We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Frank a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Natalie, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I have not overcome imposter syndrome, but it hasn’t deterred me from creating. I have this inner compulsion makes it impossible to stop; I don’t have a choice. I never wanted to be known as the creator of PLOT TWIST because I felt like a fraud and craved anonymity out of fear. Not too long ago, I realized I had subconsciously crafted a persona—an alter ego ~ the shades, grillz, and overall swag. It’s definitely a form of masking, but this persona isn’t an imposter. I doubt I’ll ever overcome imposter syndrome. I think it’s something most artists wrestle with–simply ingrained in the experience of being an artist in any medium.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a multi-disciplinary artist, with a focus on screenwriting and painting as my primary forms of expression. My journey began with what I hesitated to label a brand, so I dubbed it NO BRAND. Swapping out the canvas for sweatshirts, each piece became a unique work of wearable art. Amidst the writers’ strike, I truly believed I wasn’t going to have a career in writing anymore (plot twist: I’m writing the sickest psycho-thriller now), I made a pivotal decision to wholeheartedly commit to this creative endeavor and rebrand as PLOT TWIST, a nod to a significant turning point in my life.
PLOT TWIST remains in a constant state of evolution, incorporating new skills like sewing and embroidery, and introducing new pieces such as jackets and sweatpants. This brand embodies the freedom to create without constraints. I can make whatever I want, without expectations. I struggle with adhering to “rules,” but I’m great at breaking away from conformity.
Exciting developments are unfolding, including a special collaboration with the incredibly talented tattoo artist @theangelrose. In college, we made many short films together. Almost a decade later, our creative forces are joining once again. Working with Angel, whose art is vastly different from mine, has been a dope experience. This collaboration shows anything can happen within the world of PLOT TWIST.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Resilience, curiosity, and maintaining humility. Recognizing that I am starting from the ground up, I emphasize the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges. Curiosity fuels my desire to learn and explore new avenues. Additionally, humility is crucial as I navigate my journey, acknowledging that I know nothing.
I have been practicing the YOLO mentality for a while now, embodying the ‘no fux, just do it’ mindset. It allows me to take risks without overthinking and trust my instincts without getting bogged down by considerations like market trends and what I think people might buy. Trusting my gut and pretty much just winging it has played a significant role in getting me this far.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I love collaborating with different creatives, so I’m always down. It’s so cool to combine different brains with distinct styles and skills, as it usually results in the creation of something entirely new and unprecedented. My ideal collaborator should be eager to push boundaries and share the same YOLO mentality. I enjoy collaborating not only with those in the ‘fashion’ world but also with artists in other mediums such as musicians and creative directors, etc. If you’re down to collab, slide into my DMs on IG. @plot.twist.la
Contact Info:
- Website: www.plottwistla.com
- Instagram: @plot.twist.la @nataliefrank_
Image Credits
JOAQUIM ADRIÀ PUJOL
