TWELV sits down with founders of Parlor Social Club Jan Cieslikiewicz and Frederick Ghartey to give a glimpse into the story of co-founders living in New York City.
LA BEAU DUNN
August 07, 2012 1:20 PM
Hollywood it-girl, Beau Dunn, multi-talented model, actress, artist and philanthropist, was born and raised in Beverly Hills, the daughter of a businessman/art collector father and actress/model mother. Dunn began her career in the fashion, arts and entertainment world at a very young age. Her face has graced ad campaigns for various high-end brands, and she has made cameo appearances for hit TV shows like “Entourage,” “Up All Night,” and “CSI.
Dunn captured the art scene with her first modern art collections, which included Barbie, Hello Kitty and gun inspired pieces. They evaded a provocative transformation of today’s most popular kid’s toys. The well-grounded young beauty is also credited with having co-founded the Cure Lipedema Fund, a charity she holds very close to heart. I had the pleasure of interviewing Beau at her Los Angeles home, via Skype, a few weeks ago, where we spoke briefly about her drive.
Who is Beau Dunn?
Beau: That’s kind of a hard question. I’m an artist, a sculptor; I have my own charity; there is a lot going on in Beau Dunn’s life. (Laughs) I was born and raised in Beverly Hills near the beach, and I went to high school right over the hill. Then I went to Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA to study studio art and sculpting, and at the same time I was modeling and ditching classes to go on auditions and photo shoots. Pretty naughty, but I love modeling and acting. I was juggling a lot of stuff at that time.
When did you start creating art?
Beau: I started creating art when I was a little girl. I remember when I was in the 2nd grade, my teacher asked what your parents did for a profession and I told everyone my dad was a sculptor. In actuality, he is a business man and art collector, so I was always immersed in art events and going to galleries. I always had a passion for art, especially my art classes.
Do you recall a memorable fashion shoot?
Beau: My glossy photo shoot with Beverly Hills Lifestyle magazine, has left the biggest impression on me, I feel it was very TWELV inspired. It was a very dark shoot, shot in black and white. I especially loved this huge military hat. I love fashion; it was fun.
Tell us more about your Charity.
Beau: The role that fits me the best is definitely that of a philanthropist. I was diagnosed with a disease called Lipedema, referred to as “painful fat syndrome”. It is a fat disease prevalent among young women, especially those going through puberty. I figured this out after a long flight to New Zealand— my legs became very swollen and it was painful, Before I got diagnosed, I researched online and asked around other doctors but no one really knew much about this disease. So I went to a specialist, Dr. Karen Herbst, and thanks to her we founded the Cure Lipedema Fund. I started this charity because I wanted young girls to get treated.
What was your favorite childhood toy?
Beau: My favorite childhood toys were definitely my Hello Kitty figurines. When I was probably six or seven years old, my dad had the license for his company, Munchkins, so for Christmas I would receive a huge gift bag with every single Hello Kitty toy. That was so much fun— I remember all my friends were jealous that I had all the Hello Kitty toys and they could not get them.
If you could do it all over again, what would you have done differently?
Beau: If I could do something all over again, I would probably not have ditched so many classes at Pepperdine. (laughs) Though working on photo shoots and going on auditions kept me grounded, I did miss a lot of art classes, which I am a little bummed out about, so if I could do it all over, I would miss less classes instead of being on fabulous photo shoots.
What new projects are you working on?
Beau: I am actually working on my new art show— it is a little top secret, but it will be a lot of fun! I am still working on my Hello Kitty pieces and now selling them exclusively on commission for limited editions. I am also working on a lot of editorials and a few TV pilot projects. (laughs as her Sphynx cat, Pierre, jumps into the frame to say hi). I’m also working on my charity, which is a really big deal to me to help out all those girls.
By Renato Amado
related posts
Keiichiro Nakajima interview
Keiichiro Nakajima is a photographer and director based in Japan, represented by a management and production company called Signo, Inc, which is one of the largest and leading artist management...
SHIN FUJIYAMA Founder of Students Helping Honduras INTERVIEW
Japanese-American philanthropist Shin Fujiyama co-founded Students Helping Honduras with his sister Cosmo Fujiyama.
NEW TYPE #36: Mônot - ELI MIZRAHI INTERVIEW
Beginning with his childhood in Lebanon, Eli Mizrahi garnished inspiration from across the globe to debut his evening wear brand, Mônot, last fall.
RMK CREATIVE DIRECTOR: KAORI INTERVIEW
KAORI is a renowned make-up artist and the creative director of RMK beauty, a flourishing Japanese makeup and skincare brand that is now sold worldwide.
MICHEL GONDRY INTERVIEW
“MAYBE WE CAN BE IMMERSED IN MOVIES BECAUSE WE’RE USED TO DREAMING.”
