«It took me a few years to start FÜDE. I had been thinking about it for a long time, then the pandemic hit, and I just did it» – in conversation with Charlie Ann Max
New York – Lampoon in conversation with Charlie Ann Max
Charlie Ann Max moved to New York in 2012 to attend Joffrey Ballet School and pursue a dancing career. Eventually, she had to stop this path due to a spinal injury. Therefore, Max found herself transitioning from the world of dance to the realm of fashion. Growing up with a family deeply connected to the fashion industry seemed like a natural path for her to explore. Working behind the scenes and delving into content creation, she found herself in the fashion scene of New York City, collaborating with notable personalities like Hannah Richtman, founder of Gush & The Break, a project about hosting events and selling curated vintage clothes.
«During a significant phase of self-discovery, I decided to explore nudity as a means of liberation. Having been a dancer since the age of three, detaching myself from that identity opened up new avenues to understand my body better. As part of this journey, I began exploring queer nightlife, where I felt a deeper sense of acceptance and freedom. Eventually, my friends approached me with the idea of photographing, which sparked my interest in modeling. This unexpected turn has allowed me to embrace my body with confidence and find new avenues for self-expression and creativity».
However, Max was uncomfortable with photos of herself and struggled with self-acceptance. Though hesitant at first, she eventually found herself in the world of modeling. Charlie Ann experienced a powerful transformation in her perception of self. The camera lens became a mirror through which she learned to embrace and love herself from every angle.
«Modeling is an empowering tool. As well as nudity. When I started practicing nudity. Naturally people wanted to photograph me, but I was absolutely against it. Eventually, I became more open to it».
FÜDE, the beginning – Charlie Ann Max
The founder has been involved in event hosting for quite some time, with her journey in the food world evolving. It all began with nude optional events, which eventually led her to create FÜDE, an online platform, and Instagram account, during the early days of the pandemic. Initially, she shared recipes and photographs, often accompanied by her naked body or recipe videos, fostering a global community of food enthusiasts.
Through FÜDE, Max’s mission was twofold. First, the founder encouraged people to cook simple and healthy meals, especially when restaurants were closed due to quarantine restrictions. Second, for every completed and shared recipe, she made donations to No Kid Hungry and Appetite for Change, promoting a win-win situation where charity received support and individuals nourished themselves with wholesome food.
Issues with censorship and account deletions plagued both her personal accounts and the FÜDE account on Instagram. Despite having a vibrant and extensive community, her original FÜDE account was permanently lost. Additionally, her modeling jobs and content creation contracts faced threats of cancellation due to these challenges, which raised concerns about her professional path.
Determined to transcend these limitations and create a more intentional experience, Max redirected her focus towards crafting FÜDE Experience dinners. Starting in April 2022, these dinners took on a more profound and deliberate approach than the earlier nude optional events from 2019. Charlie Ann Max transformed her passion for food, body positivity, and community engagement into an innovative and intentional project that continues to flourish, connecting people through the shared love of culinary arts and a celebration of their authentic selves.
FÜDE experience by Charlie Ann Max
FÜDE experiences are held every Sunday. Three times a month in LA and once a month in New York, events are centered around a different theme and menu each time. To create these enriching experiences, Max collaborates with various facilitators, such as breath work practitioners, movement instructors, and herbalists.
Her background in culinary arts, stemming from her education at the Institute of Culinary Education, allows her to curate delectable and health-supportive plant-based meals for each event. Charlie Ann’s passion for cooking and belief in food as medicine shines through in the thoughtfulness she puts into crafting her menus. For instance, there was a dinner themed around the four phases of the menstrual cycle.
«I have put a lot of intention and care into cultivating a safe and transformative environment. For me, the exploration of nudity has been an incredibly transformative experience, symbolizing surrender, letting go, and embracing vulnerability by peeling back our layers. This process has allowed me to establish a profound connection both with myself and with others on a deeper level».
Max’s events are inclusive and diverse, welcoming people of all backgrounds, ages, genders, and sexualities. The founder is mainly focused on providing an empowering space for individuals who may have faced stigmatization or marginalization in other nudist communities. Couples are also welcome to attend the events, though most participants come alone. The application process ensures that attendees are genuinely interested in the transformative power of nudity and fosters a safe environment. Positive response to the FÜDE Experience dinners reflects the impact of Max’s feminine approach and her commitment to nurturing a space where people can connect authentically and embrace their most genuine selves.
«Everything is sourced from a farmer’s market or sourced locally as much as I can. We have become so disconnected from our food; it’s been so processed. My love of food relates to nudity; purity is in plant-based foods». Each FÜDE Experience dinner centers around a theme, offering diverse dishes to delight the senses. Her culinary creations are an art form, from herb salads and savory stuffed bell peppers to decadent cacao avocado mousse and homemade bread. To Max, cooking is a beautiful way to communicate, evoke memories, and create lasting impressions on those who partake in her meals.
