kristen vermilyea

columnist, essayist, filmmaker, conceptual artist

Switzerland

Kristen is a silly and provocative (tough to balance, sure, but she somehow nails it) American living in Zürich, Switzerland, writing and making films and art about sex, gender, aging, objectification, and taboo.

Her sex and relationship advice column, "The Baroness Speaks", launched in January of 2013. It's a throwback to classic American advice columns but with a lot more spice. The Baroness isn't shy to delve into any subject and will always answer with candor, charm, wit, often a cocktail recipe, and always a subverted dose of feminism.*

Her essays on the challenges and delights of ex-pat life, traveling and living well in Europe (spas, city breaks, The Sound of Music/Salzburg tour), music/concerts, car test driving/road trips, life as a single middle-aged woman, and running into Richard Branson atop an Alp, have always been well-received and are quite likely to make you laugh/guffaw/snort at least once while reading.

*Contact Kristen at [email protected] for The Baroness column examples.

Portfolio
NZZ
09/25/2022
Why my Deutsch sucks viel

Why don't I speak better German? I'm asked this on a daily basis. Here are my reasons (excuses?)

Archive
09/12/2015
Salzburg & The Sound of Music | Girlfriend Guide to Zurich

Quick, what's your favorite movie? Chances are, if you grew up in the States or the UK and are over 30, it might be The Sound of Music (TSOM). Long heralded for its (cheesy) fabulousness, it has stood the test of time, won five Oscars and is the third highest grossing movie (adjusting for inflation) after Gone With the Wind and the original Star Wars.

BMQ Magazine
01/01/2017
A Broad Abroad

Going to see the Pixies solo in Montreaux - The Swiss do concert-going differently ...

NZZ - Swiss National Newspaper

The Baroness Speaks

BMG - A Broad Abroad

The Daily Telegraph Australia