Who’re you? Who’re we? We’re that bitch.
I’m prepared to guess that in case you are aware of Shannon and Shannade Clermont, you’ll learn this listening to their voices from the fourteenth season of the fact TV cult traditional, Unhealthy Ladies Membership. The 26-year-old style and tv personalities had been gifted with a Midas contact for the technology, granting them style and leisure entry to the most important stars on the planet. The twins rub shoulders with everybody from Future to Nicki Minaj, and act as muses to Kanye West starring in paparazzi pictures of Kim Kardashian-West for the Yeezy Season 6 marketing campaign.
Their conjoined Instagram account has amassed over 1.6 million followers. Followers who coronary heart the Clermont Twins and their don’t-give-a-fuckness, dwelling their lives, exuding confidence, and the essence of being as shut as two twins might be. Amidst public scrutiny and spending time aside, the 2 proceed to display the tenacity, ambition and grind they’ve had since transferring from Dallas, Georgia to the Massive Apple we all know as New York Metropolis.
Shannon and Shannade caught up with us over the telephone in between a booked itinerary, catching flights – not emotions – and leveraging their social media to their benefit. The budding Mont Boudoir empresses gave us a name to speak in regards to the ups and downs of conserving it actual on social media, the purity of their relationship as sisters and enterprise companions, and the way they plan to slay the vacation season.
Ear cuff, ERICKSON BEAMON. @ericksonbeamon. Gown, MLAED. @mlaed. Boots, JEFFREY CAMPBELL. @jeffreycampbell.
WHO ARE THE CLERMONT TWINS?
The Clermont Twins are unapologetic, fierce, outspoken, modern, wild, spontaneous – all the things. [We’re] go-getters, fashions, actresses, leaders, and a twin energy duo. We’re simply so shut with one another and we’re so tight. We’re undefeated and we don’t let anyone maintain us again. Let’s not overlook style icons!
WHAT ARE SOME OF MOST OFF-BRAND MISCONCEPTIONS OR CRAZIEST THINGS PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT YOU AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER?
Individuals assume that we don’t love ourselves. We’re so full of affection and we love ourselves a lot. Lots of people are very close-minded on social media, they replicate their very own insecurities, and persons are scared to be themselves whereas we’ve grown to be extra of ourselves. Individuals are intimidated by that in order that they replicate that unto us quite a bit.
HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE IN GEORGIA INFLUENCE YOUR PERSONAL STYLES VERSUS WHEN YOU CAME TO NEW YORK?
We lived in Georgia and we had been dwelling in such a small city the place we noticed individuals carrying quite a lot of the identical issues. Rising up, our mother and father at all times allow us to be inventive. Despite the fact that we’re twins, they allow us to have our individuality and had been at all times for us expressing ourselves; we even made our personal homecoming clothes.
Coming from New Jersey, we’ve at all times been true to ourselves and liked our personal private kinds. That made us need to be in New York and be round different inventive individuals. We lived within the suburbs [which] motivated us extra to need to do what we would like. We knew we needed to pass over of this city and Georgia’s solely however so huge, and we felt like we had been too huge to remain there. Being in such a small house made us need to department out extra.
WHEN DID YOU TWO FIRST GET INTO THE FASHION INDUSTRY?
Everybody in our household is inventive. Our Dad can draw actually properly, our brother can too and our aunt was a clothier she used to deliver us to New York style exhibits. I keep in mind us having corduroy denims that we used to chop up and make purses out of them. Relating to style, it’s not about labels, however it’s about the way you put on it and the way you place issues collectively. What makes you modern is if you’re capable of make one thing out of nothing.
We knew from a younger age that we needed to go to high school in New York for style design. I’m [Shannade] and I went to high school at Parsons and Shannon went to F.I.T. as a result of that the place we needed to be and that’s the place we’d find yourself. Going to New York from New Jersey at a very younger age, then going to Georgia in a very small city, we had been like, “Okay, no, this isn’t for us. We need to be in New York and we have to work for the place we need to be.”
Hat + Gown, BCALLA. @bcallabcalla. Necklace, UNDERPIN PR. @underpinpr. Sneakers, JEFFREY CAMPBELL. @jeffreycampbell.
HAVE YOU TWO ALWAYS BEEN AS CLOSE AS TWO TWIN SISTERS COULD POSSIBLY BE?
Sure, completely. All sisters and household bicker and combat, however it doesn’t change our relationship. We’ve at all times been so shut to one another so it’s like having a finest pal eternally, somebody who’ll at all times have your again and has by no means needed to query your intentions about you. We’ve twin associates who don’t share comparable pursuits, however we each share a ardour for lots of the identical issues and that’s what made us such an incredible group on prime of being sisters and twins. We actually get pleasure from working with one another, uplifting one another, and doing issues that we each like to do.
