Pink Hair = Success: Gala Darling
In junior high, I wanted pink hair. Actually, maybe wanted isn’t the right word. I was more or less obsessed with having pink hair, and basically anything pink in general.
However, my mother – who let me get my tongue pierced at 14 – thought that Bubblicious-colored locks were just too radical for my upper-middle class suburban town. So I reluctantly settled for a bright, Ronald McDonald shade of red and completely embarrassed myself for the rest of 8th grade.
But my obsession with pink hair – and every girl I ever encountered sporting it – never ended.
So when I stumbled upon this website, created by a tattooed beauty who at the time of my discovery donned the exact shade of pink hair I so longed for in my wannabe punk rocker days, I developed my first-ever girl crush. Not to mention the fact that I was insanely jealous of not only her looks, but her success.
Gala Darling, the writer and sole creator of iCiNG, deemed “a tattooed Miss Manners with pink hair” here and “a local yet globehopping fashion genius” here is exactly what I would be today….if my mother hadn’t crushed my poor little teenage heart almost 7 years ago.
Except Miss Darling is from New Zealand, is much more insightful, and probably has better hair than I could have ever dreamed of pulling off with some Manic Panic and my 8th grade friends’ “kewl hair skillz.”
iCiNG started as a fashion blog back in December 2006 with Gala’s first article, the aptly titled, Fashion Help for Recovering Goths. However, since then the site has grown and Gala blogs about everything from How To Deal With The End of a Relationship, to How To Dress Like Edie Sedgwick to 50 Ways To Rescue The Worst Day Ever. Plus, she takes amazing pictures of her daily outfits.
Her stuff is essential reading for college women everywhere – and doesn’t make you feel like a complete waste of life, the way you do after spending, say, three hours looking at scribbled-on photos.
Two years later, iCiNG is Miss Darling’s full-time job, and I, as a girl who recently switched her major to English (which pretty much has “I’m-never-going-to-find-a-job-besides-teaching-
annoying-high-school-kids” written all over it), find it pretty damn comforting to know that it’s possible to make a living being hot, wearing sweet clothes and telling other people how to live their lives.
Oh yeah, and baking cupcakes. Seriously.
Basically, what I’m trying to get at here is that this girl is freakin’ awesome. And that anybody, even people with crazy, ridiculously-colored hair, can turn out okay. Hell, more than okay. They can become successful, well-adjusted adults and maybe even make a nice wad of change in the process. Check out some of the pictures of Darling’s pad -the iCiNG bowl as she calls it – breathtaking!
Hear that, Ma?
I think it’s important that we all remember that success can be achieved in many different ways. Even though we are spending 4+ years slaving away in college to earn a degree to get us a job, we can be happy with or without the traditional 9-to-5 desk job. We have it so drilled into our little brains that we have to work on someone else’s time clock, in someone else’s office, for someone else, that I think we lose some of that adventurous, rebellious 8th grade part of ourselves. And Miss Darling is the perfect reminder that you don’t have to fit into a certain mold to be successful, glamorous and make lots and lots of cash.
Just remember that anything is possible with a little determination, self-confidence and impeccable style.
Oh, and seriously….the pink hair couldn’t hurt.
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Elise says:
Sun, 17th Feb 200811:40 am
Seconded. Oh my gosh I freaking love her.
Juls says:
Sat, 10th May 20085:58 pm
OMG! I totally agree, she's great!
Her emails are just sweet and her articles are very helpful.
Jacinta says:
Sun, 3rd May 20098:01 pm
Gala is fantastic, her advice articles always come at just the right time, i find myself going through her archives to find advice for whatever I need, whether it be makeup, CV's, confidence or whatever! Shes a freakin' genius.
http://www.justjacinta.blogspot.com
Rem says:
Fri, 29th May 200912:37 pm
Gala is the only child of rich parents. There is a video that shows her parents’ house and they are loaded. Also, she mentioned on livejournal her mom taking her on thousand dollar shopping spree.
No offense to Gala Darling, she doe a good job on her blog, but point should be made that she doesn’t make all the money she spends on her fabulous New York lifestyle from blogging. Not possible from adsense and a few ads alone.
jamia says:
Thu, 4th Jun 200912:30 pm
I cannot stand her, personally. she is sickeningly narcisstic.
her hair isn't all that great, there are other prettier girls online with kooky hair, piercings that are actually all that and then some, .
it's obvious that she has money, doesn't work and is in love with getting attention. seriously, every other post is her and her clothes, which are okay, but a little childish.
there is nothing subtle, or intelligent about her. i know i sould like a troll but she just seems to freeload/coast through life asking people for things [like tickets for events] and getting given stuff by companies. and she overshares enough to make you think is there any depth to her life at all?
