A wonderful insight into the collaboration between Val Garland and Alexander McQueen. Val has created many truly unforgettable and iconic looks for the McQueen shows.

During the beginning, the screens flashed through many of Val’s stunning editorial and catwalk creations that she’s so well known  for. Many were then brought to life by the models who then took to the catwalk, marking a beautiful visual history of collaborations that included Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Lady Gaga, Nick Knight, Tim Walker and Mario Testino,

Each of the models then took to the front stage to be seated where Val would then create signature looks from past Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen shows.   Behind each make up creation was a story and a journey of her career so far.

Whilst blending, lining, glossing, squiggling and face glitter dipping she talked us through the concept of beauty ideas and how something so wrong can be so right,  ideas that are so simple can still be so magical, yet also when to know not to throw everything but the kitchen sink into an idea, “Be more than a make up artist, be an artist!”

Watching and listening to Val Garland reminded me that every make up artist/artists really does have their own footpath to follow.  There’s always an element of luck involved but it doesn’t keep you places without the addition of hard work. It’s also realising when opportunities are presented to you and making the best out of the connections you make along the way are what can get you far in this industry. Don’t compare yourself to others but be inspired and be intuitive enough to follow what you believe is right for your career.

X