Beauty: PRIDE
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pride in London, our Beauty Editor Claudine Blythman created eight looks, inspired by the original Pride flag designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978. Each of the eight colours has a meaning and is dedicated to a prominent figure from the global LGBTQ+ community. For all eight looks we have asked queer model Jabari King to pose for us.
Beauty editor Claudine Blythman Photography JC Verona
The original Pride flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978.
Pink is the first colour on the original Pride Flag and represents Sex. I chose Andy Warhol for pink. We incorporated Warhol’s iconic wig look into a beautiful pink hue. Andy Warhol was an infamous American artist exploring popular culture through his work including film and print. He was gay but actually never confirmed this publicly, having several lovers whom he collaborated with during his career. In fact most people didn’t know he was gay during his lifetime. The Andy Warhol Museum’s ‘Dandy Andy Exhibition’ celebrates his queer side.
Pink/Andy Warhol. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Marrakesh MD2. Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder in Shore. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away in 12 Tan. Lanolips The Original in 101 Ointment. Pink Hair Colour Superdrug.
Red, the second colour in the flag, represents Life. For red, I chose Frida Kahlo. We captured Frida Kahlo’s red ribbons interwoven through her braided hair. Kahlo, known for her gender-fluid non-conforming appearance, often examined her femininity, masculinity and self-perceptions in her life and work. Frida Kahlo was married to a man, having both female and male extra-marital lovers. She is Mexico’s most celebrated bisexual.
Red/Frida Kahlo. Yves Saint Laurent Mascaras Volume Effet Faux Cils Radical in 01 Black Over Black. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Marrakesh MD2. Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder in Shore. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away in 12 Tan. Dior Addict Lip Glow in 008 Dior 8 Brick Red
Orange represents Healing in the original Pride flag. I selected Tamara De Lempicka for this colour. We incorporated her voyeuristic style into an orange sleeping beauty. An artist who pushed the boundaries of sexual liberation, she pioneered a masculinised woman, oozing with sexuality. Tamara had notable bisexual lovers Vita Sackville-West and Colette.
Orange/Tamara De Lempicka. Danessa Myricks Colourfix Mattes 24 hour Cream Colour in Carrot Top. Danessa Myricks Beauty Dew Wet Balm in Hot Water. Danessa Myricks Infinite Chrome Pencil in Morganite. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Marrakesh MD2. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away 12 Tan. Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in On Point. Dr Hauschka Brow & Lash Gel in 00 Translucent . OPI Nail Lacquer in Trading Paint . OPI Nail Lacquer in Cosmo Not Tonight Honey!
Yellow is the next colour in the Pride flag, representing Sunshine. For yellow I chose the captivating entertainer Josephine Baker. Her performances on stage and screen, coupled with important roles in the French Resistance during WWII and the American Civil Rights Movement are legendary. Josephine’s name evokes a sense of glamour and an aura of sexuality. We captured the essence of a Josephine Baker performance with an outrageously elegant banana manicure and pose. Josephine’s legacy is a profound provocative queer bisexual life which unashamedly deviated from the social norms of the day.
Yellow/Josephine Baker. MAC Chromaline in Primary Yellow. Rituel De Fille The Black Orb Eyeliner. Lancome Hypnose Mascara in 001 Black. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Marrakesh MD2. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away in 12 Tan. Typology Tinted Lip Oil in 5 Plum Purple. OPI Nail Lacquer in Exotic Birds Don’t Tweet
Green was used to represent Nature. For green, I chose activist group Pussy Riot. Pussy Riot are a Russian feminist protest performance group who perform high profile protests against Vladimir Putin’s Government. This government views feminism and the queer community as enemies of the state and the Church. We honoured Pussy Riot’s cut out Balaclava and cat eye look. Members of the band have been jailed for hanging the pride flag from Russian government buildings whilst demanding equal rights for LGBTQ+ relationships.
Green/Pussy Riot. Diorshow On Stage Liner in 461 Green. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in Freak. Shiseido Mascara in 04 Emerald Energy. Chanel Longwear Eyeliner in 46 Vert Emeraude. Gucci Eclat De Beaute Effet Lumiere Gel Face Gloss. MAC Lash 4 False Eyelashes. Typology Untinted Lip Oil in Shade 3
Turquoise in the Pride flag represents Magic or Arts. For turquoise, I selected Jean Michel Basquiat, an American artist who used his work to comment on Colonialism, Racism, Poverty and Wealth inequalities. For this look, Basquiat symbols were the inspiration. In his work, symbols were often used as covert social criticisms. Jean Michel Basquiat had relationships with women but also with men, notably artists David Bowes and rumoured with Andy Warhol.
Turquoise/Jean Michel Basquiat. MAC Chromaline in High Def Cyan. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Marrakesh MD2. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers. Egyptian Magic lip balm. Eyebrow Bleach by Crazy Colour
Indigo, the 7th colour in the original Pride flag, represents Serenity. For indigo, I selected American artist Keith Haring, known for his graffiti-inspired art and activism in AIDS awareness. We used Keith Haring-style dancing figures in the manicure and took inspiration from his body painting series. Keith Haring was openly gay and used his sexuality and artwork to benefit gay causes.
Indigo/Keith Haring. MAC Acrylic Paint in Ultra Marine. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Marrakesh MD2. OPI Nail Lacquer in Do You Sea What I Sea. OPI Nail Lacquer in It’s in the Cloud. OPI Nail Lacquer in Lady In Black
Violet, the final colour in the original Pride flag, represents Spirit. I chose legendary performance artist, club promoter and fashion designer Leigh Bowery for Violet. We captured the essence of Leigh Bowery with clown-like oversized lips and fishnet mask. Bowery used his body as a canvas with often gender-bending themes. His nightclub events were a safe meeting place for often marginalised types. Leigh Bowery was openly gay, yet married his long-time female friend Nicola Bateman.
Violet/Leigh Bowery. Makeup Forever Colour Stick in M900 Purple. MAC Lip Glass in Clear
On 2nd July, the Pride parade will return to the streets of London after a two-year break due to COVID. For more information about the event, check out the London Pride website.
Team credits
Claudine Blythman Beauty Editor
Photographer JC Verona.
Manicure Jade Elize using Apres Gel X and OPI
Hair Stylist Nathalie Jibeili using Davines.
Model Jabari King
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