Creator Spotlight: Kicki Yang Zhang

Kicki Yang Zhang is a Berlin-based artist, content creator, model, makeup artist, and fashion icon — you name it, she can do it all. The multi-talented artist can be found on Instagram posting her vibrant makeup looks and alternating hair-dos, posing in eccentric photoshoots, painting intricate nail designs, and even posting psychedelic short animations. Her creative endeavours have earned her a staggering 335k followers — her Instagram bio, which reads “the art of reinvention,” perfectly sums up Kicki's ever evolving appearance.

Raised in Shanghai, living in Berlin, and a frequent traveller to Tokyo, Kicki draws inspiration from around the globe — from makeup inspired by Chinese opera masks to a full face of Takashi Murakami florals. Her current artistic muses include the likes of Cho-Gi Seok, Little Thunder, and Hanne Zaruma.

“I think travelling to Asia in general makes me reconnect to my roots. I love Chinese culture and the art that comes with it. Ink paintings, pottery, statues, folklore — all these things are a huge inspiration. Same goes for Japanese culture and pop culture. It’s something I grew up with and will be forever a source of inspiration.”

In 2023, Kicki's travels took her to fashion weeks in Paris and Milan, where she was photographed wearing a purple plaid suit to the Gucci event, a ribbon wig to Acne Studios, and a veiled white dress to the Max Mara show.

The Audacity: What was your favourite fashion look you put together in 2023?

“My favourite fashion in Milan was the look I wore at the Diesel Show! It’s a two-piece set (jacket and skirt) with a very colourful print of mouths and black shiny patent leather over knee boots and a pointy toe. And in Paris, it was the look I wore for Cecilie Bahnsen. I wore one of their dresses that made me look like a huge pink marshmallow, in the best way possible.”

Kicki has mastered the art of fashion. She has the skills to assemble a look that works from head to toe — from colourful glam and dynamic haircuts to elaborate press-ons.

TA: What do you think is the most important part of a look? The hair, makeup, or outfit?

“I think it has to be a symbiosis of all three! But I have to admit hair is the Number 1 element that can ruin an outfit. If I have a bad hair day, I’m just not feeling myself.”

Kicki’s magical looks benefit from her eye for art. Her Instagram feed is a rainbow of vivid squares — and in between her makeup photoshoots, she posts collages, sketches, animations, and the occasional art collaboration. In a collab with Stockholm-based Wall of Art, she created a series of colourful zodiac-inspired prints.

TA: Which of the signs you drew ended up being your favourite?

“My favourite one to draw was actually Pisces (even though I’m a Virgo), because it was inspired by real life. That year, I spent some time on vacation in Aruba [an island in the Caribbean] and went snorkelling for the first time. I swam with fishes and sea turtles. It felt really magical.”

From painting a car for Uber to producing elaborate TikTok animations, Kicki’s creativity has taken many forms. Most recently, she has begun documenting her nail art via Instagram story, showing looks inspired by Anime, Kawaii, and other Japanese aesthetics.

TA: What art project are you most proud of?

“I really loved the car I painted for Uber. It felt like something forbidden — if you graffiti a car and someone catches you, you’re probably in deep shit, haha — but in the name of art I was allowed to do it.”

If you follow Kicki, it will come as no surprise that she also boasts a talent for video editing. She often posts reels of her makeup, nail art, and animations. Kicki started on YouTube back in 2015, posting food videos and glam tutorials. More recently, she has added travel vlogs. But despite her fondness for the platform (she has called YouTube her “one true love”), she posted only four times in 2023.

“I realised with the workload I have, it’s really hard to keep up. YouTube is truly a full-time job. If someone wants to help me cut… I’m hiring!”

She has been showcasing her makeup online for nearly a decade. Over that time period, her makeup has transformed from simple winged liners to full-faced masterpieces.

“Ever since I was a kid, I was always painting on all kinds of surfaces. The way I saw it at some point, a face is just another surface to paint on. Why not? I actually never learned to be a makeup artist; my approach to makeup is art first, makeup second.”

TA: Do you have a makeup look you are most proud of?

“My most recent Halloween makeup was Hellraiser! It was the most time-consuming look I’ve ever done and I applied a bald cap successfully for the first time. To make fake needles, I bought plastic cane and melted the ends with a lighter and spray painted them. After making over 100 of those, I had to spend four hours glueing them one by one onto my face with lash glue. I felt really proud I pulled it off.”

​TA: What are your big plans for 2024?

“I think travelling and art will always be part of my day to day. Plans usually happen quite spontaneously. I will have my first sneaker collab ever. It’s already in the making and such an enriching experience to figure out how designing like this works. Even though I love the internet, I’m always the most excited for things in the physical worlds — things you can hold in your hand.”