Welcome to Seven Minutes in Heaven, GO Magazine’s interview series that profiles a different queer babe each day, by asking them seven unique (and sometimes random) questions. Get to know the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the groundbreaking, fierce forces-of-nature in the queer community.
Abigail Greydanus is one bad-ass babe. She is an incredibly talented latex designer that has garnered the attention of over 25K instagram followers. Like, her designs are f*cking amazing. What’s sexier than latex? Latex designed by a hot queer babe. I have been salivating over her designs for years now (as well as her femme daddy vibes) and decided that you too, dear GO Reader, need to see how awesome Abigail is.
GO Magazine: Who are you and what do you do?
Abigail Greydanus: I’m Abigail Greydanus, and I have my hands in a million projects at any given moment. My main gig is that I’m a latex fashion designer, but I’m also a full time student of psychology, a research assistant, a student ambassador for UCLA’s center of women’s health, gender and empowerment, and last but not least a volunteer crisis counselor for LGBTQ youth.
GO: What is the driving force behind your career/art/designs?
AG: Right now one of my driving forces is radical queer femmes. I’m inspired everyday by seeing fellow femmes on social media. I love being femme because I think that it goes beyond gender; to be femme in our current society is a radical act, especially for queer and non-binary peers and I think there’s a lot of power in that. I love translating my passion about the femme identity into not just my latex design work, but also the work I do as a counselor and a future psychologist.
GO: What is the sexiest thing about latex?
AG: I think that one of the sexiest things about latex is that if it’s made well it looks amazing on anyone and everyone. Putting it on and seeing yourself looking sexy in it can positively impact the way that you feel about yourself and your sexuality, whether you’re just wearing it for yourself or you’re putting it on to play with someone else!
GO: Who are your biggest queer lady role models?
AG: Hands down I think that Marlene Dietrich will alway be one of my number one queer role models, her style and class are timeless and to be an openly queer lady when she was famous I imagine was not easy. There’s also the classics like Frida Kahlo, and even though they aren’t ladies I’m still very inspired by Freddie Mercury and David Bowie because of the way they both were able to openly defy gender norms.
GO: Where do you go for inspiration when you’re feeling discouraged or depleted?
AG: For my latex work this has evolved over time but I think that the thing that has always inspired my work most are vintage styles of the past. I love taking an old design style and finding a way to recreate elements of it with something as modern and futuristic as latex.
For my personal self I love to travel and spend time with friends when I’m feeling depleted. I also love talking and being vocal about the injustices we’re facing in the world right now. I’ve found that having people around me that I can have frank discussions about politics and feminist issues with is very important for me and my well being. Getting fired up about something I care deeply about actually seems to fill me up, rather than drain me.
GO: Describe your style in three words.
AG: Radical queer femme
GO: What music are you listening to right now?
AG: I’m a nerd so I usually have musicals on loop, things like Hedwig and the Angry Inch (my all time favorite), Wicked, etc. I also spend a LOT of time listening to podcasts. Savage Love, Why Are People Into That, Love + Radio, Risk, etc are just a few of my favorites that I make sure I’ve caught up on every week.
GO: How can people find you?
AG: I’m most active on instagram @abigailgreydanus, you can also find me on my website abigailgreydanus.com, and I have a shop on Etsy where a lot of my work is available. I also love doing custom work so hit me up via my website or my email at abigailgreydanus@gmail.com if you want your custom latex dreams to come true!
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