Nail Varnish Quartet Now Available!

For £39.50, you can own all three of the Body Electrics nail varnishes, saving £9.50

Couldn't decide between the fierce pink/ lavender of 'Jo'Mina'?


The powerful shock of blue from 'Force'?


Not had the chance to illuminate with the electric blue shots of 'Prism'?

Now you can buy all three with a base coat, as we all know how blues like to stain nails!

Illamasqua base coat is rated 4.7/5 on the Sephora website

The written reviews are also cracking...

"My nail polish lasted about a week with only minor chips. The base coat definitely made a difference. ", "this base coat extends the life of my nails even longer and I don't think I'll ever be without it!", "It really does make a major difference in the look and lasting effect of my polish. It's definitely worth the extra step of applying this before polishing. It's quick-drying, too. Great product."

Thanks to AllYouDesire for the Prism swatches.

Thanks to deltacephei.nl for the Jo'Mina swatches.

Thanks to Lipglossbitch.se for the Force swatches.

Whitby Goth Festival: An Introduction By Julian Kynaston

Whitby Gothic Weekend was a HUGE influence for us here at Illamasqua when we
started out on our journey.

Its sense of community and the flamboyant parade of so many Alter Ego's is
both beautiful and amazing.



This weekend we managed to meet up with many of those who featured in the
"Dark Love" book we worked on with photographer James Stroud (and yes
Emily from York if you're reading this - we will do that shoot together!)

There is always too much to tell from the weekend but one thing worth
spreading the word on was a newish latex label called Lickorish Latex, not
only for their outfits but also for their really original latex accessories.
Take a look @ www.lickorishlatex.com

WGW is a great event to go see if you've never been before and if you do go
the next one is on Halloween weekend - take your alter ego!

Q&A With Calum

To introduce Calum - our new National Account Manager - to you all, I have grabbed a quick Q&A with him...



Hey Calum! What attracted you to apply for a job at Illamasqua?

Illamasqua is a new and exciting luxury brand with fantastic high quality products. I am excited to work with products that I believe in; that has some integrity and a really strong brand message.


A: What has been your highlight so far?

C: Well, I have only been here for one month! The launch in Dubai has undoubtedly been the highlight of that action packed month, though. It was fantastic to see the reception that we got.



A: What does Illamasqua mean to you?

Having the opportunity to be who you really are and not having to conform to frameworks set by society. Freedom of expression, style, views... I just love the atmosphere in the office, on the counter. We all have this united passion about the brand and the constantly growing ripple that we have created in the industry.

A: What do you like to do in your spare time?

C: I like to swim, I like to snow board and I like to hang out at Broadway Market! I also love shopping for shoes - I recently picked up some gorgeous YSL canvas shoes from Browns on Molton Street and I love cardigans by Markus Lupfer. I also go to Cos for basics.

A: What are your favourite haunts?

C: I adore Asa Kusa in Mornington Crescent for great Japanese food. French House in Soho for a cheeky glass of wine and I love the Roof Garden at Boundary Restaurant in the Summer.

A: Would you call yourself a Night Time Diva or a Dare to be Different?

C: Night Time Diva - I like a bit of a smoky eye, Sophie eye pencil with Intense Eye Shadow buffed around it.




A: What is your every day beauty routine?

C: You don't want to share the bath room with me first thing in the morning! I cleanse with the Lab Series, tone and occasionally exfoliate with my own concoction that my Grandmother passed down to me; manunka honey, ground almonds and a squeeze of lemon juice - simple to make, smells delicious and leaves skin glowing! I finish with Nude moisturiser and a hydrating eye gel. I also cycle to work, which perks my skin up!

Tapestry Waistcoat

Thank you to my Wonderful Mum for helping me out by hand stitching the tapestry panels of my waistcoat!!! An absolute star, hope I do them justice!! I designed them, hope you like! :)
Fashion Fantasist xx

Pixiwoo In Glasgow

The Pixiwoo girls [the moniker for Samantha and Nicola] will be appearing at our Debenhams Glasgow counter this Thursday 29th and Friday 30th April.


