“All that glitters is not gold.” — William Shakespeare
In this dazzling series, photographer Jamie Nelson explores the dual nature of this light-bending magical dust—used to both conceal and reveal. With an obsessive eye for shimmer and unmatched technical command, Nelson elevates glitter—transforming it into a medium of self-expression and spectacle.
Glitter, as we know it, was invented in 1934. Originally reserved for theatrical stages, it burst into mainstream culture in the 1970s during the height of disco. Since then, glitter has been limited to high fashion magazines and the runway. Only recently has glitter gained popularity amongst the masses—notably from gender inclusive TV shows such as Euphoria.
A self-proclaimed “glitter queen,” Nelson doesn’t just photograph glitter—she lives it. From head to toe, she wears it proudly, even catching the eye of Gwen Stefani, who borrowed Nelson’s signature sparkle for a Paper Magazine editorial. Nelson’s commitment to the medium is unwavering. “Love it or hate it—sparkly things have an innate ability to light up a room and steal the show,” she declares.
In her work, glitter is everywhere: from eyelids to motorcycles, hair to hotrods, butt cheeks to bumpers. Glitter transcends genre, age, and gender—blurring lines and refracting expectations. “Splash glitter around your eyes to conceal tiredness,” Nelson advises. “It distracts from the flaws and dazzles the room instead.”
Through this series, the artist invites us to reconsider the value of sparkle. It’s not just decoration—it’s defiance. Power. Play. Vulnerability with a wink. At 85 years old, she claims she’ll still be covered in glitter even at the grocery store.
Because in her world, when in doubt, there’s only one solution: throw on some glitter.
