Jalouse Magazine

Wednesday 14h December

Today I was assisting Georgina Graham again for Jalouse magazine.  The two models were Cara Delevingne, and Valentine Filliol-Cordier, who were going to be shot by Alexei Hay for two separate issues.  Georgina was having to leave the shoot early to catch a flight for another job, so the pressure was on for her to get what she needed to do done before then.  I was going to stay on to do any touch ups that needed doing.  For those of you who aren't aware, Cara is an up-and-coming British model and London socialite, and the current face of Burberry. She is regularly spotted out with her famous elder sister Poppy at fashion parties and is regularly featured on the party pages of British Vogue and the Telegraph. The sisters are the granddaughters of former English Heritage boss Sir Jocelyn Stevens, also the founder of the 60s pirate radio station, Radio Caroline. They grew up in finery in London's Mayfair and are friends with the Jagger's and Lily Allen's family.

Let me tell you, this girl can model!  She certainly isn't one to just stand in front of the camera and strike the same pose and expression.  She was bending in to some really unusual positions and her face is almost cartoonish with some of the faces she pulls.  She had a great energy and was up for anything, a really fun girl!  She had to act like a kind of crazy geek person, and she was perfect!

Georgina was super inspiring on this day too.  She wasn't really given a thorough brief before the shoot, so was was having the think quickly on the spot.  She had me rifling through the few magazines they had at the studio, looking for small images of British celebrities which we ripped out and stuck on Cara's face and body for one shot.  She also sent someone out to go and buy some bright Indian pigments which we mixed with water and covered Cara with, ha ha!  By the time we did this Georgina had already left, so it was a joint issue between myself and the hairstylists.  It was such a fun shoot and full of energy!

Valentine's call time wasn't until 2pm.  To be honest I was so in to the shoot with Cara I had forgotten that we had another shoot to do!  I saw a pregnant woman arrive, but I didn't register that it was her! It probably threw me her being pregnant too!  Her shoot was such a contrast to Cara's, and their personalities were so different.  Valentine was quite quiet in comparison, which isn't hard really!  She lacked confidence in front of the camera, I think because she was pregnant, but she looked gorgeous and didn't seem to realise it.  Her styling was very simple, with natural hair and make-up, as she is well known for her effortless Parisian chic.  The multi-talented model, stylist, muse and DJ has starred in campaigns for Benetton, graced the world's catwalks for the past ten seasons, and has even lent her talents to creatively consulting Charles Anastase's whimsical, often wacky, shows.

I can't wait to see the images in print!

http://www.stormmodels.com/CaraDelevingne.html?boardId=1005

http://www.premiermodelmanagement.com/Valentine_Fillol-Cordier.html

Spanish Vanity Fair

Tuesday 13th December

Wahoo!  Working with Georgina Graham again!  I think she is amazing, and I feel very lucky to be working with her! 

The location for this shoot for Spanish Vanity Fair was in Stoke Newington, at a place called The House Next Door.  From the outside it just looks like a closed down shop, but is actually this amazing five floored former building merchants, with many of it's original features.  The stars of the shoot were  Dana Alikhani and Tatiana Santo Domingo, who make up the Muzungu sisters, but aren't actually sisters!  The concept for Muzungu Sisters was born in 2009, when founders and friends, Dana and Tatiana were living in New York. Dana wanted to create an online retail portal that would promote fair labour practises by showcasing artisan-crafted goods from around the world.  Tatiana, with a refined eye for style and a keen interest in travel, had been thinking of curating a website that would feature carefully sourced items discovered during her adventures abroad. By merging their ideas and passions, Dana and Tatiana created the revolutionary concept of providing the global online retail market with exclusive products handcrafted by local artisans from diverse cultures.

