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BEING THE PUP THAT DOES IT ALL!
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At the heart of every great fashion story is connection—between fabric and form, movement and meaning, muse and maker. Taliek Jeqon and NateThePupWonder are more than just a duo; they’re a vision of what’s possible when creativity knows no limits.
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Fashion isn’t just about people anymore. In a world where identity, style, and storytelling blur across species, NateThePupWonder emerges as a four-legged icon beside his human counterpart Taliek Jeqon. Together, they’re reimagining the limits of fashion from the streets of New York & Paris to your social feed.
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Men’s Editorial
Beauty and the Power of Colorful Expression
In an industry where beauty standards are constantly evolving, the rise of men’s editorial makeup signals a powerful shift—one that embraces self-expression, emotion, and artistry over rigid societal norms. In a recent photoshoot I worked on, I explored this by using blue and yellow powders to tell a story of emotional growth and excitement.
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The look was a disarray of loose pigments scattered across the face like unspoken emotions.. The blue represented reflection and calm—a grounded past—while the yellow brought in light, energy, and the excitement of new beginnings. Together, they spoke to the inner journey of transformation, captured through skin, color, and texture. These creative choices aren’t just about beauty—they’re about identity and storytelling.
| Brands like MAC, Sephora, NARS, and BH Cosmetics have created tools that allow artists like myself to push beyond the everyday and dive into something more theatrical, conceptual, and emotional. I find constant inspiration in legends like Pat McGrath, whose avant-garde techniques and unapologetic creativity have redefined what’s possible in beauty. As a Black artist, she reminds me that there is space for us—for our ideas, our palettes, our perspectives. |
Like her, I strive to create visuals that challenge, reflect, and celebrate. Men’s editorial beauty isn’t a trend—it’s a movement. And through color, emotion, and intention, we are building a future where makeup is a canvas, not a mask.
From Glitter to Gold:
How Taliek Jeqon Reimagined Beyoncé’s Flaunt Shoot in a Harlem Living Room
In a captivating new video, Taliek Jeqon—fashion stylist, creative director, and founder of CheckMyCloset.net—invites viewers into his world where style meets storytelling.
When Beyoncé’s glitter-drenched spread for Flaunt Magazine hit the scene, it instantly became a cultural moment—iconic, sultry, and unapologetically bold. But for creative visionary Taliek Jeqon, it was more than just a stunning editorial. It was a spark.With a passion for storytelling through makeup Taliek saw an opportunity not just to pay homage to Queen Bey, but to challenge the limits of space, budget, and expectations.
With the power of vision over budget, Taliek teamed up with rising photographer and art director Jasmine Aislin. What most would’ve written off as “just a $5 setup” became, under Taliek’s direction, a $50,000 fantasy—minus the cost. Using only a few tubes of glitter, DIY lighting tricks, and a living room transformed into a studio, the team crafted a set that radiated high fashion editorial.
With the power of vision over budget, Taliek teamed up with rising photographer and art director Jasmine Aislin. What most would’ve written off as “just a $5 setup” became, under Taliek’s direction, a $50,000 fantasy—minus the cost. Using only a few tubes of glitter, DIY lighting tricks, and a living room transformed into a studio, the team crafted a set that radiated high fashion editorial.
  | The goal wasn’t to replicate Beyoncé’s shoot frame by frame—but to capture its essence: glamor, freedom, and fierce femininity. Taliek and Jasmine brought their own flavor to it turning creative constraints into couture dreams Where some see limitations, Taliek sees opportunity. The shoot’s brilliance didn’t rely on big budgets or celebrity glam squads—it came from clever lighting and a deep understanding of image construction. This is the core of what Taliek does with CheckMyCloset.net, he turns closets, streets, living rooms, and dreams into fashion statements that stop time. Whether it’s a personal styling session or a creative campaign, he brings Hollywood polish to everyday spaces—and makes it look effortless. |
What Taliek and Jasmine created wasn’t just a recreation—it was a reinvention. A reimagined homage that paid respect to Beyoncé’s legacy.it’s a celebration of Black ingenuity, resourcefulness,It’s proof that with the right eye and the right team, you don’t need a million-dollar budget to make something timeless.
