About A Babe: Valentina Ruby

If you've been watching the VM Insta at all, you've seen the beautiful alien princess who has abducted our hearts, Valentina Ruby. This babe spent the day soaking up a little preview of the summer sunshine in our new metal bikini tops (now available for pre-order!) and giving a glimpse of the personality behind those eyes so blue and dimples as deep as every pool we want to skinny dip in. All photos taken by Babe #2, Daria Kobayashi Ritch (see more of her at http://www.dkrphotography.com/), whose work we've lusted over in mags like Oyster, i-D, Live FAST, and Nylon. Daria's photos communicate a feeling that is the epitome of a cool carefree girl, dreamy and effortless, but entirely earnest. Catch the vibes below to hold you over until summer finally hits!

Spring is here! And the warm weather makes us want to live it up a little more! If you could take a break and go and do anything, what would you do?

I'd probably be spending most of my time at the beach!

As a model what inspires you the most when you are working with someone on a job?

If they have good energy!

We dressed you up in our new metal bikinis and cool vintage and walked you around the streets of Highland Park. How would you wear & style these metal bikinis in your real life?

I'd also style them with vintage! All my clothes are from thrift stores or vintage shops!

What’s your best advice to girls this Spring about life? What do you think is a great way of living it?

Eat well, spend time in the sunshine, pick flowers! Spring is such a beautiful time of year, enjoy it :)

Video: Fashion Summer Camp - Spring 2016 Collection

Spring our most favorite time of year! ~ Chinese food in the grass, dancing from morning till night, lazy beautiful days, stars in your head, howling at the moon, laying in the desert, toes in the ocean, dipping in your friends back yard pool! ~ It is everything.

Model: Pyper America
Styling: Donna Lisa
Make-up: Stacey Tan
Hair: Luke Chamberlain
Shot and Edited by: Shalon Goss

About A Babe: Tati Compton

I was super excited to meet this beauty from London and have some of her work on me. During our visit we talked about LA being an apocalyptic wasteland. Non-monogamous relationships. And how cows are the main contributing factor to the depletion of the Ozone Layer. Needless to say I enjoyed our conversation and could have talked to her for hours. A real type of person. No facade, fully herself. My kinda girl. It was quite a beautiful feeling watching her hand draw the piece on me. I could feel her light up when I took the last look at it before we began tattooing. I love seeing when an artist truly loves what they do. Thank you Tati!

How would you describe your style of tattooing? 

Handpoked. 

 Why do you think people respond the way they do to your work? 

I think they're attracted to the unique organic style of hand poking. 

Tati is wearing the Angel White Choker

 Your work is beautiful, very other worldly and feels real magical. What makes you happy in what you do? 

Being able to visualize and create designs for people that they've envisioned but not known how to go about it. 

 How would you describe yourself to someone you really wanted to impress?

I don't really care about impressing people. The type of people that impress me are humble and hard working. I'm usually unimpressed by attention seekers. 

What do you think about Fashion? 

I think it's generally quite vain and and useless. Style is a different matter. 

What did you like about Vanessa’s jewelry pieces you now own?

I love how they're reminiscent of tribal pieces and a perfect blend of vintage with new.

You seem like a passionate & truthful person. Why do you think you are that way?

Probably from a mix of my genetics and experiences.

 Who are some of your favorite girl friend/muses and why? 

All of my muses are unknown females (usually nude) depicted in old photographs whom I can't actually speak to or touch. They'll stay the same in that photo for as long as the photo is around. 

 If you could inspire your friends or the girls of this world, what would you say to them right this minute? 

Think upon the possibilities that could come from unlearning everything you've been taught.

Photographs by: Daria Kobayashi Ritch