INTERVIEW
Kaguya
KAGUYA
What’s your preferred name & pronoun?
Kaguya. She/they.
Where did you grow up?
Grew up mainly in FL some time in NY.
Growing up what was your first thought of the beauty world? What did it represent to you?
That everyone needed beauty. Whether it is to get cute for the night, get ready for an event, or just to look good for yourself. I was surrounded by all types of folks who represented beauty in their own way. Whether they had natural beauty and it was as simple as just wearing lipstick to the divas who did a full glam beat and spread sparkles all over their body. Beauty made people feel a sense of happiness.
What are your earliest memories of viewing a beauty advertisement? Do you remember how it made you feel?
When I was introduced to the beauty ads my first thought was I will never look like these supermodels. And that I needed makeup to cover the existence of my, what I thought at the time, "ugly" self to make myself more beautiful and likeable. As I have gotten older, I have been using makeup to experiment with shapes, colors and beauty to enhance my essence instead. And it's an art form in itself.
How have you seen the beauty industry change since you first engaged with it as a consumer until today?
Definitely! There has definitely been more of a consciousness from manufacturer to consumer. From the packaging to the ingredients put in every product so it is more eco-friendly and more usable for folks who have sensitivities/allergies. The ranges of foundations and concealers are slowly expanding as well. I love seeing how creative all these beauty gurus are getting as well when creating content! Constantly impressed!
Who were your first beauty icons? Who do you admire today?
Honestly I was an emo/goth kid growing up in the suburbs and Avril Lavigne was an inspo for me as I was a tomboy when I was younger and getting in touch with my feminine side. My go to Covergirl Jet Black Rollup Pencil Eyeliner with angled sponge tip.
How did beauty advertisements make you feel when you were younger and how do they make you feel today?
mm.. I'd say more disposable. It just seemed like the same exact mouth shape, perfect pointy nose, to colored eyes with big lids and mainly white women. Now there has definitely been more expansion and inclusive campaigns but I am yet still waiting on more variations as well as skin types to enter the beauty realm.
What exposure did you have to beauty advertising growing up? Did you see it on TV? In magazines? In drugstores?
Yeah it was everywhere and all around me. Not once did I ever feel that a product was catered for me but I felt like if anything it was these types of folx who would get love and attention so I tried to fit in. As silly as that sounds fitting in was one of my goals as a child but as an adult I see there's beauty in all people and I am my own breed.
How did these advertisements impact you on a subconscious level?
I was constantly reminded I am not desirable or valued since I knew I would never look like the girls in these advertisements.
How do you want to see beauty advertising evolve in the future?
I would like to see more alternative models be accepted into the industry not only the size 0-2 size alternative models. Models of all ranges and ages as well. As much as we state how we are expanding I see that even so that the industry is selective to advertise to the public. The public in general is still very fatphobic and close minded.
What is still lacking from current beauty advertising?
Like I stated above.
What products would you like to see in the beauty industry?
I feel like I haven't caught up to even the current status of the beauty industry.
Did you always know you wanted to model and what encouraged you to actually pursue it?
Not at all. I grew up in a strict, sheltered household where art and music was considered not worthy so ultimately modeling was out of the picture. Plus I was told I was overweight since I was 5 years old. Modeling was never in my timeline and I never thought I was beautiful enough. Funny to see how a putting myself on social media and taking self portraits to get comfortable and getting back to loving myself has worked out. And I'm super thankful just because of the timing.
What do you think you personally bring to the fashion and beauty world?
Probably not that much honestly! lol I think everything has been done. I can say cute and sexy but comfortability is number one for me <3 I will wear a dress with a pair of kicks if need be.
Anything else you would like to share?
I just hope for more expansion and inclusivity as the years go on. <3