Creepy Gals’ Guide to Lovecore
When it comes to the lovecore aesthetic, nobody is more dedicated – or does it better – than Linda Chen, the brains behind the sexy, fantastical universe of Creepy Gals. She self-describes as a “one bimbo operation based in the deep seedy underbelly of sunny Los Angeles, California” and her work spans mediums from clothing to installations.
In a digital environment where the algorithm is constantly outpacing us all, Linda’s unwavering, year-round dedication to her pink ‘n’ red Valentine’s aesthetic – inspired by everything from classic movies to fetish illustration – is a testament to sticking to what you love even when everything around you is always changing. Here, she outlines her dedication to lovecore, lets us in on some of her biggest creative influences, and discusses staying true to what you love.
Mix your inspirations…
One glance at the Creepy Gals website or social media presence is a full immersion into a loved-up world that is all their own, where heart-shaped chocolate boxes and the lurid neon of peep shows go hand in hand, as Linda explains. “Vintage Valentine cards are really what started my love for my color palette. They look so pretty and I love the cheeky humor and kitschy character designs. Betty Boop has definitely informed my illustration style as well. A gaudy love motel aesthetic really does something to me. Heart-shaped hotels, frilly pink satin covers, and bows... I love the trash of it all,” she muses.
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“On the other side of the spectrum, I’m inspired by smut and anything metal,” Linda adds, citing fetish illustrators Eric Stanton and Gene Bilbrew. “I’m also a sucker for smutty elements like spiked collars, latex, piercings, and the tallest stripper heels that will stomp you out,” she says. Elsewhere, she tells us, “Films are one of the main inspirations for my art, in terms of aesthetics, characters, attitude, and humour: Female Trouble, Faster Pussy Cat Kill! Kill!, She Devil, But I’m a Cheerleader, Heathers, Spice World, Edward Scissorhands, Hellraiser, and Elvira Mistress of the Dark, to name a few.
“Create what makes you feel the most”
While TikTok “cores” seem to make every internet dweller with a smartphone believe that their chosen aesthetic needs to change constantly, Linda advocates for sticking only to what moves you. She has been loyal to the “lovecore” vibe for years, since before it was a glint in an Insta reel-maker’s eye, and says, “It’s the aesthetic that makes me feel the most happy. It’s as simple as that. Create what makes you feel the most. I look at anything in the Valentine palette and I just feel a flutter in my heart. It’s like I fall in love every time. My feelings for pink and red have not waned since I started incorporating them into my world in 2016 and I don’t see myself straying anytime soon. I’m committed for life!”
View everything through your own lens and expand your vision widely
“It’s like I’m seeing life through Creepy Gals glasses,” Linda says of the way she moves through the world. She finds inspiration everywhere she can: “Everything I see from everyday objects, a space, a character from a movie, I'm like, ‘that would look so cute in my world.’ It’s easy to visualize what I want to create.”
Those creations are never just limited to one mode of expression either – Linda is passionate about broadening Creepy Gals out as far as possible. “One of the best aspects of developing a distinctive style is that it opens up explorations across different artistic mediums,” she says. “I started Creepy Gals as primarily an illustrator, but my desire to expand beyond the paper birthed a fully immersive world.
“It all starts with an illustration,” she explains. “As characters take shape, it’s only natural to want to see them in motion, which propels me to animate them. Once the character comes alive, my subsequent desire is to transform them into a three-dimensional form that I can touch and feel, prompting me to create toys or sculptures. Then the urge emerges to embody the character myself, leading to Creepy Gals drag.”
The vision doesn’t stop there, however. “I yearn to manifest the physical spaces that my characters inhabit,” Linda says, which leads to “the creation of immersive art installations that become the very backdrop for their existence.” All of this would get a little lonely, however, without the Creepy Gals community: “I extend an invitation to others to join me, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the Creepy Gals fantasy and become a character in my world. Each new idea and creation builds on each other expanding the Creepy Gals universe,” Linda says.
Don’t let the algorithm define you
Creepy Gals has had its fair share of difficulties with online platforms: “ I’ve had times where my posts were flagged for guideline issues and my account was shadowbanned. It’s a terrible spot to be in as an artist that relies on the platform for a living,” she says. “God forbid I draw a nipple or show too much butt – it becomes too risqué for Instagram. Unfortunately I have to be a little more tame on Instagram and TikTok just so I don’t put myself in the position to get banned,” she explains. And while Linda sometimes has to pare back the Creepy Gals content so that she is able to maintain her platform, she’s still dedicated to making her art the way she wants to: “I love drawing big boobs and booties,” she enthuses. “Exaggerating features of my characters is what I do best. I love the camp and drama of it!”
Photography: Carianne Older | Featuring: Creepy Gals Linda | Stylist: Ivory Woods
