lifestyle

mlaagg final installment : August/September 2009

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

The Dec/Jan 2010/2011 Issue saw the final installment of My Life as a Goth Girl, an article that has been in the magazine since the first issue two years ago. Mlaagg, by Vanity Kills, is the fictional stories and dramas of Kimmy, the subculture-elitist, fetish-fashionista, yet sweetly endearing queen of the goth scene that everyone loves to hate. In honor of its end we will be posting all the illustrations done for the reoccurring article over the years. Read the final chapter of Kimmy’s story in the December/January 2010/2011 Issue out now!

August/September 2009 Issue


illustration : Michael Maglio

Kimmy’s “date” with Eli at Lord of the Wings.

… To my surprise the formerly argumentative and eternally defiant Eli agreed to do as I said without as much as a single peep of protest. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror, beaming with pride over the fact that I finally grew a pair. I kissed my glass-encased counterpart and headed out the door to meet whatever destiny had in store for me. …

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mlaagg final installment : june/july 2009

Sunday, December 12th, 2010

The Dec/Jan 2010/2011 Issue saw the final installment of My Life as a Goth Girl, an article that has been in the magazine since the first issue two years ago. Mlaagg, by Vanity Kills, is the fictional stories and dramas of Kimmy, the subculture-elitist, fetish-fashionista, yet sweetly endearing queen of the goth scene that everyone loves to hate. In honor of its end we will be posting all the illustrations done for the reoccurring article over the years. Read the final chapter of Kimmy’s story in the December/January 2010/2011 Issue out now!

June/July 2009 Issue

illustration : Nadir Balan

Kimmy debates going on a “date” with her drop dead gorgeous former arch-nemesis.

… It would seem that over the course of the past 15 seconds I developed a strangely obsessive interest in numismatics. As I awaited the outcome of Cassy’s quarter toss with bated breath, I began asking myself if I reached a new level of indifference in my relationship with Shayne. After all, I did allow a nickel-plated image of George Washington to dictate the outcome of tonight. Letting 25 cents decide my fate; what has my life become? …

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the PinUp : Bridget Blonde

Saturday, November 27th, 2010

Bombshell Bridget Blonde strikes up a racy, inked up likeness to the iconic and unforgettable Marilyn Monroe. An advocate for the tattooed beauty, Bridget Blonde was recently named in a top list of “tattooed beauties” by G4’s Attack of the Show. With no sign of letting up, we’re excited to bring you Bridget Blonde.

photographer : Ama Lea
makeup artist : Kassandra Kiremit
model : Bridget Blonde

view the full feature in the October/November 2010 Issue

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behind the scenes : Dec/Jan 2010/2011 PinUp feature

Friday, November 26th, 2010

A few weeks ago part of the Auxiliary crew headed up to Toronto to shoot our December/January 2010/2011 PinUp feature.  Zach Rose and myself had a great day hanging out with Kelleth, Emily Rishea of Artifice, Heather Orr, and Irina Lavrega at Working Proof Studios and the shoot went amazingly!  Look for the final results in the December/January Issue coming out in a few days!

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interview : Andy Deane

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Andy Deane is perhaps best known for his founding role in the now internationally popular goth-rock hybridized alternative music act Bella Morte. Since touring multiple cities across both North America and Europe, and growing an ever diverse fanbase, Andy Deane has transcended his unique horror style of writing from the music world into that of published horror author. His late novel The Sticks has seen unprecedented success and with both a novella and upcoming sophomore novel release in the works Andy Deane’s authorial accomplishments continue to grow.

photographs and interview by Zach Rose

Charlottesville, Virginia is a city that seems to be teeming with creative artforward individuals such as yourself. Could you describe the impact of artistic culture on the city of Charlottesville? How has it affected you as an artist and writer?

Andy Deane : My family had the first big impact on me. Everyone on my Mom’s side is inclined toward music, so it was natural for me to start singing at a young age. Charlottesville embraced Bella Morte when we started playing shows in town. Our first gigs were in the basement of a Sushi restaurant called Tokyo Rose, and some of my best memories of the band still dwell in that tiny cellar of a club. We eventually started a weekly goth night there which attracted all walks of life. And that’s one of the best things about C’ville, the fact that different scenes support one another more so than in most other places we’ve toured. That openness is one reason that Bella Morte has incorporated so many different styles over the years.