✂️ Crown Culture: The Power of Grooming in Black and Brown Communities
In Harlem, the hum of clippers and the scent of alcohol-based aftershave are more than just part of the Saturday soundtrack—they’re part of a sacred ritual. For generations, the barbershop has been a cornerstone of Black and Latinx communities, where grooming isn’t just about looks—it’s about identity, healing, and legacy.
From tight fades to intricate designs, from father-son traditions to debates over basketball and politics, the barbershop holds space for both transformation and conversation.
💈 The Cultural Soul of the Shop
There’s a rhythm to a Black barbershop: the jokes, the storytelling, the unspoken trust when a barber touches your crown. It’s a rite of passage. It’s also therapy. In contrast, Hispanic barbershops—especially Dominican or Puerto Rican shops—often center around speed, precision, and presentation, with a different sonic backdrop: Latin trap or salsa, and a stronger emphasis on fade perfection and shape-up sharpness.
Yet both serve the same purpose: a community center disguised as a grooming space.
Whether you’re getting a skin fade, a temple taper, or a Caesar cut, your barber isn’t just cutting hair—they’re shaping your presence in the world.
⸻
🪞 The Link Between Grooming, Health & Self-Esteem
Grooming isn’t vanity—it’s vitality.
A fresh cut can elevate your posture, boost your confidence, and shift your mood. For Black men especially, where racialized media often distorts our image, grooming is a form of self-respect and power.
But grooming also ties into physical health:
• Clean tools prevent folliculitis and bacterial infections.
• Proper beard maintenance reduces ingrown hairs.
• Regular scalp care can prevent dandruff and skin issues.
Barbershops often become early warning centers—where barbers notice a skin condition, a new mole, or tension in the scalp that needs medical attention. They are quiet soldiers in the fight for health equity.
⸻
🧴 How to Prevent Razor Bumps & Cuts
If you’ve ever stepped out of the chair and felt that burn creeping up on your neck, you know: razor bumps are real.
To prevent them:
• Always shave with the grain of your hair.
• Use a hot towel or warm water before shaving to open pores.
• Use a quality pre-shave oil or gel.
• Disinfect razors and clippers—always.
• Apply tea tree oil or witch hazel after shaving to soothe skin.
If you bleed during a haircut:
• Styptic pencils or alum blocks help stop bleeding instantly.
• Avoid touching the area after, and don’t shave over it again until fully healed.
⸻
🧠 What to Do When Your Hairline’s Getting Pushed Back
Let’s keep it 100: a pushed-back hairline can hurt your soul.
Tips to stop that:
• Communicate with your barber—clearly. Don’t just say “clean me up.” Be specific: “Don’t touch my corners” or “line it up, but no push.”
• Avoid over-cutting. Weekly cuts aren’t for everyone. Sometimes hairline damage is from frequency.
• Castor oil, peppermint oil, and dermarolling can help stimulate hairline regrowth.
⸻
🎨 Spray-Painted Hairlines & Airbrushing: Art or Illusion?
Welcome to the era of airbrush fades and spray-on hairlines—a new wave of detail, confidence, and sometimes… illusion.
Popular in both Black and Dominican shops, barbers now use semi-permanent dyes and fibers to enhance hairlines or fill in thin areas. These enhancements can boost confidence for clients suffering from thinning or alopecia—but like makeup, they’re temporary.
Pro tip: Use it for events or photoshoots, but don’t depend on it for daily life. Healthy hair starts beneath the spray.
⸻
🔪 Hair Designs: From Blades to Brands
Carving designs into hair isn’t new—it’s ancestral.
