Xena Jade is a staple member of SLUG‘s Marketing Team, and you’ve likely noticed their bold look at local events around town. Jade uses makeup and clothing as a continual living art project that blurs the lines between aesthetic style and self-expression on a daily basis.
Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct and unique member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.
Click images for captions
“I’m some kind of perpetually confused humanoid sliming my way around SLC with a trail of glitter behind me,” says Jade. Photo: @clancycoop
“Makeup is a medium I love, something I tend to be unconventional with,” says Jade. “It’s quite literally an art project to me. It is really damn cool that we can completely manipulate our faces like a canvas for a day and make it to look like whatever we want—to be able to take all off the product and do it again, like an ever-changing art piece.” Photo: @clancycoop
“Most things I do in all aspects come in impulses, and tragically, I tire of routine easily. I like making myself uncomfortable. I don’t have time to be bored,” says Jade. Photo: @clancycoop
“Self-expression is definitely an art form,” says Jade. “It’s possibly the best way to assure ourselves of our identity, I think.” Photo: @clancycoop
“I have some sort of mantra I live by and offer to others … the only rule I see applicable to fashion or self-expression in general. Garments and accessories are only objects. It isn’t until you adorn yourself with them that they actually become something,” says Jade. “That’s it. You can pull off literally anything because you bring it to life and that is your power.” Photo: @clancycoop
“Do whatever the hell you want with your skin suit,” says Xena Jade. Photo: @clancycoop
“I honestly have no idea what my ‘style’ is,” says Jade. “On a day-to-day basis, I definitely find solace in mostly black attire. There’s an authenticity to simplicity that I really adore, but on the other hand, I will gravitate towards anything obscene and loud just as often.” Photo: @clancycoop
“When I go out for social events, I have a progressive habit of becoming the costume I’m in,” says Jade. “It’s really interesting to be inside of a temporary setting interacting with temporary people, whatever the occasion may be, and I have found a different kind of comfortable in these temporary roleplays.” Photo: @clancycoop
“I just dress how I feel,” says Jade. “I imitate cartoons, flowers, songs, anything that holds my attention. I constantly treat myself, so If I want something, I get it, and if I can’t find it, I make it.” Photo: @clancycoop
Your donations allow us to share underrepresented stories for FREE!
