If you hit links we provide, we may receive compensation.
There was a time when Art Deco charm was synonymous with South Beachs kitschy appeal.
That time has passed.
Byrdie
At 511, with amber pools for eyes and magnificent cheekbones, Teddy Quinlivan makes for an imposing figure.
Once upon a time, supermodels existed in another realmglittering icons to be admired and doted upon from afar.
All of the women are clothed.
Byrdie
Speaking of rule-breaking, were now discussing Quinlivans own rebellious streak.
She laughs as she remembers her days of glittery bronzer and smudged Hot Topic eyeliner.
(These days, she prefers a more subtle approach when it comes to makeup.
Byrdie
I kind of go for the same look nowadays…I love asmoky eyeand anude lip, she says.
Donatella by Pat McGrath is the perfect nude lipstick.
I just sit there and I glam; its very ritualistic and therapeutic.)
Byrdie
Oh, I was bullied the entire time, she says matter-of-factly.
Kids would scream tranny and faggot to me.
I didnt care what the kids at school thought of me, though.
Byrdie
I was going to getbulliedeither way.
But I was terrified of what my parents would think of me, so I hid it from them.
I wasnt sneaking out to party or meet boys," Quinlivan clarifies.
I really felt like my safety was in jeopardy by being even seen in public.
So, I really had to hide who I was.
And hide myself in general.
She takes a languid drag of her Juul halfway through.
Her calmness strikes me as surprising, given the experiences shes recounting.
I trust my gut more than I ever have.
Im listening to my intuition more than ever.
I wont let people take advantage of me; I wont let people walk all over me.
Im very unapologetically the way I am.
She pauses for a beat as if weighing whether or not to say what she says next.
And I have to come to a mutual place of understanding with them.
I think its the only way were going to heal.
I remark that this is an incredibly understanding, mature thing to say.
Its the only way you’ve got the option to evolve.
I cant just stay mad at everyone who doesnt agree with me.
You kind of just have to be like,I dont fuck with you in this way.
Theres a moment of stillness, as she pauses and takes a drink from her water bottle.
She’s what our now should be.
Meanwhile, Quinlivan’s continued on as if she hasnt just casually shared a potential world-peace-solving paradigm shift.
At the end of the day, were all humans, she says.
She laughs for a moment, picturing the scene.
What Im trying to say is, were all the same species, but were differentand thats okay.
Just get over it.
People just need to get the fuck over it.
And if people dont like itwell, kiss my ass.
Go find somebody else!
She laughs, then her eyes light up.
I feel like Im about to get hit with another analogy, and sure enough, she doesnt disappoint.
Or coffee, or whatever.
Even the best things in life…there will be people who dislike it.
So, all you might really do is be your most delicious self.
And with that, she flops back, crosses her limbs, and flashes me a smile.
Meanwhile, I realize I’ve finally found the one thing Quinlivan and I disagree on.
Because honestlywho could dislike chocolate?
Graphic DesignerTomoko Takahashi
StylingMaison Margiela
Makeup ArtistBob Scott
HairstylistNikki Nelms