It started in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when barbers began using razor blades and straight edges to etch patterns, names, and logos into fades. Think Nike swooshes, partings with flare, or symbols from hip-hop culture.
Originally rooted in Black urban creativity, it quickly spread globally. Designs became wearable graffiti—personal expression cut into the scalp.
Now, it’s high art. Barbers are full-on graphic artists using clippers as brushes, crafting stories in every swirl and zigzag.
⸻
👑 Final Cut: Grooming Is Power
Grooming is not just about cleanliness or trends—it’s about agency, pride, and presence.
For Black men, especially in Harlem, grooming is how we walk taller, look sharper, and tell the world: I’m here, and I care about me.
And whether you’re rocking a classic taper or trying a new trend, always remember: your crown is sacred—protect it, style it, and wear it like royalty.
⸻
🔗 For more grooming, style, and culture content, check out CheckMyCloset.net (https://www.checkmycloset.net) and follow Taliek Jeqon on Instagram @TaliekJeqon.
Let’s keep the culture clean, creative, and always fresh.
In Harlem, the hum of clippers and the scent of alcohol-based aftershave are more than just part of the Saturday soundtrack—they’re part of a sacred ritual. For generations, the barbershop has been a cornerstone of Black and Latinx communities, where grooming isn’t just about looks—it’s about identity, healing, and legacy.
From tight fades to intricate designs, from father-son traditions to debates over basketball and politics, the barbershop holds space for both transformation and conversation.
💈 The Cultural Soul of the Shop
There’s a rhythm to a Black barbershop: the jokes, the storytelling, the unspoken trust when a barber touches your crown. It’s a rite of passage. It’s also therapy. In contrast, Hispanic barbershops—especially Dominican or Puerto Rican shops—often center around speed, precision, and presentation, with a different sonic backdrop: Latin trap or salsa, and a stronger emphasis on fade perfection and shape-up sharpness.
Yet both serve the same purpose: a community center disguised as a grooming space.
Whether you’re getting a skin fade, a temple taper, or a Caesar cut, your barber isn’t just cutting hair—they’re shaping your presence in the world.
⸻
🪞 The Link Between Grooming, Health & Self-Esteem
Grooming isn’t vanity—it’s vitality.
A fresh cut can elevate your posture, boost your confidence, and shift your mood. For Black men especially, where racialized media often distorts our image, grooming is a form of self-respect and power.
But grooming also ties into physical health:
• Clean tools prevent folliculitis and bacterial infections.
• Proper beard maintenance reduces ingrown hairs.
• Regular scalp care can prevent dandruff and skin issues.
Barbershops often become early warning centers—where barbers notice a skin condition, a new mole, or tension in the scalp that needs medical attention. They are quiet soldiers in the fight for health equity.
⸻
🧴 How to Prevent Razor Bumps & Cuts
If you’ve ever stepped out of the chair and felt that burn creeping up on your neck, you know: razor bumps are real.
To prevent them:
• Always shave with the grain of your hair.
• Use a hot towel or warm water before shaving to open pores.
• Use a quality pre-shave oil or gel.
• Disinfect razors and clippers—always.
• Apply tea tree oil or witch hazel after shaving to soothe skin.
If you bleed during a haircut:
• Styptic pencils or alum blocks help stop bleeding instantly.
• Avoid touching the area after, and don’t shave over it again until fully healed.
⸻
🧠 What to Do When Your Hairline’s Getting Pushed Back
Let’s keep it 100: a pushed-back hairline can hurt your soul.
Tips to stop that:
• Communicate with your barber—clearly. Don’t just say “clean me up.” Be specific: “Don’t touch my corners” or “line it up, but no push.”
• Avoid over-cutting. Weekly cuts aren’t for everyone. Sometimes hairline damage is from frequency.
• Castor oil, peppermint oil, and dermarolling can help stimulate hairline regrowth.
