LA Students Blog

Student Blog of the Week – Lynsey Barnwell

February 21st saw the kick-off of the much anticipated UCD Fashion Show. The show ran over two days and is the largest student run fashion show in Europe. This year it was in aid of a very worthy cause, The Marc Owens Medical Fund.
Upon entering the make-up and hair room, I was met by a wall of complete chaos, with models and dancers absolutely everywhere. We had been given the specific order of events by the production team but nothing could have prepared me for my first time walking into such a massive event. There were over 55 models and dancers! Following a quick brief with my team of 30, we were able to help turn this around and make sure all the shows participants were on the catwalk, not only in plenty of time, but more importantly, looking spectacular!

With the theme of the show being “Fashion through the ages” the team was split into 6 smaller groups, each dealing with a different era. All nerves and worries were left for dust as adrenaline kicked in and the pace stepped up a notch. The make-up artist’s seats didn’t have time to warm up because bums weren’t on them long enough! There was a buzz and an excitement among artists, models and dancers alike.

Dancers from the “Swing” and “Jazz” sections along with the 40’s and 50’s were sporting red lips and flicked liner, something which is back in fashion with a vengeance! From the glamour of the 20s, with beautiful girls showcasing tasteful lingerie and silk robes along with equally beautiful men not wearing very much at all (no complaints here!!) to many people being brought back to their youth of the 90s, seeing the Backstreet boys being brought back to life on stage!We saw 90s grunge with dark liner on the guys as well as lots of red lip and liner looks. There was even a little Austin Powers thrown in in the middle! We got to see colourful eyes in the 80s and some “Twiggy” looks from the 60s. Our team really outdid themselves and made sure everyone knew that the LA Creative Academy were in the building!

Our crew of 30 make-up artists were very surprised to find that we had hit the half time mark already and that it was time for a much deserved rest! It was no secret that the producers of the show were promoting and encouraging healthy sized models and it was refreshing to see pizzas being delivered and models relaxing in any free space on floors, tables, chairs etc, taking full advantage! But hectic is the life of a make-up artist, so after a short break it was back to the grindstone with us to create our black swan look for the dancers. I was lucky enough to get chatting to one particular model as I was doing his make-up, Oisin Tracey (a complete gentleman and also pretty easy on the eye!), who had the role of Austin Powers in the show.

Oisin then beat massive competition to become 2012 Male Model of the Year. I am very excited to be working with him again soon when he comes to visit us in the LA studios! It was an exhausted team leaving O’Reilly hall after the second day of the show but also a very proud and united team of ladies (and gents)!

On a closing note, as previously mentioned, this years show was in aid of the Marc Owens Medical Fund. Having followed Marcs’ story and seeing his heartfelt charity video, I am very proud to have been involved in the show as representation for the LA Creative Academy and wish the foundation all the best in reaching their goal. Many well-known names are also taking part in fundraisers and I would like to encourage anyone reading this, to look out for the fund and remember that a little can go a long way.

The UCD Fashion show succeeded in raising over 7000 euro but there is still lots of hard work to be done to reach the goal of 1million. If you are interested in reading about Marcs long and difficult journey so far and wish to help, please click on the link.
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Happy donating

Student Blogger of the Week – Chloe Ryan

So….

IMATS WAS AMAZING.

It took me a failed journey on an underground and two taxis to get there… But when I eventually arrived it was totally worth it!

Not only did I buy a TON of makeup, I also met some really nice people and saw some fantastic work!

I arrived at 8:30am to avoid queues and get first pick at everything.. But mostly because I was WAY too excited to stay in my hotel room any longer….

On my first lap around Alexandra palace, I stopped at the Eve Pearl stand and started to talk to this really nice American woman. After about 15 minutes of chatting, she casually threw into the conversation that she was, in fact, EVE PEARL. EVE. PEARL.

I’m not often stuck for words but…..

After this I found the best deal in the whole of IMATS!

14 Illamasqua foundations for £75

I have never elbowed as many people as i did to get my hands on those foundations..

But I’m thrilled to say i got them in the end because they are such a good addition to my kit!

*nobody was injured in the buying of these foundations*

After a few more purchases, I decided it was time to actually look at some of the amazing talent at the show. I was especially impressed with the bodypainting and prosthetics I saw.

Here’s a few of my favourites

Another thing I thought was really cool was the Makeup museum

It had amazing latex pieces and other gross fantastic things!

Me and the lovely head.

Me in the morning.

All in all I thought IMATS was an amazing experience and I had the greatest time ever.

I will definitely be back again next year!

Oh and incase you’re curious…

here’s a picture of the snow that nearly kept me trapped in London

—-Chloe x

Student of the Week – Gillian Hopper

Meet Gillian Hopper, she is currently studying the One Year Make-Up Specialist course here at LA Academy. Gillian has been progressing so well since she joined us just last month! Here, we pulled her aside so that you can get to know her a little better!

For you what are the 5 best things in life?

1. Family and Friends.

2. Live theatre. A musical, opera, plays; I’ll very happily see them all!

3. Fashion.

4. Travel.

5. Lemon Meringue Pie.

Who inspires you?

Cecil Beacon, Rachel Mc Adams, Dolly Parton, Meryl Streep, Sarah Burton, Audrey
Hepburn, Grace Kelly…

What is the one thing you could not live without?

Paw Paw Cream

What is the best thing about college life at LA?

Allowing and fostering student’s individual makeup style. By supplying us with a wide variety of tutors, teaching styles and techniques, LA allows us to amalgamate all that we learn into our own skill set, based on what works best for us an individual. There is no enforced “house style,” everything is very subjective and I love that!

If you could work as a make-up artist for one celebrity who would it be and why?

Olivia Palermo. Her striking bone structure is covetable (as is that wardrobe of hers!) Her flawless finish makeup is always a perfect balance to her chic outfit choices.