Tweet
Niki Koohpaima
-Inside the Mind of a Young Artist
Historically inspired and graphically rich images best describes the artistry
of Niki Koohpaima. Inspirations from Qajars to androgynous 80's glam-pop
stars. Koohpaima's unique images and original style makes her work break
traditional boundaries of accepted design and well as inspire her audience
to re-define the make-up industry.
We sat down with Niki Koohpaima for a brief interview to learn more about her fantastic work and her numerous eccentric inspirations, enjoy:
What got you interested in make-up and fashion imagery ?
NK: what got me interested in fashion and beauty as a little girl was the fact
was that in Tehran, women were incredibly style conscious including the
women around me. I mean they were so committed and looked as though
they had stepped out of a fashion magazine but it was something that i just had no control over. I was so drawn to
them that I would ask anyone i knew to allow me to style for them and do their makeup, this was the best schooling
I have ever had. When i moved to the US, I would style people, do their makeup and use a few study lights with
sheets in my room to photograph them and turn them into goddesses while making some money as well.
Where do you get your inspiration from ?
NK: I draw my inspiration from many different walks of life, from Persian history, Russian ballet, the new romantic
movement of London during late 70's, the androgunous and popular music scene of the early 80's with people such
as Boy George because it was such a unique and daring era as far as style was concerned and finally the fierce
determination of women in Iran to be stunning during any given hour of the day (she laughs).
Do you feel that your medium of art reaches people with a message ?
NK: People who do get my art do have great appreciation for it ,however I think for the most part it scares people,
because in the US the general public is not interested in provocative imagery that is waged from a non-familiar
cultural background. They much rather see none threatening visuals where they can feel safe and not need to think
too much about such as a MacDonald's billboards or Martha Stewart shopping channels. However for me it's more
about just doing what I need to express spiritually and be fulfilled at the end of the day .
What did you study exactly and how long have you been doing what you do ?
NK: I studied fashion but was not interested in sewing or pattern making, so I went more into Art and studied
photography, illustration , makeup ,art history and ballet , I have been doing this for 10 years now, I was living in the
East Village (New York) at the time and it was not as regimented as it has become today, so there were many
artistic people living around me. Unfortunately after Mayor Rudy Giuliani moved into office and turned the place into
Disneyland many of us felt that it was time to go .When I started I was working with all the top fashion designers
during fashion week and worked with celebs ,such as KELIS, USHER, COURTNEY LOVE, VICTORIA BECKHAM,
LENNY KRAVITZ, IGGY POP and many more -but I felt much more content when i did my own work it was pure joy.
What is the eventual goal for you in your work ?
NK: My eventual goal is to publish a book combined with my art and the faces of the Iranians that I'm currently
photographing in Tehran -its something that I rather not talk about because it is a personal project at the moment.
Being a native New Yorker living in Tehran must be quite a contrast, how would you define its effect on your
work ?
NK: After visiting Tehran in 2002, I fell in love with this country that I had left so long ago, there was no other way for
me but to move here. Seeing that there was such excitement from music, to theater, the energy of its youth and the
richness of our culture combined with the hospitality of our people, there was just no going back, i am now taking up
photography , let's see whats gonna come out of it, it's gonna be more exciting than ever I can feel it !
Historically inspired and graphically rich images best describes the artistry
of Niki Koohpaima. Inspirations from Qajars to androgynous 80's glam-pop
stars. Koohpaima's unique images and original style makes her work break
traditional boundaries of accepted design and well as inspire her audience
to re-define the make-up industry.
We sat down with Niki Koohpaima for a brief interview to learn more about her fantastic work and her numerous eccentric inspirations, enjoy:
What got you interested in make-up and fashion imagery ?
NK: what got me interested in fashion and beauty as a little girl was the fact
was that in Tehran, women were incredibly style conscious including the
women around me. I mean they were so committed and looked as though
they had stepped out of a fashion magazine but it was something that i just had no control over. I was so drawn to
them that I would ask anyone i knew to allow me to style for them and do their makeup, this was the best schooling
I have ever had. When i moved to the US, I would style people, do their makeup and use a few study lights with
sheets in my room to photograph them and turn them into goddesses while making some money as well.
Where do you get your inspiration from ?
NK: I draw my inspiration from many different walks of life, from Persian history, Russian ballet, the new romantic
movement of London during late 70's, the androgunous and popular music scene of the early 80's with people such
as Boy George because it was such a unique and daring era as far as style was concerned and finally the fierce
determination of women in Iran to be stunning during any given hour of the day (she laughs).
Do you feel that your medium of art reaches people with a message ?
NK: People who do get my art do have great appreciation for it ,however I think for the most part it scares people,
because in the US the general public is not interested in provocative imagery that is waged from a non-familiar
cultural background. They much rather see none threatening visuals where they can feel safe and not need to think
too much about such as a MacDonald's billboards or Martha Stewart shopping channels. However for me it's more
about just doing what I need to express spiritually and be fulfilled at the end of the day .
What did you study exactly and how long have you been doing what you do ?
NK: I studied fashion but was not interested in sewing or pattern making, so I went more into Art and studied
photography, illustration , makeup ,art history and ballet , I have been doing this for 10 years now, I was living in the
East Village (New York) at the time and it was not as regimented as it has become today, so there were many
artistic people living around me. Unfortunately after Mayor Rudy Giuliani moved into office and turned the place into
Disneyland many of us felt that it was time to go .When I started I was working with all the top fashion designers
during fashion week and worked with celebs ,such as KELIS, USHER, COURTNEY LOVE, VICTORIA BECKHAM,
LENNY KRAVITZ, IGGY POP and many more -but I felt much more content when i did my own work it was pure joy.
What is the eventual goal for you in your work ?
NK: My eventual goal is to publish a book combined with my art and the faces of the Iranians that I'm currently
photographing in Tehran -its something that I rather not talk about because it is a personal project at the moment.
Being a native New Yorker living in Tehran must be quite a contrast, how would you define its effect on your
work ?
NK: After visiting Tehran in 2002, I fell in love with this country that I had left so long ago, there was no other way for
me but to move here. Seeing that there was such excitement from music, to theater, the energy of its youth and the
richness of our culture combined with the hospitality of our people, there was just no going back, i am now taking up
photography , let's see whats gonna come out of it, it's gonna be more exciting than ever I can feel it !
Comment