The girls were shot by David Dunan.  Georgina wanted the girls to look natural and with a glow to the skin, so all the products she used were cream based to keep the face looking fresh.  They were styled in their own clothes, or clothes that had a very similar feel.

http://muzungusisters.motilo.com/

http://www.castlegibson.com/locations/the-house-next-door/

Aqua by Aqua

Wednesday 7th December

I lovely make-up artist friend of mine, Veronica Martinez, had booked a job for Aqua by Aqua for their website and look book.  The shoot was going to take place over a few days, but on the first day Veronica was booked on another job so she asked me if I could do it for her.  It was for the menswear, shot by Mikolai Berg, and there was a lot of outfit changes to get through.  We tried to get through it as quick as possible, the poor model barely had time to eat his lunch bless him.  The client and the photographer worked really well together, they were really quick at shooting but still we didn't quite get all the outfits shot.  So another day will be organised to get it finished.  Thanks for the job Veronica!

http://www.aquabyaqua.com/

O:Magazine

Friday 2nd December

During Fashion Week in September I assisted on a show with Georgina Graham from CLM agency.  She seemed very laid back and easy going, and very lovely!  I thought that I would love to work with her again, and luckily that wish came true today!  She got in touch asking if I could assist her on a shoot for O:Magazine, the luxury fashion supplement for the Observer in the UK, published by Tank magazine.  I was really looking forward to it, and wanted to make sure I did a good job!

The models for the shoot were Georgia May Jagger, daughter of Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger, and Louis Simonon, son of Clash guitarist Paul Simonon.  Both were absolutely lovely and really down to earth.  Louis had been out the night before and was still up and hadn't been to bed!  I don't know how he did it, he couldn't even remember most of the night but he was still so professional and funny, and did an amazing job.  Georgia is so pretty, like a little Bridget Bardot, those lips are amazing!  She happily sat and chatted about her family, and wasn't affected by it all in the slightest.  They were a dream! Georgina made her up with dark, slightly winged out, worn in eyes, with a nude mouth and perfect skin.  She looked amazing.  We were shooting in this random building near Mile End, The Ragged School Museum, which was really interesting but freezing cold.  And again, Georgia and Louis didn't complain one bit, they just got on with their job.

I had the best day with Georgina Graham. Not only is she super talented and really inspiring, she is lovely to work with  and is just super nice.  I felt like I really clicked with her and I really hope I get to work with her again lots in the future!  I left with a big smile on my face, and feeling really positive about working in an industry which can be really tough, and I can't thank her enough for that!

Fashion in Motion- Peter Jensen

Friday 18th November

Fashion in Motion is a series of live catwalk events presented against the unique backdrop of the V&A Museum. Featuring some of the greatest designers of our time, Fashion in Motion brings the excitement and spectacle of the high fashion catwalk to a wide audience.


This year it was Peter Jensen's turn to showcase his work.  The London-based designer is known for his upbeat, colourful garments which deftly manage to be both wearable and unconventional at the same time. Each of Jensen’s collections are based around a particular female muse, from historic figures, to film characters, to members of his family and over 20 of them have inspired his work to date. Fashion in Motion focused on Jensen’s men's and womenswear from the past decade including pieces from his most recent collections as well as collaborative pieces, accessories and items that have adorned his shows.

Janeen Witherspoon from Julian Watson agency was keying the look.  We used products by Mac Cosmetics. Yoghurt eyeshadow was buffed all over the eye, with a thin blacktrack liner along the lash line.  A pink paint stick was buffed on to the apples of the cheeks, and the cheeks were also softly contoured.  Pretty please lipstick was applied to the lips, with Tanamara lipstick dabbed over the top, in the centre of the lip.  A shimmery loose powder by another brand was used on the eye over Yoghurt eyeshadow, and to highlight the face on the temples,cheekbones, nose, and cupids bow.

