London Fashion Week

Summer 2011

I rocked up to the Romeo Pires show not knowing what to expect. What I experienced was a quite bizarre and dark show, from the eerie 'childhood' music to the white painted faces. The inspiration seemed to be school, or perhaps a Victorian school...the white shirts, pinafores and braces seemed to say school to me anyway. I love the huge drop waists, waistlines loitering at knee level aren't overly practical but coupled with the extra long shirts the slouchy effect was pretty chic. I also liked the slightly macabre prints - skulls with gold teeth and what looked like wombs or ET. I have a couple of close up pics, let me know what you think they are. Colour-wise, the collection was very basic with just stone, black and white. Like most of the London shows, the collection also featured wispy, sheer panels. To be totally honest, although I liked elements of the collection I don't think any of it really appealed to me but I would love to see the Autumn/Winter collection.

Questions and Answers from Make-up Artist Maggie Hunt

If I could have a pound for every time someone asked me why I became a make up artist I would probably have about £30.... Ok, so I wouldn’t be rich but £30 is better than nothing. 

Both Sam and I were inspired to become make-up artists by Maggie Hunt, who also happens to be our auntie (handy).

So I decided to ask my Auntie Maggie a few questions about her life as a make up artist. 

BIOGRAPHY

MAGGIE HUNT is a leading name in the fashion and beauty industry, working with top photographers like David Bailey, Terry O’Neill, Lord Snowdon and directors such as Gerard de Thame, Joe Pykta and Tony Kaye.  Maggie’s make-up has appeared on covers including Vogue, Harpers, Tatler, Brides, Elle, Cosmo, Company, The Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph.  

This is just a few of the high profile people Maggie has worked with.

The (late and great) Princess of Wales.                                      

HRH The Prince of Wales 

Gillian Anderson

Kate Beckinsale

Honor Blackman                                  

David Bowie

Pierce Brosnan

Shakira Caine

Naomi Campbell

Belinda Carlisle

Julie Christie

Abigail Clancy

Simon Cowell

Cindy Crawford

Dame Judi Drench

Agness Deyn

Paul & Linda McCartney 

Janet Jackson

Check out Maggie’s website for more info and images; www.Maggiehunt.net

Maggie Hunt Questions and Answers. 

1.How many years have you been a make up artist for?

I’ve been a make-up artist for 30 years yet I’m still as passionate about it now as I was at the beginning of my career.

2. How did you get into make up?

I became a fashion model in 1969 at the age of 16 and was truly inspired by the make-up of the swinging sixties and models such as Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy; I could relate to these young and successful girls.  During this period most photographic shoots did not include a make-up artist, hairdresser or stylist so I was required to be a ‘Jack of all Trades’.  Make-up changed dramatically from big wide eyes and pale lips to dark eyes and dark lips (Biba inspired).  Then the feeling moved on to romantic and then punk.  It was around the punk era that I decided to put my creative flair to good use but I wanted to do it properly as you are only given one chance, so make-up school was on the cards for me. 

3. What has been your best job to date?

It is not so much what I perceive to be my best job but the perception of others, so in this case I would have to say having done the make-up of The Princess of Wales and HRH The Prince of Wales for their official engagement photographs shot by Lord Snowdon which where used globally on and in every magazine plus postage stamps.

4. Can you tell us 5 of your favorite products and why you love them?

I would prefer to say that without the use of great make-up brushes you can not achieve glorious make-up. With the use of my choice of brushes I'm able to create beautiful make-up, with all make-up, irrespective of price.

Maggie Hunt Make-up brushes at www.maggiehunt.net

5. Who/What inspires you?

I'm mostly inspired by photographers and their work rather than catwalk make-up but I'm also influenced by films and pop videos.

To name but a few these are some great photographers whose work has inspired me over the years - Steven Miesel, Guy Bourdin, Paolo Roversi, Helmut Newton, Sarah Moon, Barry Lategan, Nick Knight.

Great make-up artists that I have admired over the years - Barbara Daly, Francois Nars, Serge Lutens, Pat McGrath.

                                            

              

6. Who is the nicest person you have worked with?

I do like Paul McCartney and Sarah, The Duchess of York as they are both kind and genuine people but I also work with some really nice models too. 

7. How did you get so successful?

It is a combination of many different qualities and not just creativity.As a model I watched many talented make-up artists work and I also watched many untalented make-up artists work so I was able to compare and understand the different emotions a model and myself included would go through with the application of amazing make-up and ugly make-up.  So I knew my aim was not just to please myself but also to please the person I was making up.  Yet, it isn’t only that, to success you need to be liked and wanted because of your talent, professionalism, dedication, hard work, self-belief, organization, modesty, kindness and these qualities cannot be learnt; methods can be taught, products can be brought but the rest is down to your personality.

8.What do you think is the most difficult thing to do as a make up artist?

There is not much that I’m fazed by as a make-up artist and I love going out of my comfort zone to create looks that I’m truly proud.  However the realms of make-up are very broad and I do not venture into an area that I do not cover such as prosthetics. 

9. What do you think about your nieces following in your footsteps?

 I feel honoured that my nieces have wanted to follow in my footsteps; they have the perfect attitude and on top of that they have captured a market which has propelled them into an area that was untiuched until now. Although they are both still young they have many years of experience, which has built them into who they are today. Samantha and Nicola are focused on succeeding and with their determination and hard working ethics they will arrive and that pleases me. my sister (their mum) and all the family, which gives encouragement to the younger members of the family and hopefully to all those trying to make it in the world today.

10. Have you got any advise for people starting out?

It doesn’t happen over night, never give up learning, confidence is good, arrogance is not, live and breath make-up, patience is a virtue and dedication is paramount. 

dark is the way, light is a place

Maxi dress, Cargo jacket, JC 'Tribal Tick' wedges - all courtesy of ModCloth

Sorry about the lack of posts lately, work and uni have been full on - normal posting schedule to resume next week! x

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Designer discounts

If you have followed this blog for a while you will know that I love a designer bargain. Actually, I am using the word 'Bargain' in its loosest possible term. What I should say is half price or less because even at half price some of these items can hardly be described as bargains.



Here are my favourite online shops.

Flannels Fashion

The clearance section of this website is vast and absolutely brilliant.

Gucci Slouch Boot £695 £295

Gucci luxe court £395 £195

Miu Miu boots £525 £195

Charlotte Olympia platform shoe boot £625 £250

Galliano kimono sleeve dress £740 £350

                               Temperley lace insert dress £765 £395





Next up is Cocosa.com 

This is a members only sale website but anyone can join.

There are excellent sales on here and I have seen Alexander McQueen bags going for under £200. When a sale opens you had better get in quick because it sells out almost immediately. Also check delivery dates because sometimes there is quite a wait due to shipping from abroad.

I also check out CatfishWomen for deals on Vivienne Westwood, Anglomania, Sonia Rykiel, Diesel and McQ

The Vivienne Westwood site can also be excellent when there is a sale on.



In the past I have bought from all these sites but not regularly as although they are 'bargains' they are still a lot of money.

Save it 'til the morning after

My look of the day.. I am wearing a shearling jacket from Zara, vintage levi's shorts, bag from a Fair Trade shop and Topshop boots. Hope you guys had a nice weekend! I did, I don't have any voice left.. Been talking too much yesterday when going out :) Have a great week and talk to you later.