Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Katie Sturino
THE TABOO SMASHER.
It’s not everyday a major blogger drops bombs like “thigh chafe” and “boob sweat.”
But this is Katie Sturino of The 12ish Style we’re talking about, and we’ve come to expect nothing less. A proud size 12ish in a size 2 world, the body positive blogger and patron saint of dogs is changing the face of the plus size fashion space with the simple tenet that great style is not size dependent. In addition to running a multi-channel fashion empire, Sturino is the late @toastmeetsworld’s momager. Rescued from the horrors of a puppy mill, the celebrity king cavalier was beloved by allc, a huge fan of sunglasses, spooning, and Rob Lowe. Most recently, Sturino is tackling beauty taboos with the creation of Megababe, a line of anti-boob sweat and anti-chafe sticks designed to further celebrate the perfect imperfection of women.
Read on for more from this taboo-smashing game-changer.
Name: Katie Sturino
Instagram: @the12ishStyle
Where do your drive and passion come from?
A desire to help women thrive and have a positive feeling about themselves. And I want to save dogs. All of 'em.
What is the biggest message you would like to leave behind with 12ish Style?
Put your confidence on first! So much of looking great is feeling good on the inside.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
When men tell me that "boob sweat" and "thigh chafe" are not common problems for women.
Whenever you get stuck or find yourself up against a wall, how do you find new roads?
Don't puke on me, but I meditate. I try to release all the emotions around what I THINK should happen and accept what is happening. I reevaluate and see if the goal is still one I am looking to achieve. Usually, I receive some sort of resolution or step forward just by taking a min to step out. If that all fails, I ask everyone I know for an opinion and then do what I want to do anyway.
What are your biggest fears about running a business?
That is will all fail and I will have to go work for someone else for the rest of my life.
Do you think it's still a Size 2 world? Or have you seen formidable and lasting change?
I do think it is still a size 2 world because stories for extended sizes are still labeled something like "Jackets for all sizes" rather than just "Jackets!" Some retailers are starting to offer extended sizes, which is great, but putting a size 14 IN STORE is not really that much of a step forward. Campaign models and online models are still mostly size 2s. BUT the conversation has started. And I am not going to complain about that!
"Putting a size 14 IN STORE is not really that much of a step forward."
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What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?
I change my clothes about 5 times a day and I do not enjoy that! Its impossible to keep my apt clean.
What about your career makes you feel the most complete?
When I get a message from a woman who tells me she wore something or did something for the first time because she was inspired to step out of her comfort zone by me.
If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?
Oprah. Everybody loves her and she has helped so many people. Plus she still gives away her favorite things.
At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?
When I realized that no one is actually better than me or knows everything or has it all figured out. We are all a work in progress. And the more we can help each other out the better we all do.
What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?
Be nice.
What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?
Gross, I never sing but if you held a gun to my head and asked me what my perk up song would be I would have to tell you that its Taylor Swift Welcome to NY and then I would ask you to just shoot me anyway because I would be so embarrassed.
Who is your current blog crush?
@BatGio