Well let's introduce Ashley Roberts, owner of Whipology 101.Com.
Gebre Mesquitta: How did you come to love cars?
Whipology OneoOne:
I grew up 'round my father who worked on cars and i just always loved cars.
Gebre Mesquitta: Cool! What did you learn?
Whipology OneoOne: A lot! That you have the power to change something that was made to be one way. In other words you can custom fit your car just for you!
Gebre Mesquitta: Oh ok great! What did you like about the cars? The exterior styling? The interior styling? How the car worked?
Whipology OneoOne: All, I love the motor! It's the strength that takes you any were you want to go. Just like we all have a brain, and it can give us images, but if we never line it up with our feet we can make that dream a reality. And that's what a motor is to me!
Gebre Mesquitta: I love the way you describe this! LOVE IT!
Whipology OneoOne: Lol thanks.
Gebre Mesquitta: Have you ever been to a car show? Like an official car show? For example, the North American International Auto Show? Or, the Detroit International Auto Show? If so, define a nice car in your point of view...for example when you see one that you like. Do you have an "OMG" moment?
Whipology OneoOne: When I see a car that is off the scale (extremely beautiful in design), I get goose bumps. It's like I feel in love all over again. I have never been to an official car show, but it's in the future plans to attend a few. The thing that makes a car, to me, is the driver. If he takes pride in his car, then he or she has a nice car, LOL! But the true "OMG" moment is when i see a classic that has been restored, and it has the original color matched and the original interior, with some classic white wall tires. I like big rims but original never fails.
Gebre Mesquitta: Wow!
Whipology OneoOne: Why?
Gebre Mesquitta: Do you know about any female automotive designers? What do you believe a woman's attitude to cars is in general?
Whipology OneoOne: A lot of women like the men that are driving the car, lol. But I don't know of any women designers yet, I hope to rub elbows with them soon. The car community is changing vastly, it has opened the door for a lot of women to hang with the big boys ( car clubs) and mark a territory in the community.
Gebre Mesquitta: Are you a fashionista? Do you like to dress fashionably? What type of car do you own? Can you see your car as an extension of who you are and/or what you wear?
Whipology OneoOne: I am a low-key type person. I can pull the cat out the bag sometimes. I have a lot of shoes and clothes that doesn't reflect what I drive. I currently drive a caddy (Cadillac). With the economy I want to go smaller, like 2013 Altima or Camry, something in that ave. (avenue - direction). But I think I can be a Fashionista at times :)
Gebre Mesquitta: When you go to these urban car shows, what do you wear?
Whipology OneoOne: Black shoes and jeans. Bug spray and sun block lol. I don't go out to impress anyone, it is usually in a field with dirt and bugs, so I go comfy (comfortable) just in case something pops off. lmbo jk.
lmbo
Gebre Mesquitta: If you got to an official car show, what do you think you'd wear? Would you dress as if you were going on a date?
Whipology OneoOne: Idk,(I don't know) I would more than likely have several options to chose from, with 25 pair of shoes! No heels, that will be too much walking to do so in heels.
Gebre Mesquitta: Even beyond the shoe types....like what wear, as in clothes? Evening dress? Jeans?
Whipology OneoOne: Old navy, vintage, dressy, casual, it varies with what I feel. Dress... I do a lot of sundress in the summer but I'm a must-have dress girl.
Gebre Mesquitta: Do you read car magazines, such as Motor Trend or Car and Driver? What do you think when you see car magazines on a stand at a store (if you have ever seen them)?
Whipology OneoOne: They are for people who do expensive mod's (modifications). They do not focus on the other spectrum of the car inddustry (blk PPL) but I like them, they are very informative, and they give you some thing to look forward to.
Gebre Mesquitta: Do you know about Dub Magazine?
Whipology OneoOne: Yes
Gebre Mesquitta: What do you think about Dub Magazine? It's more urban than the rest...?
WhipoloOneoOne: Dub is a lot more urban...similar to Rides magazine.
Gebre Mesquitta: How would you rate most female drivers compared to men? Do you drive fast? Have you ever driven an SUV? What's the feel when you're driving one? Do you feel a bit of testosterone?
Whipology OneoOne: You feel in control, I"ve had several tickets (paid them all). But I feel in control and that's a lot of steel to control!
Gebre Mesquitta: This is the very last question, I forgot! Are you familiar with the word donk? Do you know the origin?
Whipology OneoOne: Yes, I think it's a 73-76 Chevrolet...can't remember, but every car is not a donk, lol.
Gebre Mesquitta: It's a style that began in Miami (in Florida), and it refers to the large rims. It is also a slang term derived from African American males describing the vivacious curves of African American females' derriere. Are you aware of that?
Whipology OneoOne: No
Gebre Mesquitta: Wow! Really?
Whipology OneoOne: First time hearing that.
Gebre Mesquitta: I'll be doing an article on it for my blog soon...been working on it for a while.
Whipology OneoOne: Ok, I can't wait to read it.
Gebre Mesquitta: Thanks for answering my many questions.
Whipology OneoOne: Ok thanks you're welcome
Well for us at the SeraniTafari Street Team, this was a highly insightful interview, and we received new ammunition for integration with our perspective on car design. To deviate a little, I remember once, when I was back in college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I had taken a girl that I had a crush on to an auto show, the Philadelphia International Auto Show. It was kind of like a date - maybe - but also, an introduction to my world of the ultimate in guy-dom: cars! Cars, cars, and more cars. Sexy, splendid, sensual metal sculpture that moved on wheels. Now, the girl I was with, had never been to an auto show before, and I was really excited to take her there. I couldn't wait to see what the effects of being surrounded by automotive "candyland" would invoke in a girl. I remember this high point, I brought her besides a gleaming chrome Subaru concept car and she became stricken - mouth agape and all! She almost passed out! BTW, no, she had a cargasm :D! That car got it in! (Hahahahaha)
- Gebre Mesquitta