A Day In The Life

A Day In The Life With Local Icons + TikTok Stars, Ginger And Carman

It’s easy to see why the Internet has fallen in love with content creators and friends Ginger and Carman. They might not look like the stereotypical kind of ‘influencers’ we’re used to seeing online, but that’s exactly why they’ve captured a huge following of 347,700 fans on TikTok, who are obsessed with their colourful outfits, unmatched energy and daily ‘escapades’ around Melbourne!

Whether they’re dancing at bars (like no one’s watching) or sharing their vintage looks from the streets of Fitzroy, Ginger and Carman’s content is all about ‘finding the vibe’ and ‘owning it’ – no matter your age.

They’re living their best lives, and we’re here for it!

Written
by
Christina Karras

Meet dynamic duo Ginger (left) and Carman (right). Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

The pair met when their daughters were both still in school, and have been partners in crime ever since! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

As Melbourne locals, they’re always hanging out at the beloved cafes of the inner north, like Bell Street! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

They say they usually find inspiration for their content with ‘either a great song or an outfit or an amazing backdrop’. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

‘But in a world of spontaneous escapades, not much future planning is done! We tend to vibe in the moment and respond to the zeitgeist when the mood takes us,’ Ginger says. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

‘Planning sessions always include random brainstorming, but never too much goal setting. We’ve done enough of that all our lives. This time in our lives is for spontaneous outbursts that feed our souls. But the thought of a TV series or writing a book has entered the G&C mind bubble!’ Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

They’ve made Melbourne’s colourful alleyways and graffiti-printed walls their own personal stage! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Carman’s become the master of their free-flowing, quirky angles. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Writer
Christina Karras
1st of February 2023

‘If this isn’t us in 30 years, I don’t want it!’, is one of the most frequent comments on Melbourne content creators Ginger and Carman’s videos. The two women, who started sharing their alter egos’ everyday adventures online in 2019, have become Internet icons with a diverse audience that admires them in more ways than one.

Ginger and Carman became friends through their kids, who went to school together. And on a girl’s trip to Paris, they realised they both shared a love of ‘not making plans’, and the freedom it brought them – away from the structure of their busy careers and family lives.

‘We had so much fun getting side tracked and finding the vibe (which is what we now call our ‘escapades’), so we started documenting it,’ Carman says. A few years on, and their viral TikToks of vintage shopping trips, street-style fashion shows, and quirky dancing in graffiti-filled laneways have earned them more than 8.5 million likes on the app.

‘The reactions have been varied from “who do you think you are… teenagers?” to “how fabulous are you two women, you’re so inspirational”,’ Ginger says. ‘We chose to focus on the [latter].’

‘We are connecting with a lot of amazing young people. It’s driven our purpose even more so and we’re realising how important it is to be the “elders” in the community. This intergenerational connection is happening through social media, which has been totally unexpected and very humbling.’

Before social media unlocked their new lives as online ‘vibe finders’, the pair held an impressive string of creative jobs – and they still work in their respective areas ‘when the right jobs come along’. Ginger’s been a model, actor, boutique owner and a stylist, while Carman’s a singer and interior designer!

‘We are just continuing being who we’ve always been, and evolving all at the same time,’ Carman explains. ‘We’ve always looked for the vibe, for the energy. We’ve always been a bit irreverent. Why with age does something have to stop?’

‘Our first hashtags were #repattern, #reemerge #reignite because we were highlighting the fact that women need to be aware of who they may have become. Look inside yourself and find out who you were before you had to be that someone. We all get lost in jobs, parenting and societal expectations at some point, but don’t ever let your inner child, your inner weird disappear.’

Beyond their authentic sense of style and inspiring confidence, they’re also showing that friendship (and the type of fun you can have together) can start at any age – their recent trip to Beyond The Valley music festival, is perfect proof.

‘We think the younger community see their future in us somehow,’ Ginger says. ‘There is a sense of promise and hope that growing up is not all dull and boring.’

