Alex Box receives an honorary degree

Our PR Intern Fiona headed to Southampton Solent University last week with Spob, our Head of Professional Development and Events Coordinator Josephine to watch and support Alex Box as she received her Honorary Doctorate. We've handed the blog over today to the lovely Fiona for an insight into the day...

On arriving at the University we were welcomed by key tutors and members of the University and joined Alex Box for a light Breakfast before the ceremony begun.

 The graduation took place in the beautiful Guild Hall. As we showed our support to all of the students graduating, we spotted Sasha Wren in the crowd, our winner of the BA Illamasqua Distinction in Make-up Artistry Award in October 2011.

We eagerly awaited Alex’s turn and when it was time, Jennifer Anyhan from Southampton Solent intoroduced Alex and read a beautiful citation commending her work and telling the audience  why she deserves and has been awarded the honoury doctorate. To learn more and to read the citation click here 

As Alex proudly accepted her Honoury Degree of Doctor of Design, she gave an inspirational acceptance speech. She proudly told the audience that receiving this award is an incredible marker in her career and a great honour. 

Alex believes that what has led her to success is having faith in her own beliefs, listening to her heart and trusting her instinct. She finished her speech with two inspirational quotes for everyone to think about...

‘Fortune favours the brave and believe with all your heart that you will do what you were made to do’ Orison Swett Marden.

‘The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible’ Arthur C Clarke

Congratulations to Dr Box, and a huge thank you to Southampton Solent for a great day and their continued support of Alex and Illamasqua!

A little Freak...

As Christmas nears, the advent calendars are at the ready, the lights are up and the christmas shopping is in full motion, we wanted to offer you a little something to treat and indulge yourself this season. To get you in the spirit and to invite you to step into the intoxicating world that is Freak, every order placed online at illamasqua.com will include a free sample of our debut fragrance while stocks last

Tempted by our Christmas Gift sets or left wondering what the scent of this alluring concoction of dangerously exotic unconventional flowers will be like? Now is the perfect opportunity to indulge in those pieces you've been lusting after...

Your alter ego gallery...

The alter ego gallery is becoming a regular Friday feature on our blog...we'll be showcasing and highlighting the Illamasqua HQ favourites from the creative, alter ego inspired looks you've shared with us over the week!

Share your Christmas party make-up, avant garde creations and iconic statement looks on our facebook page and you might just appear here next week...

Striking contouring from Yrtxcyrtxc Chaumet. We spy Liquid Metal in Superior.

'ClaudiaS Makeup' with her conceptual, monochrome alter ego

An intense look with lashings of opulent pigment, Natalie Grimes illustrated how to wear avant garde lashes...something for the party season? 

Check our Natalie's Luxury Decadence Lashes in our latest Christmas Gift offerings

A Toxic Nature inspired creation from Tricia Davidge. To shop the collection, click here

To upload your striking look, click here 

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

To mark Sophie Lancaster's birthday this Saturday, we want to share an insight into the incredible work behind the Sophie Lancaster Foundation with you...

Help us spread the message of Sophie and support the great work the team behind the Foundation are doing. 

Our Sophie competition to win cult, Sophie inspired pieces in honour of Sophie's birthday also closes this weekend, click here to enter

Honouring Sophie Lancaster's birthday...

In honour of what would have been Sophie's 25th birthday this Saturday 26th November and to mark our support for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, we are hosting an internationally open competition to win a selection of cult pieces from the Illamasqua collection. 

And for the best part...to honour the amazing work of the Sophie foundation, we will be picking FIVE winners! 

The lucky winners will receive an iconic, Sophie inspired prize including Medium Pencil in Sophie, Pure Pigment in Zeitgeist, Nail Varnish in Unnatural, Intense Lipgloss in Repulse, False Eye Lashes in no.21 and a S.O.P.H.I.E wristband. 

To enter the competition and show your support for the foundation, click here 

The competition is open until Midnight GMT Sunday 27th November

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation aims to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere, their fantastic website and Facebook page will tell you more

Help us spread the message of this inspirational foundation and enter our Sophie competition to be in with the chance of winning!

