Welcome to my world, my name is Sharon Kostini. I enjoy creating visual stories that communicate fashion and art uniquely and explore cultural connections that introduce and challenge different narratives & perspectives to my audience. The intersection of fashion and art is a powerful force for creative expression and can be used to tell meaningful stories that promote inclusivity and diversity. This is an important role that fashion & art can play in our society, as they can make change and shape lives through their connection to us all.
I have a deep appreciation for the art of editorial photography and this allows me to express myself creatively in the moment. Editorial photography is more than a profession for me, it’s a way of living in the moment and understanding how trends evolve and transition into a different market. Pushing the boundaries and staying up-to-date with the latest fashion trends and market movements, as well as having a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of composition through visual storytelling.
Title: Shade Of Beauty
The Shade Of Beauty Campaign is here to bring forth and celebrate beauty no matter what shade you are for everyone to experience what it truly means to feel beautiful and be seen.
The intersection of art & activism is a powerful force for creative expression and can be used to tell meaningful stories that promote inclusivity and diversity. This is what inspired the ‘Shade Of Beauty Project’ I created in collaboration with Paskaline Maiyo. Decolonizing colourism through visual arts and challenging the deep-seated biases and prejudices about dark skin. I am working on expanding this project and creating a body of work that celebrates women of all skin complexions, visit my website to see more sharonkostini.com Photography by: @sharonitakostini
Paskaline Maiyo
My practice focuses on celebrating African art (Kenya) by Exploring various symbols, cultural practises, life stages and patterns, hairstyles, food varieties, and daily lifestyles, and creating a visual representation of the stories I grew up with and my upbringing.
I use face paints and makeup eyeshadow pallets as mediums and my face (majorly) as a canvas. By applying these two processes I can connect not only to the makeup that has formed a daily part of our lifestyle as women but also a tool I can reach at any time to create a new identity. I use my face to stay rooted and connected to my culture and the art pieces have my eyes or the models’ eyes closed so that the viewer gets to connect with the art piece other than the human figure itself. Look beyond just the model but its message and the details of the art piece.
Body and face painting of an African tribal nature is a long-standing custom that has been handed down through the centuries. For many tribes across the continent, it has cultural and spiritual importance and is used for celebrations, ceremonies, and rituals. The body and face painting patterns and designs frequently have symbolic meanings and convey tales about the tribe’s past, present, and future. The ingredients in the colour are frequently organic, like clay, charcoal, and crushed plants and fruits. A significant part of the rich cultural heritage of the continent is represented by the practice of tribal body and facial painting.
Face & Body Painting by: Paskaline Maiyo ( @cheb-arts_ ) paskalinejebet@gmail.com
