5 QUESTIONS WITH: RENEE & ELISHA

What aspect/type of art has influenced your life the most and why?

Elisha's Answer: I genuinely believe life imitates art in a way that all of us wouldn’t be the same conscious, passionate humans that we are without it. Art has influenced my life more than I can even imagine; it inspires me beyond words and comprehension. To choose one art form would be insanely hard, but... I love old 1920’s authors whose words stick in your mind and inspire you to see everyday life more in a more beautiful way. I love music that penetrates your soul and resonates with you on an unfathomable level. Above everything is my love for films because of the effect it’s had on me. Movies have got me through the toughest times; I would find old movies and watch them and feel like they were mine; like they were made for me. You can feel every single emotion of a character to the point where you become the character without having to continue living that life. Cinematography will shift your perspective, making the most simple things become the most beautiful and exciting thing you’ve ever seen. You can experience so many aspects of a character and people’s lives without having to live it. I always wished I knew earlier what movies and directors I should start watching to achieve this kind of effect on me, so here are a few of my favorites: Big fish, Black swan, Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Her, Lost in translation, The master, Requiem for a dream, On the waterfront, Pierrot Le Fou, Garden state, and pretty much all Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson films. 

Renee's Answer: I'd say almost all arts influence and inspire me as a young creative person. I've always gone through phases in life intrigued by various art forms, and I'll continuously find myself resonating with different artistic outlets. When I was younger, I was obsessed with dancing. As I got older, I got into painting and sketching. For me, both are a form of meditation and self-expression that I'll always truly appreciate. Recently getting into acting has made me genuinely fall in love with film and every aspect of it. It's one of the most sophisticated art forms that allows you to learn and feel things you never have before. If I had to choose, I really don't think I could live without music or film, and I think the world would be a different place without it. Music and film have the power to change people. Have you ever watched an incredible movie and thought, wow, I'm going to change my whole life? Like you just lived in that film for a short while and experienced a new world of perspective. Old film and music specifically have had a massive impact on my life. Elisha and I went through a phase of watching an old movie every night for about a month, and I would highly recommend doing that. It was great.

What was the move from AUS to LA like? How has It affected your life/career?

Elisha's Answer:  I still can't believe I'm living in LA. I just would have never imagined it. I wouldn't have even thought that was something I was capable of - living in a different country with none of my family (except Renee) just didn't sound like anything I would ever do. Initially, Renee and I graduated high school, and for some reason, the first thing we wanted to do was go to LA and go to Coachella. From then on, we started coming back every 2-3 months and couldn't get enough of it. We made amazing friends and memories, and felt like this was our second home. I would say it's hugely affected my life. I would have never met any of the fantastic people I know without living here. I wouldn't have the same opportunities compared to if I was living in Australia. The reason why LA felt so captivating was that anything felt possible. It feels like such a big world where you can really dive into your passions and create something beautiful and work toward whatever you want. I still go back to Australia quite often. I absolutely love and miss it there, but going back and forth helps me appreciate both places more than if I only lived in one of them permanently. The only struggle I had with LA was coming to terms with people being much different than people back home in AUS. Initially, the competitive environment in LA made things feel tough. Growing up as a triplet, I've never felt like I needed to compete against anyone because I've had to share everything with other siblings. It's felt normal to share things with other people rather than being jealous of what someone else has. Although this felt tough, It has subsequently pushed me to achieve more. 

Renee's Answer: Collectively we believe the move was an excellent choice for us. I miss Australia like crazy and honestly wish I could live there, and eventually will, but LA has endless opportunity. We came to LA at 17; we had just finished school and wanted to travel around the world. For some reason, LA kept pulling us back time and time again for three years. We ended up signing with a modeling agency here to get our visa and now go back and forth from Australia to LA to escape the intensity of the city. I remember a lot of people saying to us they thought we were going to change because apparently, that’s what LA does to people, but that never happened or at least it hasn’t yet hahaha. I guess we have each other to keep ourselves grounded and motivated. LA is also the kind of place that has a tone of amazing people and a tone of shitty people. It’s important to sift through and surround yourself with real true friends. My boyfriend is my best friend and has stuck with me through long-distance but has also been essential to my happiness here. 

What do you think of Instagram’s role in society and how did  you guys grow your platform?

