I'll be taking some time to spotlight here on my blog some of the amazing people helping me bring my vision to life! 
First up in my Femme Fashion Project Spotlight series is the super talented Sparrow Fox of Sparrow Beauty Artistry. Check out the interview I did with her below:
CX: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
SF: I was born in 1976, which makes me both a BiCentennial Baby and also means I'm from the 70's - which barely even computes to people in their early 20's. I'm a musician and also a visual artist, as well as a hair/makeup artist. I like working for myself - I enjoy the freedom of schedule and independence. I have an amazing chihuahua and you would love her. I really like to be inspired by positivity and realness. I don't like hypocrisy and I will call you out on it, but in a totally loving way. Every day is the best day of my life.
CX: How long have you been doing hair./make-up? What inspired you to be a part of the beauty industry?
SF: I've been doing makeup and hair for literally my entire life. I was inspired to become a part of the beauty industry by a girl who worked at the Lancome Makeup counter at The Broadway when I was 6 years old (1981). She was so beautiful. From there, I received a Barbie Mannequin Head (life-size, for my birthday) and I did her hair almost every single day. My first makeup kit was a Barbie makeup kit with washable makeup and I used to make all of my friends sit still for makeovers whenever I could. My first job in the beauty industry was when I was 19 years old, at Robinsons May. I worked seasonal at the Clinique and then Smashbox counters - later I worked for Macy's at the Lancome Counter, eventually becoming a manger and being asked to participate in Lancome Beauty Makeup Training at the Four Seasons hotels. After Lancome, I worked freelance for T. LeClerc (France) and then fully independently. Offically, I have done hair since I was 16 years old, starting with beauty looks for classmates proms and formals. I continue to be really inspired by beautiful event hair - but find that I get more creative and push boundaries more as I my work gains maturity. I rely heavily on the things I learned at UCSD - getting my degree in art - using color & design to create beautiful looks for people.
I continue to be inspired to work in the beauty industry each time I see a beautiful face smiling because they love their new look - be it makeup or hair transformations - I love being a part of someone's intimate world of split ends, roots, no makeup, big changes during breakups, creating a beautiful look for a special event, helping someone feel better about how they view themselves, listening and communicating - all while working with color and design, and connecting emotionally with other human beings.
CX: Tell us a little bit about your artistic aesthetic? What do you specialize in?
SF: My aesthetic is definitely steeped in classic beauty - I really rely on "old-school" styling techniques - especially when it comes to beauty looks for events - in both hair and makeup. I'm lucky that I have had the opportunity to work with and receive mentoring from a hair and makeup artist who had the gift of working on Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, Jane Russell, and more - all in their heyday. However, I really enjoy edgier and more creative makeup looks as my career continues to expand and I am gifted with more and more beautiful faces - also as I continue to learn to trust my gut instincts and dare to try new things, my ideas grow exponentially. I don't feel that I specialize in only one area - I excel in beauty & fantasy looks, however, I am always open minded and excited to try on new ways of doing things.
CX: What inspires you? Who is your style icon/spirit animal?
SF: I am inspired by the world. I spend a great deal of time people watching, viewing music videos, reading poetry, reading art magazines, independent zines, checking out what women are requesting in salons, watching people out on the town in Los Angeles (especially Hollywood at night, it's inspiring and amazing), I spend a lot of time reading international fashion magazines, watching foreign films, and I sometimes click in to the Gossip Blogs to see what the mainstream is doing. David Bowie is my first love and was my first style icon. I was in love with his androgyny from the moment I laid eyes on him when I was 13. My spirit animal is the wolf. The wolf is a hero and creator, and she is the sibling of the trickster, Coyote (which means she knows how to have FUN). The Wolf has healing powers and is the divine midwife and matriarch of the ancestral spirits. The wolf can help to restore strength as well - as she did with Romulus and Remus. I believe that helping someone transform themself into the best, most beautiful version of themselves is a very powerful thing. I am filled with gratitude every single time someone gives me the opportunity to help them do this - by sitting in my chair and giving themselves over to me in this way. It is a gift.
CX: Where did you go to school?
SF: I have a degree in Art from UCSD and I earned my Cosmetology license at CAofB & have training from Vidal Sassoon.
CX: Tell us a little bit about what you will be creating for the Femme Fashion potion of Queerture.
SF: Beauty. Hot, sexy, queer beauty.
CX: Wildcard question: Tell us something shocking about you.
CX: Wildcard question: Tell us something shocking about you.
SF: Shocking? I don't know if it's shocking, but the truth is that I'm super, super shy.
Well folks, I hope you enjoyed my little mini-interview with Sparrow Fox. Check out more of Sparrow Fox's work at one or all the websites below & support Queer artists!
http://www.facebook.com/sparrowstyle
http://www.twitter.com/sparrowbeauty
http://www.sparrowbeautyartistry.com (Coming Soon!!)
Also, if you take a look at the sidebars of my blog, I have links to my 2 fundraising stores. I'm raising funds for my portion of the show. Go check out my etsy store Queering Vintage for all your vintage needs. I also have Laura Luna's boutique on big cartel, that store will have new jewelry and I'll be adding gently used plus size clothing to it in the next few weeks.
Thanks for your support!
http://www.twitter.com/sparrowbeauty
http://www.sparrowbeautyartistry.com (Coming Soon!!)
Also, if you take a look at the sidebars of my blog, I have links to my 2 fundraising stores. I'm raising funds for my portion of the show. Go check out my etsy store Queering Vintage for all your vintage needs. I also have Laura Luna's boutique on big cartel, that store will have new jewelry and I'll be adding gently used plus size clothing to it in the next few weeks.
Thanks for your support!