⸻
🎨 Spray-Painted Hairlines & Airbrushing: Art or Illusion?
Welcome to the era of airbrush fades and spray-on hairlines—a new wave of detail, confidence, and sometimes… illusion.
Popular in both Black and Dominican shops, barbers now use semi-permanent dyes and fibers to enhance hairlines or fill in thin areas. These enhancements can boost confidence for clients suffering from thinning or alopecia—but like makeup, they’re temporary.
Pro tip: Use it for events or photoshoots, but don’t depend on it for daily life. Healthy hair starts beneath the spray.
⸻
🔪 Hair Designs: From Blades to Brands
Carving designs into hair isn’t new—it’s ancestral.
It started in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when barbers began using razor blades and straight edges to etch patterns, names, and logos into fades. Think Nike swooshes, partings with flare, or symbols from hip-hop culture.
Originally rooted in Black urban creativity, it quickly spread globally. Designs became wearable graffiti—personal expression cut into the scalp.
Now, it’s high art. Barbers are full-on graphic artists using clippers as brushes, crafting stories in every swirl and zigzag.
⸻
👑 Final Cut: Grooming Is Power
Grooming is not just about cleanliness or trends—it’s about agency, pride, and presence.
For Black men, especially in Harlem, grooming is how we walk taller, look sharper, and tell the world: I’m here, and I care about me.
And whether you’re rocking a classic taper or trying a new trend, always remember: your crown is sacred—protect it, style it, and wear it like royalty.
⸻
🔗 For more grooming, style, and culture content, check out CheckMyCloset.net (https://www.checkmycloset.net) and follow Taliek Jeqon on Instagram @TaliekJeqon.
Let’s keep the culture clean, creative, and always fresh.
A photo series by photographer
Sebastian Alexander
creative director Taliek Jeqon
In 2025, fashion is no longer just a statement—it’s a declaration. A protest. A celebration.
Red, long associated with passion, danger, and revolution, has taken on new meaning in our community. It is no longer just the color of visibility—it’s the hue of perseverance.
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Silk moves like us. Bold yet graceful. Resistant yet soft. It doesn’t shrink when the world stares—it shines harder. Together, red and silk form a language of liberation. |
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Silk as Freedom
"Silk refuses to be boxed in. It’s fluid. Genderless. It catches the wind and moves on its own terms—just like me." says Taliek. In Sebastian’s lens, silk dances around Talieks body refusing to obey binaries. Silk is a rebellion against rigid definitions. It allows us to move with grace, and to float above the limits the world tried to impose.The way Taliek stare back at the camera—not for approval, but as a warning: This isn’t just fashion, It’s not just fabric.—it’s innovation.It’s a renaissance. |
Working alongside visionary photographer Sebastian Alexander, Taliek and him wanted to recreate a shoot done by leriya lee.
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Sebastian’s lens doesn’t just capture images—it captures moments in time. Alexander capturing Taliek essence, the world had no choice but to see him—clearly, beautifully, and in motion.
Working with Sebastian, every shot the team crafted was intentional—silk wrapped tightly around the chest, then cascading open at the waist to show the V-cut built silhouettes of discipline.
Red is not a quiet color, Red has become a badge of endurance and In 2025, Black LGBTQ+ men are redefining masculinity through softness. In Sebastian’s portraits, red cloaks Talieks body like armor. But this armor isn’t rigid or harsh—it flows, it breathes. It doesn’t blend in, it demands attention.
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The energy we carry in every space especially as Black gay men says we’ve fought, but we’ve also healed. We’ve learned to be soft without losing our strength in a world that still tries to make us invisible, red silk makes us undeniable. Gay men are no longer dressing to fit in—They’re dressing to take up space, they are are: survivors, lovers, artists, innovators living in full color. Let red silk remind you: you’ve always been powerful.
