Photography by Mateus Porto @orograph

Is Julian Stoller the Enfant terrible of beauty?

From playing around with makeup in his childhood bedroom to working on some of the fashion and beauty world’s most iconic and beloved faces, the lightning fast rise of makeup artist Julian Stoller is some kind of magic to watch. How does he keep his head on straight, being thrust into this world at such a young age, and where is he at right now? Read below as Submission Beauty checks in with the 19-year old for a few thoughts on his journey so far

PHOTOGRAPHY HANNAH KHYMYCH @hannahkhymych LUCIA STOLLER @luciastoller MATEUS PORTO @orograph OLIVER ANDERSON-SANFORD @oliver.as
INTERVIEW JESPER GUDBERGSEN @yessirjesper

How would you introduce yourself to someone who is unfamiliar with your work?

Hi, I’m Julian, and I do makeup and prosthetics on people who get their pictures taken.

How did you get started in this industry?

I grew up in Seattle, and started doing makeup backstage at local rock shows when I was around 13. I was too young to legally work, so I just posted looks done on myself to Instagram and everything grew from there. By the time I came to New York when I was 18, I had built up a network of people who trusted that I could perform on set. It was definitely a more unconventional introduction to the industry because I didn’t come up assisting, but I think people went along with it because they were amused by my age. 

Do you have a mantra – and what is it?

Most of succeeding is just doing, forcing yourself over the edge. Delusion helps a lot with this.

How do you stay grounded in an industry that can lead you to some crazy places, physically but also mentally?

Haven’t got a fucking clue. I think the biggest thing is making sure that not all of your relationships are grounded in work. When your colleagues, employers, and clients often become close friends, it can become a bit consuming. I’ve seen this happen so often, especially when you’re trying to come up in the beginning, where you start losing your sense of self in the work. No one will object to this, no one wants you to be less committed, and no one will make boundaries for you, so it is up to you. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

The food on set.

Image description.

.

Most of succeeding is just doing, forcing yourself over the edge. Delusion helps a lot with this.

How do you want people to feel when collaborating with you?

I hope they are proud of whatever we are working to accomplish and I hope they can see themselves in it. 

Tell me about your tribe, your gang – who are they, how do they inspire you, and where are you all going?

My gang? Mostly pigeons that follow me around for bread. I always have bread.

How do you use makeup in your personal life?

NEVER.

What is your relationship with social media like? 

It is absolutely putrid, but also unfortunately very much gave me a career. When I was growing up and all I had was the world Instagram could provide me with, it affected me far more. I don’t have anything new to say about how debilitating it can all be, but I can say it all got better when I started getting opportunities outside of social media. It all started mattering less.

  • Oliver Anderson-Sanford @oliver.as

  • Hannah Khymych @hannahkhymych

1 2

Who are some of your style icons or people you look up to for inspiration?

David Lynch, Grace Jones, Serge Lutens, H.R Giger, Olivier Theyskens, Miguel Adrover, Mel Odom, Liv Tyler in Lord Of The Rings, Lady Gaga. 

You’ve already worked with some iconic faces – Richie and Julia to name a few… Who is your favorite collaborator and who do you dream of working with?

Richie and Julia are some of my favorite people to work with. Working with Isamaya Ffrench is always amazing. Dream collaborators include Nick Knight, Mike Marino, Steven Miesel, Anjelica Huston, and Jennifer Coolidge. 

Describe what beauty means to you?

I get asked this question with such frequency that I really should have a solid answer, but I still don’t know. I think it’s honestly about feeling your most powerful.

@JULIANWOLFSTOLLER