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. Weโre on. Okay, hello. So, I think weโll just start with the first question I wrote for you and then let it flow. The questions arenโt in order, so Iโll just jump in. So hereโs 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, thereโs so much trendiness, and now you can see what everyoneโs doing, and you share what everyoneโs doing. Thereโs this constant sharing of whatโs out there and what you "should" be doing. I wanted to create a space where we could talk about these trends. Thereโs a community of girls who have idolsโlike, everyone loves Bella Hadid and wants to know what sheโs wearing. I wanted to make a place where girls can come together to talk about whatโs in style and what pieces they like but also keep it authentic. Itโs not just about following trends; itโs about figuring out who you are. Reading, whether itโs Vogue or a textbook, can be so educational, and itโs a way to experiment. You learn what you like and donโt 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 itโs 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, itโs gotten harder to choose topics. You reach a point where you can only talk about T-shirts so many times. But Iโm always in my head, having conversations with myself. Iโll be thinking about something I like or donโt like, and then Iโll stop and say, "Okay, write it down!" Sometimes, when Iโm shopping, I see a top and think about what Iโd wear it with. Thatโs how the stylist part of TIGG came aboutโthe 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 recipesโare 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: Itโs like giving readers a glimpse into everyoneโs brainโthis is us on paper!
Sky: Exactly!
Gianna: Whatโs 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 canโt bring my drink backโlike, 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 Californiaโdo 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 activitiesโฆhorseback riding! There are pretty trails around California. Obviously, the beachโLaguna Beach is popular. I love Carmel and Monterey; it's Big Little Lies vibes. Wait, have you seen Big Little Lies?
Gianna: I have! Itโs one of my favorite shows ever, actually.
Sky: Same! Itโs so good. I love California, obviously, itโs my home. But I donโt know what there is to do around here. All I do is go to restaurants or go shopping.
Gianna: Thatโs like when people ask me what to do around the Boston area. I'm like, "I donโt know. Go to a Red Sox game or something." Thereโs really nothing going on here sometimes.
Sky: Right? Like, letโs 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 teeโa comfy, casual tee. You can dress it up or down.
Gianna: I want one of those Free People oversized tees. Itโs a staple.
Sky: Basics are everything.
Gianna: Whatโs 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. Iโm usually all about oversized, but Iโm feeling like mixing it up.
Gianna: Iโve been feeling that way too. Iโve been super into matching yoga sets lately.
Sky Exactly. Comfy but chic.
Gianna: Last questionโwhat 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 Audreyโs work, honestly. My parents watched Breakfast at Tiffanyโs and said, "Now we know why youโre the way you are." I was like, โThis isnโt really a compliment. Hollyโs got some issues. I love her but sheโs awful.โ
Sky: You were like, โGuys no, I wasnโt going for that!โ Thatโs 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: Iโm hoping TIGG continues to grow, maybe almost like Gwyneth Paltrowโs Goop. I would take that. How old would I be in 10 years? 29. Oh my god, married, maybe? Thatโs crazy to think about. Like, youโre just at a stage of life where things are really happening.
Gianna: Yeah, like weโre 18 now. Itโs surreal.
Sky: This is scary.
Gianna: Okay, scrap this question. Itโs getting too serious. Whatโs 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, Iโve been using black. Mascara is the last step. And thatโs literally it. Whatโs yours?
Gianna: Iโve been using a lot of Glossier lately. I start off with their stretch concealer.
Sky: Do you like that one?
Gianna: Itโs fine. Itโs not full coverage but tones down the redness. It was an impulsive Sephora buy. I wouldnโt repurchase.
Sky: I almost did that the other day with it, thatโs why I asked. Okay sorry, continue.
Gianna: No youโre totally good. So concealer and then this bronzer I donโt even know what brand it is. Itโs from this local pharmacy near me. I stopped using mascara and Iโve 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. Iโm so jealous of people who can replicate advanced makeup looks from photos. My attempts always look terrible.
Gianna: Same! I canโt even do hair. My hair has gone curly recently, and Iโm still figuring it out. I use the Kevin Murphy shine spray on dry and wet hair, but some days, itโs just a mess.
Did you know that our hair changes every seven years?
Sky: Like taste buds!
Gianna: Bonus questionโwhatโs one piece of advice youโd like to share with everyone?
Sky: Create a vision of who you want to be, like a mood board or in your mind. It doesnโt have to be something you share with others. Just make a conscious effort every day to be that person. Itโs not just believing you can do it but knowing itโs 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 itโs all okay. Youโre 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 dayโwe 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. Weโll talk soon. Have a great rest of your day!
Sky: You too! Bye!