Illamasqua Update...

So those of you following me on twitter recently may have seen my rather cryptic messages last week about who would be willing to attend a bloggers event in Manchester... well the cat is finally out of the bag, and I can talk about it! I'm really pleased to say that Illamasqua are going to be launching their new collection soon, and part of that launch involves treating us bloggers to a great event!

There will be two events - one to be held in London, and one to be held in Manchester, to give those of us who live up north a bit of a break with the old travel (thank god Illamasqua have realised that everybody doesn't live in London lol!)

OK, so what will the event be about? Well, firstly it will be all about the new collection, called Dystopia...

"Dystopia is a reference to Berlins distorted and often Nightmarish films of the 1920's which came out of a hedonistic culture that had suffered greatly and had, in some ways gone mad.

Inspired by Fritz Lang's masterpiece Metropolis, Illamasqua's Autumn/Winter '09 collection is, in part, an homage to this visionary work. The film was groundbreaking, with cinema finally being considered an art form as a result of its success. Its eerie shadows and twisted monochromatic tones, ranging from stark white to ash grey and darkest charcoal black worked with opalescence, light and diffusion to create an intense and almost sinister palette.

Also heavily influencing the collection is 1020's silent film actress Pola Negri (pictured below) with her signature long arched brows and dark eyes graded with shades of black. On set Pola would often paint her face yellow or stain her lips a vivid purple to fool the audience and give the illusion of colour on black and white film. The concentration of dark pigment and soot-like kohl used to enhance the actresses eyes are not unlike the Goth inspired punk of the 1980's or the alternative EMO vibe, which still appears so modern today.

Insane nights spent at London club night Black Balloon also played their part in resurrecting our love affair with monochrome. Watching the fabulous Mika Doll, in ten inch heels, surrounded by club kids and the avant garde, clad head to toe in shades of black, inspired Illamasqua's artistic team to play with layering - black on black, black on charcoal, gray on smoke. Black is the new black, but better."

Sounds amazing - and about as far from Sirens as its possible to get! I'm so excited to see the collection in real life!

Alex Box and Adam (who did my amazing 1920's makeup look which you can see here) will also be on hand at the event, which is exciting in itself!

The event will also focus on the important S.O.P.H.I.E. campaign which commemorates the life of Sophie Lancaster, who was murdered simply for being different in August 2007 - Sophie was a Goth, and her and her boyfriend were brutally set upon by a group of youths for no other reason than that - she looked different.

Illamasqua is very rightly proud to work with the Sophie Lancaster foundation in order to fight against this kind of unacceptable prejudice. To mark the anniversary of Sophie's death, Illamasqua has also announced that Monday will be a day of mourning - staff on counter will wear black arm-bands as a sign of respect, and imagery of Sophie will also be streamed. If you pick up a Sophie pencil (the black liner) you will also recieve a S.O.P.H.I.E wrist band, enabling you to show your public support of this cause.

The website will also be closed down for the day, and instead will display the Sophie Lancaster Foundation image. Visitors to the site will only be able to purchase the SOPHIE pencil - of which £3 will go to the charity.

I am more excited that I can say about the event - I can't wait!
Hope to see you there!

MizzWorthy xxx