‘FASHION INDUSTRY’ Category

Fashion Photographer: Yelena Yemchuk

August 27th, 2010

Yelena Yemchuk— a Ukrainian-born shooter has had a remarkably eclectic career path, with notable successes as a painter, documentary photographer and director of music videos. Her current focus began in 2001, when a friend persuaded her to try a fashion shoot for fun. Since then, Yemchuk has contributed to Italian and Japanese Vogue, the New Yorker and W, and has shot advertising campaigns for Kenzo, Cacharel and Dries Van Noten. Her photographs are dreamy and remarkably different than the regular vocabulary of slick, airbrushed fashion imagery. “People who hire me know I’m not just interested in pretty dresses,” she says. “They want me to tell some kind of story.”

Love Covers

August 23rd, 2010


The rest of the Love covers surfaced last week, besides these 4, and the 2 others shown on Smudge Style, there is also British model/actress Kelly Brook, and a mannequin cover to choose from. Personally I’m torn as to which is my favourite between Rosie, Giselle, and Alessandra I can’t decide. The latest edition of Love launched today in both print and an ipad version.

Which cover is your favourite?

Images from models.com

Love Magazine

August 16th, 2010


I didn’t even recognize Alessandra! This is an absolutely fabulous image, another of LOVE magazine’s collectible September issues. The lips, the contouring, and of course the non brow-it’s so good. I can’t wait for the other 6 covers.

Image from models.com

Make Up Artist: Patrick Eichler

August 12th, 2010

Patrick Eichler is a dear former colleague of mine, who has recently embarked on something quite exciting professionally. When I heard about COLOR CRAFT I thought it would be a great idea to interview Patrick and let him tell me how everything brought him to where he is today:

SS: Have you always been a creative person?

PE: From an early age, like five, I’ve drawn and painted then later went to art school. Total nerd. And I was always interested in fashion. I had a subscription to Vogue at ten.

SS: I was buying Vogue when I was around the same age too.

PE: I was very interested in the “salons” of the early part of the last century where artists like Man Ray and Cocteau would collaborate with designers like Schiaparelli and Chanel. I feel like these relationships keep things exciting and fresh. My best makeup work has always been as a result of a collaboration whether with a stylist, designer, photographer or artist.

SS: I know people always ask artist’s this question and it can be a tricky one to answer, but what inspires you creatively make up or otherwise?

PE: Inspiration is a hard one to pin down because it could be from anywhere. The street, magazines, photographic books…makeup artists that I work with. I do try to keep my inspiration from “lower on the chain” so to speak so that my work doesn’t get too appropriative. I love museums!

SS: I love cities that have fabulous museums especially since I live in a city that is lacking in this area. I try to visit at least one gallery or museum in every city I vacation in.

PE: I’ve often wondered if I could ever live in a place with no museums. In San Francisco we’re lucky to have all these great places to see art from every time period but I still stop at The Smithsonian when I’m in New York to see it all but particularly the Vermeer paintings. Perhaps one day I can make real skin look as beautiful as his painted portraits.

SS: So let’s talk makeup…when did you start doing makeup?

PE: I started working as the receptionist in a punk-y hair salon when I was 18 called “Curl Up & Dye” that retailed makeup.

SS: I think it’s so funny when the name of a hair salon is a play on words. I did make up at a salon called “Live to Dye” in Edmonton.

PE: It was 1986 so the color we used was pretty intense and fun. I couldn’t keep my hands out of it! We did photo shoots for the salon and everybody was doing hair so I kind of filled in as the makeup guy. My first paid job was for an Australian artist named Tracy Moffat who was doing an artist in residence gig in San Antonio, where I’m from. It was a photographic series called “Guapa” and the women in the photos were roller derby girls so I got to do blood and bruises but with pink lipstick. Kind of a dream actually!

SS: Was that when you realized-this is it I’m a make up artist?

PE: I canʼt say I was a true makeup artist until I started working with Francis Hathaway in New York. She is a makeup artistʼs makeup artist with incredible range. Sheʼs the one who showed me how to think and see like a makeup artist. Really brilliant.

SS: Yes I agree she is amazing, and from Canada as well.