WHAT’S THE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHANNON AND SHANNADE? HOW CAN WE TELL YOU TWO APART?
Shannon: In case you’re round us just a little extra, you’ll know that Shan’s just a little bit extra spontaneous and adventurous, extra of the social butterfly, and prepared to strive new issues. I’m just a little extra laid again and a homebody. That’s why we name one another Yin and Yang as a result of we even one another out. We couldn’t stay with out one another and we equal one another. The place we lack, the opposite one helps. That’s the way it works for us and it’s at all times been that method.
BEING AS YOU TWO LIVE TOGETHER, HOW DOES IT HELP AND HURT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
Shannon: I believe it helps our relationship as a result of it’s at all times good to have somebody round. We did have a second once we lived in two separate flats with a flooring between us, however we had been nonetheless at all times round one another. It was so pointless so we had been like, “Why are we dwelling by ourselves once we’re at all times with one another?” We do actually all the things collectively so it simply is smart. The one draw back is as we’re rising, Shan’s in a relationship and we’re rising into our personal selves – and naturally at some point I need to get married and have youngsters.
Shannade: We do want our privateness. That’s just a little little bit of what we’re coping with proper now. Like, “Okay, we’re getting older. Can we get our personal house? The place can we go from right here?” We’re simply looking for that stability as a result of we additionally work collectively. We’ve to be shut sufficient to work collectively and see one another each day.
HOW DID IT FEEL TO RESURFACE YOUR BAD GIRLS CLUB DAYS FOR THE #THATBITCH CHALLENGE?
Shannade: It’s so loopy and it was humorous to see how Tik Tok expands one thing so small as a catchy phrase that we at all times say. After we did it at that second on BGC, we by no means even thought that was one thing that will be aired. It was hilarious that individuals may now see our dynamic as twins and the way we’re each there to educate one another in a constructive method.
Shannon: After I’m feeling down or when Shan’s feeling down, it’s like, “Don’t overlook who you might be, don’t let a man deal with you any sort of method, and keep in mind that you’re that bitch.” We even get quite a lot of messages from individuals in highschool who battle with individuals speaking all the way down to them, however these moments that we had helped that. What’s most necessary for us is to verify there’s at all times somebody on the market that may relate, really feel motivated, and be ok with themselves. When who you might be, you don’t have to clarify your self to anyone.
FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE A TWIN, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ANYONE THAT MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH SELF-LOVE OR CONFIDENCE?
It’s so good that we’re twins that may at all times uplift one another when at the very least considered one of us is feeling down. It’s actually necessary for individuals to have that assist system. For anybody that has household assist or not, it’s necessary to offer your self a timeout to be there for your self. I do know it’s so frequent to say, however it’s so necessary since you may give so many different individuals consideration with out giving ourselves the identical consideration we’d like to be ok with ourselves.
It’s necessary to know that nobody could make you cheerful however your self. It’s all in social media too as a result of it’s simple to get wrapped up in different individuals’s lives and really feel put down primarily based on what different individuals put out, however individuals put out what they need to put out. Individuals simply see us as these sisters who don’t undergo something. We undergo our days too however I’m not gonna put up that I’m crying at this time. In a method that’s nearly unlucky as a result of, on social media, individuals aren’t as delicate and don’t notice that we’re human too. It’s sort of like conflicting to be extra private than we need to as a result of it seems like somebody’s at all times gonna have one thing adverse to say.
Earrings, SEVILLE MICHELLE. Necklace, ERICKSON BEAMON. Corsets, NUSI QUERO.
HAVE YOU TWO ALWAYS BEEN CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR BODIES?
We’ve at all times been this fashion, however sure circumstances made us be extra comfy with ourselves. After we had been going to businesses in New York, we had been like thirty kilos lighter than we at the moment are and so they had been telling us that we needed to lose extra weight. That discouraged us, however we realized that we didn’t come [to New York] for no’s. If I cease doing what I’m doing due to another person, how is that gonna make me pleased? If I don’t imagine in myself, nobody else will. We thought that if individuals don’t see us on this place, we’re gonna do it anyway and we’re gonna put ourselves on this place. That’s why we at all times make certain to not restrict ourselves to 1 factor – we do runway, we do movies, TV, net design. In case you’re not gonna make room for me, we’re gonna make room for ourselves. No matter we do, we determined to do it ourselves as a result of nobody else may cease us or inform us what to do.
HOW HAS THE VISIBILITY OF BLACK WOMEN IN FASHION AND BEAUTY EVOLVED?
There’s positively extra work that must be executed. Black girls at all times need to strive additional exhausting. With us, we at all times need to go a lot tougher than anybody else simply due to our pores and skin coloration. There must be greater than only one or two Black fashions on the runway.
