6. Beauty in Club Culture

We have come a long way from a dash of blush and a flick of mascara.

Doing your make-up is no longer something you learn only from your mother growing up. Social media has aided in expanding the already billion dollar industry. Online sites are a great way to share your make-up talent or learn from your lack of (thank you YouTube bloggers for showing me a way to actually use bronzer without looking like a train wreck). Though it goes beyond how-to videos on perfecting your winged eyeliner. Today we are shown how to how to recreate looks or to fabricate makeup visions of our own. 

Editorial stylists have shown how original an artist can be using make-up. Amazing talents like Pat McGrath and Val Garland are the OG's of beauty in fashion and advertising. Constructing bold, avant-garde looks, using their artistry to morph models into breath-taking work. 

Though there is a new kid on the block, who is defiantly worth discussing. 

Nicky Ottav is a 20 year old photography student at NYU, but to pigeonhole him with that title alone would be unjust. A friend lead me to Nicky's Instagram account a year ago and we've been hooked since. Nicky gives you a filtered look into his colorful world where you see how far he stretches his creativity. 

In interviews he describes himself as a club kid, someone who is free with themselves and self expression, using the clubs as an outlet.  Nicky transforms himself using makeup, prosthetics, and props. Each look is different but all equally stimulating. 

Strutting down the street in a face smothered with color and the wardrobe to match...it's humans like Nicky who help maintain New York's reputation of being one of the coolest places on the planet (and the universe). 

But Nicky and his clique are not the first to slay New York's nightlife.  Through the years club culture has been thriving (you were just too uncool to know about it). Talents like Amanda Lepore, Björk, and Richie Rich are now household names.  They were so prevalent in underground nightlife, they paved the way for the crazy and extravagant.

James St. James (left) with Bjork and Michael Alig in 1992.

Ottav and company is an prime example of real underground clubs in the 21st century (not the clubs where thousands of shrieking girls take selfies, and grind to Avicii) . Keeping it alive, with their adolescent twist. Utilizing social-media to give us a look inside. 

But lets not forget what brought us all here.... his make-up. Follow Nicky on Instagram for major make-up moments. The kid is a walking art-from. 

5. Kesh vs. Versace

Kesh vs Versace 

Based in LA (but born in the UK) Kesh has been making her name known for all the right reasons.
Over the past few months, I've grown obsessed with her kick-ass style and originality.
With a strong following, and laundry list of famous calibrators, she is a muse for many artists and designers.
Though she cares little for fame, and more for creating iconic art.

I love the way she comes through her work. Her modern, dramatic style brings out my inner cool girl. She is a beautiful, talented artist and I feel connected to her and her story. 

So when I was showing the love on Kesh's Instagram, I was pretty shocked when I saw her latest post of a Versace t-shirt for sale.

.....Versace is totally ripping off her work for $650. 

Kesh did a collaboration with American Apparel back in 2013. They created tee's, leggings with the artist's design printed on them. 

The original T-shirt made by Kesh cost's 30 bucks.

American Apparel x KESH wardrobe modeled below by Wiz Khalifa and Cara Delevingne 

Kesh took to some media outlets to express her disappointment with the designer label. She mention's how they stole 2 years of her hard work and ....her face! 

Kesh left Versace 'Medusa' right

This happens too often in the fashion world today with no knowledge to the consumer. Big name brands stealing from smaller artist and designer's. They receive 0 credit, while the companies reap all the benefits. Hopefully this controversy will shed more light on an issue that needs more monitoring. 

If you would like to take a peek into the creative world of Kesh, I recommend following her.  I have a feeling this isn't going to be the last we hear from her.

4. INSPO - Jane Birkin

The first of many, people and posts to inspire.
 
    With this years fall fashion week brought to an end, we've noticed a major influence of the seventies throughout. I've always been a fan of the hippy deluxe and retro, but a prime example of this perfectly breezy style would be Jane Birkin.
 
    The english actress and singer is currently based in France, but is a constant reference for the fashion obsessed everywhere. Known for effortlessly chic style and perfect bangs, she has become a style icon. So much that Hermés named it's most coveted bag, The Birkin. Still seen at fashion shows across the world, Birkin, now 68, will always be eternally cool, eternally pinned, and eternally instagrammed.

Below you will find some of the images that grace my Jane Birkin mood board.

               
              THE picture that inspired me take the plunge and chop off the majority of my hair.

                 
                     It doesn't get more timeless then this. Fringe is everywhere this season.

The cut crease to inspire. This minimal make-up reminds us all, less is more.

                 
                     The fur, the colorful sequined dress ... this photo screams disco fever.

  
                             Taken in 1968, I love how this photo just radiates youthfulness.

                                                                 You said it Janey!

3. Beauty Looks from PFW 2015

With fashion week in full force we have seen show after show, look after look, and model after model, of new and exciting trends for fall. After keeping a close eye on the excitement happening in Paris during their fashion week, you couldn't help but notice some of the extreme and bold beauty looks seen on the runway.

Givenchy Paris  F/W 2015

Covered in jewels and piercings, the look that seized your attention.
Lead make-up Pat McGrath, gave us a blend of former renaissance and future grunge. What appears to be a hard look, may question what we see as elegant.

Hey, maybe you can pull off that septum piercing you've been thinking about getting.

                                                         Jacquemus Paris A/W 2015

The look that made us look twice.
Berlin based artist, Sebastian Bieniek brought his idea to the stage at the Jacquemus show. Shielding half of the models face with their hair, gave Bieniek the perfect canvas for his child-like drawings. This make-up was remarkably creative, and has us all buzzing. Showing the world, and runway a fresh new take on the face(s).

2. i-D A-Z of Beauty

Recently I found a video published by i-D magazine revealing that beauty has no bounds. The video shows 26 very different looks, going from A-Z. From luscious lips to a dramatic smudge, the two and a half minute video is powerful and beautifully artistic. Make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench showcases her amazing talent, and advanced skill. Another reminder that there are countless looks to be created, it is all up to you and your imagination. The video inspires me each time I veiw it, reminding me that beauty doesn't necessarily mean perfection.


Click here to watch the video

1. Welcome

Today woman and men can change their look whenever willing. For this, we can thank the empire that has been built around beauty and style. Fashion allows us to say who we are without speaking. It reflects your individualism and flair.

 After moving to New York City, my style erupted with inspiration and information. The imagination of a small town girl from Pennsylvania, is now constantly stimulated by the chicest pedestrians, and the cool colleagues I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

While my focus in the city is mainly in beauty, my horizons of art has vastly spread. Between schooling and shooting, I will be here reporting to you new trends, exhibits, and adventures. Stay tuned for exciting, informative and encouraging posts, to inspire others to push their boundaries with style.

xx

Mallory