Bumble And Bumble Trends Presentation

Tuesday 8th November

Call time- 6:45am!!! Oh how I love early mornings, ha!  I was spending the day at the St.Martin's Lane Hotel to make-up four models with a colleague of mine for Bumble and bumble's trend presentation.  The inspiration for the looks for the two models that I made up were taken from the Daryl K and Zac Posen shows.  Once we had got the models ready in the morning for the first presentation, it was just a question of keeping the make-up looking perfect for the other shows going on throughout the day.  So an easy day really.  Myself and my colleague Rachel were even doing our own exercise routine, when we were left in the room by ourselves to pass the time!  Good job no-one walked in and caught us on all fours in the middle of the room!!!

http://www.bumbleandbumble.co.uk/?77tadunit=58c3bf65&77tadvert=19147850368&77tkeyword=bumble%20and%20bumble&77tentrytype=s&cm_mmc=google-_-search-_-brand-_-bumble%20and%20bumble

Weight Watchers campaign

Saturday 5th November 2011

I was fortunate enough to assist Veronica Martinez on a shoot for Weight Watchers, at Big Sky studios.  The campaign will feature 'real women', whom each have their own weight loss story to share.  It's always nice working on something like this, because the women always really appreciate it. Often they haven't even had their hair and make-up done by professionals before, and they are just so grateful for everything.  They were all really slim, they had obviously been working really hard at losing weight.  One lady had even had a baby 6 months previously, but you would never have known, she was tiny!

New E4 show

Thursday 3rd November 2011

I'm not going to say too much, because I'm not sure how much I can say!  But I will say there is going to be a new weight loss program on E4, just one program, and if it goes down well it will be made in to a series.  It's going to be different to the usual weight loss shows, and have a much younger feel to it.  And what do you need to go with a new body?  New clothes, hair, and MAKE-UP of course!  Cue Lucy  Flower make-up artist extraordinaire, to give the girls a brand new look!  Two more days of filming to follow in December........

Salon International

October 15th, 16th and 17th 2011

Working with my lovely friends at Hob Camden again, this time at Salon International at Excel, one of the major hairdressing exhibitions in the world.  It was a pretty jam packed few days, with two or three shows to prepare for each day, with plenty of models.  On the Sunday we had 10 models to get through, thank goodness I had an assistant that day!  Jake Unger had his FAME team competition show on the Monday, he'll find out in December if he's been successful.  They'd be stupid not to have him!

Wella Trend Vision Final

26th September 2011

Christy Blake, a colourist from Hob Camden, had made it through to the final of Wella Trend Vision.  She had to participate in the final part of the competition during the day, held at the Wella Studio in London, before heading to The Roundhouse in Camden, to prepare her model for the evening show.  I was on hand to do the models make-up.  We had three hours at Wella to get the model completely ready- hair, make-up and clothes, whilst the judges were keeping a close eye on the hairdressers at work.  Christy did an amazing job, we were done in plenty of time.  But the winners weren't going to be announced until after the show and dinner later that evening.  I was lucky enough to have a seat for the dinner and show, hosted by Alex Zane. It was great to watch and everyone did an amazing job!  Unfortunately Christy wasn't a winner this time around, but I'm sure she will win it next year!

Giles SS 2012

Monday 19th September

After Antonio Berardi, I had a couple of hours back home before heading to the Royal Court of Justice for 3:30pm for Giles.  I did the Giles show a few seasons before and it was my favourite show, the clothes are just amazing and the models are the top girls, just stunning.  We had to wait around for a bit for the cafe to close, as that was where we were going to be doing the make-up.  Lucia Pieroni was keying the look.  It was supposed to look as if the girls had been drinking too much red wine.  We used Mac products- lip pencils in brick and burgundy were blended on to the lips, particularly on to the inner part of the lips.  Russian Red lipstick was lightly buffed on to the cheeks to give that flushed look.  And a lip balm was applied to the centre of the lids, cheek bones and nose.  Brows were brushed upwards, and if the model could get away with it we didn't apply any base.  Black girl just had a base done.  One of my models was my favourite model of the season. I feel I should always mention when a model is so lovely.  Nyasha Matonhodze @ Elite was so sweet.  The models got called to go and do their run through and were told to remember who was doing their make-up, so they could come straight back to us afterwards.  Nyasha said to me, 'how can I forget the girl with the beautiful big blue eyes!'  This coming from practically a Supermodel, bless her!  She is in the current Topshop campaign amongst others.

