Catching Up With Category-Defying Artist Bess NYC

Doug Abraham aka Bess NYC is an artist whose DIY (and often dirrty) aesthetic has earned him a cult following on Instagram and beyond. Doug has also owned a buzzy clothing store in NYC for a minute now, but describes himself as a “non-industry identifying” kinda guy.

We caught up with the category-defying artist to talk about New York vibes and the promise of a sexy future.

Natalie Shukur: Where’s home? 
Doug Abraham: NYC.

What do you do?
Artist.

What do you love about New York?
Vibes.

Do you feel the city still supports/inspires creatives?
Dunno about supports but it’s a great place to disappear and a great vantage point to view the world from at the same time.

How do you feel about the future? 
I think the word future is sexy.

What are your thoughts on the current political/economic climate? 
It’s an oxymoron, right? Thought and the current political climate, haha! But seriously, I think it’s a mirror of where we’re at right now, so let’s look into it and wonder.

What’s the best/worst thing about the internet? 
Everything.

What technology could you not live without? 
See above and also coffee is important.

What invention do you wish existed? 
iPhone 8, 9 or 10.

What characteristics do you believe define your generation? 
I’m non-generational identifying — transgenerational. And, more specifically, I do not identify with any peer group category: age, gender, race, religion, geography, etc.

What characteristics do you believe define the current youth generation?   
Chronological youngness.

If you could change one thing about your industry what would it be and why? 
I’m non-industry identifying — transindustrial.

What do you hope humans will achieve within the next 50 years? 
The promise of a sexy future.

Who do you think is changing the game?  
Me, duh.

What do we need more/less of tomorrow? 
More today, less tomorrow.