Style + Beauty - Page 357
Baz Luhrmann's highly-anticipated adaption of "The Great Gatsby" opens Friday and many fans are already getting into the spirit — thanks to the movie's glamorous couture.
Among the trends sparked by the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan are decadent jewels, glittering drop waist dresses made for dancing, bold lips, and crisp suits for the gents. And experts say the demand for the "Roaring '20s" style started long before Hollywood caught on.
PHOTOS: The 'Gatsby' Premiere Brings Glitz, Glam, and...Uggs?
“The 1920s look has been emerging for a few seasons now,” says Jane Monnington Boddy, director of women’s trend forecasting at Stylesight. “We have been talking about this since fall/winter 2011 when Vera Wang showed a simple version of this look. Since then it’s been taken on by several designers, such as Thom Browne for spring/summer 2011 and Louis Vuitton for fall/winter 2012.”
“As it evolved season-by-season, it’s become bolder and more daring, evolving from just the straight lines to refined embellishment,” she adds.
Jaimie Hilfiger, a model and fashion expert who credits designers like Sue Wong for helping to spark the romantic vintage look, believes it will continue to resonate with everyone, even after the film’s premiere.
“The ‘20s look works well for both men and women because it’s a timeless, classic style that isn’t trendy,” says Hilfiger. “The look is clean, polished and appropriate for both day and evening. The look makes a man appear handsome and a woman glamorous. Women are usually attracted to intricate details that allow her to stand out from the crowd. Wearing something from the time of Gatsby definitely stands out. Details like the lacework and beading are always in fashion.”
Want to channel your inner Jay Gatsby or Daisy Buchanan without looking like a movie extra? We reached out to several stylists, including those involved with the film, to learn how to get this timeless look:
New York's Jeremy Garrett aka NYARTMAN has been tattooing professionally for more than two decades.
Read our exclusive interview with Jeremy to learn how he got started in the biz — and hear about one of his worst tattooing experiences. Then, check out some of his work below.
When was the first time you saw a tattoo?I grew up in the South, in Memphis, Tennessee, where tattooing has always been legal as far as I know. Seeing folks with tattoos was not unusual.
How did you get into tattooing?Art has always been my passion. I've been drawing from as early as I can remember. It seems like as soon as I reached 13 years of age, I became a trouble magnet. At that time in my life, I often fit best with the "wrong crowd." When I was about 14 or 15, I ended up tattooing a couple of friends of mine using the traditional, tried and true method of pin and ink — a sewing pin and Indian ink, that is. Because I could draw, I guess I was nominated for the job. I can't remember what it is I actually tattooed, probably a skull or something like that. Anyway, it was pretty gross and I didn't do any more tattooing until I got into college, but I did continue designing tattoos for friends.
During my second year in college, I had a friend who wanted a tattoo. Tattooing was illegal in NYC at the time, and they really didn't have a way to get to a tattoo parlor upstate or out of state. They offered to buy me a tattooing starter kit if I would tattoo them. I agreed, but I thought they were joking. Anyway, a few weeks later they gave me the kit. Well, this pretty much freaked me out and I was then on the line to live up to my end of the deal. I kept putting it off for about a month or so.
One day when I was in class, I was complaining to a college buddy of mine, Danny, about my situation. I was worried because I had no real experience tattooing. I was also terrified of possibly doing permanent damage to my friend, and I was also freaking out about doing a terrible job. To my surprise, he said, "Don't worry about it. I know how to tattoo and I'll show you how."
Typical with many tattooists, Danny started me out tattooing on pig skin. As it turned out, I learned how to tattoo pretty quickly, which is sort of unusual as anyone who's tried tattooing knows. It wasn't very long before I started tattooing professionally. Although I had a fairly natural transition into tattooing, in my opinion, it is by far the most difficult art medium to master. And like golf, it's a skill you constantly work at perfecting.
How much does your graphic design work influence your tattoos?My graphic design background has not influenced my work as much as my majoring in comic book design and illustration. However, my graphic design background has definitely helped me to better brand and market myself.
