How did you first develop an interest in make up?
Growing up in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, it would be hard not to develop an interest in make-up. When I was around 11, I found a big picture book on David Bowie at the library and I saw photos of the New Romantics from London at around the same time. The mix of future shock and nostalgia for an imaginary past inhabited by Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo. This became my initial motivation.
You are well known for your extraordinary creative artistry but you have an incredible body of work in beauty as well. Is there one type of work that you find more satisfying?
To quote Judy Garland,“You give the people what they want and then go buy yourself a hamburger.” I’m kidding, but there is some truth to that in the way that you should be flexible and do the make-up that’s appropriate for the project. The satisfaction comes from doing the best version of that work you can and in a relatively short amount of time so the energy at the shoot doesn’t go down.
What is the most challenging thing about being so innovative in your artistry? Do you feel the need to reinvent your work regularly?
It’s good to explore beyond your comfort zone. There’s a lot of making it up as you go along. It’s also important to know when to stop. Working with talented models, hair stylists performers, photographers and fashion stylists provide an atmosphere where Continue reading