http://www.elitemodellondon.co.uk/details.aspx?modelID=473471&ln=&nav=1&subid=5572&mainsubid=5572&divID=&indx=5&letter=

Antonio Berardi SS 2012

Monday 19th September

Another early call time, this time 7am at the Southbank Centre for the Antonio Berardi show.  Val Garland was keying this show so I was very much looking forward to it for that reason!  I've done a few shows with her before, but the novelty certainly hasn't worn off yet!  He first assistant carried out the demo on the model, as Val was running late.  Turns out she had decided to walk, but it was a lot further away than she thought it was!  She arrived as the demo was going on (which seemed to be going on and on......).  There was two lip looks for this show, a nude lip (Myth lipstick with gloss), and a dark burgundy lip, with a bright coral pigment pushed over the top on to the centre of the lip.  Generally, the blonde girls had the nude lip, and the brunettes or black girls had the dark lip. The rest of the make-up was kept really simple, just a light base with a bit of contouring on the eyes and cheeks.  Everything ran smoothly, there was the usual chaos backstage where the models have to change and get in line up and we have to do the final checks and their body make-up.  I'm starting to get used to it now but it can get really irritating!  No matter where you stand you get told to move, you are in the way.  There are so many people there all trying to get their job done, it just gets really chaotic.  The photographers are the main thing that I find a hindrance because it's not just them you have to contend with, it's all their apparatus too!  And you have to be so careful not to get make-up on the clothes, thanks God it's not happened to me yet, and I pray it never will!!!

I made up two other models as well as the one in the picture, but I can't find any images of them!

London Fahion Week- Elliot Atkinson

Sunday 18th September, 8am.

First stop for LFW, Spring Summer 2012 for me was the Elliot Atkinson Presentation, which was part of Fashion East at Haunch of Venison.  Fashion East is a non-profit initiative established by the Old Truman Brewery in 2000, to nurture emerging young designers through the difficult early stages of their career.

Georgina Graham from CLM was heading the make-up team.  There was only 6 models to do, and there were more make-up artists than models I think so it was pretty easy.  We were even taking it in turns to nip out to Starbucks to get coffee.  The make-up had a very Rock and Roll feel to it, lots of black smudged around the eyes, and  Mac Careblend oils were used on the skin and eyes to give that wet look.  The whole make-up was done without using one brush. 

We had all the models on their podiums ready to start, but one girl felt really faint, she looked awful, and had to be pulled out at the last minute.  So one outfit didn't get shown in the end which was a big shame!

Jake Unger's FAME Team Interview

Sunday 11th September

The Fellowship Academy of Merit and Excellence (F.A.M.E) Team are selected annually to promote a new generation of bright young hairdressers.  A busy year is planned for the FAME Team winners.  This includes photographic shoots, media publicity, fashion shows, hairdressing seminars and events.  Above all the team hone their skills and are given a new platform to shine.  So I really want the super talented Jake Unger from Hob Salons, Camden to be successful and join next years team!  He had his first interview at L'oreal in Hammersmith, where he also had to present two models, for which I was doing the make-up.  And he got through to the next round, yippee!  Not that I was surprised in the slightest, he is definitely going to be following in Akin Konizi's footsteps!  Watch out Akin!!!

Co:lab Magazine

Saturday 10th September

Louise Dartford, a make-up artist with Naked Artists needed assistants on an editorial shoot for Co:lob.  Co:lab is a new platform showcasing fashion editorials and film shot exclusively for ftape.com.  Ftape.com is an online fashion resource, which provides a free platform connecting the fashion industry via the world's largest creative directory and our love for visual stimuli.

