A ‘neutral journalist’ with ‘a very healthy digestive system’, Abigail Whalen is documenting the best and worst of high-fashion toilets
To arrive at a pristine, Beverly Hills boutique and be overcome with a sudden and uncontrollable impulse to release your bowels is a desire that can be unpacked in various directions. There is, of course, the Freudian (which associates faeces with gifts) and then there’s the anti-capitalist (which might consider it to be some kind of dirty protest) like Just Stop Oil splattering priceless artefacts in tomato soup. But for Abigail Whalen – who has dedicated an entire TikTok account to documenting the best and worst of high-fashion toilets – the whole thing is rooted in the most base, human drive to create content. “I think I have a very healthy digestive system,” she says. “And now I’m using it to my benefit.” Since releasing her first bathroom tour in March, Whalen has acquired a freak following of more than 199k people – all of whom are keen to get an inside glimpse of the restrooms at Rick Owens, Acne Studios, and Gucci.
It means that when Whalen hears the call of the wild, she puts her iPhone camera on record. She considers her surroundings – Aesop handwash? Toto ceramics? Pedal bin? Mood lighting? – and proposes a strict 1-5 rating for each visit. “Unfortunately there was no bidet so I had to get creative with the shower,” she said about one of Acne Studio’s toilets, with its hospital-green walls and dual-flush Duravit. “I give it a 4.0 out of five.” Though she might have ambitions to become a bonafide Coachella influencer, Whalen considers herself more of a “neutral journalist who simply documents what she sees”. Perhaps she could work at a trade mag for plumbing and sanitation professionals? Or perhaps she could parlay her learnings into local politics, campaigning for improved access to public bathrooms. “The automatic flusher is helpful in those restrooms because no one wants to touch a hand-operated flusher,” as she says.
Below, we catch up with Whalen on the differences between shopping and shitting, the most disappointing designer bathrooms, and the enduring fear of being “ass-out” and hearing the door handle turn.
@abbeywwwww Just kidding I tell everyone #satire #voiceover #shittok #dayinthelife #ctaswm #workfromhomejobs #contentcreator ♬ FOLLOW HIGHLINEK - Highlinek
Hey Abigail! Who are you when you’re not taking a dump?
Abigail Whalen: Thanks for asking! I just moved to the Bay area a few months ago with my partner, having spent the last few years travelling for work. Before that, I was in Philly, which I miss dearly. In terms of what I do for fun besides bathroom reviews…I’m a big gym gal, I love weight-lifting so I go almost every day. I fucking hate cooking so I eat out a lot. I love going out to dance, mostly house music. Travel (yeah yeah, sorry I had to add that). And I have a cat who is basically my daughter.
Where do you think your interest in toilets come from originally? And what inspired you to make these TikToks?
Abigail Whalen: My boyfriend and I scroll TikTok together all the time before bed. We had seen bathroom reviews, but we felt like there was something missing from them. They were all at places where the bathroom is super easy to access. I was at dinner at The French Laundry with my boyfriend and we decided that would be the perfect place for a first video. I remember it got 5000 views overnight and we were mouths open in shock.
Do you have IBS? Or any other digestive issues that you’d like to share?
Abigail Whalen: I don’t, but I think we’ve all had our share of unpleasant trips to the bathroom. If anything, I think I have very healthy digestion. And now I’m using it to my benefit.
@abbeywwwww Someone requested Rick but I couldn’t find your comment to reply to it😭 but here u go🖤 #rickowens #shittok #luxurybathroom #fyp #satire ♬ Blue Blood - Heinz Kiessling
Do you have to pretend you’re buying something at these shops so it’s not obvious you’re only interested in using the bathroom?
Abigail Whalen This hobby actually became a little expensive because I’m a sucker for a good sales pitch. So couple that with needing content and I’m sold. Let’s just say I’ve bought my boyfriend a lot of cologne over the past few months.
What are the best toilets you’ve encountered?
