone. There's a difference between being capable of doing everything yourself, and actually wanting to. I had to teach myself that I can be ambitious, financially independent, and completely self sufficient while still wanting to be supported, and cared for. That brought me so, so much closer to my womanhood.
HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH VITILIGO CHANGED THE WAY YOU APPROACH BEAUTY, SELF-EXPRESSION, OR BEING SEEN BY OTHERS?
Not at all, I would say. Surprisingly, after I was diagnosed with vitiligo at 24, I came more out of my shell than before the diagnosis, and it had nothing to do with the vitiligo. Granted, I did have a privileged experience where I grew up in NYC seeing vitiligo from time to time, and had family and friends that acted like it was no big deal and didn't make it a thing. Once in a blue moon I do get odd reactions in public, but that's life. However, it's the same idea that I talked about in a video surrounding this topic - I didn't want anything to change, because nothing changes! Life goes on, and we are so, so much more than our skin and health conditions. The more people see me living my true, diva life proudly showing off my vitiligo, the more they can feel represented and not feel that shame either.
IF YOU COULD PUT TOGETHER A MUSEUM EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO YOUR LIFE SO FAR, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE ON DISPLAY?
I love this question. First, I would have my first computer ever, the Dell 2008. I take pride in being an internet baby, and it has absolutely shaped everything I am and represent. It made the curious, nerdy, psychological fashionista I am today. Next, I'd have my very first journal entry written. It was back in 2012, when all I wished was to not be lost, sad, and worrisome. A reminder that I had it in me the whole time, but needed to go through the lessons of "me" to feel free. Lastly, I'd have my first ever paycheck from being on the internet, which wasn't that long ago, actually. Coming from an immigrant family from the Bronx in poverty, you couldn't do any better than a cubicle as a dream job. That first paycheck opened up heaven's gates for me and told me there is a whole world out there I can create and come to fruition, all from my mind alone. I'm forever grateful.
WHEN THE TRENDS FADE AND THE INTERNET MOVES ON, WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER ABOUT EM LORA?
That I was all about making people feel closer to themselves. To show different perspectives, roads, and possibilities that can make you feel more like you. That's it, that's the crux and bread of life. And the closer you feel to yourself, the happier you become, and that's all I've ever wanted for people, even as a small child. From when I was teaching my friends the moves to Just Dance so they can get more points, to getting a psychology degree to help others make sense of their minds and souls, to completely transforming fitness for women who feel helpless in their own vessel, and now helping others feel more beautiful and at ease with their self-expression and life. Even just changing one life means the world to me.
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