Friday is already sold out, but we have a couple of available times on Thursday for both girls.

Come down and experience a personalised make-up lesson with the Youtube sensations - their effortless talent for make-up is extraordinary and I have heard some glowing reports from those who have had lessons with the girls on either the Belfast or Cardiff leg of their sell-out tour.

The Debenhams Glasgow counter can be reached on: 0141 221 3889

Shoes for the Show

I have found shoes for the show.... finally!! Might change the strap but I quite like the edginess that they will bring :) They are Red Herring from Debenhams.
Speak Soon
Fashion Fantasist x

Spring Flowers

Bought some spring flowers to brighten my mood today! :) They are so pretty!!

Collide and Prism

I have been hearing so many great things about Nail Varnish in 'Prism' from so many sources that I thought I would have a play about myself. I painted on Collide a couple of days ago to celebrate the sunny weather, so here is Prism on top!

FYI - the colours I have heard Prism looks especially amazing over are Boosh and Alarm. Will ask colleagues to send me images to post about.

Now Recruiting For Australia!

Counter Manager/Make-up Artist Team Members Vacancies
Location - Sydney City, Australia


Now is the time to release your alter ego!

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a member of the founding team that will launch the Illamasqua brand into Australia, working within Myer’s flagship Sydney City store.

We are looking for highly creative Make-up Artists, who dare to be different and aren't afraid to stand out. Equally important is your love of selling and your natural, engaging personality. Your role is to inspire, to give confidence and to encourage your customers to explore their alter egos.

You will be instrumental in driving retail growth for our brand in Sydney by delivering an on-brand experience and rapidly establishing a loyal customer base.

For the Counter Manager we want an entrepreneurial individual who has a natural affinity with our brand values, as well as being commercially astute. You will create an environment on counter in which the team connect with, inspire and educate their customers. You need to have a strong commercial mind with proven ability to deliver sales targets. You will also be creative and proactive in raising awareness of the brand, particularly by attracting customers in store.

If you are ready to step into the spot light and make a scene for Illamasqua in this fantastic and vibrant city, please send your CV and covering letter to recruitment@illamasqua.com

Malcolm McLaren

Malcolm McLaren’s funeral will be held on today in North London, preceeded by a precession through the streets of Camden High St, Chalk Farm, Kentish Town en route to his final resting place. Taken from the Humanade website:

"In celebration of Malcolm’s life we are asking people to observe a MINUTE OF MAYHEM at midday on 22nd April. Put on your favourite records and let it RIP!"

Malcolm was the pioneer of Punk, the first man of British rebellion and sadly passed away on 8th April. Our thoughts go out to his family.

Everyone, either directly or indirectly has been influenced by Malcolm at some point in their life; whether it was growing up listening to The Sex Pistols, fashioning themselves on the Punk movement, visiting the Sex store on Kings Road, rocking to the sounds of Adam and the Ants...

His music has been sampled by the likes of Mariah Carey, Eminem, Quentin Tarantino and De La Soul.

He was also involved with TV, radio and film projects such as 'The Ghosts of Oxford Street' which discussed the musical history of the world famous shopping destination and Fast Food Nation - it was a Cannes film hit.

Julian Kynaston, owner of Illamasqua, says: "I never met the man yet I have to say that without punk rock I would likely never have been inspired to go into business and build the brands I have. As such through punk rock he showed me a way".

If you wish to send a donation instead of flowers, please donate to humanade.

Box News Flash!

After her dramatic Dubai episode [see previous post] Alex is safe and well back in the UK! She has been in today as part of a brain storming activity for the Autumn Winter collection, so I grabbed her for a catch up.

She has recently worked with the band Uncle for their new music video called Where the Night Falls. Warren and Nick shot the video [the fashion photographer extraordinaire's who shot our beautiful Body Electrics collection] which she really enjoyed.

Last week, she had a Sunday Times shoot to go with an article about Alex Box and the use of colour.