SS: I always like to look in other make up artists kits what would I find in yours?

PE: Iʼm kind of concealer obsessed…I have like, six different kinds in my kit which is crazy. I think of them as full coverage foundations and blend, blend, blend. My favorite is from Kett.

SS: Really that’s interesting, I’ve not heard of that brand. I’ll have to check it out.

PE: The coverage is perfect and looks like real skin. I think the MAC Sculpt and Shape highlight and contour powders are fantastic. I use them for everything! And of course Touche Eclat from YSL. Is there anyone who doesnʼt use it?

SS: Don’t leave home without it!

SS: Ok, most memorable career moments.

PE: So many! But probably the worst was when I showed up to job with a very high profile celebrity and discovered that somehow my brushes didnʼt make it with me from my earlier job. PANIC!

SS: I would die. Literally die.

PE: I kept my cool, the last thing you want to do is make a new client uncomfortable, and I did the entire makeup with sponges, mascara wands, and of course my fingers. My objective was to make her think that was how I always worked.Well, it worked, thank God. I learned a great lesson from that experience. Because I was working out of my comfort zone I had to really think about what I was doing, instead of going into what I call “makeup auto-pilot” and I feel like this made the makeup that much better.

SS: Wow! A true professional.

PE: There was one real validation moment when I was doing a showroom event for Oscar de la Renta. Andre Leon Talley was styling with Oscar as he does often, and I went to the fitting to design the look. We walked the clothes with Andre and Oscar and discussed the idea behind the collection then went to work on the girl. When we were done we took the girl in and they loved it, which is so rare to have no changes to make. But it was what they said that took me over the moon. Oscar said the makeup was beautiful and Andre replied: “Itʼs genius.” It took me years to come down off of that cloud!

SS: Fantastic! It’s things like that make all the difference when you’re schlepping your kit from test to show and back again.

SS: What’s your favourite city to do shows?

PE: Paris. So much fun! I find the makeup to be more ethereal, and of course the delicious food- scrumptious.

SS: Yes Paris is brilliant. That’s where I’m heading this upcoming season. I can’t wait.

SS: Tell me about COLOR CRAFT.

PE: Throughout my career I have been asked so many times “how do I become a makeup artist?” or “where can I learn how to apply makeup?”One has two options really: To go to a makeup school, which I feel can be a great option especially for film and television makeup or to assist a really good makeup artist which is probably a better route if you want to learn beauty and fashion makeup. But makeup schools can be very expensive and take quite a bit of your time and what if you donʼt want to learn FX makeup? Assisting gigs are hard to come by and for the most part donʼt pay enough to live on. So COLORCRAFT was to be the answer to that question. We wanted to make makeup artist education accessible. Weʼve structured the masterclasses and workshops to be taken a la carte so you only learn what you want and at a level appropriate to your needs.

SS: In the words of Andre Leon Tally-”It’s genius”

PE: What I think is going to prove to be our long term benefit is that our classes are designed to teach attendees how to “think” and “see” like a makeup artist so that their knowledge and skills grow exponentially after they leave the training environment. Weʼre not just handing them a look on a platter. Itʼs the“teaching a person to fish versus giving them a fish” approach.

SS: The fish analogy. So good. When I’m teaching make up I constantly remind myself of this.

PE: With COLOR CRAFT all beauty professionals have an opportunity to develop their makeup skills.

SS: Thanks so much for chatting Patrick. We wish you tons of success with your new venture.

For more information on COLOR CRAFT click here

Love Magazine

August 4th, 2010


The September issue of British magazine Love is beyond gorgeous! What’s even better is that Rosie Huntington-Whitely is just the first of 7 collectible covers that will feature some of the industry’s top models. The only annoying thing is that Love is a bi-annual British magazine, and I’ve not managed to find it ever in Vancouver. So if you’re from Vancouver, and you know where we can get our hands on it, let us know because I’ve got a feeling we’re going to want all 7 covers.

Image from models.com

Makeup Artist: Wendy Rowe

July 30th, 2010


Wendy Rowe British makeup artist does my kind of make up. Hot, smoky, gorgeous. With countless editorials  and covers in publications like Vogue and Numero, to backstage at shows like Burberry, and Rachel Roy, Rowe does some seriously brilliant make up.