Many long time fans of your band Bella Morte may not by now be aware of your work as a writer. What influences have led you to who you are as a writer today

AD : Odd as it may sound, movies are a bigger influence on how I write than fellow authors. I see the story I’m creating as scenes in a film as I’m writing. It keeps me from dwelling too much on insignificant details. Don’t get me wrong, I read all the time, and I’m sure you can see hints of Richard Matheson, Joe Lansdale, Clive Barker, Robert Howard, and a million others in my style, but I want my writing to be my own.

read the full interview in the August/September 2010 Issue

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the PinUp : Nina Flowers

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Hailing from the island of Puerto Rico, Nina Flowers (Jorge Flores) has been a figure of flamboyant female impersonation since the age of 19. To Nina Flowers, makeup creates a character with a unique and iconic persona. Nina Flowers is perhaps best known as the recent finalist on RuPaul’s show Drag Race. A DJ and musician, Nina Flowers’ individual interpretation of the art of drag has graced cities across North America, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

photographer : Norman Dillon
makeup, hair, styling, and model : Nina Flowers
interview : Meagan Hendrickson

Nina’s face is fabulous! What makeup tips can we “drag” out of you?

NF : Have patience, and it’s all about the tools! Meaning the brushes LOCAS!

You really stand out from the crowd, being a heavily tattooed female impersonator, have you ever received any negative feedback about your tattoos?

NF : That was more in my early days as a drag queen and performer when I started with my first tattoo, since then, no complaints.

You were my personal favorite on Season 1 of Rupaul’s Drag Race! Can you share any personal highlights of being on the show?

NF : A highlight for me and one of my fondest memories is RuPaul’s acknowledgement of my contribution to the show and my art in drag.

view the full feature in the August/September 2010 Issue

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everyday is halloween : an early shopping guide

Monday, August 16th, 2010

It’s hard to even think about anything else other than air conditioning and cool drinks in August, but with back-to-school items also comes seasonal Halloween items! Halloween is my most favorite time of the year, when I can casually go shop and  feast my eyes upon rows filled with spiders, ghosts, black cats, and skeletons. I actually stock up on my household decor, like dish towels, candles, wall art, and other various spooky ookiness. I’ve learned over the years to look for items early because all the really neat Halloween decorations sell out so quickly! Let my obsessive investigative skills help you score some sweet Halloween swag.

image source potterybarn.com

Pottery Barn is always a first stop on my shopping quest as they have the classiest glassware. I fell in love with all their items last year when we received the 2009  cocktail collection as a wedding gift. The Halloween Etched Recipe Cocktail Shaker is just perfect for entertaining all year long and the recipes on the shaker are to die for! Check out the skull and crossbones detailing around the edges of the recipe, absolutely perfect!

You can buy the Halloween Etched Recipe Cocktail Shaker at www.potterybarn.com

image source potterybarn.com

In addition to the Halloween Etched Cocktail Shaker, this set of four Etched Tombstone Double Old-Fashioned Tumblers by Pottery Barn are a perfect match. The etched phrases are a little cheesy, but the tombstone styling makes up for it! Along with the shaker, these items are too pretty to store in the cabinet. If you have a bar, these could double as cheeky home decor.

You can buy the Etched Tombstone Double Old-Fashioned Tumblers at www.potterybarn.com

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interview : Amy Doan of Shrinkle and Sugarpill

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

The world is not enough for Amy Doan, she successfully conquered the DIY fashion scene with her signature brand of neon-colored, naughty-yet-nice apparel, known as Shrinkle, that a girl can party harder than Paris or Britney in, only to go home to cuddle with her Hello Kitty doll. Doan has spent the past few years concocting the perfect accompaniment to her not so secret stash of sequined tube tops and pink leopard print hot pants. Also known as Sugarpill Cosmetics, your newest, most spectacularly packaged antidote to the droll and predictable world of soft taupes, muted corals, pale peaches and anything else one wouldn’t catch a drag queen dead in. Rescuing natural beauty eschewing, pigment-starved club kids two eyelids at a time.

photographer : Kevin Marburg
hair and makeup : Tess Kim
model : Amy Doan
interview by Vanity Kills

Has the successful launch of Sugarpill inspired you to follow other dreams that you once felt were out of reach?

