Dette året vil vi sette litt ekstra pris på noen av de krølltoppene vi ser i samfunnet vårt og har derfor kommet med Månedens Profil! Og for å starte året riktig med den første krølltoppen måtte jo valget bli Gisella! Januar er en måned med mye grått vær og humør, derfor ble det veldig lett å velge ei som er så fargerik som henne. Vi i krølltopp digger Gisella fordi hun er en sterk rollemodell som deler om hverdagen sin på god og vondt, samtidig som hun inspirerer både mote og hår!
Siden Gisella skriver mest komfortabelt på engelsk og har flest internasjonale følgere velger vi å ha intervjuet på engelsk
Tell us about yourself and what you do
I am a professional content creator behind the Instagram @gisellafrancisca and a makeup artist & stylist. Academically, I am a journalist with a master’s degree in brand strategy – my job in this area transferred me from my hometown Rio de Janeiro to Oslo. But in general, I am a lot of things: I wear several hats like most women, I am a proud mom of the most enlightened creature I know, my 5 years old Mikkèl. Black woman, hustling to open more and more doors while I work on creating my own empire with a place for everyone with shared values in life. Fighting Racism and injustices daily, starting with my surroundings. I have set my mind to be in this world and make it better the way I can. I’ve heard from a loved one that I am a colourful soul that tried to bring in light and spread good energy in all my areas in life. I will stick to that! 🙂
As a makeup artist and stylist, I have worked with VG, Zalando, Adidas, Kappahl, Fenty Beauty, and several other brands. I’ve also been in management and training beauty Retail with Mac Cosmetics, Fredrik & Louisa and Kicks. Recently, I have moved on to work as a freelancer so I can focus more on the connection with people and teaching them how to proudly enhance their beauty with my workshops and courses.
What motivated you into being an influencer, and what do you think is important to convey with your content?
As an influencer, I believe that it is important to use your platform to spread positive values in life. The world needs more of that. I want to use my platform to build a community based on positive and encouraging vibes, love, colours, and inspiration. I touch on subjects like grief, racism, and feminism in a lightweight but thought-provoking way. I want people to feel like they have gained something by visiting me; inspiration, knowledge, good vibes…
What are three things most people don’t know about you?
- One of my biggest dreams was to join a food competition TV. I’ve made it to MasterChef Norge and it was amazing, especially because it is the most known food show in the world and it was in my early years in Norway. I cook really well but all I can say is that I didn’t win hahahahaha.
- Before changing careers to an online content creator, I had a corporate communication career (the reason why Norway happened in my life).
- I found out I was pregnant when I was six months far in the pregnancy!
What is the most important thing you learned in your natural hair journey?
My transition to natural hair was in my teens and by then, life can be tough for a black fat girl. I can see now that I actually learned a lot about myself. The first thing I had to work on was appreciating my individuality. I strongly focused on finding myself cool, kind of brainwashing myself with my own qualities, whatever made me unique. This did not happen overnight and came from a lot of days alone in my bedroom, but I made myself stronger every day. I also met people that encouraged me in the process. I believe that it also counts that I often was involved in creative projects around me, so I had a lot of references brought to me in that environment.
I also have learned that:
You can experiment, play with your looks. There is an infinitive amount of natural hairstyles. They were just never brought to us by the media. So just look it up.
And, on that note: educate yourself! Really. When you learn about your heritage you associate a certain power and extra pride to carrying your natural hair! It is the high road to self-love.
Straighten it if you want to! You can experiment with your look as anyone else.
To love your natural features, hair and body is freeing. It is militancy too. It is fighting back oppression and building an empowered self. Just give it a try and let me know!
Where do you find inspiration to create your hair, make up and fashion looks?
I think it comes from a combination of everything I see and feel. From the imagery I look at, to how the energy feels in the room. A lot of my inspiration also comes from the feeling I get when I wear colours, and when I style a fit that makes me feel like myself and that I feel powerful in. I feel quite powerful in bold colour combos and statement pieces 🙂
Do you have any tips to young people who don’t know where to start their hair journey?
Follow people on SoMe profiles that promise a healthy relationship with natural hair. Models, influencers, regular profiles – anyone you identify with. It’s always good to have different perspectives and get inspired..
Takk Gisella, for at vi fikk lære deg å kjenne bedre.
Håper dere likte det nye innslaget vårt, og det er bare å glede seg til februar krølltoppen! Veit du om en krølltopp som burde bli hedret? Send oss en epost eller en melding på facebook eller instagram.
Dere kan følge Gisella videre på instagram
