"I make clothes and I believe in girl power," says Sex + Ice Cream's founder Nicole Leth. Photo: Sex + Ice Cream
Heartbreak sucks. Being ghosted is the worst. But with time and distance, you can turn this truly crappy human experience into something empowering – even entrepreneurial. Just ask Nicole Leth.
Leth dealt with her first big break-up when she was 18. The heartbreaker was an older "punk bad boy skater" from her Catholic high school who she'd long had a crush on. Her first love.
After four months, this cool dude sk8er boi ghosted her, without a word and without returning any of her messages. A week went by and she eventually saw him out with a new flame, at the same coffee shop they had their first date. Leth, understandably devastated, only got closure via a text: "I just don't like you and I'm with this other girl now."
Ouch.
"I just thought he was the coolest, hottest guy ever," Leth told Mic.
Don't worry, Nicole. We've ALL been there
But instead of going for a spontaneous tattoo or crazy dye job, she took that banged-up heart of hers and turned it into some kick-ass clothes.
A student at the Kansas City Art Institute, Leth channelled the heartbreak into art — sartorial art. Though she wasn't studying fashion, she found herself experimenting with materials and soon had a vision to create a clothing line that would not only give her an emotional outlet, but would empower other young women like herself.
Her name for the label? 'Sex + Ice Cream', which is in itself a reference to her first relationship.
"Every time we'd have sex, we'd eat a pint of ice cream after," said Leth. Working through her post-break-up feelings, she wanted to take ownership of this one aspect of the relationship. A sartorial 'SCREW U', of sorts.
"I kept thinking about that one thing: I needed to name my brand something, a shout-out to him. But I wanted it to be me taking ownership of that idea and saying no, sex and ice cream is something that is mine, and I can have it all on my own. Now it's just something that I think of in an empowering way."
The collection includes candy-coloured dresses printed with hearts, clouds, cacti and slogans like "Clothes Before Bros," "GRL PWR," and a headstone motif sporting the message "In Memory Of When I Cared."
Her latest collection titled 'Internet Crush' features many an illustrative homage to Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé and Drake, whose music was her post-breakup, piecing-it-back-together soundtrack.
Of course, there's a certain vulnerability to using breakups as source material. But Leth, like many millennials, isn't afraid to share her experiences – from boy troubles to her struggles with self-esteem – to connect with others.
Leth also leads self-empowerment workshops and talks to young women in her hometown about confidence and body-positivity, inviting them to channel their inner Nickis and Beyoncés when letting go of those who've done them wrong.
The take away message? You, too, will see this pain through and make it the source of your strength.
