Body Electrics: Quick Update

The shortlist of images has been decided on [Kate, Alex, Warren and Nick being the key guys to do this] and are now currently adorning the walls of Kate's desk! I am just staring in wonder at them at the moment. Just gorgeous and so, so unique. I can't wait until these images hit the world wide web...

Breaking News!! Joe Corre Joins Illamasqua...

Avant-garde, beautiful, daring, creative, explosive, inspirational, provocative. Words that you may well relate to Illamasqua.

At Illamasqua, we also relate them to Agent Provocateur, one of the world’s leading underwear brands. Agent Provocateur has always been a brand that we have been inspired by – unique, quality, luxury pieces, cutting-edge advertising, evocative, controversial and boundary-pushing campaigns. Who can forget the Kylie Minogue bull riding film or the orgiastic passion of the collections starring the voluptuous figures of Alice Dellal, Helena Christensen, Kate Moss, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to name but a few?

You can imagine how thrilled I am, then, to announce that Joe Corre - co founder of Agent Provacateur and son of the British fashion icon Dame Vivienne Westwood - has become a formal shareholder at Illamasqua! He also owns the explosive menswear label A Child Of The Jago - you may remember that we provided the looks for his brooding models at London Fashion Week in September.

I am so excited to work alongside such a genuine legend [did you know he turned down an MBE from Tony Blair?!] and to help us look in to launching our own stand-alone stores!

Joe tells me that Illamasqua is “a British brand like no other! The heritage of [Illamasqua’s] products and formulation show that [Illamasqua] are the only colour cosmetic brand in the prestige market that can truly claim the word 'professional'. Born from visionary, passionate energy, which it exudes from every pore, Illamasqua celebrates the fundamental human desire for individual self expression. It is therefore a brand which transcends all boundaries. I am extremely excited to be on board and helping to make it a brand to be seriously reckoned with”.

Julian Kynaston, founder of Illamasqua, tells me “We know that we have turned many heads since we opened our first counter in Selfridges Oxford St back in November 08. To have turned Joe’s to the point where he really wanted to invest and become a part of the team however is an achievement and one I am very excited about.”

Love For Lashes

Some might say that false lashes are enjoying a renaissance, but to me they never went away! I love the instant drama and alluring appeal of a set of false lashes and the market is simply flooded with lashes for every type of alter ego!


It seems that celebrities are experimenting with the effects of different types of lashes, too.

Evan Rachel Wood [always flawless] has gone for a Wide Eyed lash. Try False Eye Lashes 08 for a similar look - these are all about length, length, length!

Dita Von Teese loves the kitten-esque lashes that give her eyes width and emphasise the heavy liquid liner. Try False Eye Lashes 13 for this 1940s look.

Not only are the cool kids wearing them on the traditional top lash line, but bottom, eye brows - even off-centre. At Illamasqua we have been championing unique lashes since we launched and have steadily built on our lash offering every season. From the doe- eyed 20s with the Sirens SS09 collection to the colourful mix of 22,23 and 24 our lashes are unique to us.

I particularly love 21s as they feel comfortably heavy on the eye lids, giving you a Marilyn Monroe-look [or so I like to think!] Megan Fox has some similar ones on...

The new Body Electrics collection will also come with a new set of lashes. These actually drew a gasp from me when I first saw them as I have honestly seen nothing like them...!

Francesco Personal Appearance at Cardiff Thursday 28th and Friday 29th January

A ten-year veteran of the beauty industry, Francesco began his studies at the internationally renowned London College of Fashion, where he studied makeup artistry. He then received a degree in theatrical and special effects makeup from Ealing Hammersmith & West London College after mastering such as prosthetic work and creating cuts and bruises. Upon the completion of his formal training, he began working professionally as a freelance makeup artist, lending his creative skills and expertise to the MTV Music Awards, Party in the Park Concert Series and the BBC.

He was also part of the makeup team for the Academy Awarded nominated film, Billy Elliot.

Francesco has also worked with the likes of Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Isabella Blow, Eva Herzigova and Destiny's Child as well as working under the legendary Pat McGrath at London Fashion Week for shows such as Fendi, Alexander McQueen, MaxMara and Alessandro Dell'Acqua.

He has also worked with an impressive amount of publications such as Vogue Italia, Vogue Espana, Italian Marie Claire and You magazine.

As an artist, Francesco acts as a liaison between the high fashion and consumer worlds. His immense talent and experience enables him to understand and exemplify all that makes Illamasqua truly unique, and his technique and understanding of this brand trademark style make him an integral part of the team. To book in with him at Debenhams cardiff, call
0292 034 2278

Whoosh! Femme Party At Shoreditch House

Shoreditch House - the one stop exclusive members club in East London that has a roof top pool, fabulous restaurant, Cowshed spa and bowling area [affectionately known as the biscuit tin] where on Sunday 17th January, Illamasqua National Make-up Artists Mika and Adam set up a station to create some funky looks at the party thrown by legendary DJ Jodie Harsh and cult diva [and host of Gay Bingo - one of the funniest nights I have ever attended] Johnny Woo.