Get ready to 'Lol' this Christmas as This is England returns to our screens...

We've handed the blog over to our fabulous PR & Press Assistant Melanie for a glimpse of what's to come from This is England this year...

As the cold wintery months draw nearer, we at Illamasqua HQ have finally replaced our gladiator sandals and hot pink painted toes with deep wine coloured lips and gothic nails. The Christmas lights are shining bright on Carnaby Street and as well as Gingerbread lattes, velvet party dresses, happy hours and an abundance of chocolate treats, what else is there to look forward to? Why Christmas TV specials of course! 

December 2011 will see the return of “This is England” in a 3 part series over the Christmas period. At last, BAFTA winning Vicky McClure, star of Illamasqua’s brand films, will be returning to our screens revealing what happened to Lol, Woody and the gang.

We were thrilled to be invited to the preview of “This Is England ’88” last week at BAFTA, it has got us so excited for the release in December. Director, Shane Meadows left us hanging on the edge of our seats with his hard hitting story lines, transporting us back to the Midlands in 1988. 

We were lucky enough to witness the “question and answer” session after the screening which gave us a great insight into Shane and Vicky’s friendship, what it was like filming the incredible new series and what’s going to happen next. Unfortunately we were sworn to secrecy, so our lips are sealed…

Being a friend of the brand, Vicky had her make-up applied for the BAFTA screening at our Flagship store on Beak Street. Business Manager Kim Terrell transformed Vicky making her ready for the bright lights and eager fans!

To create Vicky’s flawless, classic look Kim used…

Skin Base in SB.10 and SB.11 with Pressed Powder in 010

Powder Blusher in Beg and Katie

Medium Pencil in Sophie with Powder Eye Shadow in Machine

Illuminator in Odyssey

Powder Eye Shadow in Herione and Slink

Masquara in Raven

Lipstick in Climax

Sheer Lipgloss in Enchant

Medium Pencil in Ascend

Gleam Cream in Flex

Stay tuned for more on the make-up used on set and an interview with This is England 88’s Hair and Make Up Designer, Catherine Scoble…

Pop-Up Christmas

A lovely Pop-up shop has, well, Popped-Up in Cabot Circus this month...

This year, the run up to Christmas has seen over 100 local artists come together as part of ‘Pop-Up Bristol’ - a new initiative from Made in Bristol that has showcased a diverse range of independent galleries and creative talent on the high street for the first time, adding a new dimension to Christmas shopping at Cabot Circus this year. The pop-ups offer the opportunity to purchase quality gifts and one-off pieces by up-and-coming artists.

Drawn in Bristol is a newly formed, locally focused illustration collective which hosts regular events & shows in the city. The collective has 50 members and celebrates the work of Bristol based illustrators by providing them with a platform to showcase their work. Their stunning shop can be found in Quakers Friars and features original illustrations, prints and cards, handmade toys and locally designed T-shirts.

‘Upfest’, established in 2008 and now Europe’s largest graffiti art festival, adds a new dimension to Level 1 of the Glass Walk in Cabot Circus with an urban art and graffiti gallery, ‘POP-UPfest’. As well as urban style artworks, the gallery will feature Bristol street art photography and weekly live drawing events.

Along with these, the ‘Smithson Gallery’ pop-up provides a platform for a variety of talented artists and styles, offering original art and prints alongside great cards and original gift ideas including bags, cushions, tea towels, ceramics and decoration.

Pop-Up Bristol will be hosting a party to celebrate the one-month countdown to Christmas on Thursday November 24th at 6pm across their three temporary festive galleries at Cabot Circus!

The event will offer guests a fantastic opportunity to see and purchase all the brilliant artworks the shops have on offer and will also feature live drawing and music. There will also be a chance to meet all of the diverse and talented artists involved in the project along with some exciting special guests.

