Image: Eric Ray Davidson
Charismatic New York–based makeup artist and unconventional it-girl, Kristin Gallegos, is Sex & Fashion all over (she’s been dubbed one of the most “stylish New Yorker’s by StyleCaster) – she’s also proof that, in her own words, “dreams really do come true!” Obsessed with the glamorous editorial spreads in Vogue (with a penchant for Patrick Demarchelier’s shoots in particular) as a Californian teen, the onetime ballerina never imagined she would one day work with the fashion heavyweights she admired. It wasn’t long before Gallegos’ dreams became reality, and she was in New York assisting some of the biggest names in makeup, and working alongside luminary photographers such as Demarchelier himself.
The always stylin’ Gallegos creates make-up looks for runway shows, magazines including Vogue, and Elle, and ad campaigns for Rolex and Urban Outfitters among others, while also hosting events for sexy brands like Kiki de Montparnasse (ooh la la!), throwing a weekly dance party Zig Zag at The Standard Hotel’s Le Bain, and doing a little modelling on the side… The go go go Gallegos took a moment out to give Sex!&Fashion some words of wisdom, filling us in on the universal language of sex, her ’60s-goth-cher style and the killer appeal of confidence.
Indigo Clarke: What do you love most about what you do?
Kristin Gallegos: What I love the most about my job as a make-up artist is that I get to travel the world. I have been taken to places I never could have imagined. I just got back from Iceland! And my job is different everyday so I never get bored – I work in fashion doing editorials, advertising, shows for fashion week, catalogs, celebrities etc.
Indigo Clarke: You’ve become something of a downtown NYC it-girl – you host parties and events, collaborate with fashion labels and even do some modelling – how do you feel about your status as an NYC style icon?
Kristin Gallegos: It’s all so random to me but it has really been a lot of fun. I love being a makeup artist, but it is nice for me to do other things as well. Hosting parties is a fun side project. I don’t like to be defined by one thing so it’s great to be able to bring all of my friends and the people I work with together for a fun event. I am a resident host of a Thursday weekly party at Le Bain at the Standard Hotel called Zig Zag with Erich Conrad, Sophia Lamar and Greg K. It’s a super fun dance party with the best rooftop in the city and an indoor hot tub. We have guest DJs every week. It’s amazing! I also host other events as they come up. I recently hosted a cute event for Kiki De Montparnasse! Ooh la la! And the modeling is a bonus! I never thought people would be interested in shooting me so it has been a trip. I think all of these things combined make me unique as a makeup artist though. So I’m really just going with it!
Indigo Clarke: As someone working in the fashion field, and in the business of making beautiful people look even more beautiful, do you think sex and fashion go hand in hand?
Kristin Gallegos: I definitely think that sex and fashion go hand in hand. Everyone in some way wants to feel sexy. Whether it be in your face sexy or if its more subtle. Feeling sexy makes you feel good about yourself. And the clothing you wear definitely changes your mood and the vibe you give off.
Indigo Clarke: How did you get started as a make-up artist?
Kristin Gallegos: I started out as a classical ballet dancer. I danced for eight years at some of the countries best schools and was a member of a company in California. I decided to call it quits when I was 17-years-old. So I took some time to figure out what I should do and decided that I wanted to become a makeup artist. I then took a workshop in LA and saved up money to move to NYC. Upon arrival I began assisting the top artists in the industry, which was my real training. At the same time I was doing my own work and building my book – and after a couple of years I got my first agent!
Indigo Clarke: How would you describe your style, and what does fashion mean to you?
Kristin Gallegos: I guess I would describe my style as being “modern ’60s goth Cher Horowitz.” HA! I have kind of combined a lot of my past style phases into one but way more grown up and refined. Fashion to me is another form of creativity. I love to express myself in what I am wearing. I love to make a statement and create through clothes. It’s so much fun!
Indigo Clarke: Does ‘sex sell’? And is there an element of this in the way you approach your work?
Kristin Gallegos: Sex absolutely sells! I feel like that has always been the case and always will be. But especially in today’s culture. Today it’s way more in your face where as back in the day it might have been out there in a more subtle way. But regardless sex is the universal language. You don’t need to speak to get your point across if sex is what you are selling. There is some element of this in my work. I want the person that I am making up to look the best that they possibly can. Even if I am doing really progressive weird makeup, I want them to own it and exude some sort of slight sex appeal. Everyone’s definition of what is sexy is totally different. But it isn’t the total focus or goal when I am creating.
Indigo Clarke: What is ‘sexy’?
Kristin Gallegos: ‘Sexy’ to me means having a lot of confidence. Owning what you’ve got and making it work for you. That is HOT!
Indigo Clarke: When is fashion – or beauty – not sexy?
Kristin Gallegos: I guess fashion isn’t sexy when the person is awkward and not owning what they are wearing. Being sexy is more of a state of mind and what you are giving off rather than the garment you are wearing or the makeup/hair that you have done. Confidence is the most sexy thing in the world to me.
Indigo Clarke: What projects etc do you have coming up?
Kristin Gallegos: I just wrapped up a big advertising job in Iceland for Urban Outfitters. Next up: shows for fashion week – I am doing a few including Kimberly Ovitz, Nomia and Martha Medeiros! I am being shot for some things during and after fashion week as well. I am also going to continue to do my party Zig Zag at Le Bain! Beyond that we shall see what comes up!
Indigo Clarke: What are the biggest highlights of your career so far?
Kristin Gallegos: The biggest highlights of my career so far are shooting with Peter Lindbergh, David Bailey, Patrick Demarchelier, and Arthur Elgort. To work with such great legends is such an honour. Aside from that, getting to travel to so many incredible places has been amazing. I have been fortunate enough to go to Romania, Canary Islands, India, Japan, Stockholm, London, Paris, Iceland, the list goes on and on. I don’t think I would have ever had the opportunity to go these places had I not been given the chance through this career. It blows my mind sometimes!
Indigo Clarke: Tell us something people don’t know about you?
Kristin Gallegos: Something interesting that people might not know about me is that my best friend is my ex-boyfriend of six years. We have known each other for 11 years. He’s now like a family member to me. Most people don’t understand how it is possible that we are friends. It just works!
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