Meet MM: Owner/artist of MM Fabrications

We had the good fortune of connecting with MM and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MM, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For me personally it just happened, it was meant to be. I started working in the Special FX makeup world and the industry really didn’t take to me. I don’t have the personality to be around people all day and be able to fake like i’m enjoying it and such. I’m very serious about my art and my work and that monopolizes my mind. When I get started I was told that I wasn’t talented, That my work was “haunted house bullshit”, That i wasn’t pretty enough or social enough to make it in this industry so I set out alone. The beauty of being alone is that the only light you have to follow is your own mind. I stuck to it, i kept working at it, and im so glad i did. It’s what made me exactly who I am today. Starting my own business was a must. It was my calling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Getting to where i am has been the longest, toughest, yet most rewarding thing i’ve ever done. I’m so so happy i listened to my gut and followed this career path blindly. Ive had to overcome so much to get here. I started out with absolutely nothing, No money, no connections, literally sleeping in my car and going shop to shop to try to make something happen. I think thats what sets my work apart from everyone else as well. Because of my history and my experience i capture a darkness and aggression that would be hard to portray without some suffering. Within this work i seek out to transmute my pain into expression, its the only way ive been able to work through the deepest parts of my mind. The grotesque has always fed my soul. There is no beauty without suffering. Thats why i incorporate the elements that i do. Blood, Flesh, Torture, balanced out with opulence. To me there is nothing more beautiful than the tortured body. Having that love for the visceral and grotesque has been a challenge in itself. It has taken a lot of hard work to get my creations appreciated and not just seen as some sick manifestation of pain from a depraved individual. I’ve learned through this work to truly live for myself and shut out anything that doesn’t feed my need for creation. This work isnt just therapy for myself, it has turned in to such a beautiful outlet for those that work with me as well. It hits my soul everytime my muses tell me the things this work has done for them. That transmutation makes everything i do worth it. Pain into healing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m from LA, born and raised so my version of the LA tour is unique to say the least. Im getting older and at the point where when anyone comes into town we work, make art, and usually have a big ol BBQ with the crew in the parking lot of my house. To be honest we’re all mostly products of the ghetto so at this point we enjoy good ol chill time without all the luxury. We’ve lately been making it a habit of having kick it times at echo park which consist of trashy debauchery amongst the most beautiful freaks im so lucky to call family.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe all of my success to hard work, dedication, and my team. I really would not be the artist I am today without my team who keeps me going strong and and who dedicate their time and minds to bringing my creations to life. I’m so lucky to be supported by such amazing souls. Most of my team has been with me since the beginning, since before i was even a business and just one person making art. My team now consists of a core group of artists and we all work together to bring each concept to life. When it comes to the actual fashion itself, I make the pieces. Then i create the concept in my head of what the look should look like for the shoot. Then from there my best friend and business partner Triplesix @triplesixtattoos and I come together to create the makeup looks. Him and his work have become an integral part of my creative process. I also refuse to use models and only work with the muses who inspire my creations. My muses bring the emotion behind my looks. My muses currently consist of: Jeanelle mastema, who is like a sister to me, shes very very dear to my heart and i definitely wouldnt be who i am today without her. Brynn route, Tracy lynn, Sean forrester, Raquel Sharaf, Luzia Lowe and miss Lady Lilith. To assist in the aesthetic department i have some amazing friends come in and help with makeup and wardrobe which is essential. Andie Preuss, Jason Adcock and Cecy Thompson, and Brandi Gannon have all been amazing additions to the team. For photos i only work with Blaqk Rabbit. He is pretty much an extension of my mind at this point and he brings my art to life in ways beyond what i thought was possible. All together I am so lucky to have such an incredible and talented team. I love you guys.

Website: MMFabrications.bigcartel.com

Instagram: @mmcustomart

Image Credits
All concepts and wardrobe: MM Fabrications @MMCustomart All Images shot by @Blaqk.rabbit Makeup headed by Triplesix @Triplesixtattoos and MM @MMCustomart Makeup team: Jason Adcock, Cecy Thompson, Andie Preuss Muses: Tracy Lynn, Jeanelle Mastema, Luzia Lowe, Sean Forrester, Brynn Route, Raquel Sharaf