who be monica?

(part 2)

WSW is a writer, editor, sporadic blogger, mom, and long-time friend to founder, designer, and creative Monica Wright at youbecheeky.com

When Monica asked me to guest blog for her super-chouette (say with a French accent) website, I said, “I’ll only do it If it’s about you. Because there are plenty of clothing sites on the Internet, but only one Monica. People deserve to know you as I do."

And so, dear Reader, we've prepared a Q & A interview. If you haven’t read about our first encounter, please click here.

WSW: We met at college freshman orientation at UC Irvine almost thirty-five years ago this summer—

Monica: Crazy!

WSW: What was it like to be eighteen and going away to college?

Monica: I was pretty excited to be there, to be on my own and just kind of individuate…discover who I was as an individual, apart from my family.

WSW: We shared a room in an off-campus apartment. How was that experience for you?

Peanut butter and raisins.

Monica: Well you were my new exciting friend! But it was a little tricky, too, because we had different rhythms. I have this image of myself…I was like a little puppy with my tail wagging, going, you know, “What’s next?” and sometimes you just needed quiet. Remember those times you were in the closet?

WSW: Times! Maybe once…or twice. In my sleeping bag. It was like a sleep pod.

Monica: I remember that I was looking for you, and you were in the closet! And that was your way of letting me know that you needed some space.

WSW: I don’t think it was just about letting you know: I actually did need some space!

Monica: Yeah, yeah, it wasn't just about me.

“You must be my lucky star….” (Monica is adding that she's wearing her Marilyn M t shirt that she got from some record store in Berkeley or something...)

WSW: I think that mostly I liked your attention—I mean, who wouldn’t want to be the object of such fascination—but I wasn't used to it. I’m a pretty private person.

Monica: I think it was a significant moment for me when I discovered you in the closet—

WSW: You just wanted to say that again.

Monica: It was the first time I ever heard anyone say, “I don't really feel like answering your questions. I feel like I'm being interviewed by a reporter.” That always stayed with me. It was informative for me.

WSW: I had never really been away from my family for more than a week, so everything felt pretty surreal to me, like we were at summer camp with no counselors. Did you feel prepared to live on your own?

Monica: As prepared as I could without ever having done it before.

WSW: I mean, did you know how to grocery shop and cook? I didn’t.

Monica: Katy (Monica’s step-mom), taught me to cook. But I was lazy. I remember eating Top Ramen because it was easy and cheap. I thought, “I’m an adult now, and can do whatever I want.”

WSW: Yeah. I like that!

With our lovely roommate, M.!

Monica: Don’t you remember, you could buy them ten for a buck?

WSW: I just remember the Lucky Lager…playing quarters.

Monica: And that photo of you, eating Ramen out of a giant bowl—

WSW: Like a pig at trough. I don’t want to use that one!

Like a guilty pig at trough.(Monica is adding that this is one of her most favorite photos of WSW. It's that impish grin of hers while eating what was one of our food staples!)

WSW: What do you remember about your college classes?

Monica: Being really up for an adventure, hungry for knowledge. I was like a sponge, soaking it up.

WSW: Which classes in particular?

Monica: I loved Humanities Core. There were so many different points of view and writing styles and cultures, different ways of regarding life.

WSW: You mentioned St. Augustine’s Confessions. What did you like about that book? I don’t think I ever finished it…

Monica: The book had a lot of depth and compassion, it was more spacious than restrictive. He wasn't a dogmatic Christian. I liked it that he was spiritual, as opposed to religious.

WSW: I didn’t take my classes very seriously, but I knew how to pull decent grades. Did you feel pressure to do well?

Monica: Yes, because it was expected of me…I needed to produce.

WSW: I’m asking because…I know your dad had certain requirements.

Monica: Yeah, if I didn’t do well, he wasn’t gonna pay for it!

WSW: Whereas my mother was so afraid I wouldn’t finish, she would’ve supported me no matter what…just so I could have that degree!

Monica: Didn’t you like your classes?

WSW: I liked the creative writing classes and working for the newspaper. A few of the lit classes. But I think I learned more socially than academically…do you remember any of the parties we went to?

Monica: Not specifically.

With our good pal KMK, also from “nor-cal.”

WSW: I remember standing in the corners of parties and cracking up with you, like, doing little improv acts.

Monica: Yeah. Laughing, talking, drinking, flirting…

WSW: What was your dating philosophy back then? Were you looking for anyone?

Monica: I was just having fun. I don’t think I wanted a boyfriend. They just kind of showed up and I went with the flow.

WSW: You always had a very distinct fashion sense. How would you describe it at that time? (I can see from the photos that you borrowed some of my clothes.)

Monica: Eclectic, very 80s, shoulder pads…

WSW: Androgynous?

Monica: You mean masculine?

WSW: No, you never looked masculine, although I do have this one photo of you in a tie.

Monica in a tie with our Uniprep friend, S.

WSW: I think it was fun that we were getting a little crazy/experimental, like wearing our pants inside out.

Monica: I feel like a lot of these wacky Ideas were yours, like the the (matching) striped sweaters.

WSW: I don’t know where those came from, but I liked how they connected us. (It looks like we’re wearing one big sweater!) Did you ever imagine that you would have your own business in the retail industry?

Monica: I don't remember being career-oriented. I didn't know what I wanted to do after college. I just wanted to go to France! I wanted to travel.

WSW: So what is it that you love about fashion/clothing as a career?

Monica: I love the creativity and the colors, the aesthetic…taking a bunch of different pieces and creating something beautiful. There’s an immediacy to it. I find these things and give them to people, and they give me money. It’s an exchange. They’re happy and I’m happy. 

WSW: And I’m happy to interview you for this series. Thank you Monica!

Join us next month for Part 3 of our 1980s-retro-memoir: “who be monica?” (A cliffhanger!)

They were both on the waiting list for the dorms, when suddenly one of them learned she had gotten in. Who might be left alone with the closet for company?!

And don’t forget to check out the hangers at Monica’s Cheeky website, as well as at her weekend events that are listed on her Facebook page.