Très bien merci, very well thanks !

The French name of Rijsel is Lille, it’s in the north, near the Belgian border. Rijsel is the Flemish name, and it’s still used for people who think that we are more Flemish than French, whether in our history, our gastronomy or our architecture. And yes, I lived there until I was 23, then I moved in Paris.

I became skinhead when I was 19, so almost 10 years ago. Since I was a teenager I used to go to alternative places, either in the Metal or Punk scene, and I discovered the Skinhead scene soon after. I discovered the Skinhead scene through the militant extreme-left side. I have since distanced myself from these circles for personal reasons, but it is through the politicised skinheads that I basically discovered the scene. This scene brought me a lot at the time, like all the young people who were looking for an identity, a group, and who had a lot of anger in them. Listening to loud Oi! helps to solve a lot of problems, believe me!

As I said before, I come from Lille, where we are lucky to have a vibrant alternative scene. And now I’m lucky enough to live in Paris, where the Skinhead scene is rich, where we have a lot of concerts and DJ-sets all the time, which brings a lot. When I was young I was the only Skinhead in my group of friends, I discovered the scene and the bands mostly by myself, and it was good to arrive in Paris and discover a large scene! And of course, I think that every country has its specificities. That’s why Skinhead festivals are important for the scene. They allow us to exchange with everybody. And social networks have also helped a lot! The skinhead scene from all over the world can get to know each other virtually and exchange on many subjects more easily, although there is nothing like a good concert and a good beer to discuss.

Being a woman Skinhead is special: it takes a lot of character to stay calm sometimes. It’s a very masculine environment with all that it entails. Skingirls are still over-sexualised by some, female artists are going to take a lot more criticism than men, too many skins still see women as just potential partners to make nice pictures on Instagram. But besides that, I’ve seen a real evolution over the years. When I first got into the skinhead scene, women were constantly competing, being insulted, skingirls were seen as only becoming skin to fuck Skinheads. It was much rougher than it is today.

Today, when a woman becomes a Skin, she has friends, other Skingirls who will be there for her. You don’t have to fight as much as you used to as a woman, and I don’t know if the women who have become Skinheads in the last few years realise that, but I’m happy for them for that! Also, more and more women are in French bands like Cran, Parpaing, Tchernobyl, Fracture, The Choices (and Jenny Woo is still going strong!) for example! Women are talking to each other about all sorts of things. Women are doing radio shows like on Droogies Radio, exhibitions like Alex Czmil (check out her Instagram!), and the scene needs this.

I started wearing Fred Perry polo shirts 10 years ago, when I became a Skin. At the time I bought them from former skingirls in Lille, because I couldn’t afford to buy new ones and Vinted wasn’t really known. I had to wait for my first salary to look like something haha. When I finished my studies, I had been in Paris for 6 months and I had no idea what to do. I applied for a job at Fred Perry without really believing in it and now I’ve been working there for 4 years. It’s a brand I respect a lot. I don’t always agree with the increasingly sportswear orientation, but I think few brands today can boast such a loyal customer base over decades, with a real sense of community. When you pass someone wearing a Fred Perry polo shirt (I’m not talking about bags or shoes, which are very classic now), you obviously stare at the person. It’s a real clothing marker and it carries a message.

I take care of my appearance, not necessarily because I’m a Skinhead blah blah blah, but rather because when I was little I wasn’t well dressed and I didn’t feel confident at all, and now I’ve been able to assert myself through my looks. Sometimes I get really lazy and go out in jogging suits, but in general I pay attention to my appearance. Appearance conveys a lot of things. But I wouldn’t say that I’m claiming something through my clothes, I’m a Skinhead, I have the Chelsea, I have tattoos, and I know that people will sometimes stare at me, but I don’t care.

I am a feminist and I think women should be feminists until gender equality is achieved. A woman is killed in France every two days by her partner or ex. We continue to be harassed in the street, drugged at concerts. A lot of progress has been made, this progress is reflected in the skinhead scene as I said, but clearly there is still a long way to go. It is through sisterhood that we will progress, and I am happy to have my female friends and the women of the skinhead scene around me. Knowing that we are not alone, that others have experienced the same traumas as us, is important. Sisterhood is important.

When I’m hungry. I’m French, we love to drink and eat haha. More generally I’m not patient at all so a lot of things make me angry, but what makes me most angry is seeing people I care about go wrong. I must be too empathetic. And the disrespect too. And when people think I’m 19 years old, or when someone whistles at me in the street. Or when our president makes a shitty speech, when a new terrible reform passes in our country, when people abandon their animals, in short, a lot of things.

I think selfishness is a scourge of modern times. We must listen to others, unify ourselves for common goals. Nothing beats the collective, whether for concerts or in personal life. Oh and feel sorry for yourself too. Taking time is good, but we are in a generation that sometimes loses the sense of what is serious and what is not. You have to put your life in perspective and fight for what you want.

My sense of humor.

Syndrome 81
New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle 94
Kronstadt
Cran
Ken Boothe – Arte Bella

I read a loooooot. Like really a lot. And I love to cook like a grandma.

Stay true to your scene and your friends!