Abigail Whalen The best toilets are the ones that open for you. I mean, who doesn’t want to be welcomed like that? It’s exquisite. Oh, and ones with spray to use after you’ve gone. And hand lotion. I wash my hands a lot so I gotta do what I can to keep them looking fresh. Things like that make a bathroom experience memorable.
What are some of the most overlooked elements of a succesful bathroom?
Abigail Whalen Lighting is a big one. I’m not going to get comfy under fluorescent lighting. Another big one is sound protection – there’s no way you can relax while thinking about embarrassing yourself in front of your stall mates. Also, a door that doesn’t shake when someone tries to open it. A strong door is key. There’s nothing worse than having a mini heart attack while you’re ass-out and thinking you forgot to lock the door.
@abbeywwwww Replying to @globoy its not horatio street but it’s honest work🤷🏻♀️ #luxurybathroom #acnestudios #nycshopping #sohonyc #shittok #bathroomreview ♬ Blue Blood - Heinz Kiessling
Do you think designer toilets might be the answer to unsatisfactory public toilets?
Abigail Whalen While they would certainly help, it’s not realistic to think of them as the answer. I think part of the answer is a clean bathroom with an automatic flusher. If everyone had a clean place to take care of their business, that would be the goal. And the automatic flusher is helpful in public restrooms because no one wants to touch a hand-operated flusher.
What are the worst designer bathrooms you’ve encountered?
Abigail Whalen: I won’t call out specific stores, but there are a few elements that make for an unpleasant bathroom experience. The lingering smell from previous guests is a big one, that’s why scented sprays are so important. Another one is when the plumbing isn’t good, so you get welcomed by a sea of someone else’s business. Oh and don’t get me started on when the toilets have a gap between the wall and the door!
Are you more of a hand dryer or a hand towel girl?
Abigail Whalen: Hand towel all the way. It’s faster, easier, and cleaner. I just love a good hand towel.
@abbeywwwww Why is saying Diptyque so hard:/ #shittok #ysl #yvessaintlaurent #rodeodrive #beverlyhills #designer ♬ Blue Blood
What’s better, shopping or shitting?
Abigail Whalen: Oh gosh, don’t make me pick. They both come naturally to me hehe. But one is free and one isn’t, so…
What’s on your bathroom bucket list?
Abigail Whalen: Okay here’s my ‘in a fantasy world’ shit-list. The Burj Khalifa, the White House, Lisa Rinna’s house, Coachella (*cough* PR teams email me *cough*), and the Met Gala. Any other recs?
Maybe the Vatican? How many plies do you like your toilet roll to be?
Abigail Whalen: I’m a simple gal: two-ply, soft, durable. Anything less is risky business and anything more is a plumbing concern. Yeah, I know a little about plumbing now.
Is the Bay area poo-positive? Do you think poo is unfairly stigmatised?
Abigail Whalen: Hmmm. It would depend on who you ask, no? For someone who appears put-together, it can be easy to enter these stores, but otherwise, businesses can be tough on who they allow in. It sucks because we all gotta do it. I think it’s definitely stigmatised, though, which makes it harder to access public restrooms when you need one.
Do you think you’re bringing these brands into disrepute? Have any reached out to you?
Abigail Whalen: I consider myself a neutral journalist who simply documents what she sees. It’s neither good nor bad, it’s just as it is.
How do you feel about being forever associated with bathrooms and poo?
Abigail Whalen: Oh my God, I’m so happy with it. It’s SO cool that people enjoy the videos so much. My boyfriend and I edit them and brainstorm the voiceover together. We’ve spent hours laughing at the comments and the stories people have shared. I hope everyone who comments knows that I read them and smile ear to ear at pretty much every single one. It’s been such a blast.
@abbeywwwww This bathroom is giving apocalytic beach mixed with prison☹️ too bad cause it’s one of my favorite places to shop. And they’re always a little mean to me LOL so imma just stick to online #therealreal #losangeles #melroseave #bathroomreview #designer ♬ Blue Blood