You have a sign in your studio about the Torah forbidding tattoos. How do your religious beliefs impact your work?My rabbi asked that I put the sign in my studio to hopefully dissuade fellow Jews from getting tattooed, or at least deter them from asking me to tattoo them. For the most part, I keep my religious beliefs to myself and try to be the best person I can be. So it doesn't really impact my work too much. Though, throughout my tattooing career, I've caught a lot of flack from others in the industry because I don't have tattoos. It's sort of ironic that those tattooists, who are generally known to be such non-conformists, turn around and give me grief for not conforming to their ideals. After 21 years of tattooing professionally, if they still have a problem with it, then maybe they should seek professional help.
Has your style changed over time?My style has certainly developed over time. It was pretty grungy when I first started, largely due to the heavy influence of my instructors like Marshall Arisman [and] Frances Jetter, as well as comic book artist Kent Williams. That style didn't actually lend itself to tattooing and I had to refine it a bit. Not too long into my career I got turned on to the work of comic book artist Joe Madureira. What an incredible artist. When I grow up I want to be Joe Mad!
What’s your favorite piece?I pretty much hate all of my work. I'm your typical self-loathing artist. Believe it or not, art has never come easy for me and I've always struggled with my work. Perhaps I feel this way because I'm constantly trying to improve myself as an artist. Recently, I've been trying to find more time for my personal work and get back to creating some good old-fashioned shock art. I've been feeling patriotic and I'm developing a growing need to practice my First Amendment rights — you know, to make sure I still have them … maybe piss some people off in the process. Either way, it ought to be fun.
Any horror stories?No, not really. I try to avoid those situations. I do remember one time I had an old World War II marine come to me wanting flames tattooed all around his bulldog tattoo. He was pretty liquored up and determined to get this done right then and there. I initially turned him down and told him that because of the alcohol in his system, it would cause too much bleeding and it would push the ink out of his skin. That's what I was always told, anyway. I told him to come back when he was sober and I would be happy to do the work then. He promptly said, "I was drunk when I got this tattoo and I'm going to have the flames tattooed while I'm drunk." I'd never tattooed anyone drunk before, but because he was a vet he sort of reminded me of my grandfather, so I agreed to do the work. Man, what a mess. You're really not supposed to bleed very much at all when getting tattooed, [but] this guy bled all over the place to the point where I could barely see what I was doing. Two weeks later, he showed up at my shop stone-cold sober and informed me that he needed to have me tattoo him again. Then he pulled up his sleeve to show me his tattoo and it was as if I never tattooed him. The flames were completely gone. That was the first and last time I've tattooed anyone drunk.
What separates you from the other custom artists?Well, besides my good looks, I would have to say that it's probably my stubborn determination to be the best tattoo artist I can be. That means treating my clients with the utmost respect, listening to them and trying to make each new project better than the last one.
You’re very into your original designs. Do most people let you have creative license without any input?During my first ten years of tattooing, I only focused on paying the bills. I was living on my own in NYC with no family to fall back on, so I tattooed whatever the client wanted me to do and I did my absolute best. I needed my clients and I needed them to speak kindly of me and show off my work. I didn't have the luxury to be picky with the type of work I took on.
I've always believed that tattooing is a very personal thing and many people have an almost spiritual connection with their tattoos. For this reason, I've always wanted the client to have as much input into their piece as possible; bad decisions are costly and depressing. I'm so grateful to have finally gotten to the point where I only do custom designs — based on my client's input — but in my artistic style. It's an incredibly satisfying job and I have absolutely fantastic clients. They really are some of the coolest people I've ever met. Just about every one of them I consider a friend.
You do laser removal yourself. How did that come to pass?I do some cover up work; however, I very much appreciate it when I have the opportunity to tattoo virgin skin.
Do you think reality TV is doing the tattoo industry a disservice?I really don't watch tattoo shows. I don't even own a TV. Timothy Leary said, "Those who control your eyeballs control your brain." I willfully control my own brain today. Until this year, I had only watched about 10 minutes of "Miami Ink" and I couldn't stand it. There wasn't anything inherently wrong with the show, but for me it was like watching work. Since then, my clients have been bothering the hell out of me to watch "Ink Masters." Finally, I gave in and watched the first season so they would leave me alone about it.
Although those shows aren't my cup of tea, it seems they've created a huge interest in tattooing. I think they've done an incredible service of legitimizing tattooing as a highly skilled form of art. Unfortunately, from what I've seen, I don't think they've done much to dispel the negative stigma attached to those who choose to get tattooed. I can't speak for other tattooists, but the vast majority of my clients are working professionals. I tattoo lawyers, financial executives and police officers all the time. I've tattooed one of my former doctors, and even tattooed a certain prominent city official who has asked to remain nameless. Those who still think tattooing is some sort of low-class cultural phenomenon might want to keep those opinions to themselves.
