We Asked Young Creatives Their Hopes and Dreams for 2017

With the woes of 2016 finally (and hopefully) being put to rest, we look to the future and discover the hopes and dreams of young creatives across the globe.

Ocean Lewis, 17, London @Oceanlewis, Photographed by Jakob Coy

What were your highlights for 2016?

For me, 2016 didn’t really start till summer, the last 6 months have been crazy. My biggest highlight was my feature in Vogue, that was really great. I liked how the main focus was not only my hair but my running.

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

Probably to change my mind-set. Balancing A-levels, training and modelling can get quite tough so its easy to slip into a negative frame of mind. Though I enjoy all of it, a little less so A-levels, it can all be a bit overwhelming so I need to learn how to prioritise my time better. Getting stuff done, then having fun.

What are your hopes for 2017?

I feel like 2017 is going to be a good year. I can focus on my athletics, modelling and art work more so than 2016 and achieve some big things. I’m in better shape mentally and physically than I was last year running wise, I’m looking to smash my personal bests and just be the best I can be really.

Yuyi John, photographed by Jakob Coy

What were your highlights for 2016?

My features on i-D and Dazed. it was a dream came true.

What are your new year’s resolutions? 

Solve my mental issues.

What are your hopes for 2017? 

I want a stable BF and improve what I’m doing now and keep on working.

 Paulena, 20, New York, @_paulena_ photography Sabrina Santiago

What were your highlights for 2016?

I spent time with my three sisters at my grandparents house in the woods, we climbed big magnolia trees and played card games. That was definitely a highlight. 

What are your new year’s resolutions? 

To finally crack open and finish some books that have been sitting on my shelf, 2666 by Robert Bolaño is first on the list. 

What are your hopes for 2017? 

Continuing to fight for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice. And to be able to touch my toes again.

 Sara, 21, New York, @sarlauf photography Sabrina Santiago

What were your highlights for 2016?

Beginning the year, I went on an amazing road trip through California with my two best friends, Sabrina and Grace. I’ve been increasingly involved and active in collaborative projects this year: starting a magazine (Visceral8), working at a production company, working with other talented artists for films and photoshoots. This year has been very humbling as well – I feel I’ve grown the most throughout 2016.

What are your new year’s resolutions? 

I want to slow down, be grateful, take more time to reflect. I want to write, read and do yoga everyday.

What are your hopes for 2017?

To explore more mediums of art – music, painting, and collage and also to continue working on collaborative projects. This year will be my last year in college, so I hope to take full advantage in connecting myself to artists, projects, professors and New York.

 Anya, 20 Brooklyn, @daughternatura photography Sabrina Santiago

What were your highlights for 2016?

2016 was the year of internal growth — where I finally accepted the cyclical nature of life and it’s ebbs and flows as just breathing. I can say a lot of the highlights were actually unfortunate events that invoked me to realize just that. Revolutions within were marked by traveling to Morocco and breaking bread with strangers, graduating from brutal culinary school, starting an amazing sous chef position with a badass, supportive team, leading my first Caribbean catering gig for 500 people, breaking up with my best friend in order for us to grow, shaving my head, meeting god.

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

This year I will love myself. And love you. Feel more and think less. Speak often. Grow more plants. Nourish. And move towards my purpose and connection with Earth and her people.

What are your hopes for 2017?

To have no fear for what is to come. Currently, I am planning a series of Caribbean pop-ups with my family as guest chefs to continue the dialogue as a child of the diaspora and document living history. I hope to start sliding scale dinners for youth centred around breath, healing and reclaiming our innate power. Through these, I will find my tribe and give people love the best way I know how.

Mélissa, 25, Paris, @hypathie

What were your highlights for 2016?

Travelling to Norway to see one of my favourite bands, Wardruna, they played in a fortress from the1240s. The new friends I made and the old friends I have consolidated. To see all my family reunited in Naples. To see my father celebrate his 65th birthday. Writing this I now realise that 2016 was a lot about family and travels and that makes me happy.

What are your new year’s resolutions? 

Play less video games. Or play more video games. Read more books and stop reading Harry Potter again and again and again. Draw more.

What are your hopes for 2017? 

In 2016 I discover what was like to travel alone. It was awesome. I hope I will do the same in 2017 and keep visiting new places and meet people from all over the world. I want to keep my mind open and my curiosity vivid.

Coral Kwayie, 25, London @ckwayie, Photography Jakob Coy

What were your highlights for 2016?

Highlights for 2016 are landing a job with Urban Nerds, a creative agency based in East London. I get to use my brain and have met some great people. Love the team and clients I’m working with there. So glad to be doing something I like alongside my modelling. Another highlight would be holidays I’ve been on with my childhood friends and a couple of campaigns I have done which will be released next year… very exciting. I also went to Paris for the first time this year and loved it.

What are your New Year’s resolutions? 

My New Year’s resolution is to improve my fitness. I have been slacking on it recently. I would also love to learn how to play the piano.    

What are your hopes for 2017? 

My hopes for 2017 is to travel more. I haven’t done enough, and if I do it’s for work. I want to explore.

Grace, 20, New York, @gracelarkin_ Photography Sabrina Santiago

What were your highlights of 2016?

Taking a road trip through California with my best friends. Seeing Joshua Tree. Learning that showing up when a friend needs you is imperative. Finding an apartment in New York and living on my own. Celebrating my parents 30th anniversary. Watching a friend heal. Reading “The Book of Disquiet” by Fernando Pessoa.

Do you have any New Years resolutions?

To write more. Worry less. Make time to have long, interesting conversations.

And your hopes for 2017?

We find ways to educate, organize, and resist! I hope I read a novel that becomes my favorite of all time. I hope I fall in love with London. Get really good at doing a British accent.

Chloé, Paris, @nyoww

What are your hopes for 2017?

I hope 2017 will be as good as 2016 was. Meet amazing people, live new experiences, to succeed in my professional plans. Bonus if I can discover new places all over the world and have the opportunity to show some of my personal projects!

Colby, 21, New York City @ColbsTay, Photography Sabrina Santiago

What were your highlights for 2016?

Being with my long distance girl gang in Guanacaste and Boston (nothing makes me happier), interning with Suited Magazine, finishing Frasier, I like my boyfriend, rising to mild leg fame in my friend group and only my friend group after assisting the stylist for Childish Gambino’s new album, listening to my mom more, and deciding my position is what matters regarding the Oxford comma.  

What are your new year’s resolutions?

To meet everything with kindness.

What are your hopes for 2017?

The kindness thing and then the graduating college with a degree in fiction writing and philosophy and not becoming homeless thing.