WORKING
LONDON
FASHION
WEEK
AS A LEAD MAKEUP ARTIST
by Scarlett Feathers
Photographs by Annie Raistrick.
Behind the scenes of all the chaos at London Fashion Week, teams of creative makeup artists, stylists, designer, assistants and more work tirelessly to put together the looks we see strut down the runways. But what is it like to work as one of these team members in this adrenaline pumped environment?
TYG spoke to lead makeup artist Scarlett Feathers during her time working backstage at LFW for fashion brand 4th & Reckless.
TYG: Hi Scarlett, how did the opportunity come about to go down to london to be a lead mua at LFW?
Scarlett: The opportunity to be lead MUA at fashion week came from my continuous work with the brand for over 5 years. I started with them pretty much from the beginning - so they really trusted my vision for the glam team.
TYG: - How do you prep for working at LFW?
Scarlett: Prep involved a search for makeup artists I felt were suited to the brand and creating appropriate moodboards for our models. I then assigned each model to an artist I felt was right for them. I was super happy with the team and the moodboards and the final outcome was so on brand!
“…to see the models walking out was just unforgettable.”
TYG: Tell us a bit about how the schedule for the day works?
Scarlett: The day schedule was a little crazy - we all came from Manchester to London and got to the venue for around 1pm - we had lunch, a walk rehearsal and then got straight to glam! The show started at 8pm and we managed well with time. The after party went on till late and was so much fun!
TYG: What was the atmosphere like and how did it feel when you saw the models walk the runway?
Scarlett: The atmosphere was surreal. I've never done fashion week, so I was unsure of what to expect. However, it was just emotional for us all to be completely honest. Those who had worked with the brand for a long time certainly shed a tear. I watched backstage, with the rest of the glam and hair team, and to see the models walking out was just unforgettable.
TYG: Do you have any favourite looks from the show?
Scarlett: A favourite look from the show? Ah! I feel like I really did love them all! However, Miji, who I met whilst I did her makeup, wore a huge fur coat down the runway! I remember seeing her backstage and thinking she just looked so chic and high end. I loved it.
A day in the life at LFW
Scarlett’s schedule:
6am - Woke up , shower and coffee ready to start a very busy day!
8am - Started my train journey to Manchester and then to London (trying to do my own glam on the train!)
11.30am - Arrived at Euston! Then booked an Uber to the venue (lots of traffic so I was a little worried for time)
12.30pm - Arrived at the venue and set up my kit - I completely missed lunch as I was a little worried for time (and I felt nervous!)
1.30pm - Started glam! We had to go between models doing their walk rehearsal quite a few times as the team wanted to make sure it was perfect! But we managed really well with time.
7pm - Models needed to be ready for runway and getting into first outfits!
8pm - Show started
9pm - After party! Everyone had a well deserved cocktail (or 3!)
