Is Beauty (Still, Always) Political
Readings, Study, Conversation, and Fundraising
11. 21 | 6:30 - 8pm
SALON | 224 Roebling St. BK
Panelists - Laramie Glen, Gabe Jenkins, Olivia Contreras
Moderated by Rubi Aguilar
Join us at SALON on Thurs, Nov 21st to discuss the theme, Is Beauty (Still, Always) Political? inspired by Audre Lorde’s essays “Is Hair Still Political” and “The Master's Tools will never dismantle the Master's House,” which explore how the personal is political.
We invite anyone interested in supporting their communities through care work to join us & discuss selected readings curated by and from the shelves of the Salon(STUDY) library. We will explore the history of beauty and care work & the work that artists and creatives do today. “Is Beauty (Still, Always) Political” will be moderated by SALON founder, Rubi Aguilar & our panelists include makeup artist Laramie Glen, Hairdressser Olivia Contreras, & Hairstylist Gabe Jenkins.
“Is your hair still political? Tell me when it starts to burn.” - Audre Lorde
RSVP price will be distributed between organizations each panelist supports. Each attendee will be given a reading list to familiarize themselves with before attending the event.
(SALON)STUDY - An active research center focused on the intersections of hair with culture, science, and art through a public library and studio space.
(SALON)CARE - Rooted in nurturing the roles hairdressers have in the communities they live/work in through the personal care they intrinsically provide to anyone that sits in their chair. CARE initiatives include fundraising, volunteering, and educating salon workers to continue to serve their communities as they historically always have.
About Rubi: Rubi Aguilar is a NY-based hairdresser represented by Julian Watson Agency. She runs Salon, a creative studio centered around the intersection of hair and culture.
About Laramie: Laramie Glen has been working in NYC for the past 14 years, starting retail at a Bobbi Brown counter in a mall in New Jersey then moved to New York to begin freelancing. Laramie works primarily in editorial, commercial, advertising and occasional red carpet/celebrity. They love doing makeup that is really clean and natural skin, with a touch of edginess or rebelliousness to it - bringing in individuality through color, texture, or shape. In 2015, they began volunteering and working with a few organizations in NYC to organize groups of hair stylists and makeup artists to volunteer their glam services, giving back to the city’s community. A couple years later began, “Artists Making a Difference” with Jaleesa Jaikaran and a few times a year hosting events for LGBTQ+ communities, youths experiencing being unhoused, and a few other groups. With "Artists Making a Difference," the belief is that artists can raise awareness, inspire action, create a sense of community and support causes we believe in. Deeply rooted in the concept of giving back and with every level of success one achieves, you can lift those around you and give back even more.
About Olivia: Olivia is a NY-based hairdresser, originally from Austin, Texas whose been behind the chair for about 10 years, 7 of those years have been in NYC. Olivia focuses on connecting with people behind the chair and in her community. Within the last two years, Olivia has been working alongside other artists in the industry to raise funds for groups affected by unnecessary and immoral suffering.
About Gabe: Gabe is a hairstylist with 14 years of experience in the luxury fashion, music, and entertainment industries, with a primary focus on global advertising campaigns and runway shows. Originally from Los Angeles and mentored by Esther Langham at Art and Commerce, Gabe has worked closely with Holli Smith, Guido, Orlando Pita, & more. Gabe has been working with Feed The Streets NYC, a community based non-profit that collects donated food, hygiene products, clothing, and educational items for hand to hand distribution, providing free haircuts to those in need.