Mary says:
Mon, 15th Jun 20098:28 pm
I am glad I am not the only one who finds Gala Darling to be a vapid WASTE OF SPACE. All her Twitter posts are about shopping! going to spa! travel! omg now i have to "work" and put up an outfit post!
I find it offensive that Gala Darling MISLEADS her fangirls into thinking they can live the ooh-la-la life if they have a monetized blog. I work in tech and I know for a FACT that she doesn't make enough from her blog to pay RENT in her swank New York apartment. Look at Jane of Seaofshoes and Hanna Beth: they don't pretend that they're not from money and I respect them for that.
Gala Darling falsely claims to be a "successful problogger" and "independent entrepreneur." I find her disgusting.
July says:
Tue, 16th Jun 20098:12 am
glad that others think the same way i do. i mean, come on.. its so obvious that one cannot afford the life she seems to live from a stupid blog. i always wondered how she pays the bills, and the most logical explanation is – parents. and theres NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING cool about being pampered and stuffed with money from your parents. its embarassing regarding her age. i think she has no idea what real work means and i have no idea why i should respect such a person. go out, check the real life, youll find SO MANY gorgeous women, probably with pink or red or blue or striped hair, that are working really hard! respect to them! but not to such an obvious loser like gala darling.
Alyssa says:
Tue, 16th Jun 20096:15 pm
gala darling is laughably immature and deluded. poor thing, running away with a boy and 'struggling' until she started a blog and suddenly she's making 'mad bling' and so can you!!!!!
real story: Gala Darling tried slumming but realized that having a sales job and no parent money is *hard* so she took their money again and traveled around the world, went to Burning Man, discovered EFT and raw food and dyed her hair pink and started a blog!!! now she's fabulous!
A Die-Hard Fan says:
Thu, 30th Jul 20098:54 am
These comments are pretty ignorant.. why assume you know everything about someone based on what's available online? She does other writing besides iCiNG and what's really shocking is that you all seem to know her blog pretty well (ie. quoting "mad bling" and knowing her life story??) so if she "disgusts" you so much, why are you spending so much time reading her website?
The fact is, regardless of how much she earns, Gala has completely changed the lives of hundreds of women (including mine) through her blog, and if that makes her a "vapid waste of space" maybe she SHOULD just give it up and start trolling the interwebz spreading lameness & negativity like you winners.
Until you have your own success story, until you find happiness and until you have something meaningful and positive and USEFUL to add to the world, until you can truthfully say you've helped hundreds of people live a better life, shut the fork up.
Natalie says:
Mon, 3rd Aug 200911:30 pm
Her real name is Amy Paape and yes her parents provide nearly all the finances for her to maintain her so called playgirl life.
She is also a nasty person in real life and I say that from personal experience. "Gala" is shallow, selfish and a user. The only reason she has made a name for herself is because she got her boyfriend Si to pay for her to move to Melbourne (from NZ), her rent and expenses, paid for all her shopping sprees and also for all the website startup costs. Once she had used him for his money and had made enough contacts (after he paid for a trip for them to NY) over in the US she promptly left him and moved to NYC. When she realised she couldn't fund her lifestyle on her own mummy and daddy stepped in by sending her large amounts of money on a very regular basis.
Natalie says:
Mon, 3rd Aug 200911:31 pm
Her real name is Amy Paape and yes her parents provide nearly all the finances for her to maintain her so called playgirl life.
She is also a nasty person in real life and I say that from personal experience. "Gala" is shallow, selfish and a user. The only reason she has made a name for herself is because she got her boyfriend Si to pay for her to move to Melbourne (from NZ), her rent and expenses, paid for all her shopping sprees and also for all the website startup costs. Once she had used him for his money and had made enough contacts (after he paid for a trip for them to NY) over in the US she promptly left him and moved to NYC. When she realised she couldn't fund her lifestyle on her own, mummy and daddy stepped in by sending her large amounts of money on a very regular basis.
Curious says:
Tue, 4th Aug 20091:05 am
Natalie,
are you aware of the claims that Gala is a "high-class" hooker? She did mention on her personal blog that she flew to Canada to stay with a man that she never met before, and that something "happened" and she had to hurry back to the States. I remember when I first read it I didn't think much of it, but now with all of her lies being uncovered these past couple of days, it makes me wonder whether I've been following a fraud and a cheat. What do you make of all this? Do you know her from New Zealand? Did she wrong a few of her old friends there? Is that why she scurried to Australia?
