Photographer and Photo Editor of Missbehave Mag, Brooke Nipar lays it out in this week’s Confessional. Looking good both in front of and behind the lens, this striking beauty dishes out about how she got connected with the Missbehave crew, her favorite celeb photoshoot, and how her grandfather helped start her on the road to photography.
How long have you lived in New York?
It’ll be 6 years in May.
What neighborhood in NY do you live in?
East Village.
What are your favorite memories of New York since living here?
Daft Punk at Coney Island, rooftop parties, trips to Long Beach in the summertime, the first MISSBEHAVE party at Happy Valley.
How long have you been taking photos and how did you start?
I started taking pictures when I was 13 or so. My Grandfather was a photographer, when he passed away he left me all of his photo equipment and I started playing around with it. Then I started taking photography classes when I was a sophmore in high school which led to me studying at Art Center.
Currently you’re the photo director of Missbehave, how did you connect with the magazine and what does your job require of you?
My connection with MISSBEHAVE was truly serendipitous. Samantha, the founding editor, had seen some of my work and contacted me to see if I wanted to contribute to a new project she was doing called “MISSBEHAVE”. At that point she was just working to produce a promo copy to pass around to advertisers so they could get the vibe of what the mag would ultimately be like. She had already started working with our other editors Sally and Mary but didn’t have a photo editor. We got on really well and she asked me if I wanted to be a part of it and the rest is history. It was totally meant to be. The four of us that started this magazine together have a really special chemistry, I don’t think any of us are replaceable. There’s a piece of each of us that goes into every issue and it’s so awesome that people have responded so well to it.
Being the Photo Director of MISSBEHAVE requires me to handle all things photo based. I research and hire all the photographers that shoot for us. I then edit and choose all of the images that go into each issue. I work closely with the other girls to make sure everyone is happy with the content and that we’re all on the same page. If one of us is strongly opposed to something it usually doesn’t make it in. I spend a lot of time looking at websites, meeting with photographers to look at their portfolios and checking out other magazines just to see what everyone else is up to out there.
Aside from the photo stuff I pitch ideas for content and stories in general, help with planning of MISSBEHAVE parties/events, and I’m also the de facto music editor. I guess I wear a lot of hats. Hahaha. But I like being involved in all aspects of the mag.
You’re also a freelance photographer, what do you consider your biggest or most rewarding job?
So far I think my favorite shoot/job was going to London to shoot M.I.A. for the cover of MISSBEHAVE. I’m a huge fan of hers and we had wanted her on the cover since the very beginning, so finally getting her for the cover of issue 5 and getting to shoot her myself was really rewarding all the way around. Plus she’s a really rad girl and super fun to photograph.
Any favorite photoshoots or people you enjoyed photographing?
Shooting Amy Winehouse definitely goes down in history as one of the most “interesting” shoots I’ve ever done. I’m a big fan, but she’s completely nuts.
Digital or film?
Both. I love shooting film, but it’s just not as practical anymore for multiple reasons.
What are your thoughts on all the party/event photography websites and photographers such as Cobrasnake, Last Night’s Party, and Photobytone that have come to the forefront of internet/digital photography in the last few years?
Yeah, the whole party/event photography thing has gotten really big over the past couple of years. People love going out at night and seeing themselves up on these sites the next day. It’s completely different from what I do but I can totally respect it. Especially with Bronques (Last Night’s Party). For a long time everyone thought of him just as a “party photographer” but he’s really pushed the boundaries over the past few years and is doing amazing work. He’s a friend and watching him shoot is fascinating to me– he connects with people on another level.
Which photographers do you admire or inspire you? What do you consider the highest achievement for a photographer?
There’s so many photographers that I admire: Guy Bourdin, Andreas Gursky, Richard Burbridge, David Sims, Larry Clark, Avedon, the list goes on and on. I think the highest achievement for a photographer is to be respected by those you admire.
What advice would you give to young photographers trying to get noticed?
Be yourself and shoot what you love.
Got any favorite clothing brands/designers?
I like Rojas a lot. My friend Alejandra designs for them and she does an amazing job. Brian Lichtenberg is a really cool young designer out of LA. I love the favorites like Ksubi, Jeremy Scott, Bernard Willhelm, etc as well.
Got a long term plan?
My long term plan is to be happy. That’s all I want honestly. Hopefully that will always involve photography.
Do you have much free time? And what do you do when you’re not working?
I could be busy all the time if I wanted to be but I definitely make time for fun. I need to or I would go crazy. I go out dancing with my friends as much as possible. My roommate Jules (www.bijulesnyc.com) and I have people over for dinner/house parties quite a bit as well. During the summer I’m usually at the beach on the weekends.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’m not really sure how I would describe it– I wear so many different types of things mixed together. I was having dinner with a friend the other night and he said that I “only wear pieces that are typically Brooke Nipar”… so whatever that means!