Prior to that, Japanese and Chinese Vogue both used her for extensive stories and shoots - Japanese Vogue will also have a feature on Alex in the July issue.

Of course, Alex, Carl and Calum were in Dubai - "Absolutely the most amazing and wonderfully well received launch we have had." Alex tells me, "They have no comprehension of not using make-up. I love that. To them, it's like 'why would I go without?'"

She has worked with the luxury underwear brand Myla for their next advertising campaign and was delighted to give a lecture at the Grimsby College of Art, where she studied herself. "I really loved it - I really enjoyed the uneffected, pure enthusiasm that students have for art, design, make-up, creativity... fabulous."

Gleam Cream Now Available!

One of the core pieces from the SS10 Body Electrics collection is now available to buy from our webshop.

This versatile, lightweight cream is perfect for enhancing cheekbones, browbones, lips, temples... any where you want a visible glow. It can also be used as an enhancing primer or mixed with foundation for a beautiful, lustrous finish. The cream has been described by Alex Box as "the most delicious, versatile product I own; it's radiance in a tube."

Good enough for her...

Seventy Hours, Seven Modes of Transport

I am sure that everyone has been effected in some way by the closure of the air ways - apparently 150,000 Brits are stuck abroad waiting to get home - and over the past week Illamasqua accounted for eight of them!

Calum [National Account Manager] Carl [Managing Director] and Alex Box [does she really need an intro?!] flew out to Dubai last Monday for the grand launch of Illamasqua at Bloomingdales in Dubai

Calum tells me: "I was blown away by the enthusiasm and excitement shown for Illamasqua by those living in Dubai. The support we have received from local media and the Bloomingdales department store made for an amazing event."


However, getting back from Dubai has proven to be a different story... you can see that Calum [in the gorgeous McQueen scarf] and Alex [along with Carl - who I assume is taking the picture!] made it to the airport, only to be told that the flights were all cancelled. Alex decided to stay in Dubai -I assume thinking that the delay was only very temporary, I haven't actually spoken to her! - whereas the boys decided to have a bit of an adventure...

First, they flew from Dubai to Zurich [which turned out to be the last flight out of Dubai!] hoping to catch a flight from Zurich to the UK. There were also no trains from Zurich so they hired a car to drive the distance to Calais [stopping off at Reims on the way]

Carl decided that they should reset the Sat Nav to take a "short cut" [ladies; know this feeling when your man decides to take the "short cut"?!] which ended up with them driving over a mountain behind a lorry stuck at 40km an hour. Needless to say, not much of a shortcut...

After [eventually!] overtaking the lorry post-mountain and getting to Calais, Carl and Calum jumped on a coach to get to the ferry due to the backlog of cars waiting to board the ferry.

Seventy hours from arriving at Dubai airport, Carl got home courtesy of his Dad picking him up from Dover, Calum jumped on a train from Dover to London and Alex? Well, Alex was still in Dubai! The latest gossip is that she has befriended some American hippies and they are driving through France now! She is due in tomorrow, so I will get the full account and post asap!

Halimah [Product Development Assistant] and her husband went on holiday to Spain and were due back on Friday. Latest news of them? Stuck in traffic in France [isn't everyone?!] in a rental car.

Kathy [Director of Operations] is in America, luckily with her family!

Daniel [Head of Training] is 'stranded' in New York. I say stranded with more than a hint of sarcasm; if there was one place I could be stuck in the world, New York would definitely be on my shortlist.

Trudi [Director of Professional Strategy] is currently in Australia and Chris [COO] was stuck in Germany over the weekend - worrying time for him as his wife is due to give birth and it was a bit touch and go if he would make it back in time!

Any body else had any drama they would like to share?!

Body Electics on Youtube

Below is Tanya - from Pixi2Woo - showing her interpretation of the Body Electrics collection! I absolutely love the latest Liquid Metal in 'Surge' from the SS10 Body Electrics collection and Tanya has captured it's beautiful pewter effect here.

