Exclusive Preview: Emma and Chloe Fineman for The Besties Issue

Photography: Lauren Tepfer | Hair and Makeup: Ryann Carter | Styling: Blair Cannon | Videography: Dina Palo Rodrigez | Polyester videography: Jenn Lehwald | Photo assist: Gabriella Hughes | Hair and makeup assist: Aidan Rodriguez | Fashion Intern: Danica Wade

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Chloe and Emma Fineman are sisters first, besties always. Their two-year age gap means they grew up and into who they are today, together, and they are, in their own words, practically “the same person in different fonts.” Having been surrounded by art their entire lives, the sister duo now both work in creative fields in major cities, but on different sides of the globe. While you’ll find Chloe in New York City being funny on Saturday Night Live, Emma is a London-based, award-winning artist whose latest works explore queerness and spirituality. Comedy and art aren’t necessarily parallel, but a lot of the Finemans’ inspiration definitely does come from each other. 

Finally in the same city at the same time, the pair sit down by the lake in Central Park - and there’s a lot to talk about: it’s the weekend of SNL’s season finale, while Emma’s art exhibition is showing in the city’s Alexander Berggruen Gallery. In among the chaos, however, they found time to tell us why a sister is the greatest bestie you could hope for.

Below is a preview of their conversation, you can order The Besties Issue here to read the full interview.

You have both ended up working in creative fields. How does that help you to understand each other better? 

E: I feel like we’re really lucky in that we were always surrounded by art growing up, so it was never a question about being creative. And we grew up always sharing with each other everything that was inspiring, everything that we loved, constantly - movies, fashion, dress up.

C: I think that it doesn't matter what you do, whether it's music, film or painting, there is this creative process where you're alone, figuring out how to make something and we share that nugget before something's made and the panic and doubt and curiosity can really be sounding boards. We're both making art, just in different fonts.

E: Alone in our rooms. I think that that's honestly also where besties comes in. Because you need someone in your corner. Being a creative is actually really challenging and there's so much self-doubt and having that person that you love and trust telling you that you can keep going is so huge. And you've been that for me forever. 

Chloe, Emma says you were a huge support in her life as she came into her sexuality. What is it like to be there for your sister at a time like that in her life?

E: She really was because I was working on this massive painting and realising like, “Oh, fuck, I need to leave my husband.” I was like, “Chloe, I'm struggling, I'm feeling really overwhelmed, but, like, I know that this is what I need to do.” And I remember you just being like, “Well, obviously you've been gay your whole life. You do construction.”

C: Yeah, Emma's the dykiest person I've ever known. She was always playing with like power tools in the garage with her uncle and wearing those overalls… not to make stereotypes.

E: I love a Canadian tuxedo.