From her favorite Malibu spots to her go-to matcha order, Sky Haarsma brings her effortlessly cool vibe to every choice she makes. Today, she dials in with Gianna Ferace to chat about her must-have pieces, hummus, and why staying authentic is her secret to success.

Gianna: Perfect. We’re on. Okay, hello. So, I think we’ll just start with the first question I wrote for you and then let it flow. The questions aren’t in order, so I’ll just jump in. So here’s the first question.

Sky: Perfect!

Gianna: When I think of you, I feel like you balance trendiness, creativity, and originality. You draw a lot of inspiration, but you stay true to who you are. How have these principles influenced the creation of TIGG?

Sky: I feel like, with TIGG, especially in this digital age, there’s so much trendiness, and now you can see what everyone’s doing, and you share what everyone’s doing. There’s this constant sharing of what’s out there and what you "should" be doing. I wanted to create a space where we could talk about these trends. There’s a community of girls who have idols—like, everyone loves Bella Hadid and wants to know what she’s wearing. I wanted to make a place where girls can come together to talk about what’s in style and what pieces they like but also keep it authentic. It’s not just about following trends; it’s about figuring out who you are. Reading, whether it’s Vogue or a textbook, can be so educational, and it’s a way to experiment. You learn what you like and don’t like by trying everything. So, I wanted to create a community where girls can come together, be themselves, and still be part of a group. Fashion is about following trends, sure, but it’s also about knowing yourself.

Gianna: My next question: How do you choose which articles to write about? Now you have writer contributors and give them a lot of freedom, but when you were starting, what guided your choices?

Sky: Honestly, as TIGG has grown, it’s gotten harder to choose topics. You reach a point where you can only talk about T-shirts so many times. But I’m always in my head, having conversations with myself. I’ll be thinking about something I like or don’t like, and then I’ll stop and say, "Okay, write it down!" Sometimes, when I’m shopping, I see a top and think about what I’d wear it with. That’s how the stylist part of TIGG came about—the style boards, lookbooks, and articles are all ideas I wish I had in my closet or things I actually own.

Gianna: So the articles, the stylist pieces, the recipes—are they all personal?

Sky: Yeah, it's like a diary in a way. Half of it is a wishlist of what I want or am currently doing. As TIGG has grown and we have more writers, I want to keep things broad. I tell new writers to bring their ideas because when people write about what they love, it creates better articles.

Gianna: It’s like giving readers a glimpse into everyone’s brain—this is us on paper!

Sky: Exactly!

Gianna: What’s your biggest source of inspiration? 

Sky: I get a lot of inspiration from Vogue. Social media can be inspiring, too, if you approach it from a place of inspiration rather than comparison. Also, clothing websites! I was on Free People before this, looking at campaigns. The models have this very, like, carefree and effortlessly cool energy. I want to have that, 100%.

Gianna: Okay, this is, like, totally random, but I know you're kind of a matcha girl because I saw your recipe on TIGG. What's your go-to matcha order?

Sky: My matcha order every single time is an iced matcha latte with almond milk, unsweetened. I do not like sweet drinks. When people sweeten my matcha, I get so upset. I also can’t bring my drink back—like, you will never catch me doing that. Sometimes, I'll get it with oat milk, especially if it's strong matcha, but sometimes, the oat milk is overpowering. Or if you want to go crazy, you can ask them to do half oat, half almond.

Gianna: Oh, I might try that. I don't love super sweet either, but almond milk is too bitter for me, so I get it with oat milk. I got a matcha today at Whole Foods, and there was so much sweetener I was like, "Oh no."

Sky: Right? There's such a balance you have to find. Some places taste better sweet, some unsweetened. Not everyone uses quality matcha; you can tell when it's a cheaper powder.

Gianna: Okay, so you're from California—do you have any recommendations for favorite spots or activities?

Sky: If you're in Malibu, my favorite restaurant is Taverna Tony's. It's a Greek place, the vibes are great, the food is amazing. I'm a dip girl, and they have the best dips with fresh bread. For activities…horseback riding! There are pretty trails around California. Obviously, the beach—Laguna Beach is popular. I love Carmel and Monterey; it's Big Little Lies vibes. Wait, have you seen Big Little Lies?

Gianna: I have! It’s one of my favorite shows ever, actually.

Sky: Same! It’s so good. I love California, obviously, it’s my home. But I don’t know what there is to do around here. All I do is go to restaurants or go shopping.