See what a typical day in their lives looks like below!

Vintage shopping is one of the pair’s favourite ‘escapade’-related activities, and are regulars at Hoard Couture’s corner of the Lost and Found Market in Fitzroy! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Ginger and Carman are also passionate about ‘fused fashion’ over fast fashion, which is why they love vintage. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

‘There are so many beautiful vintage and pre-loved clothes waiting for a new story. And when you buy new, buy well and wear it often,’ Ginger says. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

With looks like this, it’s easy to see why people stop them in the store to tell them how amazing they look! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

You’ll often find the friends reviewing footage with a cocktail in hand at Amarillo Fitzroy after capturing some content. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Ginger and Carman’s advice for anyone looking to channel a bit of their sparkle is to ‘turn up the music loud!’, take risks when dressing up, or ‘to go sit in a restaurant by yourself without the phone!’ Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

‘Do anything to shift you out of your comfort zone,’ Carman says. ‘It will feel fantastic!’ Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

First Thing

C: I always start the day off with a double latte at home, then gym or a walk. My head takes a while to configure so I always organise any pressing deadlines for the afternoon. I don’t listen to any music in the morning. As a singer I can find it distracting to engage mindfulness. I listen to the world outside and read the energy.

G: I’m lucky enough not to have to wake to an alarm most mornings, but rather let daylight gently bring me back to the world. Ginger tea slowly fires my brain and body to the next task which is either a skipping session on my balcony or running intervals along the river parkland. Some mornings it’s more of a challenge as I’m a self-confessed night owl!

Morning

C: My work is sporadic so there is no real routine. The wonderful thing about a freelance life is the word ‘free’.

G: The morning routine after exercise can be a bit chaotic depending on what type of work is on the agenda but always involves a good self-love sesh of skin care, and some form of meditation. Some mornings it might just be focusing on the birdsong which I love.

Socials and emails need to be checked up on while I brew a crackin’ strong coffee and last but not least, select some tunes to get my creative vibe going. Often by late morning Carman and I have connected to talk our latest job details.

Lunchtime

C: I always have lunch at home and mostly some sort of version of a poke bowl depending on the contents of the fridge.

G: Brunch is where it’s at for me and I try to eat a selection of organic food at home. If I’m out running around you can often find me at one of the delightful Hare Krishna eateries.

Afternoon

C: Generally by this time the creative juices are flowing. Ginger and I have almost certainly had meetings on the phone, checking in with each other’s mood and vibe setting. Anything is possible afterwards.

G: The afternoons are mostly dedicated to shooting somewhere. Wardrobe has been discussed and selected and a location has (kinda) been chosen. We are usually spontaneous when it comes to shooting our own content which often turns into an escapade. Yes, we do have too much fun somedays!

Evening

C: If there is a shoot going on we try and capture the magic of the golden hour, weather dependant of course. We have been known to cancel shoots because Melbourne’s ‘four seasons in one day’ has reared its ugly head! A shoot usually involves an apperitivo somewhere or maybe a late night snack to look at footage.

G: Carman and I both prioritise dusk light for our content creation, so the late afternoons seem to be where our sweet spot is. If we have an event to go to, we will grab a bite somewhere, alternatively it’s home for a meal or out with friends.

Last Thing

C: Sometimes we end up at Gertrude Hotel or Rooks Return for a dance! Otherwise, my husband and I head out locally or catch an episode of something.

G: I’m single these days after being married for a long time, so I’m enjoying my newfound freedom and spontaneity! Later in the evenings, Carman and I have definitely been known to find ourselves out at a bar until closing time for a mid-week soiree. I am constantly amazed at how these days and evenings out around Melbourne, have led us both to meet such wonderful people with interesting stories, which has in turn, inspired much of our work and creativity. It’s a never-ending cycle!

Follow Ginger and Carman on Instagram here.

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