The shoot took place in and around the photographer's (Garda Tang) next door neighbours art studio, so there was a very arty feel to the shoot.  There was a lot of models and extras involved, which meant that there were so many bodies and racks of clothes in Garda's house where we were getting ready. Therefore, we had to do the make-up outside in the garden using the garden table and chairs!  It started raining at one point, there was a mad dash to move everything inside but it soon cleared which was a relief!

Louise is really in to organic make-up which I found quite interesting.  It was refreshing to see a kit which wasn't just full of expensive brands of make-up.

http://www.ftape.com/media/

TK Maxx Campaign

Thursday 8th and Friday 9th September

I must have done a good job assisting Marco on the last job, because he asked me to help him out on the TK Maxx campaign.  It was spread out over two days because there was a lot of shots to get through.  The shoot took place in Park Royal Studios in NW10, where the studio was transformed in to a winter wonderland.  One of the child models, a little girl adopted from China, was the cutest thing I have ever seen so keep a look out for her!

Roland Mouret for Elle Magazine

Monday 1st  September

Today was my first day assisting Marco Antonio from DW Management.  He is very much my kind of person so I was very happy about that.  He was lovely to work with and reminded me of another make-up artist I assist called Alex Babsky.  They are both very down to earth and chilled which I love.  We were working on a shoot for Elle magazine underneath Roland Mouret's shop.  The shoot was starring Roland himself, and his team of helpers.  It was the run up to Fashion Week so things were pretty hectic down in the offices!  At one point I was making up one of his workers whilst she had four phones in her hands or to her ear, which were constantly ringing and she just wouldn't keep still!!  We only had one shot to do though which was fortunate because they were just so busy!

http://www.rolandmouret.com/

Phoenix Magazine

Friday 12th August

Shooting with the adorable Pratha and Saty, I was asked to be involved in an editorial for Phoenix magazine. Phoenix is an independently published fashion and culture magazine that is printed three times a year for London Fashion Week, in February, September and in June for the graduate shows. It actively promotes the work of emerging designers, writers, photographers and illustrators, showcasing the best new talent from all fields.

The shoot centred around men's knitwear, even the female model donned male clothes. So I kept her make-up quite androgynous, but with a sexy twist.

http://www.phoenixmag.co.uk/

Harvey Nichols Istanbul Campaign

Thursday 11th August

Another day assisting Mr Babsky. I love working with him, he is soooooo easy to get along with and you can just be yourself around him. Just how I like it, and how it should be! I was up at 5am to make my way over to a West London location. We were leaving for Aynhoe Park at 7am sharp, where we arrived around 9am. The house at Aynhoe Park was quite extraordinary to say the least! James Perkins is the current owner, he has decorated the rooms with taxidermy, Gothic touches, one of the world's greatest collections of plaster casts, and assorted artifacts which fully indulge a sense of theatre. It was like something out of a movie!

There was three models altogether, two girls and one boy. Both girls wore the same look which was quite strong- a dark smoky eye and a red shiny lip. It was a really long day, only eight different outfit changes, but it took a really long time. Each shot was in a different room so there was a lot of setting up to do for each one. We didn't leave there until 11:30 pm, I didn't get in until gone 1:30 am but it was well worth it!

Dazed and Confused

Thursday 28th July

My first time assisting someone from Streeters on a shoot rather than a show, make-up artist Gemma Smith-Edhouse asked me to assist her on a main fashion spread for Dazed and Confused magazine. It took place at The Roost, E8, which looks like it used to be a pub from the outside and is this amazing old house inside, which is available for hire to the film and photographic industry. Hedi Slimane, who used to be a very successful French fashion designer, working for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior, has since made the transition to photographer and was indeed shooting this story. Styling the shoot was Robbie Spencer who is the menswear fashion editor at Dazed.

Gemma looked immaculate. She is slim and very tall and was wearing a sixties style shift dress. She assisted Val Garland for about two years before being taken on herself. She told me she only ever wanted to be with Streeters.

