Zine #15: Starring GoldinJin
The Black-owned business crafting a future for her daughter and an education for us all; wrapped up in chic & unique accessories
I’ve lived through so many aesthetics, and with conviction. Middle school me wore leg warmers with neon eyeliner and a side pony. High school me ripped up tights, stuck them under vintage high wasted shorts and wore band names I only knew a few songs of. Throughout my over two decades of exploring my personal fashion to levels that earned me the statement “you dress in a very man repellant way” by a peer in high school. I’ve always loved to look DIY, for lack of a better word. And somewhere along the way, I internalized some image of me as King Kong and fine jewelry as Jessica Lange.
But one day, Etsy sent me on a little trip that landed me at GoldinJin. My eyes immediately honed in on the rainbow crystal necklace and I needed to have it. A piece of tenderness I would normally presume too royal for me to be worthy, something said it should be mine. When it finally arrived, I felt like I did the first time my mom let me dye my hair. There was a transformation and I suddenly felt like I was beaming an even brighter version of myself.
But before she was creating crafty concoctions to empower others; she felt as if walls were closing in. A single mother and sole provider working as a bartender in Arizona, she decided she was done being disrespected and forced to rely on others. “The thought of having someone controlling my wealth like that ignited my first logo design. Just pen, paper, a blunt & a dream, which then grew to be GoldinJin.”
Luckily, I got to get to know the talent behind the brand via DM and now you can too! Check out below for our little virtual meet up. My questions are in italics above, her responses are screenshot in the graphic.
So you’ve got your pen, paper, blunt and dream; what did GoldinJin look like to you at the start? What did you envision it to be as a brand and also just in your life?
That’s beautiful that you’re not just creating art but creating a future for your daughter. It seems GoldinJin grew from dream to reality. How does your daughter inspire your art in addition to giving you drive? Are there any pieces or items inspired by her? Or that remind you of her in some way?
Wow I can feel the genuine love, I didn’t even realize how that question kinda forced you to equate a person with an object either so I appreciate getting to open my eyes further on that wording. You have a lot of crystal and symbols like the Ankh in your work, is there a spirituality behind your work as well?
When you say true African culture, is that a reference to the lack of and stereotypical nature of African representation in western culture and history classes? Does it feel like you’re wading through a tsunami of generational ignorance? I know for myself unpacking the internalized western notions I have just from network television alone about African countries is insane
Oof, yes. My metaphor definitely didn’t do the intensity justice, especially with your more attune and visceral perspective. What’s your current fave item, or whatever word best describes different ones standing out to you at different times? Or what’s the one you think resonates with most people?
And they’re all so gorgeous. Your artistry is truly wonderful. I really hadn’t worn jewelry in a day to day way in years until I got your rainbow crystal necklace. I wear it every day, there’s something about it that feels more like adorning myself as a piece of art rather than wearing jewelry. I don’t know how to word that properly but hopefully the gist came across. Last question, and it’s a little random but what’s been bringing you joy recently in these especially hectic times?
