Insights from Gen Z on love, life, and activism

words Editorial Team

The depth of Gen Z’s perspectives on love, fears, and happiness, challenging stereotypes and advocating for change. Photographer Jan Philipzen and stylist Ina Witzel for Lampoon online

Title: What’s on your mind right now?

I thought that spending two days with a bunch of Gen-Z kids would be quite a wild ride, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were present, on-time and exhibited a strong sense of self-awareness and consideration of others. We asked questions about love, fears, and sources of happiness to all 14 of them, and their responses were profound.

If you had asked my teenage self (as a millennial) what love meant to me, I would likely have answered with something along the lines of «two people who can’t live without each other». The responses from these kids were certainly more mature compared to my younger self. For them, love means granting the other person the freedom to be themselves, or understanding that love knows no boundaries and permeates everything around us. What resonated with most of them is the idea that love begins within oneself and human respect.

Their words were so moving that I found myself getting emotional just listening to them speak. In the interview, Jada expressed that the biggest misconception about their generation is that they are lazy and always glued to their phones. She pointed out that it’s quite the opposite.

«This generation is actually doing a lot and working hard to change a lot of things. Whether that’s like racism, climate change, or anything». Gen Z is doing great – they are conscientious, prioritize their mental well-being, prioritize themselves while also advocating for others. There’s much to learn from them, just as they can benefit from our experiences. Maintaining an open heart and mind is crucial in this exchange of knowledge and understanding.

Words Ina Witzel

Ina Witzel, stylist

Having resided in Berlin for a decade, Ina immersed herself in the underground music scene for creative inspiration. She endeavors to challenge gender norms through her styling, aiming to dismantle stereotypes surrounding society dressing rules. Since 2020 she has worked as a freelance stylist and fashion editor based between Berlin and Milan.

Jan Philipzen, photographer

Jan Philipzen is a German born photographer currently studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. For the past three years, Philipzen has been working on an autobiographical project: raw, intimate images which capture the stories of the photographer’s close friends as well as the physicality and fragility of the photographic medium.

SS24 collection Paul Smith, Celine by Hedi Slimane, Carhartt

Models are wearing looks by Celine by Hedi Slimane, Carhartt , Our Legacy, Zadig & Voltaire, Edward Cuming, Laura Andraschko, Paul Smith

Photographer Jan Philipzen, Stylist Ina Witzel

Photographer: Jan Philipzen @janphilipzen
Stylist: Ina Witzel @inawizzle / Schierke Hottas Artist Management @schierkeartists
Casting: Ananya Nisbet @gossipgoth
D.O.P: Noah Heupel @noahheupel
Make-Up: Leana Ardeleanu @leana.ardeleanu using Gucci Beauty
Hair: Kosuke Ikeuchi @kosuke_ikeuchi / Shotview Management @shotview_management
Photographer assistant: Lea Sophia Mair @xvelrivm
Stylist assistant: Katharina Primm @katharina.primm
Make-Up assistant: Caroline Raick @caroline.raick
Hair assistant: Hiroaki Iwata @hairmake_hiro
Hilary @sirr.hill, Ruska @ruskatskh, Farah @farahhysteria, Olivia @olivia_ehr,
Seina @seinuto, Sara @sssarableu, Alisha @airwavesaremycigarettes / @CMSWORLD.AGENCY
Aaron @swga.d / IZAIO
Ivy @ivy.vegas / MAJIN
Jada @jadalayefa / MIRRS
Milein & Ebba @ebbawsandberg / M4
Ahmadou @ahmadou.berlin_34 / Claude Management
Robert @robertfriert / Neucasting