INTERVIEW | Body Shop's Lan Nguyen Grealis

Following the anticipated showing of Merit Award winner James Kelly's AW15 collection, we caught up with Fashion-Scout's chief make-up artist Lan Nguyen Grealis backstage to get the lowdown on the looks she created to accompany the collection. 

What inspired your look for the James Kelly show?

The inspiration was 'lived-in', we were thinking about a girl that's been out all night. She's a bit worn out but she still looks amazing, so quite sweaty, dewy skin with a smudged, dark berry lip that's still natural-a kind of girl next door with a bit of a dark side. 

What products did you use to bring the concept to life?

To get the dewy look we used the Aloe Skin Soother and lightly misted with the Vitamin E Face Mist Spray. For the glossy lids we used wet make-up brushes and lightly packed on Colour Crush shadow in Chocolate Linger, followed by a slick of clear mint gloss, and smudged the lips with Crazy Sexy Crimson.

How do you get yourself ready for Fashion Week?

Being the chief make-up artist for Fashion Scout I have to work ahead and anticipate the trends. So looking at what's happening at couture shows and what people are wearing. It's hectic coming into Fashion Week because sometimes designers are so busy creating the collection that they don't have time to come up with looks so I have to anticipate their needs.

What are some of the staple products you'll be using throughout the week?

I'm definitely loving the Aloe Vera Skin soother to revive tired skin and the dark browny-red lipstick Crazy Sexy Crimson.

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INTERVIEW| Lan Nguyen-Grealis, Head Make-Up Artist at The Body Shop

Nestled behind the show are those who create, enhance and essentially complete a work of art. Through the blistering heat of what we call the backstage we met a team of dedicated Body Shop artists who continue to create the faultless finishing touches to a collection. Today we met with Lan, head of makeup, to discuss the Merit Award Show. 

She spoke to us about key SS15 makeup trends, the looks for the show and the work behind the final look.

What are the looks based on for The Merit Award show today?

The looks for this season are based on military, camouflage, gardening - it's about being strong and bold, quite confident.

Can you explain the inspiration?

The designer's inspiration was quite strange, it was based on weeds and gardens- "this is what you wear when you're in the garden," camouflage. It has some sort of bearing with the war as well and what's happening around us. It's a whole military, anti-war combination. Colours, the meanings and all that texture.

What are the key looks for the show?

When we originally tested the makeup look, they had loads of ideas for camouflage makeup. We thought there was a bit too much 'anti-war' style, so to counter balance that we went for blocks on the eyes- keeping the look quite androgynous and quite military. The difference however is the different tones of colours, there's an emerald green, a dark metallic grey and a copper- three different versions that work really well with the collection.

What are the key trends you've noticed overall for the SS15 season?

For spring summer trends I've seen glosses and lots of beautiful skin with highlighting. It's not so much a makeup look that will trend, but more of a statement look. It's really nice to see that there's a bit more colour- your oranges, pastels, your earthy tones and the vibrant colours like hot pink. They've been quite fun looks, I think they've had quite young streak. All the looks are quite attainable and wearable. You can really work with them.

How important is it the work with the designer before the season starts - in terms of thought process, bouncing your idea off theirs etc.?

Our process starts weeks before the show, we reference our ideas and test the looks. I usually prepare a few different versions of what I think should work on a beauty level and we combine it together to what they want. Eventually the whole team on a test day decide on the final looks.

Be sure to check back for the Merit Award winner Gyo Yuni Kimchoe's catwalk report after their show today at 12.30 in The Gallery.