Meet our founder
Ilana
Ilana Harkavy started her career as a recording artist and songwriter in Los Angeles. She led an exciting life in electronic dance music and created songs that were featured on ABC, Disney, HBO, and more. As her career skyrocketed, she began to feel truly dissatisfied with the life of a solo recording artist. Music had always been an outlet for her to express her emotions and frustrations, but as more people began to take notice of her talent, the control she had over her art was systematically being taken away from her.
Simultaneously, Ilana stumbled upon a startling online subculture: social media accounts devoted to the promotion of anorexia, bulimia, and self-harm. This was devastating because not only was she saddened by these negative messages, she also related to them. After a few years of feeling stunted by the music industry, she knew she needed another outlet to express her true feelings and connect with the people she was most passionate about helping.
Enter The Just Girl Project—a fiery artistic movement that empowers girls to embrace their passions, be blatantly honest, and take ownership of their individual struggles. With a passion for girl culture, Ilana knew she wanted to create an honest body of work expressing the struggles she has faced and continues to face in becoming a strong woman. The issues The Just Girl Project addresses include body image, mental health, relationships, and acceptance. Ilana acknowledged that so many girls could relate to her journey and that she had the power to speak to them. She wanted to start a movement she believed in, a girl culture revolution.
The Just Girl Project Team
Brianna
"Give yourself time to grow, self acceptance is a process." - Jennifer Lopez
Diana
“I realize that we all come from this daring tribe of women, and that like them, I need to use my voice to do better in this world." - Ann Shen
Gaby
"This too shall pass."
Sky
"Everything happens for a reason."
Shei
“I think everything in life is art. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How your writing looks. And how you feel." -Younes Bendjima
Stephanie
“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.” - Sophia Bush
Breanna
“Everything in life happens for a reason. Whether it’s the people we come across or the actions we take, everything has a reason and nothing is accidental.”