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PHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORDY PEARSON.

10 Artists Breaking All The Rules

Who's more daring: The woman who re-imagines stripping as social commentary or the one who overhauls the artistic style that made her famous? In truth, that's the wrong question to ask. Both are incredible. They represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the tremendous pool of talent making waves in the art world.

And, in our book, there's nothing bolder — or more beautiful — than a woman who does what she wants and makes no apologies for it. Which is precisely what we're celebrating here today. With some help from the tastemakers at Revlon, we're paying tribute to a few of the gutsiest artists out there in the latest installment of "Beauty Nation: The New Provocateurs."

These 10 inventive women will challenge everything you think you know about "creative types." Whether they’re using their hands, a camera, or even their naked bodies to tell a story, these artists are creating works that challenge how we see the world. So, if trailblazers and envelope-pushers are your thing, keep reading. You might find your definition of beauty upended.

Sugar Vendil

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If you think classical music is only good for stress relief, you haven't met Sugar Vendil, the woman who decided traditional symphony performances were missing one thing: the cutting-edge, never-stagnant creations of the runway.

As the pianist and artistic director for the ensemble Nouveau Classical Project, Vendil has dedicated her entire career to taking on the immense, seemingly impossible mission of breathing new life into the classical genre that's often stereotyped as being for old folks. By collaborating with fashion's freshest designers, Vendil pairs the sonic with the visual to enhance the entire aural experience. Her irreverent, no-holds-barred approach toward classical music has redefined the conservative genre and helped build audiences among the downtown and fashion elite — a far cry from the crowd that typically shows up for a Mozart concert.

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BN_Feature3_Vertical_SugarPHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORDY PEARSON.
Why my image and music go hand-in-hand
"My ensemble, the Nouveau Classical Project, works with designers to create looks that are inspired by the music we're performing. It's not just about sitting on a stage. Overall, we want our message to be that classical music isn't just about wearing all black and looking bored all the time. We try to express personality through what we wear. We love black obviously, but we're not trying to look like we're going to a funeral."

Why it’s important to break the rules
"Once, in undergrad, a professor gave me grief over what I wore performing at a concert. I wasn't wearing all black, but it wasn't anything risqué. Afterward, I was taken aside and told that if I wanted to be taken seriously, I needed to think about what I wear. It wasn't enough that I practiced more than anyone in the department and I'm damn serious about what I do. I wear what I feel comfortable in and own it. For women in the music industry, it's often about how you look. But, I think people are starting to see there's more to women than what they can do with their bodies. It's starting to balance out a little bit."

The challenge I face every day
"Pursuing a life of music is extremely daring, especially classical music, where audiences are decreasing. But, I do believe in what I'm doing, and I know people can really get something out of classical music. We're showing who we are through our music, and hopefully in doing so we're getting other people excited about it."

GetTheLook_SugarVendil
Tanya Taylor Red Silk Dress; Topshop Booties.

Makeup by Ashleigh Ciucci; hair by Bethany Brill; styled by Laura Pritchard.
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