Gianna: That’s like when people ask me what to do around the Boston area. I'm like, "I don’t know. Go to a Red Sox game or something." There’s really nothing going on here sometimes.

Sky: Right? Like, let’s just go to Brandy Melville.

Gianna: Honestly. Next question. What are three things you can't live without?

Sky: First, hummus. I eat it daily. I just bought a giant tub from Whole Foods.

Gianna: Second item?

Sky: A white baby tee—a comfy, casual tee. You can dress it up or down.

Gianna: I want one of those Free People oversized tees. It’s a staple.

Sky: Basics are everything.

Gianna: What’s the third thing?

Sky: Rose water! I spray it on my face constantly. It's hydrating and helps with redness. And gives such a good glow.

Gianna: Those are good essentials. What are your current fall/winter obsessions?

Sky: Bootcut jeans, black long sleeves, sweaters. I want to go for more form-fitting looks this season. I’m usually all about oversized, but I’m feeling like mixing it up.

Gianna: I’ve been feeling that way too. I’ve been super into matching yoga sets lately. 

Sky Exactly. Comfy but chic.

Gianna: Last question—what were your childhood inspirations, and do you think they still influence you?

Sky: Disney Princesses. I was a die-hard Disney princess fan. I lived in princess dresses. I was a huge girly girl, and still am today. What was your inspiration?

Gianna: Audrey Hepburn. My grandmother was a huge fan and started showing me her films when I was like, four years old. I'd lock myself in the guest room and watch Sabrina on repeat. That film shaped me into who I am today, without a doubt. All of Audrey’s work, honestly. My parents watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s and said, "Now we know why you’re the way you are." I was like, “This isn’t really a compliment. Holly’s got some issues. I love her but she’s awful.” 

Sky: You were like, “Guys no, I wasn’t going for that!” That’s crazy. They really called you out. 

Gianna: Last question: Where do you see yourself in 10 years, and what does the future of TIGG look like?

Sky: I’m hoping TIGG continues to grow, maybe almost like Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop. I would take that. How old would I be in 10 years? 29. Oh my god, married, maybe? That’s crazy to think about. Like, you’re just at a stage of life where things are really happening.

Gianna: Yeah, like we’re 18 now. It’s surreal. 

Sky: This is scary.

Gianna: Okay, scrap this question. It’s getting too serious. What’s your makeup routine?

Sky: I try not to wear makeup every day, purely because I hate washing my face. The tiniest bit of concealer right under the inner parts of the eyes. And then I like brown eyeliner, typically. But for fall and winter, I’ve been using black. Mascara is the last step. And that’s literally it. What’s yours?

Gianna: I’ve been using a lot of Glossier lately. I start off with their stretch concealer.

Sky: Do you like that one?

Gianna: It’s fine. It’s not full coverage but tones down the redness. It was an impulsive Sephora buy. I wouldn’t repurchase. 

Sky: I almost did that the other day with it, that’s why I asked. Okay sorry, continue.

Gianna: No you’re totally good. So concealer and then this bronzer I don’t even know what brand it is. It’s from this local pharmacy near me. I stopped using mascara and I’ve just been curling them for a while. I would rub my eyes in school and make a mess so I had to make the executive decision to ditch the mascara until my sleep schedule is back on track. And then just chapstick. I will always be a fan of barely-there makeup. 

Sky: Simple, glowy, and easy. I’m so jealous of people who can replicate advanced makeup looks from photos. My attempts always look terrible.

Gianna: Same! I can’t even do hair. My hair has gone curly recently, and I’m still figuring it out. I use the Kevin Murphy shine spray on dry and wet hair, but some days, it’s just a mess.
Did you know that our hair changes every seven years?

Sky: Like taste buds!

Gianna: Bonus question—what’s one piece of advice you’d like to share with everyone?

Sky: Create a vision of who you want to be, like a mood board or in your mind. It doesn’t have to be something you share with others. Just make a conscious effort every day to be that person. It’s not just believing you can do it but knowing it’s already you. It's about discovering who you want to be and evolving. If you want to wear dresses, just wear one and see how it feels. You might love it or hate it, and it’s all okay. You’re upgrading yourself, not changing into someone else.

Gianna: Exactly! You bring yourself everywhere, so finding happiness within yourself is key. We wake up with the same brain, body, and face every day—we have to make peace with that.

Sky: Yes, you get it! This was so much fun. Thank you so much for doing it. 

Gianna: Thank you for doing it with me! Okay, yay. We’ll talk soon. Have a great rest of your day!

Sky: You too! Bye!