So if you are around in Cabot this Christmas season make sure you Pop by! They will be open as follows:
POP-UPfest: Open now - 24th December (level1, Glass Walk)
Drawn in Bristol: Open now - 3rd December (Quakers Friars)
Smithson Gallery and Gifts: Open now - 24th December (Level 1, Glass Walk)
Bristol Creatives: Open now - 24th December (Quakers Friars)

For more information check it out here!

Best wishes,
Fashion Fantasist xx

P.S I am really excited about Christmas! :)

Cat's Claws comes to our London Flagship store...

Unique textures, intricate designs, colour clashing shades...nail art is limitless and has evolved from season to season. From the catwalks to the cool kids, and from the fashionistas to those who indulge in and adorn the classic and vintage, nail art encourages you to reveal your alter ego...

From this Thursday 24th November,  we will be collaborating with Cat's Claws to offer a bespoke nail service for just £15 with our fabulous Nail Varnish range at our Flagship store in London.

Dates and times...

Thursday 24th November 5.30pm-8pm

All other Thursdays in December 5.30pm-9pm for late night shopping

By appointment or on a first come/first serve basis

From January onwards we will be offering beautiful nail art on Thursdays between 5.30pm-8pm.

To book your appointment, please call the store on 

+44 (0) 203 432 3274

To learn more about Cat's Claws click here 

An Illamasqua graffiti nail tutorial...

Using a selection of cult Illamasqua Nail Varnishes, we collaborated with fashion manicurist Teresa Smith to create a unique effect known as Graffiti nails!

The key pieces used to create the look from the tutorial were...

Nail Base Coat

Nail Varnish in Phallic

Nail Varnish in Rare

Nail Varnish in Purity

Nail Varnish in Throb

Nail Varnish in Force

To shop the Illamasqua range of Nail Varnishes and to get creative with graffiti nails click here

Free UK delivery and Free International delivery on orders over £50...

The nights have drawn in, and the Freaks and the Fabulous are preparing to emerge from the shadows to celebrate the festive party season in true Illamasqua style...

To help prepare your alter ego and to indulge in the avant garde, we are offering FREE delivery all this week across our range of colour-intense, night-time make-up.

To redeem your free UK standard delivery, simply enter the promotional code ‘FREEUK11’ when you reach the checkout page of the Illamasqua Shop.

To redeem your free international delivery, simply enter the promotional code ‘INTERNATIONAL50’ at the checkout – when you spend £50 or more.

Offer ends Midnight GMT Friday 25th November 2011.

For our international fans this is the perfect opportunity to begin your Christmas shopping as shipping times across the world can take up to 30 days!

False Lash Friday...

False Lash Friday is a must in the Illamasqua office and our beautiful new Christmas Gifts are no exception...

Midnight Decadence (£25 saving £17)

Including Luxury False Eye Lashes in Decadence & Precision Ink in Glister

The night just got richer with the power of these utterly decadent, handmade antique silver diamanté False Eye Lashes. Combine with the opalescent nude of Precision Ink in Glister for an unique eye liner alternative.

Our lovely Liverpool team modelling the Decadence lash

MidnightVixen (£25 saving £9.50)

Including False Eye Lashes No.26 & Precision Ink in Abyss

Become an alluring vixen of the night and prepare to party until dawn with this daring duo. Featuring Illamasqua’s most audacious lashes to date, each feathered creation is an individual work of art that adds unmissable impact to any look. Combine them with the defined application of midnight black Precision Ink in Abyss, a cult and favourite Illamasqua piece.

To view more of our unmissable Christmas Gifts click here

You've been inspiring us...

Our facebook page is a wash of creativity and inspiration with many of your alter egos appearing on our pages in beauty and avant garde looks you've created. These were too fabulous to keep to ourselves so we will be sharing some of those that have had the Illamasqua team in awe.

We love seeing you revel in your dark side, so here is a little thank you from us...