In Milan a few years ago she was having an electrical tape moment. As in she hand cut pieces of black rubber like tape, into geometric shapes. Then hand positioned them on the girls eyes, sort of like an extension of their liquid eyeliner. I adore one of her more recent editorials featured in the August issue of Vogue Nippon (top right, 2nd row right) glam 70′s eyes, strong contouring, and the velvet red lip-stunning.

Images from caren.co.uk & models.com

Model of the Moment: Marike Le Roux

July 22nd, 2010


South African born Marike Le Roux took her first steps on the runway during New York Fashion Week September 2009. She has a very appealing sort of look that can transform from innocent to seductive. Shortly after her runway debut Le Roux became the face of Sonia Rykiel for their Spring 2010 campaign. Other career highlights include Elie Saab Couture in Paris and closing the Jeremy Scott show last fashion week in New York. A newcomer to the industry she is one to watch.

Images from nymag.com, models.com, style.com

Fashion Photographer: Miguel Jacob

July 15th, 2010

Miguel Jacob is a Toronto based fashion photographer who has shot for many Canadian magazines as well as a long list of celebrities. If you’re a reader of any Canadian fashion magazine you’ll no doubt recognize many of his photographs.

Make Up Artist: Ellis Faas

July 8th, 2010

Ellis Faas is a phenomenal make up artist.  Her work spans runways, magazines, as well as campaigns for cosmetic companies like MAC, Clinique, and Lancome. What I was most inspired by when I worked with her, was the way she mixed colours. Her concoctions created unique shades that proved that she was a true artist. I met Ellis Faas in Milan for the Fall shows in 2007. I assisted her for the make up test for Blumarine in Milan, Cacherel, and my favourite Giambattista Valli in Paris. I discovered that her make up kit was more like that of a painter than a make up artist. There were unmarked tubes, pots, and palettes of colour. So I was excited to hear last year Faas started her own make up line. I have not had the opportunity to try the line but from what I can see it looks very good. The products are straight forward and concise with sleek packaging.

Images from Management+Artists

Testino’s Art Exhibition for Kate Moss

July 6th, 2010


Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Stella McCartney all dressed in short black attire, with pointy black stilettos, for the opening of Mario Testino’s “Kate Who?” photography exhibit. Kate looked pretty fantastic. I love the dress, the Louboutins, and the cat eye make up. All very appropriate for an exhibit dedicated to images of herself.

Images from justjared.com

Fall 2010 Campaigns

June 30th, 2010


Gone are the days when we had to wait for the September issue to see the latest Fall campaigns. Now everything is online months in advance to satisfy our fashion fix for the upcoming season.

Both Dsquared and Louis Vuitton kept within the exact make up theme of their runway shows. I love the Louis Vuitton campaign everything about it is sophisticated and beautiful. All three girls look amazing but Christy Turlington is the show stopper-she looks absolutely gorgeous.

Other faves for the season are Frejha Beha Erichsen in supersized Tom Ford frames and surrounded by large crows is sort of modern day Hitchcock. Karen Elson is featured in St. John’s continuing on from the Spring campaign. Burberry’s giving us a young, cool, British vibe and Lanvin’s panda eyes and scarlet red mouths is major drama. Since we’ve pretty much given up on Summer in Vancouver, I’m ready for Fall.

Model of the Moment: Tara Gill

June 23rd, 2010


Model Tara Gill hails from the same country we reside-Canada. Born in Toronto, Tara Gill is part Native part Irish. Her features and bone structure are really strong, and  though she is known for her lips, I think her eyes are so intense. Not entirely new to the modelling game, Gill has been on the scene since 2007. In 2009 Gill was the face of McQueen’s online ad campaign, and walked in his last Spring show. She was recently quoted in Elle Canada saying the McQueen show was the most memorable moment in her career thus far. No doubt there will be many more memorable moments to come.