Adam bought his alter ego Medusa out to play, with radical hair and full on gothic lip. Mika went for a gothic porcelain doll look with his staple navy blue lip. This, I am told, will be the Autumn Winter 2010 lip colour! You heard it here first!

I also grabbed a quick chat with Jodie who told me all about her fabulous wigs. Apparently, she only ever keep two at a time [I was surprised by this - I thought she would have a whole dressing room dedicated to them!] but they are imported from Las Vegas every few weeks!




The photos are courtesy of Kenny Campbell at KCTV.

Directors Cut: Glasgow

A new series, Directors Cut will showcase looks that our teams on the Illamasqua counters have been conjuring up! Every week, the teams submit an image to us and the best one will have pride of place on the Illamasqua blog.

This week's winners were the team up at Debenhams Glasgow. Alan tells me more...

"We were inspired by the porcelain doll picture from Alex Box's book, but we gave it a more wearable spin. Megan [brunette] went for deep reds and wines for her look. She also cut up False Eye Lashes No2 to fit her lash line and wore these both on top and bottom lash lines."

"Aileen [blonde] used the False Eye Lashes No10 on the underneath of her eye and contrasted a shimmering pale eye with rosy cheeks and an interesting mix of Medium Pencil in 'Obscene' and Lipstick in 'Box'."

"I went my favourite False Eye Lashes No14 with a mix of Powder Eye Shadow's in Bronx and Tangle to contour my eyes and a splash of Lipstick in Avenge for a bold mouth. I finished with a vibrant mix of Powder Blushers in 'Excite' and 'Thrust'."

Pastel Nails: Get on the Waiting List!

From tomorrow [Wednesday 21st January] Illamasqua will take over an extra site at Selfridges Oxford St to showcase the highly anticipated Pastel Nail Varnishes.

Due to phenomenal demand both online and in store, we have had to come up with a waiting list that is debuting at Selfridges Oxford St from tomorrow. To pre-order the bang-on-trend Nudge, Wink, Caress and Blow, just come along to the site between now and Thursday to sign up.

These colours will be launching online and in store from March and we predict a sell out.

Nicola Chapman [one half of Pixiwoo and fashionface.tv] will also be on the site from tomorrow. If you want your make-up done by one of the most talented make-up artists I have ever had the pleasure to meet, book in by calling 0207 318 3114. £20 redeemable against purchases made on the day.

Bill Kaulitz for DSquared2

I would like to make the statement that I am not a follower of fashion in the literal sense that I am overtly influenced by the designers of Paris/Milan/London and New York in the clothes choices that I make for myself. I believe in being true to yourself and adopting your own personal style. I do, however, make time a couple of times a year to see what [via vogue.co.uk and style.com] the designers are sending down the catwalks - I live with a fashion buyer and a very fashion conscious latina, so it's always a fun thing to pour over the latest collections and predict the trends that we think will be all over the high street in the following months.

As you may be aware, the Fashion Weeks are limbering up and so far, so pretty uneventful - although I did spot this rather fabulous image courtesy of the DSquared2 show in Milan last night.

Bill Kaulitz from German band Tokio Hotel sashayed down the run way looking every inch the flamboyant style icon. I love his attitude, his fierce sense of individuality ... and his make-up of course!

Body Electrics: Photoshoot Day!

Very excited as in about twenty minutes I am heading down to the Big Sky studios in Kings Cross, London for our Spring Summer 2010 collection photoshoot. I have just spoken to Kate [Brand Director] and she says that everyone began at 9am and have only just started shooting [it's nearly 2pm...!] so it's going to be a long day!

I will keep you updated via twitter whilst I am there. I am also hoping to get an interview video with the creatives behind the shoot and I will eventually put this on Youtube as a pre-Body Electrics teaser. More on that later.

I have just been googling the fabulous photographer team of Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones, who have been assigned the task of shooting this exciting new collection, and found this video on Youtube.

I was absolutely blown away - beautiful and scary in equal amounts!

Adam in Birmingham Tuesday 19th - Saturday 23rd January

One of our National Make-up Artists, Adam, will be in Selfridges Birmingham this week as a very special guest of the Illamasqua counter!

Adam has experience working with some of the top names in showbiz including Rihanna, Fergie and Nicole Schwerzinger. He has also worked as a make-up artist for ten years and his experiences include alternative work as well as fashion shows such as Burberry and Alexander McQueen.

He loves to experiment with his variety of alter-egos - including the wonderful Medusa [below] - and is a wonderful make-up artist.

To book a personalised, one-on-one make-up lesson with Adam, call 0121 600 6818 - but hurry as place are sure to book fast - for £30, redeemable against purchases made on the day.