Elisha's Answer: I honestly think with or without Instagram, the world wouldn't be too different. It's just become something so natural to everyone that it doesn't seem like it has a massive effect on us, more just something we all do for fun and to feel more connected to the world. I started Instagram because Renee and I loved taking photos of each other. We wanted to create these photoshoots and share them with people. Then we got into modeling, and our platforms just shot up to like 200k when we were only 14-15. Nothing we ever expected, but we had a lot of fun with it and never took it insanely seriously. If something seems more natural and raw to other people rather than staged, they want to follow that and be inspired. I know people will hate on Instagram and criticize people that post on it daily. Still, I think Instagram is essential because of how it can change society, despite what people say. Only in the last few years have I seen a significant change in what people post - but I'm SO grateful for that change. People have started to realize that as a whole, we can really create change in the world. I will always post about what I'm passionate about and why I'm vegan, and about confronting things that could change people's minds. For instance, - the BLM movement would have almost been impossible without Instagram. That is what made everyone come together and realize that we can fight for change together. People with big platforms, even small ones, can make a change. And that's why I really do love Instagram and will continue to use it for those purposes. I'm grateful for everyone else that does that also. 

Renee's Answer: Honestly, I think the human race could definitely do without Instagram or any social media but now that we have it we might as well make the most of it. On one hand it’s changed my life in incredible ways and given me fantastic opportunities, and on the other, I’ve seen it completely control and consume people. The best aspect of social media, even more so then creating careers for people, is that it’s starting to change into a platform where people can freely talk about different world issues and spread awareness. Elisha and I try to do that as much as possible, and I’m so happy to see so many young people like us doing the same. When Elisha and I finished school and went traveling, that’s when we started growing our following. Traveling is a privilege, and we thought it was the coolest thing ever that we could travel for free just by having some followers. The craziest thing is we didn’t really try to grow our following, it just happened. I think that’s the way to do it. To just be effortlessly yourself and post whatever you want. Instead of doing what everyone else is doing, be unique and stick out of the crowd. With all this being said it’s important to remember that social media isn’t real life. It’s a very fabricated controlled version of people’s lives.

Do you think it’s important for fashion brand’s to be ethical and charitable?

Elisha's Answer: I honestly think expectations for fashion brands have entirely changed because of how much more our generation is becoming aware and conscious. I believe fashion brands must do everything they can to make their practices ethical and as sustainable as possible with the budget that they have. Being ethical, in my opinion, is absolutely necessary in fashion. I have personally been starting my own brand (which is launching in August! Woo). I have tried to make everything as ethical and sustainable as possible. I will continue to do so until it's as close as possible to 100% sustainable. As a brand owner, it's important to donate percentages to something that you genuinely care about. In doing so, you will leave a lasting positive impression on yourself as well as your consumer. Renee and I thought for a while about this. We have always been so passionate about the oceans, and global warming has wiped out most coral reefs due to coral bleaching. Therefore we've decided to give a percentage of our sales to an organization that helps build coral reefs. 

Renee's Answer: I’m seeing a lot of young entrepreneurs in fashion become more and more aware of current world issues, and it’s really great to see the fashion industry change in that way. Elisha and I are actually starting our own bikini line !! So excited!! (Coming soon) hehe!! The line will be completely ethical and plastic-free. It’s really not that hard to do, and I think fashion brands must do this. We’re living in a world where the younger generation is more educated and aware of world issues than the older generation. So we need to set examples for each other on how to care for the world through fashion. Charity is also essential to me. Elisha and I traveled the world with Karmagawa and have seen the fantastic things charities can do.

Do you believe in luck

Elisha's Answer:  I think as much as someone wants to believe in luck, it’s something that you create. My dad always has told me that you create your own luck, and I genuinely believe that. Good things come to people who deserve it.

Renee's Answer: I don’t know if I believe in luck, but I believe in the law of attraction and everything happening for a reason. If you put good energy into the universe, it will come back to you. I’ve experienced the power of the law of attraction, and I believe it’s 100% part of the reason I am where I am today. Usually, the “lucky” people I meet are always incredibly confident people who give off radiant positive energy. I think it would be almost impossible that people like that won’t get something back from the universe. Right?? If you’re always down on yourself, it will start to become routine and cause a never-ending nightmare of constant self-blame. Luck can be created in yourself, so love yourself, be a good person, and never stop dreaming. I wish you luck ;)