What’s your prized possession?
I have a few, but recently my black leather motorcycle jacket I picked up at a flea market in London. I wear it almost everyday.
Where do you like to shop?
I love Opening Ceremony and Seven here in NYC.
Do you go out much? Got any favorite bars, lounges, and clubs?
Yeah, I go out a lot. Hahaha. Part of living in NYC that I love is that there is always something to do. I have to force myself to stay home sometimes. Studio B and 205 are the only places I go regularly. Other than that I just go to where my friends will be or where the music is good.
Please name your top 3 fave restaurants in NY and what your favorite
dish(es) is/are there.
Peasant: everything is excellent.
BLT Prime: the fillet and the blue cheese tater tots.
Cafe Mogador: my neighborhood spot. I eat there a few times a week. The greek salad and the Lamb Tangine Casablanca are my fav. The brunch is also really great.
What music have you been listening to lately?
My friends band KUDU is about to release a remix album that I’m way into. Other things on rotation would be Modeselktor, Radiohead, The Kills, Santogold, Spiritualized… Too many things to list, really. I’ve also been listening to a lot of the music I loved when I was in high school: Fugazi, Nine Inch Nails, Jawbreaker, Stiff Little Fingers, Joy Division, The Cure.
Do you plan on living in NY forever?
I think so… I feel like I will probably always be based here anyway. I love NYC. It’s been really good to me and it’s a great place to live while you’re young. Being that I’m originally from Cali I could see myself wanting a house with a yard and trees, etc at some point. But I don’t think I could ever leave NYC completely…. after all, it is the center of the universe!
If you smoke, tell us your favorite rolling paper. If you drink, tell us
your cocktail/drink of choice.
I’m a total wino. I LOVE wine. I drink it everyday. I have fantasies about owning my own vineyard one day. Right now I’m really into South American wines- Riojas and Malbecs. I was in heaven when I travelled to Argentina a while back because you can get the most amazing bottles of wine for like, 5 bucks.
Name one New York woman that you would nominate to our Hail Mary! list.
Mary Choi
“Peaced Off” is pretty much how we felt when we logged onto the Ksubi website wanting to adore their Jeremy Scott collabo or search for options of their skin tight jeans but landed on a photo of cutoff bloody fingers and nowhere else to go.
February 2008, for the first time in its eight-year history, ksubi relaunched its website. The decision to promote and make ksubi product available online was encouraged by demand, and gives an incisive visual narrative into the brand’s history, projects, collections, and stockists/distributors. And most significantly, classic ksubi—from denim, fashion, eyewear, books and limited editions objects, can now be purchased online.
The minimalist Google-inspired site threw us into a brain f*ck, wanting to close the window and search for a better link! But once we started clicking on the photos and discovered how easy it was to make a purchase online we were convinced. Using the search feature you can explore the multimedia aspects of Ksubi by looking at pictures from their newest book, “Sign of the Times,” or learn about the collective’s musical inclinations. If you’re just there to shop, use the navigation along the top and start burning that plastic.
And on the subject of websites… Claw has re-launched her site, ClawMoney.com, making all of her goodies available online for the first time too! Shop for graphic tees and one-off hoodie jackets.
Packable, fashionable, and practical- we stay good in the hood!
The Snap Hood was created in 2005 as an accessory for a more flexible lifestyle. Intended as its own entity, the hoods are lightweight and easier to carry around than your favorite zip hoodie. You can wear the hood with anything (or with nothing), and even bring some life back to a tired kit. Given names like Atari Safari, Zulu, and Big Purp, the hoods come in a variety of fabrics including patterns, reworked tribal prints, and buffalo plaids all with contrast color clashing linings.
This innovation is courtesy of two visual artists, Jasko Begovic and Jeremiah Nadya, who came together in early 2003 to start a band called Official Tourist combining interactive video installation and live electronic music. By incorporating Begovic and Nadya’s varied interests, Official Tourist has expanded into a self-described art house making clothing, art, and video installations in addition to their multimedia live performances.
Next up Official Tourist is working on “shackles,” spats for the streetwear consumer that allow you to create the high-top look out of low-top shoes, as well as bowties, neckties, and aviators, adding to their bourgeoning lifestyle empire.
Fans of Official Tourist already include Santogold, the Cool Kids, Nas, Chk Chk Chk, Q-tip and M.I.A. Visit IsThatOT.com, or their myspace page for more information: myspace.com/officialtourist.
When our best buys fall out of style we hide them and hope for a comeback, but now we can own a piece of fashion that’ll never have to be stashed away.
Christian Lacroix, Sonia Rykiel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Phillip Lim are among the 60 designers who share their inspirations in “Fashion Illustration by Fashion Designers,” a new book compiled by Laird Borrelli, the senior fashion editor at Condé Nast’s Style.com. Borrelli’s compiled illustrations are in a variety of media and offer a glimpse into initial design passions before real world constraints are imposed.