It comes from inside our personal neighborhood too and quite a lot of the criticism we get is from our personal individuals as an alternative of permitting individuals like us in our neighborhood to be uplifted. Identical to Jaden and Willow Smith, they felt like they had been shunned out of the Black neighborhood as a result of they’re completely different and one thing that individuals aren’t used to. That’s relatable for us as a result of we’re completely different and we do what we need to do. You must let individuals know that they do deserve these positions and so they should be in that house. If our personal persons are not permitting us to be inspired in any sort of method, it holds us all again.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BLACK-OWNED BRANDS AND DESIGNERS TO SUPPORT?
I at all times say Telfar. With Pyer Moss, each style present has been such a second. He makes all the things a second and the way he provides a lot affect to our neighborhood by his work is so superbly executed. We’re by no means disenchanted. With all of those [Black] designers, they at all times have one thing completely different to deliver to the desk. They’re by no means all the identical and quite a lot of these Black designers are sometimes properly extra versed and inventive than quite a lot of these manufacturers that get extra recognition than them.
HOW DID MONT BOUDOIR COME INTO FRUITION AND WHAT INSPIRED THE COLLABORATION ON SPECIFICALLY EYEWEAR?
We’ve had Mont Boudoir since 2017 so it’s been a very long time coming. We by no means gave up although lots of people assume it’s one thing new that we simply began. When Halloween got here round, everybody was carrying blonde wigs and massive glasses to decorate up like us. We didn’t notice how a lot we liked defend shade. It’s a staple merchandise that everybody wants of their closet and we got here up with the shades to come back out with as a result of we really feel like everybody wants pair of sun shades. We didn’t notice that was our true branded look till everybody began dressing up as us for Halloween. Eyewear at all times completes the look and it’s an adjunct that’s wanted whether or not you’re dressing up or down. So long as you could have the proper pair of shades on, you seem like cash. Even in my health club put on and I’ve my Mont Boudoir glasses on, I really feel good.
WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING ON A BUSINESS TOGETHER AS SISTERS?
It’s most necessary to have a enterprise with somebody who has the identical intentions, motivations, and drive as you. So long as once we give our enter we will come to a typical floor about what we each need, I do know it may well work out. Even with our subsequent shades which might be going to come back out in January, we’re engaged on a brand new coloration and we’re going forwards and backwards on what we would like it to be. We at all times appear to make it work and are available to compromise.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE CLERMONT TWINS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
I see us as the following Johnson & Johnson. I need to create an empire and do all the things. We’ve so many alternative issues that we need to do in life and I see ourselves turning into actually huge businesswomen. We’re going to create a model greater than ourselves and one thing that leaves an affect for generations and generations to come back.
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON, WHAT ARE FAMILY VALUES THAT YOU HOLD CLOSEST TO YOU DURING THE HOLIDAYS?
Respect, love, being form, and conserving these round you shut. Checking up on your loved ones and being appreciative of all the things as a result of the vacations are the occasions to be essentially the most grateful and feeling blessed. Holidays are our favourite as a result of we get to see our household and we make certain to filter out our schedules for that as a result of that’s our rock. The vacations are a chance to offer again. Yearly we go to a homeless shelter to feed the homeless and it reminds us to be pleased about your life.
WHAT ARE EACH OF YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR?
Shannon: Being right here and simply being current. We’re alive, however are we dwelling? I simply need to be grateful to God for permitting us to be on this Earth, permitting us to simply proceed what we like to do, and conserving us heading in the right direction.
Shannade: Me, Shannade, I’m extra grateful for simply being wholesome. Residing wholesome, with the ability to do what I’m capable of do, having these arms to jot down these emails, a mouth to talk and toes to stroll. It’s so necessary to be grateful for your well being. With a lot happening on this world, I’m simply pleased to be alive and wholesome.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU TWO HAVE EVER GOTTEN FOR EACH OTHER?
Assist. That’s essentially the most wanted. By way of the roughest occasions and essentially the most troublesome occasions, and even our greatest occasions, assist is so necessary. We don’t enable one another to not be there for one another. You may spend essentially the most cash, you may have one of the best presents and presents, however your presence, your assist, and displaying up when it counts and when it issues is necessary.
Hat, SARAH SOKOL. @sarahsokolmillinery. Necklace, ERICKSON BEAMON. @ericksonbeamon. Catsuit, ADOLFO SANCHEZ. @asanchezfashion. Sneakers, JEFFREY CAMPBELL. @jeffreycampbell.
CONNECT WITH THE CLERMONT TWINS
PHOTOS / Munachi Osegbu
STYLING + DIRECTION / Phil Gomez
MAKEUP / Gilbert Solis
HAIR / Preston Wada
VIDEO / Jacqueline Kulla + third Eye Productions
STYLING ASSISTANT / Mateo Palacio
PA / Melissa Gomez
STORY / D’Shonda Brown
EIC / Koko Ntuen