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
It has become almost useless and banal to introduce Jean-Paul Gaultier.The mere mention of his name alone elicits a constellation of images that have become part of our mind and imagination since...
NEW TYPE #35: DARA SENDERS INTERVIEW
Dara Senders, the designer behind the eponymously titled, all size inclusive brand that launched in 2018, has always been obsessed with fashion.
NEW TYPE #35: NTTE HATS
From a small city near Milan to Downtown New York, Paolo, Designer and creater of NTTE Hatsdiscovered his passion for hats and anything vintage at a young age.
NEW TYPE #34 : BEAU WATSON
1. As a new designer, how do you hope to distinguish yourself among other designers?
NIAN FISH INTERVIEW
Nian Fish, creative director of KCD, has been, for decades, a pivotal figure in the fashion world, assembling and producing fashion shows that have become cultural benchmarks unto themselves, such...
CESAR LOVE ALEXANDRE INTERVIEW
Cesar Love Alexadre is a duo of visual artists formed by Isabelle Chaput and Nelson Tiberghien.They met at the Gobelins school of Photography in Paris and now based in New York where they work on...
TOM PECHEUX INTERVIEW
TWELV got a special interview from Tom Pecheux. Read as we host interviews and explore the lives of artists who shape the final product - directors, fashion designers, stylists, ...
ANTHONY VACCARELLO INTERVIEW
Anthony Vaccarello was considered as one of the brightest new talent in fashion: he was part of this new generation of talents the whole industry has kept an eye on to see them grow, to see them...
Why is Everyone in Hollywood Buzzing About Actress Malgosia Garnys?
Have you ever felt like you were beautiful and powerful and the universe was conspiring in your best interest, and your opportunities were endless because you’ve lost people you loved...
INTERVIEW: Bigwig Broadway Producer, Jordan Roth and Acclaimed Choreographer, Michelle Dorrance
R.I.P Chek Wu
We at TWELV are deeply saddened to announce the passing of talented photographer, boundless free-spirit, and our friend, Chek Wu.
GatherNYC: Everything We Love About Church With No Weird Stuff
GatherNYC is Everything We Love About Sunday Service With None of the Weird Stuff
NEW TYPE #33: Catherine Casias Inteview
If fashion is an expression of experiences, Catherine Casias has a lot of area to cover. She has excelled as an Olympic volleyball player, a philosophy major, and a fine artist....
Party Czar Carmen D’Alessio, Empress of the Sun and the Queen of the Night
You may not know Carmen D’Alessio by name.
IKEMEN #39: JORDAN HENRIQUEZ
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
IKEMEN #38: WARREN KAY
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
NEW TYPE #32: ALEXANDER ROYS INTERVIEW
"Introducing an innovative Men’s designer to inspire you with the visions of future and the rise of technology."
Branding in the Worlds of Art and Commerce According to Silvia Mella
Branding is everything. For an entrepreneur, it is the difference between viability and bankruptcy. On social media, we are all our own brands.
Interview: Jackie Yang, Creative Director of Chelsea and Walker
TWELV sat down with Jackie Yang, Creative Director of Chelsea and Walker, in the brand’s New York City...
New Type #31: Angela Mitchell – Krystal and Marilyn Lavoie Interview
We are living in the age of fast fashion, and even Europe’s most storied luxury brands have been moving their factories to Asia to reduce costs.
Ikemen #37: Dominik Halas
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
New Type #30: Carolina Sarria & Bianca Allen Interview
Both Carolina Sarria and Bianca Allen knew they wanted to become fashion designers from a young age.
Interview & Backstage: Christian Siriano Celebrates 10 Years in Fashion
After the successful launch of his book Dresses to Dream About, a decade-anniversary celebration on the runway, and a whirlwind of striking celebrity looks on the red carpet of...
New Type #29: Jackie Astier Interview
Astier places its identity within the advanced adaptation skills of the modern New York woman.
INTERVIEW: Meet Kiko Arai, Miss Japan-turned Face of Balmain and Zara
Kiko Arai hails from Osaka, Japan, and after winning the title of Miss Japan 2012, the now 27-year old is captivating a new audience– the fashion world.
Interview: Parisian Designer Frédéric Robert's Debut Shoe Collection "ME.LAND"
A vibrant brand of Italian-made shoes for men is emerging this year as one-to-watch.
New Type #28: the Design Duo Behind Maxime Hernandez Interview
The streetwear phenomenon in the fashion establishment is not slowing down anytime soon.
MICHEL NAFZIGER INTERVIEW
With a wealth of experience shooting some for some of fashion's most renowned clients (Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche), ...
IKEMEN #36: Jérôme LaMaar
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"