Illamasqua.com Shipping Announcement

You may be aware that the volcano in Iceland is causing widespread disruptions to world wide travel at the moment, and unfortunately that means that we are having some hold ups with our international shipping from our online shop.

As we send all our products internationally using Royal Mail Airsure this could result in delays, so we apologise if you are anxiously awaiting your Body Electrics goodies!

We are working with our distribution team to see if there is anyway around this, but please bear with us whilst we explore all options to ensure that your products arrive with you safe and sound and in the best possible condition that you would expect from us.

half and half

Had a toile crit today, but as well as my toiles I bought a long a half scale version of my print. Personally really pleased with it, just hope the real ones come out ok... Fingers crossed!!!
Speak soon
Fashion Fantasist x

Grace Kelly : Style Icon

This photoshoot in the weekend Guardian Magazine (13/3/10). It is really beautiful, really love the muted tones and classic elegance. The shoot was based on Grace Kelly because there is an exhibition opening today at the V and A!! I really want to go!!! It is open until the 26th September so hopefully I will find some time to pop to London! It is featuring dresses from the films High Society and Rear Window. Also the dress she wore to accept her Oscar in 1955..
Images from The Guardian - model Rosamund Pike

Hope you all pop down to the V and A to see it!
Have a lovely weekend Fashion Fantasist x

Prints

Thought I might share with you some more of my strange pattern pieces but with the prints on them....
Hope I am not giving too much away from the surprise of my collection...
Much love Fashion Fantasist xx

Australia - Get Ready To Unleash Your Alter Egos!

Since being hailed as the most significant make-up launch in over twenty years by Vogue, we are taking our phenomenal success in the UK, US and Dubai over to Australia and launching exclusively with Myer in June. 

"We have been speaking for over 12 months now and are hugely excited to be forming an exclusive partnership with Illamasqua", says Rob Gregory, Myer's Business Director for Cosmetics. "The success they have achieved in such a short time is incredible in a sector dominated by a few key companies. They offer a unique point of difference in the market and it is one that will work well with the Myer customer."


Illamasqua will initially launch in Sydney and will then roll out progressively to selected Myer stores nationally.


To all our Australian fans, I am so excited that you will be able to 'meet' the product in person and I look forward to hearing from you all! The Illamasqua site will be a counter similar to our beautiful sites in the UK and Dubai, so will be fully interactive with the crème de la crème of make-up artists on hand to help you with your purchases.

"Myer will be a great partner for Illamasqua," says Carl Atkinson, Managing Director at Illamasqua "they have already shown that they understand the brand as well as we do."



If you are interested in working with Illamasqua in Australia, visit the recruitment pages for more details.

IMAGE Beauty Awards

The prestigious irish magazine Image has recognised Illamasqua as a leading luxury beauty company and awarded us two of their highly coveted awards: for Best Cream Blusher and Best Lipgloss.

“Every model and actress I tried this on wanted to buy it off me. Take care when applying, as the colours are very strong, but they blend out beautifully. They double up great as stunning lip shades too, last for about five hours and give a fab dewy finish.” Colette Cassidy.

“Unreal colours – this is like a stain and gloss in one. It’s not too sticky, has a fantastic, precise applicator, and it lasts on lips forever. I’m addicted.” Natalie Kinsella

All in a row row row

Had a big sort out and tidy up of the flat today and I bought a rail for my toiles... So here they are all neat and tidy! :)
Much love Fashion Fantasist xx

Liquid Metal in 'Surge'

Got in a real Summer mood this morning and prepped my eye lids with oranges and pinks, before leaving the house and realising it was actually pretty dreary - so I've metallic-ed up by adding a swipe of Liquid Metal in 'Surge' underneath my lower lash line.

Experimented further by mixing Liquid Metal in 'Surge' with the clear Sheer Lipgloss in 'Brilliant' for a rather unusual, robotic type finish.


Finally, decked my nails out with Body Electrics Nail Varnishes in 'Force' with 'Prism' layered on top. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

And yes... I know that my nails are not in the best shape; I have a pretty gross habit of chewing the skin around my nails :S