Bexx says:
Mon, 24th Aug 20095:08 pm
Who cares about her personal life? I don't read 'a day in the life of gala' where her personal finances are on file, I read 'gala darling -definatly not dinner and a movie and other assorted posts that I find useful, inspiring and interesting' – if you have some personal vendetta against her then fine, but don't go spreadin that drama around the internet, its bitching behind someones back on a truely immense scale. Get a grip, get over it, find a website you enjoy and talk about how you prefer that for a valid reason.. Not because she has money from her parents and pink hair…
Noir--ee says:
Sat, 29th Aug 20095:24 pm
Fashion Genius? I think not? Do you see that picture? Odd combination that aren't pleasing to look at, really. It may be just my opinion, for those who will attack me for typing this.
christie says:
Mon, 7th Sep 20099:37 am
I used to wonder how she afforded her lifestyle, but you know what, who gives a shit? Do we really have nothing else to worry about? (helllooo healthcare in the U.S.) I mean, really? Whether she funds it herself or not, does it make her advice or articles any less helpful than they've been to thousands of people? or any of her philosophies any less valid?
I am by no means rich at all, and a very long time ago I stopped feeling resent for people who were able to slide by on their parents' money. Whether this is true about her or not, there are always going to be people who choose to do that, but it is no basis for discounting their views & opinions.
julie says:
Tue, 6th Oct 20091:59 am
She's a smart and inspirational girl who has helped and entertained hundreds of people through her blog. If you don't like her, stop reading it. It's disgusting to post rumors about prostitution and using her ex boyfriend. Shameful and disgusting. Leave her alone. She only writes positive things.
OSCURO says:
Sat, 17th Oct 20097:49 am
HATE?! hahaha I barely give it enough importance to -hate- I have free time, instead of wasting it on myspace facebook or twitter, I browse the web, make my own opinions and, most importantly SAY IT "hurr durr get a life" so, using my time on the internet creating my own opinions is not having a life, and, being struck in iCing facebook twatter and gayspace is?! seriously YOU get a life. Read, get your own opinions. Why do i careabout her? my girlfriend is a hardcore fan of this person, but she is deluded. Maybe success can be achieved the way she made it BUT (suposing it is possible) you are not going to make it, don't even try it. Rumors? It is not to make her image less serios, that would be a fallacie, it is not to get her name dirty, it is just to explain where all that stuff comes from. Why do you feel offended then? Because you want to become her. If we tell you that you need to manipulate your boyfriend and be a parasite, you won't like it and go all "hurr durr stop hatin' u jealous" it is not to offend you and not to hate her, it is to get your feet on the ground. "nnññghh then don't visit her website if you don't like it" I don't visit websites i don't like (as an example social websites, i prefer making my relationships outside the internet) I consider that site has good content, not great, but the only thing you need to have a successfull website is good content. My advice is, enjoy her website, look at her fashion stuff, but don't get deluded and try to become like her, don't try to live her fabulous life, and start living your own. I used to be an "addict" from the internet, and learnt ONE important thing. If you want advice, you can't get it online, you have to go outsde, make mistakes, LIVE!
In conclussion it is NOT hate, it is actually love towards her "fans" an attempt at telling them "please! don't be deluded"
Gellicious says:
Fri, 23rd Jul 20103:27 pm
Don't know anything about her parents, but can testify that she was *entirely* living off her boyfriend for the first few years. And that before her reinvention (and to people who knew her then), she was known as 'Mean' Amy. Yes really.
I wouldn't have brought that up, because that makes it understandable to want reinvent oneself, but – it seems like rather than going with any deep changes, by ignoring the past she's pretending a surface positivity, and continuing to be a user of people. Hopefully I'm wrong/she's continuing to change, despite setbacks.
I do appreciate that she tries to be nicer in her writing than she is in person (which still leaves something to be desired).
I also worry about going from 'cured of anorexia!' to -> 'Raw food!' just a short time later. I hope she's getting counseling with someone she doesn't feel like she needs to put a front on for.
Anyway, I do wish her the best.
Florence says:
Thu, 30th Sep 20109:08 am
You all have far too much time on your hands.
Shes sucessful. Its a con. Shes amazing. She isn't. She is.
WHO CARES?
Love if you will. Hate if you will.
LIVE AND LET LIVE PEOPLE.
there is no need for this much hate. The worlds depressing enough.
CHEER UP MY DEARS =)
NAME REQUIRED says:
Sun, 10th Oct 20103:58 pm
@Gellicious ahaha "MEAN AMY" thats hilarious.
Just exactly where did you get this information from?
I knew AMY (gala) before her website aswell and she never had that name. She had a boyfriend who probably supported what she wanted to do. But i dont think she held a gun to his head and forced him to pay for her until she got her feet on the ground.
There were quite a few old hags who disliked her for a bit because they were inlove with simon and jealous he picked Gala over them. but thats all the controversy is. just like an episode of the hills or something. completely dull.
these stories are entertaining though,
the funniest is call girl. i cant picture that at all.
i wish people would make shit about me. i wish i was that interesting haha!