When Beauty Bloggers Hit London Fashion Week...

Thanks to the lovely people at Illamasqua, who were doing the makeup look for the latest House of Blue Eyes (HOBE) show, myself, Helen and Sheenie and Louise all got to see the backstage shenanigans, as well as the actual HOBE "I Feel Love" extravaganza on Saturday...

 

 Above - Helen and Sheenie - see, they do both exist!

 

 Me and my Organic guru Lucy of Get Lippie...

I describe the show as an extravaganza, because, well that seems the most fitting word to me... It wasn't a catwalk show in the classical sense, but neither was it an art installation in the sense I understand it... (And I write this post with no claims of being knowledgeable about fashion, nor a deep understanding of art, although I like to think I appreciate both!). I had an amazing opportunity to go and experience LFW, and see what really goes on behind the scenes at a fashion show, and I took it, so if this post offends those with a real deep knowledge of fashion or art, I apologise! ;-). 

 

MizzWorthy wore Orange - Its fashionable innit? Even the window says so! (Thanks to Helen for this picture), Ahem - also wore black for the whole "slimming" thing...

We were all offered the chance to interview Johnny by telephone the day before, however Helen was the only one brave enough - read her interview HERE for an introduction to the whirlwind that is Johnny Blue Eyes...

As a fashion noob, I have to say, I expected lots of overexuberance, and eccentricity - and I am pleased to say I got it in spades, in the best possible way... Johnny himself was planning a turn on the runway, and was in fact having his hair and makeup done himself at the time of our arrival. Despite this he greeted us with genuine pleasure and told us all about his show, kissing us on the hand and complimenting our makeup, and outfits (thats some claim for an orange dress from Wallis on my part!). Johnny also told us all about the inspiration behind his show today - "an explosion of colour", "angels of light and beauty", "fierceness" and "appreciating the angels within us all, whatever size or shape we are". I was extremely pleased, as a curvy girl (read fat) myself that he has taken the decision to include larger models in the show - males and females ranging from the classical model shape to the very voluptuous were included... Johnny also mentioned that the explosion of colour and light used in his show was a reaction against the current dark times we are in as a society - ie recession, depression, winter, war, natural disaster... 

 Johnny Blue Eyes (right) with one of his models (or angels)

"The Backstage Experience" was fabulously frantic - with Johnny warmly complimenting all of his "angels" in his booming voice, makeup artists, models, PR's, hairstylists and assistants all vying for space. The makeup artists work stations held a vast array of products - there was of course, every Illamasqua product under the sun (which alone was an amazing Jewel-like sight to behold), as well as various shades of MAC face and body foundation and paintsticks, as well as kryolan aquacolour and supracolour pots to buff over the skin. Duo adhesive, fabulous lashes and plastic butterfly shapes were present in abundance for use in decorating the faces of the models/angels.

 Above - The backstage makeup set-up.

 

 

 Above - Backstage chaos and creativity.

The room where the show was to be held contained all that could be needed for a beautiful grown up "tea party"... China cups and saucers of different shapes, sizes and designs, and charming cupcakes with beautiful yet psychadelic icing... All very fitting with the "free love" themed slide show and music which created an amazing atmosphere and build up to the show. 

 

Cover me in icing and colour me happy! These Cupcakes were truly divine!

The build up was completed when Johnny himself appeared complete with spray painted thigh-high boots, pink t-shirt, a very tiny pair of underpants, perfectly waved hair, painted skin and a golden beard for a photo session... he then bestowed his "fierce gifts of light and colour" upon various spectators in the form of bright headbands... He was very much "in the zone" at this time... Following on from this, Johnny introduced his angels or models. The show did not take the form of a traditional runway spectacle, but instead, they mingled and "performed" within the crowd. A definite spectacle to behold. The show was bright, colourful inclusive and fun. Yes there was pretention there, but hell, I think I'd have been dissappointed if there hadn't been!

 

Johnny Introduces his angels...
 

  

 

After the show, those aforementioned cupcakes disappeared at a rate of knots - whoever said people in fashion don't eat was fibbing! I managed to get hold of one, proclaiming "Love" in the form of a rainbow and hand piped icing... It was delicious by the way - Vanilla as I recall. Alex Box also came over and said hello to me (see she does remember me - and I'm not a stalker) lol. She even made time for a five minute chat with me...

 

  

Time to check out those legendary nails... 

Thanks to Sheenie for these fab pictures - check out her makeup & photography site HERE.

I asked Alex all about the themes and feel of the makeup designs she had created for the show - she took inspiration from the concepts behind Johnny's vision, and was also able to use her own creativity for the looks created. She described using the butterflies and vibrant colours as a source of design inspiration. The marriage of Johnny's eccentric ideas combined with Alex's artistically creative makeup looks worked well together, and created a fab and "fierce" (to quote Johnny) spectacle, with more than a nod to 60's psychadelica. 

 Above - Work in progress.

 

Above - One of the amazing finished looks...

To sum up, my day at LFW, was definitely an experience I will never forget. The makeup was stunning, the clothing eccentric and interesting, and the personalities involved were exuberant and eccentric - it was indeed (tongue wedged firmly in cheek) "Fabulous Darling".