FEEL THE LOVE: YVES MATHIEU

The model redefining the industry’s beauty standards discusses navigating the world as a queer Black man.

“Pride means remembering those who were here before me, and securing a space for those who will come after me. It’s important to boldly stand in your identity because when you’re faced with the constant weight of erasure from people who don’t know what’s it like to walk in your shoes, or live in your body, that’s all the more the reason for you to say; ‘Hey, I’m here, I’m queer, oh yeah and [I’m] human.’

All clothing Calvin Klein, Jewelry Yves’ own On Skin Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer

“[During] Washington D.C. [pride], I was on a patio at this place called Trade. The music wasn’t working outside, so I started making a beat with one of the stools. And all of the girls were outside, walking face, walking body, walking hand performance, it made me [realize] what community is supposed to feel like, it should feel like home.

“I am constantly learning more and more about myself, and also navigating multiple intersections in my queerness as a black person. It is an everyday journey, it’s hard but also so beautiful. The toughness of it is what makes it so beautiful. My advice for anyone struggling with that is; if you put your hand over your heart and feel that heart of yours beating, it means that you’re alive and you’re alive for a reason. Even if you don’t know what that reason is yet, stick around and find out.” 

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