FAxPPC: MYK WORK (New series!) + RVR 2021 reminders

Hello everyone! Welcome to a special installment of our newsletter We'd like to introduce the FAxPPC series, where Pengu of Flores Astorum interviews a Japanese designer featured in the Flores Astorum shop on their work and design process. We are proud to host this series and hope to show you more in the future! This FAxPPC segment is about false eyelash artist Miyuki of MYK WORK (pronunciation: M-Y-K work)!

How did you start your brand?

I used to study cosmetology. While working on a fashion show and with limited time to work on each model, I had an epiphany and thought that, if I decorated the false eyelashes, I could transform their looks almost instantly. That inspired me to start creating my work.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I love plants and insects. Especially butterflies, who mimic and camouflage themselves with the likeness of leaves and birds - like the trompe l’oeil (trick art) of nature. I learned the phrase, “people see what they want to see,” and I often get ideas for my designs from visual illusions.

Please tell us about your design process.

If it’s a design involving wire, I shape the wire into the motif first. Then I set it with resin, color it with paint, and then decorate it onto the false eyelash.

Some of my designs involve using washi (traditional Japanese paper). In those designs, I paint using watercolor and then have them printed by a professional. After that, I cut out the designs and coat them with resin.

Which is your favorite out of your past designs?

It’s this one titled “Shunran” (spring storm). I love the hummingbird that is feeding from the nectar of the Japanese Hagi flower.

Have you had inquiries or interactions from an international audience before?

I posted my designs on Facebook in 2016, and received a lot of interactions from overseas. However at that time, I had no idea how to sell my product overseas. I’m very grateful that I can now reach my customers outside of Japan via Flores Astorum.

Please give a word of encouragement to those who are unsure about how to wear your product, are hesitant to take that first step, and/or maybe even feel intimidated.

It might be difficult to get the hang of it at first, but once you get used to handling false eyelashes it becomes easy. It’s similar to wearing normal, un-decorated false eyelashes. The trick is to wear it not exactly on your eyelid, but a few millimeters away. Apply the glue on the false eyelashes, wait for the glue to dry halfway, and then put them on. Keep the eyelash in place with your finger until the glue is dry all the way.

Is there anything else you would like to say to your overseas audience?

MYK WORK makes a large variety of decorated false eyelashes, from simple designs to extravagant designs. Other than false eyelashes, I also make face pieces that you can wear anywhere you like using eyelash glue. I would be very happy if people could give my work a try and find designs that fit their style among my work.

Please check out MYK WORK’s Instagram to see all the designs they have created so far. You can buy MYK WORK products at Flores Astorum’s Storenvy.

Announcements and Reminders:

• Do you want to model in our fashion show? We are recruiting models starting September 14th. Get a head start by signing up on Fluffy Show and making your model profile. On the 14th, you’ll be able to apply to model in our All Things J-fashion and Lolita Fashion shows through Fluffy Show. You can model in either or both shows!

• Are you interested in presenting a panel at RVR 2021? Sign up using our form by October 1 at 11:59 PM PT.

• Are you ready for the RVR 2021 Swap Meet? In addition to our vendors’ room, we are proud to offer an alternative shopping option on Saturday, November 20 of the event. We will be hosting a swap meet, where attendees can sell their secondhand items to other attendees. The swap meet is free for all to attend. However, if you’re interested in selling at the swap meet, we need you to reserve a table! Table reservations have started on Eventbrite - please note that this is a different Eventbrite link than our main ticket sales! Table reservations cost $15. Thank you for your support, and please direct any questions to PPC staffer Ruthie!

• We are looking for volunteers! Please see our volunteer page to sign up NOW! We will be reaching out to all volunteers by the end of the month to start coordinating, and we will continue to accept volunteers on a rolling basis until October 19.

Call to action: reproductive rights are human rights and abortions are an essential healthcare service. As reproductive rights continue to be under attack in the US, consider boosting and supporting independent abortion providers. If you or someone you know needs more information about abortions or new abortion laws in Texas, visit https://needabortion.org/.

As always, visit prettyprincess.club for more information on Royal Vegas Retreat 2021, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. See you next week!