There was a lot of people to make-up, about 35 I think. Some models, some singers or musicians etc. The idea was to make them up in a way that they might do them selves, but much better obviously! I did quite a few of the boys, I think I have Gemma's regime sussed now hopefully! She seamed pleased with me, and I hope I get to work with her again soon! I don't have any pictures unfortunately, I didn't fell comfortable taking any but when the mag comes out I will definitely post them on here...........

Schuh Campaign

Wednesday 20th July

I was very excited to be assisting Phyllis Cohen from DW Management for the 30 years of Schuh campaign. She is so very talented, and is very well known for her body painting and tatoo work. I didn't get to see these talents on this shoot however, but it was amazing to work with her just the same! She is so lovely and down to earth, and makes you feel very relaxed and just trusts that you'll do a good job and lets you get on with it. It was a very long day, there was a lot of models to make up who were arriving at various times throughout the day. I had to get to Abbey Wood for 7:45am, where we were then taken to a strange housing estate nearby called Tavy Bridge Estate in Thamesmead. As we were driving down a main road to get to it we passed some ponies on the grass, right next to the road and in front of the block of flats, very strange!

There were four different group types in which the models were going to be shot and filmed in throughout the day- SKA, break dance, hipster and goth. I even got roped in to be an extra for SKA because they were a little short and liked my look. It was just for a little bit of filming and I got to keep my pair of shiny Doc Martins ;o) Phyllis' son came down too and was an extra for various things, he was very sweet. I had such a good day, it was one of those days that puts you in a really positive mood and I had some great chats with Phyliss. She gave me some really good advice. I hope I get to work with her again soon!

http://30yearsofschuh.co.uk/site/

Fellowship Colour Event

Monday 18th July

The very talented hairdressers, Jake Unger and Mariesa Ferraro from HOB Camden were participating in a Fellowship evening at Toni and Guy Academy, London. They wanted the make-up to be Autumn/Winter trend based, so I went for a statement red lip and not much else.

Yohji Yamamoto Fashion in Motion Show

Friday 1st July

The final installment of the multifaceted Yohji Yamamoto exhibit at the V&A Museum saw a runway show courtesy of the Fashion in Motion program, which opens it's doors to members of the general public. The show featured looks from Yohji's SS 2011 collection, including the menswear which was inspired by the V&A's vast textile collection. The show featured real life couples as models, a casting manoeuvre first employed for his SS 1999 menswear show, scouting cool kids and grown ups on the streets of Paris. The casting reflected Yohji's philosophy that his garments are only 80% complete when leaving the atelier, the final 20% being made up by the customers personalisation. The involvement of homosexual couples also visually espouses Yohji's penchant for undercutting gender norms in fashion and society with his love of androgyny, which catapulted him from the status of designer to full blown visionary back in the early eighties.

The focus of the make-up for the girls was a matte red lip, the rest of the make-up was kept quite simple,but was also tailored to suit the individual. If we felt a girl needed a bit of black liner then we could do it, but otherwise the eyes were bare aside from mascara, the brows were naturally groomed, and the cheeks softly contoured. Cher Webb keyed the look.

Cover Drive shoot

Monday 20th June

Working with the lovely Mr Alex Babsky again, wahoo! He was asked to do a shoot for the self-described 'carib-pop' band, Cover Drive and needed an assistant. Hailing from Barbados, this band are signed to Geffen Records UK, and hold a publishing deal with Sony music. The bassist, Jamar, at 17, is the youngest member of the band, then there is the drummer T-Ray, lead vocalist Amanda, and Barry on guitar. T-Ray's mother Kerri Armstrong is their manager, and it was his Dad Ray Armstrong who came up with the band's name, through his love of golf. Throughout the whole day their music was blasting out of the I-pod, Amanda couldn't stop singing away to it even when in the make-up chair, and 'mom-a-ger' Kerri was bopping away. It was really cute to see. Amanda has written all the songs on the album, which is due for release some time in July.

http://www.youtube.com/user/WeAreCoverDrive