Petra Collins Photographs the Art World's Coolest Girl Gang

Photography by Petra Collins
Styling by Laia Garcia
Grooming by Sacha Harford


“Feminism is having a moment,” says everyone, and we can roll our eyes about it because how can seeking equal rights be a “thing” that is having “a moment?” In the art world especially, where it is often said that the only way women can get into a museum is naked (you know, in the portraits of the white men who paint them), there is a refreshing new movement of superbly talented young women artists who are banding together over their work. This downtown girl squad, led unofficially by photographer Petra Collins, brings together a motley crew of creatives — think painters, sculptors, fashion designers, poets, and performance artists —proving that there is strength in numbers. “I think it’s important to support (other women’s) work because – specifically in the art world – but also everywhere else – women don’t really have a place, ” Collins told Yahoo Style. “I think we need to work together to create one.” And although it may seem as just lip service, Collins talks the talk and walks the walk, apart from her all-girl collective, The Ardorous, she recently curated a book called Babe, out on June 25th, which brings together some of the most captivating artists working right now, many of them featured in this portfolio. “I look for artists who have something to say, who are passionate hard workers that have a unique eye,” she explained. The book features a foreword by Rookie editor-in-chief and frequent Petra-collaborator Tavi Gevinson and is unabashedly feminine and feminist. Collins and her cohorts embrace womanhood in its glory — and we do mean all its glory — including makeup, periods, heartbreak, selfies, sexuality, and self-discovery. Everything that girls and women do alone and in company of other women is celebrated. There are no taboos and nothing off-limits if it will reveal an authentic sense of self. Collins and the rest of the amazing artists featured in this portfolio are total babes. They have inspired us, and we’re sure they will inspire you as well.



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