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Charles Manson, Sequins and Rings: A Look At Hollywood Boutique, Beauty is Pain

Ashley Riegle |
December 13, 2012 | 4:42 p.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Located on Highland Boulevard, just below the frenetic energy of present-day Hollywood, sits a boutique that prides itself on hardcore rock 'n' roll culture. 

Co-owned by Manuel Vasquez and Rio Warner, Beauty is Pain has become as much about the unique music it houses, as the resale clothes and costume items that built the boutique. 

I first met Vasquez at an art and music show at FIDM in Downtown LA. I was taking photos for a piece on the "RIPPED" t-shirt exhibit when he wandered into my photos and invited me to stop by and check out his Hollywood shop. Little did I know the treasure chest I was about to stumble upon. 

Beauty is Pain is unique for several reasons. Number one, it is one of the rare small boutiques in the Hollywood area that specializes in both resale items and custom designs, fashion and music. Number two, Charles Manson. But I'll get back to that. 

The boutique gets it's name from Warner's clothing line of the same name, which she's had for the past several years. "I made a lot of corsets and stuff like that. Beauty is pain, you know? You've got to make it work," Warner said. 

Manuel Vasquez and Rio Warner
Manuel Vasquez and Rio Warner

In addition to co-owning and operating Beauty is Pain, Warner is a costume designer; managing a studio downtown which specializes in entertainment wardrobing. Madonna's recent tour received Warner's personal expertise. 

When I stopped by the store, she was busy making rings with a fresh-off-the-boat supply of colorful cartoon kitties, bunnies, hearts and hamburgers from Japan. She is planning to give them out as free gifts with purchase for the holidays. 

Costumers and prop artists make up a significant percentage of the customer base of Beauty is Pain. Without question, the boutique is full of items you wouldn't find anywhere else. The relatively tiny shop is packed full of rock 'n' roll t-shirts, sequined bras, pleather platforms, custom costume jewelry and hand-me-downs from the likes of famed LA drag queen, Alexis Arquette.

The boutique is lined with concert posters, boxes of old records, mannequins, porcelain cats, a large leopard couch and a real-live dog, the store's mascot, Otto. It is a welcoming and eclectic home of rock 'n' roll lore.

The Manson Thing

Tucked away behind rows of old records, sits a sign that reads "Charles Manson". If you entered the store not knowing about the Manson thing, you would miss this needle in the haystack. It's understated to say the least. And yet, without question, Beauty is Pain has become famous specifically for it's connection to convicted mass murderer, Charles Manson. 

Vasquez maintained an interest in Manson's story long before he was able to get his hands on a tape of previously unreleased songs by Manson. He acquired them through a friend (also deeply interested in Manson's story) who obtained a storage unit of items which included Manson music, photographs and drawings. 

Vasquez launched an effort to bring Manson's music to the public. He is in charge of the record label, Ad Nauseum, which produced the Manson album, "Just Fucking Around". The album is a collection of previously unreleased music that no one had ever heard. (A sample of Manson's original music can be heard in the audio slideshow below.) 

Vasquez generated the funds to produce and release Manson's music via a Kickstarter campaign. The day I visited the shop, Manuel had received a call from a guy interested in purchasing multiple copies of Manson's record. During my visit a similar call came in. Of the original production of 500 records, almost every single album has been sold.

"Manuel did a lot of research and knows the whole case in and out. He's not just casually into a murderer. He really knows his stuff," Warner says.

Vasquez and Warner have known each other since high school. LA natives, they have been together about 12 years. 

The album Vasquez sells includes rare photos of Manson's artwork and photographs of Manson and his followers. Also included in the album is Manson's address in prison, where fans can write him directly.

Humble Candy

For as much notoriety as Vasquez and Warner have earned for their boutique via Ad Nauseum's Manson record, they remain focused on growing the shop in the eclectic and personality-driven fashion in which it was formed. "We're turning the upstairs into an art gallery…and are excited about a number of other bands we're going to produce…local bands," Warner says. 

Beauty is Pain is located at 1443 N Highland Ave in Hollywood.

Check out a Flickr slideshow of photos here. Check out an audio visual slideshow including music by Charles Manson below.

Reach staff reporter Ashley Riegle by email. Follow her on Twitter here



 

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