How 4 Cool Couples Keep The (Creative) Fires Burnin’!
Single, married, shacking up, eternally pining — life can be challenging no matter where you are in the relationship game. And while we like to think of ourselves as mighty individualists all the way, there's no denying it can be a comfort to have a solid partner in crime in your corner: Someone who loves you, respects you, gets all your secret hand gestures, and, ultimately, makes your good works in the world even that much more meaningful (and major!). So, in honor of the très corny day that delights in all things true love, we’ve gone in search of four truly inspiring couples that give the double-duty theme new meaning, sharing their lives and their creative inspirations — and proving, at least in our eyes, that that whole thing about soul mates just might be true after all.
Lola Albright, actress and model, and iO Tillett Wright, artist
When did you meet?
iO: “Our friend hooked us up, thinking we'd make a good fling. Neither of us wanted a girlfriend. Whoops...a year later, we slipped and fell in love."
Lola: “I was DJing at a dive bar in the East Village, the first time we spoke. Our mutual friend had blown both of us up to each other separately for weeks, about what she knew would be the perfect fling. We flung so hard we flew!”
Do you have an influence on each other's creative work and/or style?
iO: “It's kind of nice actually, that there's a bit of separation in terms of work. Of course she influences my style, and my everything personal, because I value her opinion (which she readily offers), and I love to photograph her, but in terms of real work, we like to brief each other on what we're doing, and lend thoughts without being too heavily involved. It allows some space in the relationship. And some surprises. The biggest influence she's had on me on a daily basis is the music I listen to, and that has seeped into everything I've done.”
L: “iO's never-ending excitement for a challenge and her thirst to break through her own personal barriers influences me constantly. She sees no obstacle, and she does it with so much grace and heart, inviting everyone along right beside her. She doesn't get caught up in the skin-deep, which is phenomenal! I feel so lucky to have that added fire and flavor in the mix everyday. Life is exciting!”
What's one thing each of you knows about your partner that no one else does?
iO: “Her version.”
Lola: “Everyone who has ever crossed iO's path knows her affect on them through her raw energy and spitfire spirit. She also has a sweet and soft center that is the truest I've ever known in a mate.”
Any sweet nicknames?
iO: “Lollipop.”
L: “They are pretty endless. She inspires a lot of them. But she's my sweet potato. My curly fry. My strawberry shortcake.”
What's the best piece of advice you’ve given each other?
iO: “It’s not a one-liner, but she teaches me to take better care of myself, at all times, instead of focusing on everyone else. That's invaluable.”
L: “Definitely not a one-liner. We both always only want each other’s happiness — real happiness, freedom, and growth. We remind each other constantly of that. Our advice is living by example for one another.”
Photographed by Kava Gorna
Lola Albright, actress and model, and iO Tillett Wright, artist
When did you meet?
iO: “Our friend hooked us up, thinking we'd make a good fling. Neither of us wanted a girlfriend. Whoops...a year later, we slipped and fell in love."
Lola: “I was DJing at a dive bar in the East Village, the first time we spoke. Our mutual friend had blown both of us up to each other separately for weeks, about what she knew would be the perfect fling. We flung so hard we flew!”
Do you have an influence on each other's creative work and/or style?
iO: “It's kind of nice actually, that there's a bit of separation in terms of work. Of course she influences my style, and my everything personal, because I value her opinion (which she readily offers), and I love to photograph her, but in terms of real work, we like to brief each other on what we're doing, and lend thoughts without being too heavily involved. It allows some space in the relationship. And some surprises. The biggest influence she's had on me on a daily basis is the music I listen to, and that has seeped into everything I've done.”
L: “iO's never-ending excitement for a challenge and her thirst to break through her own personal barriers influences me constantly. She sees no obstacle, and she does it with so much grace and heart, inviting everyone along right beside her. She doesn't get caught up in the skin-deep, which is phenomenal! I feel so lucky to have that added fire and flavor in the mix everyday. Life is exciting!”
What's one thing each of you knows about your partner that no one else does?
iO: “Her version.”
Lola: “Everyone who has ever crossed iO's path knows her affect on them through her raw energy and spitfire spirit. She also has a sweet and soft center that is the truest I've ever known in a mate.”
Any sweet nicknames?
iO: “Lollipop.”
L: “They are pretty endless. She inspires a lot of them. But she's my sweet potato. My curly fry. My strawberry shortcake.”
What's the best piece of advice you’ve given each other?
iO: “It’s not a one-liner, but she teaches me to take better care of myself, at all times, instead of focusing on everyone else. That's invaluable.”
L: “Definitely not a one-liner. We both always only want each other’s happiness — real happiness, freedom, and growth. We remind each other constantly of that. Our advice is living by example for one another.”
Photographed by Kava Gorna
Next
- 1 of 8
in NYC