VAIN Blog

Just a friendly reminder to all you art lovers out there that VAIN is hosting an art show opening reception this Saturday from 2-7pm at VAIN downtown as part of our Love Heroes Valentine’s weekend action. The show started to go up yesterday and already looks great- curator + artist Michael Lane has assembled a diverse collection of love + pain-themed art in a variety of mediums. Participating artists include:

And as if all that art weren’t enough, we’ll have snacks + beverages on hand. So come on down and get your art appreciation on!

Love Heroes opening reception Saturday, Feb. 13 from 2-7pm at VAIN downtown- 2018 1st Ave. VAIN is also participating in Ballard’s art walk from 6-9pm that night with our featured jeweler of the month.

Last month at VAIN’s “Turn & Face the Strange” event, we unveiled a collection of stellar works from five Seattle artists: Michael Lane, Josh Buesseler, Nicholas Kamuda, Ted Chen, and Eddy Lee.

Aubrie, Morgan, and Buster enjoying the show.

The art opening was a huge success and party goers got a chance to experience each artists’ diverse take on portraits and figure studies - here is just a glimpse of the amazing work:

Astounding works by Michael Lane - view his blog here.

Clockwise from top left: work from Nicholas Kamuda, Eddy Lee, Ted Chen, and Josh Buesseler

You can catch more photos of the amazing show and festivities on the VAIN Flickr page and see the fun captured by the VAIN mirror - which made it’s debut at the event.  The show is still up until November 30th, so be sure to come by before it’s over!

“Turn and Face the Strange” on view through Novemeber 30th at the VAIN gallery adjacent to the salon at our downtown location: 2018 1st Ave, Seattle 206-441-3441

Be sure to come out to VAIN this Saturday, October 17th, to celebrate the opening of our new exhibit “Turn & Face the Strange.” The show will be a diverse collection of works by artists Michael Lane, Josh Buesseler, Nicholas Kamuda, Ted Chen, and (new addition) Eddy Lee. It will not only promise to be a feast of beauty and curiosity, but it will also be a chance to examine and self-reflect through the exploration of portraits and human anatomy.

Words aside, here’s a sneak peak of what’s ahead:

Untitled work by Eddy Lee

Opening reception is Saturday October 17th 4pm - 9pm. We’ll have refreshments and tea to keep you warm!

La Rousse will be on our sidewalks from 12pm - 6pm (inside, if it’s raining) featuring new clothing from Slow and Steady Wins the Race and local designers Galah.

Also, be sure to check many of Seattle’s local artists in the open studios above the salon as well as the arrival of Surplus jewelry.

Whew, there’s so much happening! See you there!
xo,
VAIN

“Turn and Face the Strange” Opening reception at VAIN downtown 2018 1st Ave, Seattle 4pm - 9pm. Art on view through November 30th.

Hailing back to our memorable and fabulous collaborative photo shoot, we offer a peek into the genius of VAIN stylist Rachel. Currently a full time senior stylist at VAIN Ballard, Rachel is a devout anglophile and lover of all things dandified. She let that flag fly for our studio session; the result was great hair, precious teacups, sexual tension, and beautiful bold bursts of color. See for yourself.

Special thanks to real live Brit and VAIN talent Sharon for co-creating the sharp styles seen above.

Keep an eye out for another work of art from this project, coming soon…

xo,

Sarah Jo, VAIN’s traveling style correspondent

Prepare yourself for this Saturday when VAIN hosts the opening of It’s not all about the Benjamins, baby - a collection of art for $50 or less! There will be all kinds of art from the 13 participating artists; from highbrow to lowbrow, downright irresistible, and simply excellent - all affordable. The opening is Saturday, August 1st, 4pm - 9pm at our downtown location.

Not even all, La Rousse will be on our “front yard” for a daytime sidewalk sale from 12pm - 6pm. Chic, modern clothing for the ladies will be offered at reductions of 50% off or more!

Come by for cold refreshments, feast your eyes on art, and find something stylish this Saturday!

A sneak peak in gallery:

“Moroccan Restaurant” by Mark Selander

Austin Sapp’s “Olivia”

Visit us for It’s not all about the Benjamins, baby in the gallery space adjacent to the salon at our downtown location:
2018 1st Ave E, Seattle.
Opening: Saturday, August 1st, 4pm - 9pm.
La Rousse sidewalk sale: 12pm - 6pm.
Art on display through August 31st.

We’re overdue for introducing our next group in the collaborative series. If you missed our previous posts, VAIN hairstylists got together to envision six different photo shoots - all in one day.

Group IV was over the top - color, extensions, hairpieces, and a snake.

