West World
Celebrate the untameable spirit of eternal Surrealist muse Mae West with a 21stcentury take. By Anne Lee.
From Kate Moss’s waif-like aesthetic to Kardashian-level dramatics, the notion of sex appeal has evolved drastically over the years. Yet, at the core, confidence and a devil-may-care attitude, perfectly encapsulated by the late Mae West, the controversial, non-conforming muse to the Surrealists in the ’30s, remains an attitude that continues to captivate. On the streets of New York and London, influences of West—who was celebrated for her independence, wit, and unabashed sexuality—get an upgrade to fit the spirit of the times. After Salvador Dalí produced his Mae West sofa, he famously said, “When you come to her, you are greeted by enticing and prepossessing lips. But be careful, this mouth can eat you at any moment!” With lips as the focal point, opt for moodier shades of plum-noir or soft muted pinks. Channel a silver-screen siren in a LBD, or keep an all-white ensemble chic and modern with a dark lip. For the full West effect, consider an icy refresh to platinum blonde tresses, as seen in Dalí’s Mae West’s Face which May be Used as a Surrealist Apartment, and lift it to a shade that’s close to a crisp white colour, almost as if seen through the black-and-silver lens of Man Ray, but #IRL. Dubbed the new Hollywood blonde, celebrity hairstylist Brittan White suggests maintaining the colour with a purple shampoo to neutralise undesired orange, brassy, or yellow tones, while bringing out the cooler blues in the hair. In between washes, retain snowy hues with a dry shampoo. A supernatural hue that commands attention, this frosty shade truly reflects the individuality and untamed spirit of today’s woman, to do as her heart pleases—in the spirit of Baby Mae.