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© Mike Mannarino
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Age: 22
Ethnicity: I’m a German Jew haha I’m a mix of Lithuanian, Russian, and German
Currently live: A neighborhood called Andersonville in Chicago, IL
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© Mike Mannarino
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Day job (what pays the bills):
I’m a makeup artist, and manage a makeup store called Kryolan in Chicago. I do beauty, special effects, medical, and theatre makeup.
Hobbies:
I’m an artist also, so I draw, sculpt, paint, write. I enjoy dancing, and being active as well as anything creative. I collect things…like animal bones, skeleton keys, bird cages…etc.
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© Mike Mannarino
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Aspirations:
I would love my art hanging in galleries. I want to be successful as a model and break the mold of the stereotypical “model” and what that looks like.
Single/Taken:
Single
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| © Josh Wool |
Education/Study:
I went to SAIC (The School of the Art Institute of Chicago)… I didn’t finish though.
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What was growing up like for you?
Hard. I grew up really fast and have always been a pretty intense dark person. Life events didn’t make things any easier.
Do you see yourself as Model?
Sometimes. It’s hard for me to say I’m a model and artist because I’m never fully satisfied in my work.
When did you become involved in modelling and what do you love
about it?
about it?
Ever since I was a little kid I couldn’t sit still for pictures, and I’d always be making a crazy face, usually with my mouth open and screaming haha. My grandfather was a photographer and so is my uncle..so I’ve always been in pictures of some sort. I starting taking self portraits to use in my own art as a teenager and I loved being in front of the camera. I dabbled in modeling a little when I was younger, and hated it because I hated the way I looked in the photographs..I had to find the right people to work with and become comfortable with myself before I really started enjoying it as much as I do now. I love becoming a different character in front of the camera, it’s like therapy for me. I love having this really intense intimate interaction with who ever I’m working with in a really short amount of time..and it result in beautiful images.
What would you like to do it more in the future?
I’d like to work with more designers and photographers and to travel. I’d like to be able to work in my own art more and to push my art to keep evolving and growing.
What do you admire in other women?
Confidence and being comfortable in their own skin.
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© Steve Prue
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Who is Clara Rae?
Me!!
Where do you draw inspiration from?
All over the place. Everything I own inspires me, the space I live in, the clothes I wear, the people around me, nature. My home is filled with bones and skulls and bugs haha. I get inspired by a certain feeling, image, color… I love the tiny details of things.
How would you describe your style?
umm…I’d say my style is dark, kinda goth-y and intense..I like mixing hard and soft and lots of layers.
Are you a fashion brands girl or do you just wear what you like or whats comfortable?
I’m definitely not into brands. Don’t get me wrong there are some designers that I’m obsessed with, but brand names, not so much. Comfort isn’t really important to me either haha I just like what I like...I find a lot of basic things and put them together in different ways to make it unique and edgy.
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© photoGrant
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What are your top 5 fashion staples you cannot live without?
My platform wedge boots, black skinny jeans that I pull over my shoes, tall black socks, a simple black tank top, and eyeliner.
Favourite places to shop?
I like little antique-y stores, and hidden places. My favorite things to shop for is stuff for my home like art or decorative items..and shoes! For clothes I usually go to the urban outfitters outlet store, some random thrift-y shops, or online..it’s really hard to find clothes that fit me cause of my size.
Who would you say is your style icon?
Hard to say, there isn’t just one person that comes to mind. I love Alexander McQueen’s designs, attention to detail, and intensity.
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© Steve Prue
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Tales of love & lust?
I’m not a relationship person. I’m drawn to intense people, but I don’t like people getting too close. I I’ve only been in love once, and I sincerely hope she’s doing well and we can connect again at some point in the future..timing wasn’t right.
What is it that you love most about being a woman?
Being able to change how I look with makeup.
What do you find sexy?
Androgyny
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© Mike Mannarino
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Is there anything you would change about yourself if you could?
Easy answer is that I’d change a lot of things (my height, my body, my nose, my teeth) more honest answer is that I wouldn’t change anything because I feel like I’m meant to be exactly who I am and one day I’ll learn to love everything I’d want to change.
When no one is around what is Clara usually doing?
Probably watching shitty TV shows on my computer and cleaning.
Is there a public and private Clara?
Yes.
If you were stuck on a desert island and your only shoe options were crocs or uggs what would you do?
haha get black uggs and WORK IT!!
What's your take on life and what advice would give any of your fans?
In life I think we forget how powerful we really are. Life is challenging, for everyone, but it is so rewarding when you find what makes you happy and what feeds you. It’s all about balance. Fans? What fans?! Haha..I’d say don’t ever apologize for who or how you are. Set your intentions, and work hard to make them reality.
You can lurk Clara here;
