The Making of a Cover Girl: The Musto Maquillage Experience

A BTS look/photoessay chronicling the many faces of Michael Musto,

as captured in his Village Voice Year in Review.

Who’s that laaaaday?

Valissa Makeup-Hands

Inside the Artist's Atelier: V's mobile arsenal of product + her canvas (Michael Musto) awaiting his first transformation.

Tabula Rasa: an Ariel View. V preps Musto for his fresh-faced pop look...

 

Bieber is in the building! Valissa perfects Musto's Bieber helmet as Maegan and Chad discuss visuals, while John oversees the logistics.

Pow! Published. (photo via Village Voice)

...Meanwhile...

Lauren, master prop stylist, prepares the next ensemble.

Holy Pop Icon!

Bieber is sidelined as Gaga takes center stage.

Vogue.

Behold! The Artiste.

Shalom.

=

Money Shot.

$$$ (photo via Village Voice)

Next! Post-Bronzer. Getting Snook'd.

Work it

Snooki! A reunion photo for posterity.

 

In character: Mad Hatter Musto!

Power Brow II

A toast to 2K10 (photo via Village Voice)

2010, An Allegory. Clockwise from top left: The Chad. Mad Hatter Musto. Snookums. Lady VaVa. Mel Gibson's Beaver with A Beaver'd Bieber. Maegen Hardy.

Credits.

Art Direction: John Dixon, Village Voice

Photography: Chad Griffith

Photo Assistant: Maegen Gindi

Prop Stylist & Wardrobe: Lauren Stoecker-Sylvia

Makeup and Hair Styling: Valissa Yoe

Documentarian and Beaver Wrangler: Yours Truly

Raquel Reed x Kareem Black x Valissa Yoe for Tokyo TV

POWER COLLABO ALERT

Okay, so if the iPhone 4’s audio capture isn’t WOWing you as much as it’s capability to capture stunning visuals <ahem>, above is a behind the scenes video of Valissa being interviewed by Tokyo TV (aka NHK) at Levi’s® Workshop in SoHo for her NHK spotlight. Pause. That’s right, Haus of Yoe is going international! Valissa has been selected by 日本放送協会 “NHK,” Japan’s national broadcasting corporation, as one of the international artists to be featured on a new television program hosted by the legendary Takeshi Kitano (Google him! This Japanese icon is a true Renaissance man. You won’t be disappointed).

You’ll have to wait until the show airs to see her night on the town at Le Bain (The Standard, New York‘s notorious, rooftop hotspot), where she popped bottles with her cronies and traded fashion notes with Nas! We’re wondering if rapper Nas’s appearance will make the final cut, as the segment was all about V—especially as she donned a show-stopping, lipstick-red, Mongolian-lamb fur coat that night, per statement-making usual.

Back to the video content…

Valissa chose to showcase her artistic vision for Japan and all of you Haus of Yoe supporters to see in this photoshoot with friend/talented photographer, Kareem Black, and the fabulous model/New York personality, Raquel Reed! DJ Jess Jubilee kept the creative energy flowing all day with a thumping DJ set, while bloggers Angela Yew, William Yan, Ladies Lotto watched all of the beautiful chaos unfold.

Valissa discuses her vision, modeled by Raquel Reed, to Tokyo TV. Bodysuit by Amanda Diva. [photo via Zoë Vickers]

Omar Figueroa, Christian A., and Team-V-newcomer Zoë Vickers represented the Haus of Yoe by maintaining the wardrobe and assisting Valissa on the shoot.

It's a V sandwich... Eat your heart out, Tokyo! Omar, Valissa, and Christian A. pose by the wardrobe for documenter du jour, Zoë Vickers (not pictured). Photo via Zoë Vickers.

The wardrobe…

The following labels (and friends!) believe in Valissa’s vision and lended some of the most extraordinary pieces:

Clothing by: The Blonds. Katie Gallagher. Amanda Diva.

Shoes by: Irregular Choice. Christian Louboutin!

Jewelry and Accessories by: LaureLuxe Jewelry. Bruce Snell Jewelry. A-Morir by Kerin Rose! Deryck Todd.

[Click on the photos to enlarge and admire the Power Collabo eye candy!]

