FALL PREVIEW with
1NTERNET.GF
Devin, Valentina, and Lydia
To showcase our Fall Preview collection, we teamed up with @1nternet.gf, a collective Instagram account between 15 creators-turned-friends across North America. As the creators behind viral fit pics and lifestyle inspo for millions, they gave us the inside scoop on their friend group, love life, and mental health. Read our interview with Devin, Valentina, and Lydia of the girl gang below.
question Hi! Can you please introduce @1nternet.gf and the idea behind the account? How did it come about, how did you all become friends, when was it created?
Valentina: @1nternet.gf is a group of fifteen girlfriends, including myself, that
created a dump Instagram account together. Lydia created a group chat with all of us girls. Before I joined the group chat, I was friends with Lydia, Courtney, Devin, and Aden. We all became really close friends and talk every day over the phone. A lot of us live in different states or countries so we aren’t always able to see each other in person on a regular basis. I don’t remember who started the dump account but I believe it was Lucia. It was random and we didn’t expect it to get the traction it has so quickly. The first account got removed for whatever reason, so we started another and luckily we haven’t had any issues since.
Lydia: 1nternet.gf started because I noticed a big group of girls were supporting and commenting on the same girls’ pictures. I decided to put a group chat
together and we talked almost every day, got to know each other, and soon I added in more and more. Then a “dump account” for all of us became something we saw potential in and created.
question What was your favourite/funniest memory shooting together for our Fall Preview?
Valentina: I would definitely say my favorite memory was jumping in the lake with Lydia. I almost drowned laughing.
Devin: The time by the lake was the most funny moment. Watching Val and Lydia jump in because I was too scared of lake snakes was hilarious. It felt surreal and I was so grateful to be shooting with my close best friends. It felt like a dream.
question Why is it important to stay authentic and true to yourself, especially online?
Valentina: With a social media profile comes the power to display any version of yourself to the world. It is extremely easy to curate this image into whatever one views as “perfect”. I think people are starting to grow extremely tired of seeing this. I think it’s important to stay authentic and true to yourself to not lose sight of who you are, but also to not fall into the trap of striving to measure up to an alternate version of yourself that simply doesn’t exist. I also think people have started to take more of a liking to relatable creators.
Lydia: It’s important to stay true to yourself in general, especially online because social media is a representation of who you are. I notice that the people who are authentic with what they post do better in gaining supporters because people can see right through the screen.
question Do you have any advice for girls trying to navigate the dating scene in the post-pandemic world?
Valentina: To be quite honest, this is a tough question for me… I still get nervous simply ordering a coffee at my local coffee shop. I guess I would say to
continue focusing and building on yourself, and the new confidence and self-love you radiate will be noticed by people around you.
Devin: I would say to just go out there and have fun. Really get to know people and cherish every moment because what I learned especially post-pandemic is that social interaction, we took it for granted. Enjoy the people around you and truly love them.
Lydia: My advice for girls trying to navigate the dating scene is to stay true to yourself. Always ask yourself if he/she is putting in the same effort. Never change who you are.
question What struggles about mental health and body image would you like to normalize?
Valentina: Almost everyone deals with mental health and body image issues at one point or another. Discussions about mental health and body image need to be normalized. I think it’s extremely important to celebrate our differences in the media and in fashion, because it simply doesn’t make any sense for there to be one version of “beautiful”.
Devin: Mental health and body image is something we all struggle with. We have to build each other up and love one another. Sticking together is the best way to go through downs like that, and if we shame people for feeling down about their body, are we getting anywhere? Loving yourself and others is the best way.
question Can you share some tips on being confident in your skin and owning your true self?
Valentina: I used to be PAINFULLY shy… I still am sometimes. Surrounding yourself with people that don’t judge you for who you are and uplift you is extremely important. I also put in a lot of work as an individual to gain confidence. We all get this little voice in our heads that bullies or criticizes what we say or do. When I start to hear it, I try to shut it down.
Lydia: The best advice I’ve ever gotten about being confident is to write all your insecurities down, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you love those things about yourself. For example, if I hated my nose, I’d look at myself in the mirror and tell myself “your nose is beautiful,” it trains you to begin to love every single part of you.
question Do you have any tips on how not to let social media affect your mental health?
Devin: Do not compare yourself, and try to find the good in social media. Social media can bring us together, share love among each other and give us inspiration. When you find the good in it, you then forget about the negative. It is a platform to really bring us all together at the end of the day.
Lydia: I personally don’t have any notifications for any social media. I think that helps me stay off the app 24/7. I also only follow people I personally know or like for inspiration. The reason I do this is because before, I was beating myself up for not having a body like the Kardashians or top models. I’ve noticed that after I unfollowed everyone like that, I became way much happier.
question What do you love most about the community you all have built online through the 1nternet.gf account?
Valentina: All of the girls that engage with the account have been SO SO incredibly sweet. They often have similar interests to us and a lot of them really inspire me.
Devin: I love how the people who follow us really trust us. It makes us feel so loved and we really love everyone as well. I love how creative the community is. Seriously the most iconic people out there!
Lydia: My favorite thing we’ve created with Internet girlfriend is the support I get from these girls. They are always giving and asking for advice and I think it’s beautiful that we have each other’s backs.
question How do you celebrate Pride all year round?
Valentina: It took me a really long time to feel comfortable even discussing my sexuality, because I used to carry a lot of shame liking girls and boys. I am much more open about it now and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer fairness. Although society has become more accepting towards the LGBTQ+ community, there is still SO much more work that needs to be done.
Devin: I always share my love to everyone and find the beauty in all different types of people. Day in and day out!
question What traits do you value in your friendships and romantic relationships?
Valentina: Communication is a huge thing for me with both friendships and romantic relationships. It’s really essential to be able to discuss your feelings to maintain healthy, happy relationships.
Devin: I value honesty and loyalty. People who are genuine and really stick by your side are the best type of people.
question What’s next for the 1nternet.gf? Are there any goals are you currently working towards?
Valentina: We have some fun shoots and other exciting projects that are still in the works. Excited to share with everyone when we can ;)
Devin: We have some exciting things coming up! We are now starting to work with more brands and really be able to share all the love we have to even more people. It truly is amazing and I am so grateful for what is in store for all of us as a group in the future.
Lydia: The next thing for 1nternet.gf is to go on a trip with all the girls.
