Stand-up comics possess a unique kind of fearlessness that many of us aspire to. They get up on the stage and make other people laugh. & Other Stories wanted to showcase their latest holiday collection in that light. The & Other Stories woman might not take the stage every night, but she is still as brave as Aparna Nancherla and Jen Kirkman.
The funny female duo took part in an off- stage campaign at the El Portal Theater one of LA’s iconic theaters in the heart of the city’s Art District. The three-minute video is titled “A Backstage Story” and it is like being invited to see what happens before the curtains are raised. Aparna Nancherla and Jen Kirkman meet for the first time before the show, and they instantly hit it off and are supporting and rallying for each other.
The story is whimsical, light and very real. It is a celebration of silliness, sparkles, struggles and sisterhood. This campaign feels like spending the evening with your BFFs, laughing and telling stories while sipping on hot cocoa.
Aparna and Jen getting read. Image courtesy of & Other Stories
& Other Stories is a female-driven brand that is committed to empowering women. Women in comedy have always paved the way for the rest of us. It is in their job description. They stand up and they talk. And their voices have always been unafraid and unfiltered.
They get into politics, women’s issues, rights and even the mundane such as who does the laundry at home. And because it is all packaged in laughter, the point gets across. In today’s world we need them more than ever. The collaboration is a salute to their stories and all of ours.
Aparna understands her role in changing the status quo. “Fighting apathy is one of the best things comedy can do, by introducing people to new ideas in a more accessible, less threatening way. I think true equality comes when anyone can talk about their actual experiences onstage,” she said.
Jen Kirkman and Aparna Nancherl are at the forefront of a movement and are part of the great wave of women who are revolutionizing contemporary comedy and creating a shift in today’s society by bringing a set of fresh voices to the comedy scene. Women who are slowly, surely, and calmly challenging the world and making it better for themselves, other women and everyone else.
Aparna Nancherla on stage in a sequined suit by & Other Stories. Image courtesy of & Other Stories
And while women comedians often make fun of themselves and others when it comes to clothing, they also understand how important their look is.
“The look from today that I would most wear on stage is the black satin suit with the black and white stars shirt. A part of my onstage persona is my clothing – it makes me feel so connected and proud when women tell me that my fearlessness in the way I dress makes them want to dress for themselves instead of someone else,” says Jen Kirkman.
She has penned a bestselling memoir and has two highly watched and loved solo shows on Netflix. She understands that her style is part of her personal brand. The suit is beautiful, the way it shimmers and catches the light while you move will make you stand out in any room.
& Other Stories wanted Jen and Aparna to highlight both the glamour and the anti-glamour of the holiday season in a 3-minute film titled “Stand Up and Stand Out” and some other short clips. Jen gets candid about her mother’s lipstick from the 1970’s and Aparna tells us why she loves jumpsuits and how they can also be problematic. They also talk about dressing pets. It is an endearing video.
Dressed in & Other Stories. Image courtesy of & Other Stories
The & Other Stories celebration collection stands out as being fun and an invitation to women to express themselves as fearlessly as the two beloved comedy stars. Regardless of how you prefer to express yourself there is an outfit for you. From effeminate fringed frocks, sleek tuxedo-inspired ensembles, powerful glitzy dresses and a sparkly full-on-sequin suit. All of the pieces are sleek, beautiful and flattering.
Follow in the footsteps of these amazing women and create a look for yourself this season that will inspire you to find and use your voice for yourself and your sisters. Find Aparna and Jen’s collaboration in stores starting from Thursday December the 6th. For more information and news on & Other Stories, follow @andotherstories, #andotherstories , #storieskuwait on Instagram.
Featured image courtesy of & Other Stories.
