LONDON FASHION WEEK 2010

So its that time of season where designers are frantically organising their shows and final collections. London has the buzz of whats in store next season, to the looks, models, make up and hair styles, accessories and general press go into a different world for the next few days. For me it is a time where you step out of reality for a little while.  Everything you know and understand is a challenge, because after all the press are looking at you for the ideas of whats in store next!

Prior to the show I had to meet the designers and discuss what has inspired their collection and try to translate their thoughts and ideas into reality. Then we arranged a test to go over what I had in mind in relation to make up with their clothes.  I always get a bit nervous and excited at the same time because I know all the hard work that is to come. It can be so manic and stressful but very job satisfying each season, that sometimes I often wonder how lucky I am to be where I am today. Right in the middle of fashion week.




DAY 1

PROPHETIK spring/summer 2011

Fashion Stylist Rebekah Roy at work

Botticelli's Venus takes centre stage for Prophetik's spring /summer 2011 collection called 'Midnight Garden.  Designed by Jeff Garner, the men's and womenswear label provokes mystery and innocence with beautiful flowing Southern ball gowns trimmed with beaded leather ropes and delicate lace, exquisitely tailored jackets and waistcoats decorated with antique buttons, pin-tucked tea dresses, hooded tunics and long hemmed bloomers.

working backstage

palette: ivory, indigo, oatmeal, lavender, copper, sea foam, raspberry, coral.

Tim from Toni&Guy

Set in Vauxhall Fashion Scout in Free Masons Hall in Covent Garden the early morning call at 8am was maybe a bit too early for a few of us. However we were greeted with the sound of live music which was  got us in the spirit. All ready to go I went straight into my demonstration for the team.

The finished look 

The make up was based on ethereal and mermaids but not quite fantasy. Jeff wanted the eyes to sparkle had suggested that maybe we could have diamond eyelashes. Luckily in the test I had a pair that had crystal beads on them and they worked out quite well. Swarovski had supplied us with crystals too. What I didn't expect was that they didn't sell the particular eyelashes I used so I ended up searching for 2 days and spending 3 nights working out the best way to make them myself. It got easier to make after the 8th pair although my fingers got glued together! my main colour palette was pink and peach with white and pink glitter dust.

Perfeckt gel primers and eyelashes that I made with sponsored crystals from Swarovski

So after a quick run through we had less than 40mins to finish all the models in both make up and hair and getting them dressed for their first outfits. Luckily I had a great team of assistants supplied from AOFM and a few make up artist friends of mine we cracked on quickly together working in pairs to do as much as we could and finish the look. I absolutely love the hair that Tim from Toni and Guy had designed. It was based on medieval and tribal which he allowed his team to have creative flair so each of the model had their own style to suite their hair length and face. Rebekah who kept everything and everyone in running order and in time backstage and for front stage did a great job with her team. The show ran smoothly with an orchestra playing in the background as the models walked down the grass runway.

Fabulous stylist Rebekah Roy, myself with amazing hair by Tim Furressdon

DAY 2

Lako Bukia SS11 Collection

Lako Bukia hit the runway for the first time at Vauxhall Fashion Scout this week at London Fashion Week. The inspiration for the collection was taken from Soviet Union Architecture and the block buildings, which remain in the Soviet Union Countries. The collection color pallet was soft hues of blue, pink and natural tones.

When I first met Lako for her test at Tim at Toni and Guy Salon I was surprised how gentle and quiet she was. She was also laid back and let me demonstrate what I thought would suit her collection. It was a tough call because as a make up artist you want to do make up, but when the pallet is as soft and clean as hers I decided to hold back and keep the look soft in color tones but we gave the look a modern edge by making the eyebrows nice and strong but soft enough that it was still elegant.

Interview by Peak at MO-AM

models backstage preparing

I used a dark shadow under the eyebrow so it unified the look on each model to their shape and kept it natural to their face. Cheeks were highlighted with Benefits High Beam and MAC silver dusk. This gave it a beautiful contour at the same time. Sockets were kept creamy with a soft pink gloss and just a splash of mascara to keep the eyes defined. White MAC pencil was used to make the eyes look bigger and fresher. Lips were soft and nude with a sparkly white shimmer gloss. 

I really enjoyed the show and loved the simple dresses which were made of crepe and organza

Team at work backstage

Lako gives it the go ahead before show

MAKE UP IS ART Second edition

The Second edition published by Carlton Books

Finally the second edition of the book has been completed and will be out very soon. It has taking a lot of work and effort from all the team involved and was my biggest challenge to date. I am very proud to know that someone out there on the other side of the world could be learning from our experience as working artists in the industry here in London. It is full of extra tips and images with more details and in-dept information about products, techniques and how to achieve various looks. I am very proud to have seen my baby project come to life and it has been amazing journey thanks to the support of AOFM and my friends and colleagues in the industry.

There is a special feature with Britians Got Talent ESCALA whom I've worked with on tour and had an amazing time changing the girls looks for their performances each night on their uk tour supporting Catherine Jenkins. I loved their image and how they made choices together working as a brand.

One of my most enjoyable shoots was for the adornment section and working with crystals and eyelashes and the amazing stylist Rebekah Roy brought lots of luxury accessories to the shoot. It was all about embellishment but influenced with an editorial feel. Shot by Catherine Harbour here is a sneak preview of the image to appear in the book.

Launching in September during LFW watch this space to see how it went.

MAKE UP IS ART

Gain a true insight into the creative world of makeup artistry with sound advice on all the tools, knowledge and techniques you need

Makeup is art. Every face is a blank canvas and every brush stroke creates something magical. Makeup enhances natural beauty but also builds confidence for everyday life. Jana Ririnui, makeup artist and founder of AOFM, and Lan Nguyen, makeup artist and creative director, have come together with a team of other top industry professionals to create a book dedicated to inspire other makeup artists, those wishing to enter this exciting career and anyone who wants to experiment with, and develop, their makeup looks.

It is a glossy, gorgeous makeup manual written by London’s Academy of Freelance Makeup, one of the world’s best training institutes. AOFM tutors work with prestigious clients such as Versace, Armani, Dior and Vogue. It includes basic makeup advice along with step-by-step instructions for a range of truly inventive looks using specialist techniques – from Lady Gaga-inspired creations and retro looks to underwater makeup and body painting. 

We created this book to fill the gap of providing a visual book to inspire. Its more practical with less text and more images to show what you can achieve and being creative but beautiful too. All the images were shot from scratch especially for this project and thanks to our friends and sponsors who helped make it possible. The first edition launched back in 2009 during London Fashion Week with a great party and copies were sold in RD Franks, Soho Book Stores, Charles Fox and a number of other boutique shops. The second edition is out towards the end of the year and will be available worldwide.

Other reviews here from my the fabulous stylist Rebekah Roy whom I have the pleasure to work with quite often during London Fashion Week and various editorials.

Book launch by Rebekah Roy

It is also available to buy AOFM