Autumn's Urban Uniform -Blog and Styling Sarah Clark & (Make-up) Eli Wakamatsu

Eli and Sarah worked on the make-up and styling respectively for the Autumn's Urban Uniform story in the September issue of Red Magazine with the photographer David Mandelberg.

Sarah: "I really loved the Topshop Unique show back February (in fact, it was one of my favourite London shows). I never thought a Topshop show would provide the inspiration for one of my shoots, but with Kate Phelan at the helm, it was a very different show. 

I loved the way she deconstructed the military looks to make them cooler and more wearable. I thought this was a great take on the (huge) trend for Red - not too young or gimmicky, but still stylish and cool. 

I wanted to style the clothes in a way that was really effortless and easy for every day (but without being boring). My favourite pieces were the Topshop coat (amazing, although not sure I'm tall enough to pull it off myself), the Margaret Howell navy wool cap, and the Joseph skirt. And I was also completely obsessed with the Pringle boots! 

I wanted to shoot the story in a really simple location, (and definitely didn't want any military references), and I just love Hyde Park. It's so beautiful, and so photogenic. So we shot one day there and one day around the streets in Shoreditch and Brick Lane (to balance out all the green!)."




Eli: "We had such a lovely location shoot, a day out in both Hyde park and  in the East end of London.

Our model Claudia Raba at Models 1 was well cast to do this shoot which needed someone cool, effortless and stylish.

She was all that before I started make-up!

The make up was totally aimed to do just that as well, nothing too 'statement', just beautiful skin and with her gorgeous smile just shined. And showing her independence and determination by filling her eyebrow well.

All colours were in the pallet of urban tones, well worked into the skin.

I used  Dior skin Nude as a base. 

Her eyebrow was defined and shaped with Becca  Cosmetics Brow Powder and Brow Shaping Gel.  

Her nails were painted in Nars polish in the 'Desperado' shade. 

See the full story here.

Follow Sarah on Twitter here.

Follow Eli on Twitter here.

Introducing Hair Stylist Leigh Keates

Leigh at work on the Firetrap Campaign

I am delighted to announce that award winning hair stylist Leigh Keates has joined the agency. He was crowned as Creative Head Magazines Fashionista’ and One to Watch’ 2011/12. He was also shortlisted as a finalist in several other national competitions for 2010/11.





Leigh started hairdressing in 2003 and this year joined the Josh Wood Atelier in Holland Park in order to pursue his session dreams whilst continuing to take care of his valued clientele. 



As well as working on teams during Paris and London fashion weeks, Leigh has worked for editorials including Tatler, Harpers Bazaar, L'Officiel, Dazed & Confused, Super Super, The Observer, NME, 125 Magazine and Creative Head and clients include Firetrap, Sunday Girl, BOY London, Victoria Beckham, Camilla Rutherford and Monsoon.

Follow Leigh on Twitter here.

See Leigh's step by step for Retro Waves in Grazia Magazine here.

By Sophie Harris-Greenslade Harpers Bazaar China Shoot

For the Harpers Bazaar shoot I woke up super early to catch the bus to Dover for the day. We all headed off about 6am to the beautiful St Margaret's Bay in Kent. 

I used Orly dazzle, a really beautiful silver foil effect colour and also an icy blue, Coat Azure by Essie to work with the "Cool Metal" story. I changed the blue however in the afternoon to a natural cream (Nigella by AFNB) as we thought it would work better in shot.

It was a freezing cold day and the sea winds on the beach really cut through you. I don't know how the models got through it! Unfortunately the weather turned from bad to worse and poured down in the afternoon but the pictures are so beautiful it was well worth braving the cold for. 


See the full story here.
Follow Sophie on Twitter here.

Sarah Clark's Little Spree

Sarah Clark has created Little Spree, a blog for children's clothes featuring cool, stylish bargains for little ones (from newborn upwards...) trawling online and the high street so you don't have to.