#RedSilk2025 #BlackQueerFashion #SebastianAlexander #QueerStyleRevolution #VisibleAndVictorious
LEGENDARY PHOTOGRAPHER :
ERIC JOHNSON
 | Behind the Lens: Taliek Jeqon as Assistant to Iconic Photographer Eric Johnson When culture meets vision, history is made—not just captured. Taliek Jeqon, the multidimensional creative behind Check My Closet, recently stepped into a pivotal role as Assistant Creative Director to one of hip-hop and fashion’s most revered visual storytellers: Eric Johnson. |
 | Who Is Eric Johnson? If you’ve ever been struck by a ’90s-era portrait of Missy Elliott, Faith Evans, or OutKast in their prime, chances are you were witnessing the work of Eric Johnson. A true pioneer in hip-hop photography, Johnson has chronicled the cultural evolution of Black music and style for over three decades. His lens doesn’t just shoot—it preserves moments that feel eternal. Whether capturing Maxwell, or Biggie Smalls, Johnson helped define how hip-hop was seen. |
Johnsons influence doesn’t stop at images. Johnson’s aesthetic carried over into fashion with a curated collection featured at Barneys New York, blending streetwear energy with high-fashion execution. His approach elevated everyday silhouettes into icons—timeless and layered with cultural nuance.
 | Taliek Jeqon: Bridging Legacy with New Vision In working alongside Eric Johnson, Taliek Jeqon didn’t just shadow a legend—they actively contributed to evolving his legacy. As Assistant Creative Director, Taliek brought a fresh lens, helping to conceptualize shoots that push visual boundaries. From curating wardrobe pulls that nod to both ‘90s nostalgia and modern streetwear, to storyboarding visual themes that speak to the soul of Black creativity, Taliek’s role was deeply embedded in both the artistic and cultural narrative of each shoot. |
Projects at Erics
 | Shot by Taliek Jeqon |  | Make up & creative direction by Taliek Jeqon |
Cakes Da Killa
  | “I wasn’t just assisting—I was translating,” says Kwon. “Eric sees through a cinematic lens rooted in history. My job was to make sure that story spoke to today’s generation without losing its soul.” The collaboration represents a generational dialogue—between a veteran visual griot and a new voice emerging in fashion, media, and art. It’s a fusion that resonates with a stylish crowd aged 26 to 42 who value culture with depth, style with story, and visuals that speak louder than trends. This partnership isn’t just behind the scenes—it’s part of a bigger cultural moment. As fashion and hip-hop continue to intersect in richer, more complex ways, voices like Talik J. Kwon are helping shape what the future looks like while keeping the roots visible. With the rise of fashion storytelling, creative direction, and personal branding, Talik’s role models what it means to move authentically within iconic spaces. |
“I wasn’t just assisting—I was translating,” says TJ. “Eric sees through a cinematic lens My job was to make sure that story spoke to today’s generation without losing its soul.”
The collaboration represents a generational dialogue—between a veteran visual griot and a new voice emerging in fashion, media, and art. It’s a fusion that resonates with a stylish crowd who value culture with depth.
The collaboration represents a generational dialogue—between a veteran visual griot and a new voice emerging in fashion, media, and art. It’s a fusion that resonates with a stylish crowd who value culture with depth.
This partnership isn’t just behind the scenes—it’s part of a bigger cultural moment. As fashion and hip-hop continue to intersect in richer, more complex ways, voices like Talik J. Kwon are helping shape what the future looks like while keeping the roots visible. With the rise of fashion storytelling, creative direction, and personal branding, Talik’s role models what it means to move authentically within iconic spaces.
Taliek, Ashton, TJ, Aladdin.
To me theres no limits when it comes to fashion. Fashion is any form of art that can be worn on the body, thought up by the mind or created by the eye. Here I allow my many alter egos to Roam freely providing diverse aspects of fashion.
My goal: Changing the world one closet at a time #CMCApproved
Editorial Stylist and founder of Crossing Boundaries
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