Starting on March 31st you’ll have the chance to own one of the published designers’ original illustrations which will be for sale in an exclusive online auction. Bidding on works will be rolled out every few days on eBay, giving you a month to find and snag your favorite. On top of scoring a one-of-a-kind sketch, all of the proceeds from the auction will benefit Fashion Targets Breast Cancer to support medical research for young women with breast cancer.
Thursday, March 27th: Stop by Memes tomorrow for the opening reception for Takuya Sakamoto’s photography show, “New York Bike Dreams.” Gift bags, an open bar by Asahi, and music by Marshall will round out the evening. 7pm-10pm at Memes, 2 Great Jones Street, Manhattan. RVSP to rsvp (at) concre (dot) net. Exhibit showing through May 10th. Visit www.memes-nyc.com for more information.
Break out your hot pants and oversized sweatshirt, and rock your side ponytail: the roller derby is coming to town!
This Friday Studio B is transforming into a roller rink. Scion, Urb, Function Drinks and the Worship Worthy team have conspired to bring you Down and Derby to celebrate Urb’s Next 100 to Watch issue. The party will be hosted by June D and will feature guest DJs Anthony Batista, DJ Nugget, and DJ Lindsey of Negroclash.
There are limited skate rentals available, but feel free to rock your own. Be creative in your attire and find your inner roller skating champ or peep the “Who’s Skating” section on their site to find a neighbor to conspire with. If you need inspiration the D&D site is also a great place to start.
Check out the video below for an idea of what you’re about to get yourself into.
Visit downandderby.org for more information and to RSVP. $5 with RSVP, $7 at door, $3 skate rental.
Down and Derby at Studio B
Friday, march 28th from 10pm-4am
259 Banker Street
Brooklyn
__ BLOWOUTS IN BABYLON
Tonight: Check out Radio Rose and Sure Shot at the 1992 Around the Way Girls. $5 at R Bar, 218 Bowery, Manhattan. Visit aroundthewaygirls.net for more information.
Wednesday, March 26th: Radio Rose and ATWG continue the week with Ill P, DJ Elle, DJ Maya, DJ Miranda, and Nola Darling for a ladies’ party with goodie bags and an open bar. $3 with an RSVP to rsvp (at) prohibited (dot) com. The Delancy, 168 Delancy Street, Manhattan.
It’s key for us to make our fashion statements strong yet subtle so we were prancing around doing plias and pirouettes when we discovered the perfect jewelry collection to help do it with ease.
Rheanna Lingham’s collection uses historical references and humor to create enthralling messages in a multitude of materials. The Kent-born-and-based designer studied “jewellery” at Middlesex University where her 2005 graduate designs got her noticed. Spring/Summer 2008’s pieces include a signature pheasant feather ball necklace and a gold-wire embroidered necklace that looks lifted straight off Julius Caesar’s head. For something less subtle, opt for the large gold stars necklace, or for something real “extra” Lingham takes special orders for an elaborate bespoke feather headdress.
Visit her website www.rheannalingham.com for more information, and visit Luna & Curious, a collectively run London store Lingham participates in.
__ BLOWOUTS IN BABYLON
Tonight, Friday, March 21st- Rocksmith Tokyo in association with DAP DVD Magazine bring you their season launch hosted by WhiteGold & Kilo International. Get digital with DJs Yamez, Morsy, and Chicago’s own Million $ Mano (straight off tour with M.I.A.). On the mezzanine catch the premier screening of DAP Issue #3 and photos by TONE. Arrive early for giveaways and stay to get your swavvy on. 11pm, No cover with RSVP to: topbillinfridays@gmail.com. In association with Fusicology, Gotta Eat & HER. Lotus 409 W. 14th St. NYC.
We’re definite supporters of saving the environment, but the less effort we have to put in, the better.
Gina Ferrarcio’s debut footwear collection, Cri de Coeur, is taking the legwork out of being environmentally conscious and putting it on our feet. Cri de Coeur is a line of vegan footwear created to promote a stylish and sustainable world. The shoes are entirely free of animal products and as environmentally friendly as possible, without the predictable “granola/hippie” vibe. A pair of Cri de Coeur sandals would fit right in the closet next to your Lanvins or Louboutins.
For Summer 2008 pair the Scout bootie in tan faux-suede with a knee length dress or the Kate canvas t-strap sandal with cutoff jean shorts. For each pair of shoes sold Ferrarcio has pledged to sponsor the planting of one tree in addition to offsetting any carbon emissions through Carbonfund.org so your purchase will always be guilt-free!
To get first dibs on Spring/Summer 2008 stop by the collection debut at Clarabella in the LES on Thursday and see all of the styles while partaking of organic wine and treats from the Babycakes vegan bakery.
Collection Debut at Clarabella
March 20th from 6pm-9pm
279 East Houston Street
Manhattan
