From Mulan to Nike Air Force, Kicki gives her answers for the Dazed 100 pop quiz
Check out the full 2020 Dazed 100 list, and vote for Kicki Yang Zhang’s idea – which is up for a grant from the £50,000 Dazed and Converse Ideas Fund – here.
“What does community mean to me? Everything. I would not be here without my community,” says Kicki Yang Zhang who credits the diversity of her community with helping her see things from another perspective. Part of this year’s Dazed 100 crop, the Berlin-based artist, beauty influencer, and model has been inspiring people with the hand-painted motifs inspired by her Chinese heritage which she decorates her face with. From identifying with Mulan to being messy despite being a Virgo, get to know her in a series of quick-fire questions below as she takes our pop quiz, and head here to vote for her idea: to create a work space for young Berlin-based artists.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Kicki Yang Zhang: A mangaka.
What clique were you in in high school?
Kicki Yang Zhang: The nerds and emos and unpopular kids.
Why do you do what you do?
Kicki Yang Zhang: It’s my passion.
What issues are you most passionate about?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Equality and acceptance in all aspects of life.
Who do you think is making real change in the world?
Kicki Yang Zhang: We all do in some type of way. Individuals can’t do a lot if the mass doesn’t follow.
“My community is so diverse they help me to see things from another perspective” – Kicki Yang Zhang
If you were in charge for a day, what law would you invent?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Oh boy there is a lot but I think the first one is I would change the way agriculture is handled and forbid destroying the rainforest.
What does community mean to you?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Everything. I would not be here without my community.
How does your community inspire your creativity?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Since my community is so diverse they help me to see things from another perspective.
Explain your Dazed 100 grant idea in one sentence?
Kicki Yang Zhang: I want to give my community a space to create and support young Berlin artists.
Why should people support your idea?
Kicki Yang Zhang: I want people to vote for me because they believe in me and my art, not because I told them so.
When do you feel most creative?
Kicki Yang Zhang: When I’m travelling and see more of the world.
How do you get over an artistic block?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Do something that I don’t like and my brain starts to think about things I would rather do.
Name three things that inspire you?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Travelling, plants, my mom.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever seen?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Green Day when I was a teenager.
If you could own one piece of art, what would it be?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Any painting by Frida Kahlo.
What’s the last thing you made?
Kicki Yang Zhang: A ton of vegan sushi.
What’s a lesson that you learned the hard way?
Kicki Yang Zhang: You won’t be the girl who changes a man if he doesn’t want to change himself.
Which fictional character do you most identify with?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Mulan. Duh.
What’s your secret talent?
Kicki Yang Zhang: I’m pretty good at Kendama.
What’s overrated?
Kicki Yang Zhang: The Kardashians.
What’s underrated?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Actual Chinese food because Panda Express type of stuff is gross and not Chinese at all.
What keeps you motivated?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Knowing that I’ll somehow leave an impact for the future.
Which film do you never get bored of?
Kicki Yang Zhang: The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson or Princess Mononoke by Ghibli Studios.
What song is stuck in your head right now?
Kicki Yang Zhang: “101 FM” by Little Simz.
“What’s overrated? The Kardashians” – Kicki Yang Zhang
What are you embarrassed to admit?
Kicki Yang Zhang: That I can be messy sometimes (to make you understand why this is embarrassing: I’m a Virgo).
What did you dream last night?
Kicki Yang Zhang: That my next door neighbour started a horse farm in their apartment.
What piece of clothing means the most to you?
Kicki Yang Zhang: A pair of Nike Air Force that I have for ages already and they remind me of a lot of things.
What’s the last lie that you told?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Can’t remember.
What advice would you give your past self?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Stop caring about other people’s opinion so much.
What’s your favourite slang phrase?
Kicki Yang Zhang: ‘Exqueeze me?!’
What’s your ultimate guilty pleasure?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Watching dog grooming, aquarium, ant and spider farm videos on YouTube.
What will the world look like in 2050?
Kicki Yang Zhang: Hopefully a little bit greener.
What’s a misconception people often have about you?
Kicki Yang Zhang: That I come from money and my parents pay for everything.
What book changed your life?
Kicki Yang Zhang: It’s a Chinese book called “女生日记” (Diary of a Girl) and it helped me to understand puberty better.
What song hits you the hardest?
Kicki Yang Zhang: “Stronger Than Me” by Amy Winehouse
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Kicki Yang Zhang: My mother. She gave up so much for us and I can’t thank her enough for that.