ShowCASE make up

As it is coming up to London Fashion Week - one of my favourite events of the year I often get asked where does my inspiration comes from and how I decide on a look. Here I will look over past events of creative show make up and talk about how I created the looks. Many of the ideas usually branch from a brief given from the client. Then I would go away and create a mood board from various materials and tear sheets from magazines, films, iconic eras, make up brands and materials available.

Rembrant

Picasso

Chagall

I get inspired by art books in particular as they usually have interesting paintings and colours that I get attracted to. My favourite artists would have to be Rembrant for his skill of directional light and use of tones in colours. Picasso for contrasting colour and organised mess as I would call it. Chagall for use of illusions and surreal images.

I still can remember my very first design for a major show which was for L'Oreal. It was my first experience in the design process in a team and working with over 30 artists. It was a success and I learnt that practice makes perfect. Working alongside Kim Gavin famous choreographer for the likes of Take That, Viva La Diva and many major shows and artists and renowned hairdresser Trevor Sorbe. We created different characters to suit the sections of the show which was held in Earls Court. Rock and Punk, Toons and Disco. We used a mixture of materials such as greaspaints, bodypaints, eyelashes and plenty of gold leave.

The above is a presentation for Vidal Sassoon. Based on geisha look with a modern twist. I used colour eyelashes with colourful glitter and shadows. Keeping the skin porcelain was the key for this look rather than the usual powder.

The above show was with Andrew Barton who was director for SAKS. Based on voodoo woman, animals and tribal. This was fun as it was very characteristic and the looks speak for themselves. 

This was at IMATS Alexandra trade show working with AOFM the Academy Of Freelance Make Up. I was demonstrating the use of various mediums such as glitter, greasepaint, customised eyelashes, texture of greasepaint and cream eyeshadows. We were also promoting the launch of Make up is Art book.

The using of creative materials and textures can be often scary to work with but with a lot of practice on myself and models it saves time and mishaps before the show day. Which is why I probably look like I know what I'm doing and make it look easy. Sometimes people forget all about the research that goes on behind the scenes and how much time I spent searching and testing brands and materials to see if they can work together. I'm lucky to still have my eyebrows with the amount of eyebrow wax and testing I do in blocking out eyebrows. You can see samples above what happens when you have no eyebrows - allows you to have more space for reshaping the eye area. Using diamonds and swarovski crystals is one of my favourite looks. 

One of my first London Fashion Week shows with Inbar Spector below. Using glitter gel on eyebrows.

Based on Gothic Couture

Working with Inbar Spector was inspirational and a great experience. I had to deal with many trials to get the right look and even went to her studio late night before the show date to change the idea. It was quite stressful but on the day it all came together and we had great press which led her to go to Paris and sell her collection. 

Having creative freedom with designers is an honour and one that is treasured in my heart as every show and design I do, I feel it is a part of me and my believe on how a make up look should be. Working with teams over weeks in designing for the show and preparing 4 hours before the show that only lasts for 15 mins seems like such a shame sometimes.

Here are sample of my on schedule show with Gavin Douglas  and then Bernard Chandran which was a special moment for me as this was what I aspired to do when I first started designing shows. Being around all the chaos and packed audience and press it was one of my most memorable times. Working along side stylist consultant for Gavin at the time Karen Biggs. She gave me great advice in surviving the fashion industry.

Below: Gavin Douglas

Bernard Chandran

During this time I also got to meet the organisers at Vauxhall Fashion Scout and ended up doing some great designers. Below are examples of some of my designs at the shows at Vauxhall.

Below: Danny Tang                                 Harriets Muse 

 Jasper Garvida

Prophetik

Romeo Pires

William Tempest

My experience with William Tempest has been a learning curve. If you are lucky enough to work with a designer from the start of their career who grows to be one of the most established is a rare and lucky occasion. I have been there from one of his first shows and now he has left London to show in New York which is an amazing step. William always knows what he wants and has a lot of input to how the make up should look which is great. He has grown so quickly over the years and is now one of the big names. It has been a pleasure working with him and I look forward to see what is to come next.

Watch this space as I start work on the next season............