Personal Style: Tina Donataccio
Jeremy Jankowski takes a closer look at one goth siren's Personal Style
The gays flock to her. Vintage, gothic, party-monster, gypsy brilliance: Tina Donataccio. Is it her style that brings all the boys to her yard? At least initially, this could definitely be the case.
When you first meet Tina, instantly you notice the intricate full-color tattoos she has embellished her forearms with. All art was tattooed on for personal reasons (a ruby inside wings to remember her grandma who told her growing up, “You have a ruby in your wings”). Tina has more than six tattoos and plans to increase her collection.
A lover of all things classic and vintage, Tina got her Monroe piercing more than five years ago. Having always been into the gothic scene, Tina likes to mix goth with class: the Monroe is what she considers the classiest, most feminine facial piercing one can obtain.
Her signature piece is the black dress—also a classic and gothic at the same time. Preferring dresses which bunch just under the bust line, flowing down, with cleavage spouting out at all angles, Tina always pairs this staple with leggings—they give her the freedom to move around without having to worry about a Britney Spears moment.
Cleavage is important. The bust is her best asset, and she likes to showcase it at all times. This is best exemplified through her current style obsession: pairing the classic black dress with an elaborate bra spilling out the top. Tiger print, black lace, diamond studded; the flashier the better.
Accessories can be fun when black is your staple. Since Tina wears mostly black, mixing elaborate purses, necklaces and headpieces are never over the top. It’s when you get into patterns one must make sure to tone the accessories down. There is nothing worse than an over-stylized hipster sporting too many accessories at once. Purses are a girl’s best friend. In Tina’s case, loud, flashy and large is a must. She is currently sporting a large black and white L.A.M.B. bag. Bettseyville is also a favorite of hers.
Makeup and hair are two very important items for any woman. By day, Tina likes to let her black shoulder length hair dry into what she deems somewhat of a gypsy, freeing, almost hippie look. She wears minimal makeup, usually only mascara.
Flash forward to nighttime. A lover of the dance floor, Tina and her group of friends frequent Brooklyn/Manhattan bars, channeling the Party Monster era. Tina can often be seen in elaborate fake eye lashes, giant teased hair (“The bigger the hair, the closer the to god,” she says), matte glitter (Mattese Elite from Ricky’s is best; start with paint on glitter, follow up with lose for matte coverage) and hair accessories such as vintage black veils, large jewels or black flowers.
To top off her style, Tina recently decided to bring back the classic Doc Martin boot. An ode to the 90s, she often rocks a red pair. To maintain her gothic standards, Tina also has a higher cut boot of the same style she wears when really going dark.
The thing I find most intriguing about Tina’s style is her ability to bring vintage, classic, party monster, gypsy looks all together under one umbrella—goth—and make it work for her.
