How Isamayah Ffrench Turned Dion Lee’s FW 2023 Snake Skin Pattern Right into a Reptilian Third Eye
Isamaya Ffrench is eclectic personified. So it’s no surprise that Dion Lee, the Australian designer known for his avant-garde and architectural creations, tapped the British makeup artist and entrepreneur to assist further bring his FW 2023 collection to life. It’s impressive Ffrench even had the time. On the heels of her successful Lips collection (sold-out in every single place), the makeup mogul who puts the —art in ‘makeup artist,’ took fashion week by storm, the Ffrench way.
Dion Lee’s collection was a reptile jungle on the NYFW runway with models wearing snakeskin patterns, more literally represented as a python bag and a green snakeskin, biased cut skirt. Nonetheless, Lee threw in his signature aesthetic, with models gliding down the runway in laser-cut bodysuits that favored reptile texture and even a barbicore dress with a Dion Lee twist, making it harking back to dorsal scales shedding—a creative approach to on a regular basis ensembles.
Courtesy of Isamayah Ffrench
While many runway beauty looks are more easy than sci-fi. Isamaya Ffrench reminds us that beauty is art and dares us to push the boundaries of makeup and the way we present ourselves. Ffrench presented various makeup looks down the runway, but what captivated us was the snakeskin third eye she gave several of the models. We caught up with Ffrench, where she shared what the method was like partnering with Dion Lee, the inspiration behind the look, and her Lips campaign.
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Courtesy of Isamayah Ffrench
What was the ‘aha’ moment to take among the reptile pattern from the clothing to transfer onto the models face?
IF: We had a call before the show and Dion talked me through the moodboard and there have been so many beautiful references of snakeskin textures and shedding, so I suggested reptile scales airbrushed through a stencil. I actually desired to keep it fresh and clean, similar to the garments, and he liked the thought.
What made you wish to partner with Dion Lee?
IF: I’ve all the time loved his clothes, they’re so sexy, comfortable, and modern. He’s had a really strong aesthetic and vision for the reason that starting of his profession and I like to observe the brand grow. I feel very luck to work alongside it.
Are you making ‘reptile beauty’ a thing? From creating Rita Ora’s prosthetic fish gills for the red carpet to this runway moment—what’s the obsession and why?
IF: It was totally fortuitous. I did a number of SFX-ish work up to now, so I suppose people get in contact with me after they envision a glance inside that style, but I all the time want to offer it a twist and a contemporary touch.
The pandemic led to more of a concentrate on skincare. Now that we live in an endemic, what do you’re feeling is driving most makeup inspiration?
IF: Probably TikTok? Trends and re-creations are multiplying even faster than before and being shared with thousands and thousands of individuals immediately…you may’t beat that.
Many makeup and sweetness looks are an ode to the 90s and early aughts. What trends is that this decade creating and galvanizing?
IF: If anything, it’s probably individuality. Have a look at how we will discover a single makeup trend that defines a decade anytime before the 90s. We would struggle to do the identical for the 2010s, for instance. We won’t persist with an aesthetic for greater than 6 months, but I believe it encourages people to be more adventurous and see what works for them.
You latterly launched Lips! Whereas the feminine form is commonly oversexualized in all points of culture, you selected to concentrate on the male form. Why?
IF: Why not?
Courtesy of Isamayah Ffrench
NYFW has worked to make the runways more diverse. Nonetheless, back of house still struggles. What steps are you taking at NYFW to make sure the back of house includes more makeup artists that may do all skin tones and textures? Do you’re feeling back of house has been more inclusive this season as compared to others?
IF: I can only speak for myself because I do not know what’s happening backstage at other brands. My primary priority is to make models feel confident, strong, and delightful. I’m lucky to have a various team of really talented and expert artists from many various ethnic backgrounds who help me to attain that regardless of who they’ve of their chair.
Beauty Director
Danielle James is the Digital Beauty Director of ELLE.com. Previously, she was the Fashion and Beauty Director of HelloBeautiful.com and MadameNoire.com. She’s bylined for The Cut, InStyle, Allure, Business of Fashion, Nylon, Essence, Good Housekeeping, The Grio, and Huffington Post. Danielle enjoys sailing, thrifting, Japanese whiskey, Naomi Campbell’s runway walk, and Rihanna within the comment section.Â
