The buzz of a runway is always electric, but peek backstage and the voltage turns way up. Dozens of bodies move with pace and intensity, bringing the designer’s vision to life. Adrenaline is pumping and timing is tight as hair and makeup artists add the final touches to their models.
These often undocumented minutes before showtime are captivating. Or at least, we think so. With the bare bones of a creative brief – to design a look inspired by their dream runway – we photographed four of Melbourne’s brightest makeup minds in their element, and asked them what inspires their process.
Want to snoop inside the beauty regimes of other creatives? Head here.
Meg McConville
My makeup look is inspired by… Vivienne Westwood’s Fall 1993 runway. My model Jett had the perfect look to fit it and everything about that show was just pure perfection.
What inspired you to become a makeup artist?
The most glamorous ladies in my life, my nan and mum. At 89, my nan still wakes up every morning and does a beat.
What’s your favourite era of beauty?
Probably the ’80s. From the punk scene to the sleek Serge Lutens style, it’s all so dramatic and bold.
What’s been a career highlight for you?
Doing Julia Fox’s makeup for Yayoi Kusama at NGV.
When do you feel your most creative?
When I’m really locked in to a makeup look, it’s like the ultimate a meditative state.
Is there an area of beauty you want to explore with your work, that you haven’t yet?
I want to develop my special effects skills and maybe explore more silicon skin sculptures.
Nisal Atapattu
My makeup look is inspired by… Rio World by @riosport. I’ve been loving this brand since I first discovered it in my teens and thank it for shaping my style and approach to beauty during my early twenties. They’ve got a very sustainable approach to fashion, mixing streetwear with traditional cultural elements while being very gender-fluid in their approach.
What inspired you to become a makeup artist?
I’ve always loved working with people and came from a background in healthcare and realised I couldn’t express myself as colourfully in that field as I wanted. I needed to switch it up so decided to pursue my passion for hair and makeup. It was the best thing I could have done cause it allowed me to continue working with people but in a more creative way while sharing my art with them in the process.
What is your favourite era of beauty?
My favourite era is the now! I take inspiration from every era, but I love being inspired by today’s trends and the endless possibilities of what will come through next as well. I love watching our generation put its own spin on styles, drawing from the past while creating something entirely new, based on what’s going on in the world around us.
Georgia Gaillard
My makeup look is inspired by… Rue du Mail’s Fall 2009 runway and my model Annabelle’s blue eyes.
Why did you want to become a makeup artist?
My family owned a horse stud when I was a kid. I used to show Arab horses almost every weekend and my favourite part was getting the horses ready for show. I would wake up before everyone to get my sister, step sister and step mum’s horses ready for them as I loved the process. The makeup we would put on the horses was very basic, mainly just black shine around the eyes and nose but it would make them look so beautiful. We would plait their manes and sew them into little rosettes, paint their hooves and do patterns in fur on their bums.
The role of a makeup artist is… to enhance features that already exist. To listen to people and make them feel comfortable. To carry yourself with a quarter smile even if you’ve been on your feet for 10 hours in 35 degree heat.
What is your favourite era of beauty?
Definitely the ’90s.
Ivy Reynolds
My makeup look is inspired by… Ashley Williams circa 2019, Jeremy Scott-era Moschino and Alessandro Michele-era Gucci runways.
What’s your favourite era of beauty?
We’re in such an exciting time right now, with access to incredibly diverse products, models, and ideas. The freedom to express beauty is unmatched. That said, I’m an emo kid at heart, punk and goth aesthetics will always have a special place in my creativity and will never fail to inspire and excite me.
Describe your approach to beauty in three words: Innovative, bold, captivating.
Aside from artistry, what skills serve you well as a makeup artist?
I think being likeable, dependable, fast and adaptable are all key. People skills are just as important as technical ones in this industry. Oh, and having a good playlist on hand never hurts.
This article was originally published in Fashion Journal issue 196.
For more on backstage beauty, try this.
This article Call Time: Meet four of the brightest makeup minds in Melbourne appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-02-24 11:09:00
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