Amy Doan : I definitely feel a lot more confident about taking risks and embarking on new adventures. Before launch, there was always that tiny nagging insecurity that people might not share my love of this project that I poured my heart and soul into. But everyone’s reaction has been so sweet and supportive, I feel even more motivated to continue creating things that I hope people will love!

Many women (and fashion-forward males) secretly want to experiment with vivid high-pigmented hues, but shy away from color out of the fear of looking like a circus clown or a trailer park hooker. What advice would you give to Auxiliary Magazine readers who are novices to the wonderful world of in-your-face color? How would one wear an ostentatiously bright shade without it wearing them?

AD : Well first, I would tell them that there’s nothing wrong with looking like a circus clown or trailer park hooker. One of my very first inspirations for wearing bright makeup was when I was in my teens and saw a TV documentary about a tranny hooker. He had neon blue eyeshadow up to his eyebrows! I thought that was pretty sweet. I think you just have to remember that bright colors aren’t supposed to enhance your “natural beauty”, they’re more about having fun and just going for it. So don’t worry if you look like a crazy person! If you love it, then you will own it.

read the full interview in the June/July 2010 Issue

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the PinUp : RazorCandi

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Razorcandi or Kym as she is known in everyday life is a unique model with the ability to seemingly create a hundred different looks all in one ass kicking deathrock package. Hailing originally from the state of Florida and now residing in Romania, Razorcandi has since published multiple photography books showcasing her luminous modeling career. As an artist and model, Razorcandi exemplifies beauty both through her creativity, her passion for individuality, and the ability to truly live for herself.

photographer : Bodó Janos Attila
makeup, hair, styling, and model : RazorCandi
interview by Meagan Hendrickson

Could you share with our readers one or two of your secrets to achieving your beautiful and unique style?

RazorCandi : I believe my style has been formed over years of being influenced by musicians, models, and actresses [in] movies, I think this explains the meshing of styles I’ve created for certain looks. I can’t really say I stay up to date with trends, in fact I don’t pay attention to trends at all I just kind of wear the things that appeal to me or represent my passion for the alternative lifestyle. On a personal level it is about self expression and showing my artistic side, but I also like to inspire others and stand for something.

With two photography books published showcasing your modeling, do you have any plans on publishing a book of your paintings?

RC : I haven’t planned that far ahead however I have been spending much more time with painting than with modeling. I can definitely see future projects that include a picture book of my paintings, before that an art gallery exposition seams more probable. In the near future I plan to put out a few editions of unreleased, never before seen images of new modeling work.

view the full feature in the June/July 2010 Issue

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the PinUp : Arden Leigh

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Auxiliary’s playful take on the sexy centerfold pin up.  This month we bring you Arden Leigh.  Flip the page, cut out, and tac on your wall!

photographer : Steve Prue
model, makeup, and hair : Arden Leigh
second model : Helena
interview by Numi Prasarn

Co-founder of The Sirens Seduction Forum, Arden Leigh’s interest lies in seduction. She most recently honed her skills of seduction as the Director of Training and Marketing at New York’s most renowned house of professional domination, where she trained neophyte young dominatrices to seduce their male clients into spending lots of time and money on them, and became one of the most successful professional dominant to ever tout a whip there. She has written her own seduction guide for everyday women, Whipped: A Professional Dominatrix Shares the Secrets to Wrapping Men Around Your Little Finger.

The Sirens Seduction Forum was set up in response to male pick up communities… which in turn was in response to men feeling that women already had the
upper hand in the art of seduction. What do you think is the biggest difference between the two movements?

Arden Leigh : Definitely the end goals. I mean, there’s a reason that there are no books for men on how to get into relationships and no books for women on how to get laid. This actually goes back to evolutionary psychology; in order for us to further the species, it’s best for women to pair with one mate who’s going to protect and provide for her, while it’s in men’s best interest to pass on their genes by pairing with as many partners as possible. We’ve been at odds with one another since the dawn of man, when you think about it. What the pick-up community did was to equip
men with a strategy to achieve their goals of having access to a wide range of women. What I bring to the table for women is a strategy on how to stand out, how to compel, attract, and add value in a manner that will make the man they want feel that being with them is a better deal than having all their other options.

view more photos and read the rest of the interview in the April/May 2010 Issue

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