Photos by David & Kevin
The Color Crush Project: BURKELMAN asked fans of the brand who we admire, and who also have an intriguing and distinct color aesthetic, to reveal their Velvetone Color Crush – that is, which color turns them on, titillates their senses, soothes their psyche, or just makes them happy?
Astor Yang reveals his Velvetone Color Crush.
– Scarlet –
I consider myself a shape-shifting body witch, and use color mostly to get what I want from any given person or situation.
How does color affect you?
Color affects all of us in very similar ways– being submerged in green nature or lying on the beach under a blue sky is instant therapy. When I see scarlet my subconscious goes to the places of blood and sex– it warms me up and gets me going.
How do you use color to express yourself?
I consider myself a shape-shifting body witch, and use color mostly to get what I want from any given person or situation– and it generally starts with what I am wearing. I think of potent combinations like black white and red when I am feeling strong, tropical pinks when I need energy and motivation, or rich earth tones when I am in the powers of seduction. Do I want to be noticed today? Electric blue gown. Do I need to plot in the background? Solid black.
How do you feel about colors in your environment?
Living in a sketchbook or illustration is my preferred method. My personal decorating style is something like opulent minimalism– I like to be able to see under/through a lot of my furniture, but the objects in the room should be over the top and luxurious. Golden rococo swirls against white. My bed is Fuschia tufted velvet, and the art on the walls, whether it features ancient Chinese courtesans or scenes from a Venetian masked ball, provides most of the color.
How do you think about color in regard to your work?
My primary medium is dolls– they are about 27″ high and I think of them like little accessories to any room they live in– so of course I like to punch them up with vibrant colors! Like a loud bangle livening up an otherwise somber outfit. When I build a costume, or an elaborate headpiece, I like to really be selective over how I use red and black particularly– a whisper of them can completely change the mood of a piece– taking it to an aggressive or moody place.
What’s a work of art or media where color impacted or inspired you?
I love the work of Egon Schiele– he understood scarlet red– with all of its implications– for better or for worse. His sketches and paintings come alive whenever that color comes in.
Your scarlet is particularly vibrant. . . it jumped out at me and made me feel something– and made me want to tell a story. What happened to this character and this place that made THIS color appear?
And why are you crushing on our Scarlet in particular?
Your scarlet is particularly vibrant– I love the firey undertone of orange that sits beneath the very bloody red. It brightens it up– I was attracted to the electric quality– it jumped out at me and made me feel something– and made me want to tell a story. Against black and white it is decisive– out in nature, it is compelling– what happened to this character and this place that made THIS color appear?
Scarlet Velvetones are the climactic scene of the opera, where the stage is set on fire and the diva throws herself off a cliff. DRAMA!!
Tell us about any other thoughts, feelings, musings, or philosophies you have about color or the Scarlet Velvetones.
Scarlet Velvetones are the climactic scene of the opera, where the stage is set on fire and the diva throws herself off a cliff. DRAMA!! Who doesn’t love bringing a little more drama home? In a world of gray sofas, be fearless, rest your head on a scarlet pillow, and see what dreams ensue.
