The following blog was written by Design Student Drea Dee, Who I met at the Emily Griffith Opportunity School. Check out her BLOG : EYES ARE MOSAICS - Baily Rose
When you think of New York City- many things may come to mind- fashion, glamour,soirées,culture, Andy Warhol- but another thing comes to my mind as well- well not so much a thing as it is a person- more likely a living breathing Jem-esque statuette named Darian Darling. Expert Make-Up artist, style icon, blogger, and celebrity confidant hanging with the likes of everyone from Amanda Lepore to Lady GaGa. Don’t you wish you were that lucky? Darian Darling's style is impeccable, being glamorous is something that’s purely in her blood. While most little girls were playing with barbies and playing house wives- Darian Darling was dreaming of living a glamorous life dressing as Blonde Ambition Madonna for Halloween in the 6th grade with make-up, hair, and costume done perfectly to a T. From there it was dressing as everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Columbia from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, how many little girls did you know that cool? As you can see, some people are just born with style and Darian Darling is someone you could learn a thing or two from about true filthy glamour. It's pretty rare when you can come across someone with this much originality while at the same time still being able to see how wonderfully they compliment their influences as well-you can still be fashionable and glamorous and still be true to your own taste and style without having to follow the latest trends or follow any certain criterias, it will be even more appreicated which this woman has proven very easily. I was lucky enough to get a little interview with the magical lady herself and here it is in all its glory! Be sure to also see her the current issue of
PAPERMAG.
Your fashion is so beautiful and eccentric was it always that easy for you to be self expressive in that way? In what ways does it compliment who you are?
What one chooses to put on their body speaks volumes about a person. I've always needed to express myself through fashion and image, to go against the grain and stand out in a crowd. I'm pretty fearless in that way. Anything to diverge from the mainstream "forced casual" street style asthetic that I find pretty terrifying. I would rather cut my foot off then be seen in public with a flip flop on it.
Growing up who were your influences artistically and in fashion and how did it mold your style now?
Madonna and JEM and the Holograms are probably tied in 1st place as my two biggest style influences as a child. Obviously one was a real pop star and the other was a cartoon rock star but both were larger than life and made over the top fashion choices. In my adult life, I am neither a pop or rock star...but I like to dress like one.
I could imagine you must have some amazing pieces of clothing- I would love to look into your closet someday, but which article of clothing is your favorite? Which is the one you wish to never part with?
I constantly re-invent my look so I never wear anything long enough to get too attached. What I wore two years ago is not what I'm wearing now. I will say I did have a vintage purple sequined, cropped motorcycle jacket from 1990 that was ill fitting and amazing that I took to the dry cleaner and never picked up. I'm still kicking myself over that one.
What draws you into what you choose to wear what are some of the factors that it has to have?
I pull most of my fashion references from glamorous blondes throughout history; be it the 50's, 70's or 90's. A big part of my aesthetic is mixing old Hollywood glaMOUR with a rock'n roll edge. Even though I'm in the fashion industry, I try not to read fashion magazines, as I don't like outside influences. I like to wear mostly vintage or custom made garments. Since they are all one of a kind, I will never go to a party and see someone wearing the same thing. That's not to say I don't own pieces from H & M or Top Shop...but the trick is to wait 4 years before you wear it...that way it's "vintage" and nobody remembers
Are there any certain designers that you find aesthetically pleasing at the moment?
LaQuan Smith is a new NYC designer who is a genius. He's 21, from Queens, wears nothing but Christian Louboutin heels and does amazing things with neoprene! He made me a pink sequined drop crotch jumpsuit that is wrong in the best way and gorgeously offensive. Vogue's Andre Leon Tally showed up to his first show at Fashion Week last season and burst into a thunderous applause of approval whenever he saw something he fancied. It was magical to watch.
So you’re a make up artist-an incredibly talented one at that, but how did you decide to become one was it something that you always wanted to do? How does it go in conjunction with what you are wearing at a certain moment?
I again blame JEM and the Holograms for getting me into makeup artistry and the fashion world.
Hearing that theme song "glamour and glitter, fashion and fame" as an impressionable 5 year old basically ruined me! I was always playing in my mom's makeup and doing my own from a very young age. I've also been drawing and painting since I was 3 so it's basically an extension of that, only on a face instead of on paper. When I was younger I would experiment with different colors and textures in regards to my own makeup. Now I have my signature Darian Darling look; smoky eyes and red lips. It just goes with everything.
New York City is a magical place almost another planet within its own- what are some of the things that influence you to stay there as opposed to other parts of the world?
I knew I was meant to live in NYC and lead a filthy glamorous life filled with excitement and danger since I was 10. It's crazy. It's dirty. It's tough. It's fun. It's alive. It's everything all at once. I stay because I belong here. I don't need relaxation and wide open spaces. I like grit and drama. I like to visit a lot of other cities....but I can't imagine living anywhere else.
I have a favorite party for practically every night of the week; Lady Starlight's rock party at Hudson Hotel on Tuesdays is hands down my favorite. She does a performance piece involving laser gloves while spinning classic rock and heavy metal that is genius. I also adore Amanda Lepore's Big Top at Carnival on Wednesdays, Miss Guy and Kelle Calco's Ladyland at Hudson Hotel on Thursdays and Susanne Bartsch and Kenny Kenny's Vandam at Greenhouse on Sundays. Basically anywhere that encourages patrons to dress up, bring a look, get wasted and live!
You live a glamorous life- what is the best advice you can give to other people in the world to live so free and to be true to themselves? Especially for the ones who are stuck in between from the places that seem a little more accepting of different cultures and styles.
Life is a banquet and most people are starving. We should all be fat on life. Take risks. Be brave. Do whatever makes you happy. Live life like you're on vacation. And when all else fails...move!
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I constantly re-invent my look so I never wear anything long enough to get too attached. What I wore two years ago is not what I'm wearing now. I will say I did have a vintage purple sequined, cropped motorcycle jacket from 1990 that was ill fitting and amazing that I took to the dry cleaner and never picked up. I'm still kicking myself over that one.
LaQuan Smith is a new NYC designer who is a genius. He's 21, from Queens, wears nothing but Christian Louboutin heels and does amazing things with neoprene! He made me a pink sequined drop crotch jumpsuit that is wrong in the best way and gorgeously offensive. Vogue's Andre Leon Tally showed up to his first show at Fashion Week last season and burst into a thunderous applause of approval whenever he saw something he fancied. It was magical to watch.
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