Christina Oxenberg
Wit, charm and intrigue combine to create Christina Oxenberg. The concept behind her “forever book” is sheer brilliance. A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to catch up with the award-winning author for our Conversations With series. And as always, even in the midst of frivolous musing, nuggets of wisdom emerged. Our conversartion with Christina left us with 5 words that we’ll never forget: “remember who kept you going.” Please enjoy.
xoxo, SS
Photo credit: Igor Stojanović ©️
1. Describe yourself in 3 words.
If I were to describe myself in three words: Direct. Clear. Compassionate.
2. Tell us a bit about the work you do and why you chose that field.
If I were to ask myself why do I do what I do? I am a writer by nature. I am an award-winning published author. I have published lighthearted books and I have published history books. I continue to write because I have the luxury of an audience.
3. Any big plans or projects in the pipeline?
My big plans for the rest of 2020 are to continue achieving my goals at Patreon.com/Oxenberg where I am publishing my ‘forever book’, a chapter every Thursday for the rest of my life. This compilation is called SECRETS. It’s called SECRETS because it’s everything I was ever asked to never repeat. And I’m telling everything.
“THIS WAS 1978. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF NEARLY A YEAR OF CONSTANT TORMENT AND PUNISHMENT AND ABANDONMENT. ILLEGAL ABANDONMENT. I WOULD TELL MY 15-YEAR-OLD SELF REMEMBER WHO KEPT YOU GOING.”
4. What advice would you give to your 15-year-old self?
At 15 years old and living in England, I was told I was illegitimate and my father was really JFK but I should never tell anyone because I would be killed. This is what my mother told me. A few months later she left the country and relocated to move in with a “boyfriend” in America. She forgot to tell me. I found out when I went home from school one weekend. The house had been sold and there was no forwarding information. This was 1978. This is the beginning of nearly a year of constant torment and punishment and abandonment. Illegal abandonment. I would tell my 15-year-old self remember who kept you going. And I remember the kindness of my friends and the kindness of some strangers and the big heart of my grandmother. I choose to remember the good I discovered that year, in other people. People who taught me the meaning of love. I’m writing about all of this at Patreon.com/Oxenberg under the column SECRETS. No more keeping secrets.
5. Best advice you ever received?
The best advice I ever received is from my mentor and hero, writer Taki. He says to me whenever I get the blues, “Focus on your writing”
6. Happiness is …?
Happiness is feeling wanted, appreciated and loved
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
My pet peeve is: Boring questions
8. Describe your go-to style.
My go to style is: Silk pajamas, pearls and a fedora
9. You feel most beautiful when …?
I feel most beautiful when I am making someone laugh
“FASHION IS AN EXPRESSION OF HUMANITY AT ITS BEST, AT ITS LIGHTEST AND MOST FRIVOLOUS.”
10. What does fashion mean to you?
What fashion means to me is the exploration of art and creativity even in the most mundane minutiae. A button can be beautiful. Fashion is an expression of humanity at its best, at its lightest and most frivolous and most charming and witty.