Charlie Ann is meticulous about reducing waste at her events. She carefully calculates the quantities needed for each event, ensuring that there is minimal to no food waste. Max avoids using paper towels and instead opts for washable napkins, reducing disposable waste. Though there is some water waste from washing, the founder remains committed to finding ways to make her events even more eco-friendly.
Business expansion, Charlie Ann Max and FÜDE
We should expect the FÜDE to venture into private events where Max takes her dinners to different spaces curated for specific groups of people. «We’re bringing it to other people’s spaces with their friends or curated groups of people they’d like».
Other plans include an expansion to Europe and Asia. «I’ve learned to be more grounded and continue doing the dinners where I’m doing them now».
Charlie Ann Max is writing a book, exploring the idea of nude cookbooks, and conducting online cooking classes to involve people worldwide. «I deeply admire Marina Abramovic’s innovative approach to exploring the human body through her thought-provoking and boundary-pushing performances. Though our artistic styles may vary, we share a common thread in our appreciation for vulnerability, self discovery, the body as a profound vessel and the true essence of our existence’s journey».
Charlie Ann Max’s Collaborations
Charlie Ann Max’s career has taken a different turn as she integrates her passion for food into collaborations with various brands. It aligns perfectly with eco-friendly and wellness-focused brands, presenting opportunities for meaningful partnerships. Max envisions collaborations with renowned names like Stella McCartney, plant based food & beverage companies, farms, jewelry brands, and fragrance companies.
For several events already, Charlie Ann has worked with designer Anissa Kermiche, whose body-shaped glassware and jewelry captivate guests and add a unique touch to the dining experience. «I use about twenty glasses of her for almost every dinner in LA. It’s such a popular item at the experience».
Gifting expert Marta from Air Milkshake has established a network of eco-friendly brands, whose products are thoughtfully curated and gifted to every guest attending her gifting suites. The collaboration between Marta and Max was initiated during one of her exclusive gifting suites, where she invited Max to participate, showcasing the unique and environmentally conscious offerings. «A greater emphasis should be placed on promoting diverse and eco-conscious products, providing people with more opportunities to explore and try them out. Access to a wide range of environmentally friendly options can lead to enhanced experiences and a more enriched and sustainable lifestyle. I am happy about the opportunity of strengthening my collaboration with Marta, continuing to incorporate her gifting expertise after each memorable experience».
Charlie Ann Max – Running a business
Overcoming imposter syndrome and taking action is the key to success. Embrace authenticity, trust your instincts, and be willing to learn along the way. «It took me a few years to start FÜDE. I had been thinking about it for a long time, then the pandemic hit, and I just did it».
FÜDE became a beloved baby to Charlie Ann Max. The experience is captivating, and she pours her heart and energy into it, creating a unique and transformative environment. Over time, Max has started to learn the importance of setting boundaries and using contracts, ensuring a smooth and professional operation.
«I have two lovely team members Maya & Angie, and then I have a roaster of facilitators, depending on the event. I also work with volunteers for the experience itself. I offer volunteer spaces if anyone wants to cook with us or help with the event set up and prep or tear down».
Despite facing challenges like insurance and payment platform limitations due to nudity, Charlie remains committed to her vision. «I’ve encountered issues with payment systems as Stripe and Square, leading to being removed from their platforms. Currently, I rely on PayPal, but it poses challenges with a monthly transaction limit. If I exceed this limit, it affects the flow of ticket sales, forcing me to call and request the release of the funds, as they are crucial for running the events».
Max also receives constant hate and negativity due to her work, particularly on her Instagram account. Despite heavily censoring her photos and finding creative ways to share the art within the platform’s guidelines, her performance is frequently reported and flagged, leading to account deletions. «There is an unfortunate amount of shame surrounding the human body and nudity in our society. My goal is to contribute to the normalization of body positivity and nudity by fostering an environment that embraces these aspects as something cool, cute, and fun. By promoting open discussions and encouraging self-expression, I hope to help people feel more comfortable and accepting of their bodies, ultimately leading to a more confident and liberated community».
Charlie Ann Max
Charlie Ann Max is a 29-year old multidisciplinary artist, founder of FÜDE, and a graduate of both the Joffrey Ballet and the health supportive culinary program at the Institute of Culinary Education. She is dedicated to connecting humanity back to our purest selves through all of her creative endeavors. Max’s work strives to create a transformative experience of purity and human connection, whether it be through modeling, activism, or plant-based cooking. As an advocate for body positivity, wellness, and anti-censorship, she pushes the boundaries towards liberation in all aspects of her work.
Laruicci Gold Cuff
Credits:
Photographer: Jason Thomas Geering
Stylist: Ana Tess
Hair: Akihisa Yamaguchi at Forward Artists
Makeup: Stoj at The Wall Group
Stylist Assistants: Brittany Jalio , Catie McGuinness, Isabella Pesina
Photo Assistant: Ernesto Pantin
Talent: Charlie Ann Max