Musical Notes
Rising musician Perfume Genius, cast in “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as an officer with a fondness for eyeliner, puts on a pretty face.
Though he has been around since 2008, composing achingly emotional piano ballads, Mike Hadreas, the Seattle-based musician with the fittingly captivating nom de star Perfume Genius, seemed to explode onto the world stage last fall with Too Bright, his bold and confident third album (“No family is safe when I sashay,” he sneers on the glam-rock single “Queen”), which made just about every critic’s best of 2014 list. “There’s a ton of stuff in my life I’m not proud of,” says Hadreas, a recovering drug addict. “This record isn’t one of them.” And with the album has come an androgynous-chic wardrobe to match. Inspired by mid-’70s David Bowie, Grace Jones, and Patti Smith, and facilitated by the stylist Sean Knight, Hadreas’s look consists of vintage suits, stilettos, slinky metallic tops, and sturdy leather harnesses. “I want to be provocative and exude power. But I also can’t help wanting to look pretty.” As such, he often sports lipstick, and is rarely seen without a bright red manicure. “I always have my nails done. That way, I can’t hide.”
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Valentino Sala Bianca 945 Haute Couture dress, bra, and clutch; Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz earrings; (from top) Inez and Vinoodh rings, model’s own ring (throughout); Falke tights (throughout); Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane sandals. On Perfume Genius: Jacket, trousers, and medals from Kaufman’s Army & Navy, New York; hat from Western Costume Company, Los Angeles; Sermoneta Gloves gloves; belt from Uncle Sam’s Army Navy Outfitters, New York; his own shoes (all throughout).
Diane von Furstenberg dress; Alexander McQueen shirt; YSL from Stone & Strand vintage earrings; Max Mara bow; Falke tights (throughout); Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane sandals. Beauty note: Hit refresh with Bareminerals Complexion Rescue SPF 30 in Vanilla.
J. Mendel gown and boa; Lele Sadoughi necklace; Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane sandals.
Alexander McQueen dress.
Escada gown; Kenneth Jay Lane earrings; Inez and Vinoodh bangles. Beauty note: Reach the height of hair perfection with Toni&Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe Casual Matt Texture Dry Shampoo.
Marchesa gown; Jennifer Behr veil; Silvia Furmanovich earrings; Givenchy from Stone & Strand vintage bracelet. Beauty note: Sulwhasoo Capsulized Ginseng Fortifying Serum makes skin ready for a great reveal.
J. Mendel bolero; Tom Ford gown; Silvia Furmanovich earrings; Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane sandals.
Chanel jacket, blouse, and skirt. Beauty note: For lashes to look up to, use Estée Lauder Little Black Primer mascara.
Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane dress; YSL from Stone & Strand vintage earrings; Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz bangles; Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane sandals. Beauty note: Ultra-touchable skin has Bella Schneider Beauty Culminé Essence of Fig Hand & Body Cream to thank.
Jason Wu belted gown; Lele Sadoughi earrings; Jason Wu for Pluma bracelet; Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane bag.
Vera Wang Collection gown; M&S Schmalberg flower; Lulu Frost earrings; Gaspar Gloves gloves; Dolce & Gabbana briefs; Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane sandals.
Altuzarra dress; Yves Salomon coat; Eugenia Kim turban; Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane bag; Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet. Beauty note: Nails become high-shine accessories with CND Vinylux in Clearly Pink.
Hair by James Pecis at D+V Management; makeup by Aaron de Mey at Art Partner; manicure by Deborah Lippmann at the Magnet Agency. Models: Mariacarla Boscono at Women Management, the musician Perfume Genius. Production by the Collective Shift. Creative movement director: Stephen Galloway. Studio manager: Marc Kroop. Location manager: Ernie Liberati. Lighting director: Jodokus Driessen. Digital technician: Brian Anderson. Photography assistant: Joe Hume. Fashion assistants: Ryann Foulke, Dena Giannini. Hair assistant: Holly Mills. Makeup assistant: Tayler Treadwell. Special thanks to Creative Film Cars.
