Gabbie Carter: Her Pornhub Awards Show Look

At Culture Capital, we believe that as much as humans have always attempted to categorize, define, and pigeonhole art, the best stuff most often arises defiantly undefined from the world around us. When a person imbues any craft or creation with artistic touch, we can feel it before we define it. Austin based artist Ashley Metro works in an array of mediums, from makeup to murals, injecting her art with that same feeling. This weekend, she’ll be in Las Angeles at the 2nd annual Pornhub awards, lending her artistic touch to the makeup and style of actress Gabbie Carter. Ashley reached out to us to write about her experience, and we couldn’t be more excited to present her perspective to you here. She’ll share a follow-up piece after the show and (we hope) more of her musings on art and life in the future.



Ashley’s makeup work on display in Vogue Italia shot by photographer Austin Johnson for Surj Magazine

This Friday the 11th, the second annual Pornhub awards will be held in Los Angeles. About a month ago, I met up to prepare with my friend Ayla, or as she’s better known, Gabbie Carter. Gabbie is considered a newcomer to the porn world, having only started her career about seven months ago. It only took her about a month before she blew up and gained a loyal following on Reddit, Instagram and (obviously) Pornhub. We discussed in great detail the importance of art and style when presenting herself at this first award show and I suggested that I style her and do her makeup for the event.

For this particular look, I wanted to channel a powerful image that would stick in people’s minds when she appeared at the event. The previous award show had looks that felt generic, most likely because the first show had no previous ideas to look back on. I wanted to create a look that sets a new standard for any outfits to come in the ongoing years of the Pornhub awards. 

Gabbie Carter

Not too long ago I started painting and drawing on myself and others in black eyeliner in a style that I can best explain as art that flows out of my brain onto any surface I can find. I appreciate the symmetry and structure in both naturalistic and architectural forms and I believe that it’s reflected in my artwork, which I often use to fill between messages or images. I sketched up a quick look in my fashion design notebook. The original concept started with a white corset and skirt that I wanted to paint with black paint with Gabbie’s neck, legs, and arms being drawn on in a way that looks like stockings and gloves. The second concept I imagined included see through fishnet shorts and and a top with panties underneath with my art in various places on her body. The final concept which we both agreed upon was a black corset and panties with a black tule skirt attached to the back of the outfit and chains attached from the back of the corset to the front at different lengths. In the same style as her first outfit her neck, legs and arms would be painted with detailed black eyeliner. For her face makeup I want to keep it natural and simplistic with her eyes lined with winglike gemstones inspired by the euphoria makeup styles that have exploded this year.

Gabbie Carter

Porn has been perceived as something taboo—representing a form of mainstream entertainment and art apart from standards of conduct. As our society progresses, however, body positivity is growing to accept porn stars and sex workers within their own right. I believe the Pornhub awards will set a new standard for increasingly diverse perceptions of sexual performers as artists and creators. Femininity and sex are powerful things and to ignore them as anything less is the very same as ignoring a part of ourselves that remind us what it means to be human.

This year’s awards show features performances from Bad Bunny, Kali Uchis and Rico Nasty.

Gabbie is a creator that I am proud to support. She is someone who is hoping to promote content that is inventive, breaks taboo perceptions of the industry, and is pure fun to watch. I hope is 2020 a golden era for change within porn powered by a shift towards something less classified and more nonconformist. Hopefully this look will inspire other stylists, designers, and pornstars for years to come, and I hope that Ayla and I can create an even more outrageous look for next years show.