Images from style.com, and nymag.com

Lara Stone for Calvin Klein

June 15th, 2010

I’m sort of obsessed with Lara Stone. As are most people in the industry, so it’s not entirely surprising that Lara is the face of not one but three, branches of the Calvin Klein brand. The brow-less blonde looks stunning in every image. From contoured and sleek in Calvin Klein Collection, laid back and young in Calvin Klein Jeans, and showing off her famous mouth wearing red lips for CK. Love it!

CFDA Awards 2010

June 8th, 2010

Last night in New York the much anticipated CFDA’s (Council of Fashion Designers of America) took place. Among those in attendance were models, designers, editors, stylists, and celebrities-a who’s who of the fashion industry. The evening showcased AW 10 collections of some of the nominees like Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang. But the highlight of the evening had to have been the Special Tribute Award to Alexander McQueen. Sarah Jessica Parker, who looked stunning in McQueen, gave a speech about her late friend and a mini runway show of his last collection was seen. Other awards went to Marc Jacobs for Women’s Wear Designer of the Year, Fashion Icon Award to Iman, Swarovski Accessories Designer of the Year to Alexander Wang (of course!) Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award to Michael Kors (who’s date was Gwyneth Paltrow). For a complete list of winners click here.

Fashion Photographer: Michael David Adams

June 4th, 2010

Here are some beautiful beauty images taken by New York photographer Michael David Adams. If you like avante garde makeup then take a look at his website as there’s some really interesting makeup.

Makeup Artist: Tom Pecheux

May 27th, 2010

Tom Pecheux is one of the best in the industry, and one of the first international make up artists I worked with backstage. Pecheux has created gorgeous make up for countless magazine covers, campaigns, and international collections. Most recently Estee Lauder has brought him on board as their Creative Make Up Director. Backstage at Derek Lam AW 10, Pecheux designed the make up look using his new Lauder collection called “Pure Color”. The collection is said to be pigment rich with eyeshadows available in 4 different textures. ”Makeup is such a fashion accessory,” said Pecheux. “I’d like to highlight that part of the brand, and also bring a playful touch to the franchise.” Which I am sure will be the case.

Images from models.com

Model of the Moment: Bregje Heinen

May 20th, 2010


Dutch newcomer Bregje Heinen debuted at New York Fashion Week last September. She has fabulous features those pouty lips, her big blue eyes, and unique name it’s pronounced “brechk-ye” although I think you have to be Dutch to say it properly! My favourite runway look of hers was Fendi SS 10. The messy up do, terracotta eye makeup, and peach lips was perfection on Bregje. In a short period of time Bregje has done her fair share of runway, and editorials. click the link for video of some of her work.

Fashion Photographer: Laurent Darmon

May 13th, 2010

As I was looking at Laurent Darmon’s website, I noticed that he had quite a collection of beauty photography that features eye makeup. For the most part stick to my tried and true neutrals but I thought some of these images with bright colours were quite pretty and work well with this season’s bright trend.

Darmon is a beauty and fashion photographer that works out of Paris, London and New York. He has had his photos published in many notable advertising campaigns as well as some of the most prestigious publications worldwide.

Makeup Artist: Lloyd Simmonds

May 6th, 2010


I recently heard of Lloyd Simmonds while at a MAC Master Class on Spring runway trend. Simmonds created the look for the Blumarine SS10 show in Milan. Tanned, sculpted faces with gold highlights and dark black eye pencil smudged around the entire eye. Lips were a tan coloured gloss. Since this is one of my signature looks, and I enjoy Blumarine having worked on that show myself in the past, my interest was piqued! Apart from runway shows Simmonds has created beautiful work for magazines such as Vogue Nippon, i-D, Numéro, Mixte, and Flair.

Images from models.com & l’exposure.net

Model of the Moment: Ginta Lapina

April 29th, 2010

Ginta Lapina is known for her white blonde hair. I like her look because it’s a little bit tough despite the blonde locks. Born in Latvia she now lives in New York. She started out in 2005 doing catalogue and some magazine work, two years later Lapina made her runway debut in New York at the Benjamin Cho show. Since then she’s walked for many designers including: Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, and can count herself as one of the Victoria’s Secret girls. In 2009 Lapina became the face of Derek Lam and looks beautiful in his print campaigns. For a girl who at first wasn’t interested in modelling she’s doing a brilliant job.