As a Fashion Editor for over 10 years, Sarah knows something stylish when she sees it, and she also has a keen eye for a bargain. She said, "When I had twins in January 2010, I found it harder than I thought to dress them well, without having to max out my credit card. There are great things out there that don't cost the earth, you just have to know where to look for them (and be prepared to hunt!). But that's my job. I score the high street for the best things out there (and trust me, if it's out there, I will find it!), so you don't have to. All you need to do is log on. Easy. Oh, and there are also loads of great gift ideas (so that's all your friends' kids/nieces/nephews/godchildren sorted too)."

Check it out here or follow on Twitter for updates here.

George Northwood with Alexa Chung in Paris

George worked with his favourite girl in Paris this week.  Alexa Chung is the face of super stylish French label Maje. A match made in heaven.

Working with Lovely Holly and Puppies! By Eli Wakamatsu

There is famous saying of 'Never to work with Animals and Children'... But
The day we shot GLAMOUR WOMEN OF THE YEAR presenter Holly Willoughby
We had lovely Holly and 3 gorgeous blonde Labrador puppies !

Holly wore Armani's amazing, Luminous silk foundation and Rouge d'Armani Lipstick in Scarlato 402.

The whole studio loved Holly and puppies also kept falling asleep in Holly's arm!
Glad they are all awake for the final shot.

GIORGIO ARMANI "One night only in Beijing" - by Maria Comparetto

With fellow make-up artist Rafael Pita

31^st May 2012

1 week in Beijing! 2 days makeup fittings, 1-day rehearsal, and then the show!

195 models Total (60 male models/ 135 girls) including lots of new and exciting Asian girls with the most Amazing skin!

Linda Cantello heads the team…organisation is key and a solid team is paramount. Signor Armani is meticulous about detail and has to over see everything. Speaking Italian is a bonus as I am able to translate and convey to Linda what Mr Armani is feeling for the makeup“look” for the show.

The fittings go really well and we have decided on 2 looks for the show. The show is divided into 3 categories, Emporio/Giorgio and prive (couture) running time approx 30 mins it will be circular runway and the different sections will be blending into one another. Finishing with a live performance from Mary J Blige.

The atmosphere is electric back stage and we are all being filmed for a live “backstage stream!” no pressure!. Everything is very organised and models are given name tags showing which is their section so everyone is on the same page.

Call time is midday and the show doesn’t start until 9pm, longest call time ever! But needed as so much to do. As we had already done our makeup demonstrations the day before the team was primed and ready to go! Including the GA face designers we are a  30 strong team of makeup artists and ready for action!.

Emporio & Prive look.

This look was very technical!

Very graphic eyeliner along the lash line, which had to be, applied at just the right angle & thickness! We had been out the previous day to source a product that would not smudge and would stay put for the long wait before the show. False eyelashes, which we also sourced, were also applied which exaggerated the lash line. Beneath the eye a less graphic & smokier line was added which had sections removed in the centre and the outer corner of the eye

A light lip balm was applied & no contouring necessary.

Giorgio Armani Look

This look was organic

Light shadows were applied to the eye area, almost emulating a western socket without it looking like makeup but more abstract. This wash was taken around the outside of the eye and down too the lower lashes a little black kohl pencil was also added to the inside of the corner of the eye to give depth. No masara, or contouring was needed & little if any lip balm was added.

Beijing /China is where it was at..the buzz is astounding and everyone was ready for this Armani extravaganza, including Tina Turner and so many other VIP guests. The stage becomes alive with a Beijing moving skyline projected onto it & the occasional garment detail or close up beauty shot for all to see. The haunting then thumping music starts and the models stride out in all their glory, things come to an end with a statuesque style traditional dance with a model wearing a green dragon gown. Mr Armani takes his bow…What an amazing thing to be a part of. Now Lets Party!!

See it for yourself on youtube or facebook/Armani.and let me know what you think?