You seem to revel in the underground arena. Do you ever want to see your name in lights?My mom sure would like to see my name in lights. But would I? I'd be more interested in seeing myself in a "Trailer Park Boys"-style mockumentary about me: "NYARTMAN, Your Not-So-Average Ink-Slinging Superhero." Now that's something I could get excited about. You heard it here first, so don't go stealing my idea.
Have a look at Jeremy's custom work below.
The venue may have been Lincoln Center, but the crowd was all West Egg at the New York premiere of "The Great Gatsby."
But would Jay Gatsby have approved of his guests’ attire? We’re sure he would have coveted a certain other Jay’s Tom Ford suit, and Carey Mulligan‘s dress was worthy of a modern day Daisy, but what about that pair of Uggs we saw peeking out under one guest’s outfit?
READ: Dinner at Tiffany's: Stars Shine at Blue Book Ball
Attendees seem to have dressed with the film in mind. Mulligan wore a scarlet Art Deco Lanvin column that mirrored the beveled gold that flanked her on the step-and-repeat, choosing delicate diamonds by Tiffany & Co., the official jeweler of Luhrmann’s production. We’re still not sold on Saint Laurent‘s grunge, but gosh did Jennifer Meyer Maguire look adorable in that floral babydoll dress. And, finally, Isla Fisher chose a glamorous Dolce & Gabbana gown that was black but utterly season-appropriate with its cascading appliquéd blooms.
Oh, and if you’re still trying to figure out who that renegade Ugg-wearer was, look no further than their biggest and most glamorous fan: André Leon Talley, who we’re sure has since acquired even more than the 15 pairs he copped to last September.
Get a look at the guests below:
Todd Woodz of the Magic Cobra Tattoo Society in Brooklyn, N.Y., has been in the business for six years.
Read up on his style and inspiration, then have a look at some of his favorite work below.
How did you get your start? A friend of a friend who was a tattooer saw my drawings and paintings, and he suggested I try my hand at tattooing. He pointed me in the right direction as far as tools and technique, and after a couple of years of fumbling around, I finally got the hang of it and got myself into a shop. I wish I had a formal apprenticeship. It would have saved me a lot of time and frustration. I never saw myself as a tattooer, but I've always been an artist at heart.
What's your tattoo style of choice and why?Neo-traditional. I just really love bold colors, heavy shading and solid lines — the fundamentals of traditional tattooing mixed with a new take on content and composition.
What do you think makes tattoos special?I just think they're a great way to express your individuality and distinguish yourself from others in a more permanent way. I think everyone wants to be at least a bit different from everyone else around them, and tattoos enable that.
Tattoos seem so mainstream now. Is that good or bad?I think it's a great thing. Obviously, the more people getting tattooed helps the business. And I feel that generally, people are becoming more informed about the craft, so you find more people doing their research to find a quality tattooer. You're always going to have people who think they can just pick up a machine and start tattooing overnight because they see it on TV, but those people typically don't last. I think if you take this art seriously and work hard, the mainstream appeal is completely beneficial.
Do you see a current trend in the industry?Trends go in cycles. But generally, traditional tattoos are always popular. There are so many great tattooers pushing the envelope and doing new things. I see so many different styles. It's really expanded past just traditional tattooing, but that's a style that will always last, in my opinion.
Do you have any funny tattoo stories?I look back at the tattoos I gave myself as a teenager and laugh every time I see them. They're very funny.
Which piece of work has been your favorite?I did a sleeve of the Sagrada Familia, a famous cathedral in Barcelona designed by Guadi. I was lucky enough to travel there and take all of the reference pictures myself a few weeks before tattooing it. It was just a really fun and challenging piece that I think came out great.
What inspires you? Inspiration comes from all around me. Everything I see throughout the day, the people I meet, and the artists I admire all inspire me. It's really everywhere.
Do you have a message for aspiring artists?Nose to the grindstone. If you want it bad enough, it's yours to have. I also think you have to be critical of yourself. If you think you're the best, you might want to think again.
Have a look at some of Todd's best work below.
