If you caught my recent #ESPspotlight Review of London Edge / The LEdge then you may recall I mentioned a colour and cosmetics brand that I was quite the fan of, because of a backstory that began in my personal favourite era - the wonderful days of LaDonna, the days of D.I.S.C.O. The sparkling days of the late 70s.
Rather than the days of sequins and glitter however, sisters Tish and Snooky - a part of Blondie's original lineup - were an integral part of the evolution of Punk. Not quite '2 Broke Girls', but a similar premise; the siblings were bankrolled with a $500 dollar start up loan from their Mum, which they invested, along with their clothing designs, in their first punk-style boutique to land on trendy St. Mark's Place, or indeed, the first anywhere in America. Their first investor and (Giver of Life) coined the name 'Manic Panic' - inspired by her day job in a mental health facility - and off they set on a historical journey that saw them rocking out on stage at night, and excelling as entrepreneurs by day.
Now, I was just taken with the novelty of the products and some really brilliant, engaging staff representing the brand to begin with; but on reading up on the company's history, I have to direct you to quite the inspiring read, or I just wouldn't be doing my civic duty as a teller of talented people. No-one can tell Tish and Snooky's story better than Tish and Snooky however, so here's their story in a nutshell:
Tell me these aren't two cool chicks you wouldn't want to take you on a day-long tour of New York, with a night ending in the best entertainment that Studio 54 had to offer - it could have been the wrong club for the genre but hey, you can't knock a girl's lifelong dream...or not find a way to work it into every dream she has.
Although that first store was all about the fashion, it's mainly the colour ranges - more specifically their hair dyes - that gained the siblings their multi-million dollar fortune, and notoriety. Whilst not a customer for their vibrant hair colour range - although I may give a pink-yet-lavender wig a whirl at some point in the future, just for funsies - it was their makeup ranges that enchanted me. Anyone who can combine two of my favourite creative elements - Music and Makeup - becomes an instant font of worship in my book. Have a little looksee at these Cassette Tape Eyeshadow Palettes, they just so happened to be one of my favourite finds on the day...
From Gothic Beauty to Vogue, the Manic Panic name has become a recognisable favourite amongst the most respected editorial and runway cosmetology teams. So much so, that the ladies made the jump to the Silver Screen, when they donated hair and makeup products to 'CBGB'; the new biopic immortalising the famous nightclub / birth canal of Punk Rock, released at last week's music festival of the same name:
It's no wonder the brand is right at home, no matter the location of their latest Alternative Mecca. The one thing that I've picked up from these ladies, is that they don't fit in with you - they're fierce examples of the importance of cutting your own cloth. Oh no, from London Edge to San Diego's Comicon - you fit in with them...
For proof of their worldwide reach, you only have to look as far as some of their more famous clientele, and recall the eras of their careers stamped by shockwaves of colour through their immediately identifiable manes...
And do not, for one moment, think that these guys are 'it'; there are many, many more fans of this empire - inside and out of the spotlight - way too many to mention in fact. But you're more than welcome to see if you recognise any favourites of your own, and maybe get a little inspiration for a certain pending costume day...
Yours Truly? I'm off to learn more about CBGB...
Until the next...
ES ;)
Although that first store was all about the fashion, it's mainly the colour ranges - more specifically their hair dyes - that gained the siblings their multi-million dollar fortune, and notoriety. Whilst not a customer for their vibrant hair colour range - although I may give a pink-yet-lavender wig a whirl at some point in the future, just for funsies - it was their makeup ranges that enchanted me. Anyone who can combine two of my favourite creative elements - Music and Makeup - becomes an instant font of worship in my book. Have a little looksee at these Cassette Tape Eyeshadow Palettes, they just so happened to be one of my favourite finds on the day...
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| You may need to have been born pre-this Century to grasp the significance of a music cassette tape! |
Even their stand had character, with plenty of it speaking to you, everywhere you turned...
 |
| Bruce Willis has NOTHING on a Tish and Snooky franchise... |
It's no wonder the brand is right at home, no matter the location of their latest Alternative Mecca. The one thing that I've picked up from these ladies, is that they don't fit in with you - they're fierce examples of the importance of cutting your own cloth. Oh no, from London Edge to San Diego's Comicon - you fit in with them...
For proof of their worldwide reach, you only have to look as far as some of their more famous clientele, and recall the eras of their careers stamped by shockwaves of colour through their immediately identifiable manes...
 |
| Green Day |
 |
| Katy Perry |
 |
| Rihanna |
And do not, for one moment, think that these guys are 'it'; there are many, many more fans of this empire - inside and out of the spotlight - way too many to mention in fact. But you're more than welcome to see if you recognise any favourites of your own, and maybe get a little inspiration for a certain pending costume day...
Yours Truly? I'm off to learn more about CBGB...
Until the next...
ES ;)
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