 

Live conceptual art, immortalized!

For more, check out Sam Dane’s account of the mayhem, Raquel Reed’s insight, and Kareem Black’s angle.

For more behind the scenes videos and Valissa Exclusives™, check Valissa’s YouTube channel.

And we’ll let you know once Tokyo TV releases and airs the segment.

Thank you!

90s Femme Fatale: Valissa Yoe Styles a Photoshoot with Nicolas Padron

A Valissa Yoe x Nicolas Padron Collaboration

Ever have one of those days where everything goes so right?

Timing on. Vibing on. Everything on…

Well, that was the way our styling job at M.A.C. Pro Studio went yesterday. Oh, we fancy. So fancy, in fact, that we actually shared an elevator with Swizzy, himself! Random…..?…..Holla!

Everything big. It was gorgeousness all around. In collaboration with photographer Nicolas Padron, MAC Pro makeup artist Armando Guajardo, hair stylist Kimiyuki Masawa, model Machiko from Wilhelmina, The Haus of Yoe made it happen!

Drawing inspiration from the sultry sophistication of the 1990s (reads: minimalist accessories and makeup, sheer fabrics, femme fatale attitude, etc.), Valissa and Leo were at-the-ready with their rack full of gowns, lingerie, and leather. Valissa and the newest Haus of Yoe inductee, Christian A. helped Valissa assemble a wardrobe of various labels like Ralph Lauren, Betsey Johnson, Chanel, United Nude, Burberry, Bijules, and vintage finds.

Collaborating with the rest of the photoshoot cast was a breeze! Machiko was able to translate Nicolas’ energy into strong poses, while Kimi and Armando kept her looking fresh-faced and coifed for over 6 hours.

Armando applying a highlighting shadow (oxymoron, much?) to Machiko's lovely lids.

Working and sitting pretty.

Femmes Fatales: Valissa putting the final touches on this look, while Kimi teases Machiko's hair.

Watch the collabo in action: 

And the whole team on another look:

Aaaaaaand of course the day wasn’t complete without a mini-photoshoot of our own! 

[sidenote: We’re continually amazed by iPhone 4’s image/video quality. Isn’t it….breath-taking? *cough*]

We look forward to working with the talents involved in this shoot again sometime soon. We’d also like to thank M.A.C. Pro for their studio space and generous hospitality—can’t wait to visit Armando there the next time we stock up on makeup!

And last, but certainly not least, thank you for reading! We live for your Haus of Yoe love!!! Please leave us any and all comments, compliments, and critiques. We’d love to hear from you!

Stay tuned for more updates on past, present, and future projects. We’re going international. Hint: Tokyo TV! Look out!

Ciao for now

xx

The Aaron Cobbett Experience: A Storyboard with Video

The Aaron Cobbett Experience: Va-va-VOOM!

Scene: On a seemingly serene Sunday afternoon, a magical meeting of artistic minds took place behind the nondescript doors of 385 Broadway…

Location: Aaron Cobbett‘s immense TriBeCa studio, Headquarters NYC.

Mood: Confluence of creative spirit.

The Players:

”]Inspiration: Maharaja x Silver Screen Glamour x Drama x Splendor x Opulence.

 

Part I: The Maharaja Royal Portrait.

Intermezzo:

Flawless.

Phase II: Egyptian Gold and Features Bold

Action!

 

 

Finished photos to be released soon....

That’s a wrap! Another amazing power collaboration and Haus of Yoe collaboration…

Team Yoe: Yours truly with Lady V. Introducing our guest star with his debut performance... Rocko, the teacup poodle!

Segue to 2 hours later that night… Epilogue: Channeling the Creativity into a Vandam Rager.

Crotchless tights. Exotic Headdress. Pharaoh Physique.

Vogue all day and all night.

Fin.

 

Credits:

Aaron Cobbett – Photography and Set Design

Omar Alexander Figueroa – Wardrobe, Styling, and Model

Valissa Yoe – Model

Michael Gwaltney – Makeup for Mr. Figueroa

Darvell Freeman – Makeup for Ms. Yoe

Jaime Starr – Hair for Ms. Yoe

Alan George – Hair for Ms. Yoe

Leo Fallon – Documentarian and Assistant