Megyn, Sarah B, and Kelly were the talent behind this seductive + colorful explosion. Kelly even pulled double duty, appearing as a model as well as a stylist.

The beautiful butterfly hairpieces were courtesy of Sweet Revenge + are available for purchase in the VAIN boutique!

Such a visually stunning shoot ended in style, tearing the twins apart in faux fighting fashion.

Do you need color? Extensions? Some over the top accents? Call our front desk to visit Megyn, Sarah B, Kelly, or any of our VAIN stylists. Give us a head’s up, though, if you plan on bringing your pet snake.

VAIN

Continuing our blog series on our “Photo Shoot Me” collaborative day, we bring you the works of Bash, Aubrie, and VAIN assistant + photo model Amy.

Looking at the photo, you wouldn’t know you weren’t in 1977 New York. From the oh-my-goodness-that’s-real Vivienne Westwood bag in the corner, to the flask on the ground, to the hint of defiance Amy conveyed with her eyes, this group gave incredible attention to detail.

Another hallmark of the era as they play around with some sexually charged gender bending.

The group also collaborated with Felicity from Kevin Murphy, and makeup by the Lady Bob. Photos by Sarah Jurado.

Want to have these VAIN stylists create a look from your own favorite era? Call our front desk Downtown at 206.441.3441 and connect directly with ‘77… or any time + style.

xo,

VAIN

Today we present the creations of VAIN stylists Jenny Slay, Valentine, and William.

Model: Jackie // Stylists: Jenny + Valentine // Makeup: the Lady Bob

The group utilized the strength + beauty of Native American imagery, with a touch of edginess ala Mad Max.

Model: August // Stylist: William // Makeup: the Lady Bob

To achieve August’s look William started by glueing in wafts of hair, then used the Kevin Murphy Hair Resort to give it extra oomph. He finished up with KM’s Session Spray + VOILA! Over the top, up high, beautiful hair.

Just as with Group I, we had Felicity on hand for expert volumizing, feather placing, model posing, and good-mood-creating. VAIN loves you, Felicity!

Photography by Sarah Joann Murphy

Though doing photo shoots on this grand scale aren’t an everyday event at VAIN, creating unique + inspiring looks IS. Visit us at either location for the style of your dreams.

xo,

VAIN

Last week Felicity, Kevin Murphy’s right hand lady, joined us for an all day photo project. The VAIN stylists signed up for the event were divided into six groups, each one choosing their own vision for the setup. Our day started with the creations of VAIN ’s own Liza Jo, TT, and Sam.

Model: Isis

Makeup: Lady Bob

We loved having Felicity’s trained eye + experience on hand for our shoots. It was a demanding day, with tight schedules and a need for well thought out ideas to express before the camera. Each group delivered gorgeous results - starting with Isis’ impactful color seen here.

Congratulations to all of our stylists on such a successful, creative, beautiful day. More coming soon!

Photos by our own Sarah Joann Murphy

xo,

VAIN

VAIN, FlashVolunteer*, and the ACLU of Washington join forces to bring you an exceptional photo exhibit and super simple steps to do your part.

For the month of April, Vain will house Mychal Richardson’s portraits of courageous individuals from all across Washington who fought for their rights and the rights of others. Their willingness to take a stand for freedom, fairness, and equality has made the path easier for those who follow. The ACLU is proud to have represented them.

This Saturday we will celebrate the opening of this inspiring exhibit from 1 to 6 pm at our Downtown location. Events like this are the keystone of VAIN’s mission of integrating art + community + social activism. We hope you can join us, and get involved!

xo,

VAIN

*FlashVolunteer is a local Seattle organization that seeks to inspire neighborhood-focused volunteerism through the use of user-friendly, barrier-free, online tools that connect volunteers to neighborhoods, nonprofits to volunteers and people to projects.

Parents-to-be standing in What We Do Is Also Secret, the needle-felted art installation above VAIN downtown. Photo and glow expertly captured by local photographer Sarah Joann Murphy. Installation open for photo ops and general enjoyment through this Saturday.

A couple Saturdays ago, VAIN celebrated our Rocktober art gallery opening! Visitors enjoyed the rock-inspired art work and were treated to free gravity-defying hair-dos by our Guerilla Hair team: Sam, William, and Cassie. Dj Kingblind had a choice selection of tunes going, and in the spirit of things, we took it to the next level and invited people to play Rock Band the game. Thanks to everyone who came out! Here are a few photos from the event:

Frank Mullen’s amazing Rock photography | Photo by My Vu

Liza Jo on the faux drums
Hair by William | Photo by My Vu

Guerilla Hair: Sam works that Bouffant
Photo by Josh Buesseler

In case you missed your chance to stop by, the current show will be on display through November 30th while the pieces last!