A beautiful goth inspired fantasy look by Simon James of "walkingwondersfx"

Halloween glam from Karlapowellmua

Janine Bailey rocking Lipstick in Kontrol

An icy blue alter ego from Matías Cornejo Acuña

Monochrome beauty with Intense Lipgloss in Repulse by Tracy Hillis

Will you alter ego capture our imagination next week...? To share your looks and alter egos with us, simply click here to post your photos on our well 

A Midnight Kiss from Illamasqua...

This Christmas all attention will be on the ultimate pout, prepare your lips for the intimacy of night’s darkest hour with this intense duo.

Midnight Kisses

Including Lipstick in Welt & Sheer Lipgloss in Rouse

Transform yourself into the embodiment of vamp with these ultimate midnight duos. Combine deep magenta pink, matt Lipstick in Welt and cool candy pink Sheer Lipgloss in Rouse to create stunning high gloss lips that are begging to be kissed. 

Midnight Pout

Including Lipstick in Ignite & Sheer Lipgloss in Provoke

Wear the colour-rich, red orange Lipstick of Ignite alone for an electrifying effect, or layer with the warm caramel nude of Sheer Lipgloss in Provoke for a pout with depth and dimension that no-one can ignore...

Indulge in the Midnight seduction of these pieces at Illamasqua.com

Illamasqua is welcomed in Liverpool's Metquarter...

Our new standalone store, our second in the UK, launched earlier this month in Liverpool's luxury Metquarter. To celebrate the launch in true Illamasqua style, we hosted an exclusive party in store to announce our arrival. 

A hub of creativity and a wash of high colour pigment, the Liverpool store celebrates our position as a vibrant, unique and professional make-up brand at just three years old.

Illamasqua's Joint Managing Director Joseph Corre and Creative Director Alex Box hosted the event with a beauty savvy crowd of Illamasqua evangelists!

With performers from Garlands bringing a flamboyance to the night and with a touch of WAG glamour from our other fabulous guests, the event welcomed Illamasqua to what promises to be an exciting new location for our team.

‘Everywhere we went people were telling us that Liverpool would be perfect for Illamasqua…eventually it became too loud to ignore. We are looking forward to witnessing Liverpool’s reaction to the cult that is Illamasqua’

 Julian Kynaston, Illamasqua Founder and Joint MD

A performance from La Fleur de Mechanique set the atmosphere of the night as guests indulged in complimentary make-up transformations.

Guests were also treated to Tequila Patron cocktails and Vitamin water by the fantastic Twist & Shake bar team.

For the bold, the striking and the fabulous, our new Liverpool store is now open in Liverpool's Metquarter

A dazzling Christmas Nail tutorial...

Available exclusively at Illamasqua.com, these enchanting shades can be worn individually or together as a dazzling combination. Create an eye-catching diamand effect by layering Harsh, a clear-based silver glitter varnish, over Boosh, Illamasqua's best-selling deep black gloss. 

To indulge in this sumptuous festive look, click here to visit the Illamasqua shop

Elvis isn't dead...

Hello Strangers,

It is crazy to think that this time last year I was enduring the long bus journey from Oxford to London and then an hour long underground trek - enjoying an internship at French Connection!It was an interesting experience but it already feels like it was a million years ago. What I really enjoyed was being able to help out with print a bead work. It is very strange to see some of the pieces I helped with sitting in the shops waiting to be bought. Gives me a little skip in my step when I see an advert for a garment I saw at it's beginnings. It was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed it! Thank you to the people who helped me get it and who taught me a great deal about what the industry is like.

Anyway the reason I rave about some of the garments is because I have recently purchased one. It was in the sale but £325 reduced to £150 I think is still fair :). It is the Broiderie Brogue dress in cream leather with a laser cut pattern. I can tell you the silly thing I get excited about is I remember photocopying the pattern and trying to make it match at the seams and also drawing the pattern on to a working drawing. Silly but it gives me a little thrill.I did have an occasion to splash the cash and get such a statement piece - it wasn't just for wearing round the house! It was Mr FF's Grandparent's 50th Wedding Anniversary at the end of September = A big deal! A lot of his relatives were there, some travelled from Italy and America to come and celebrate. It was lots of fun with a five course lunch and a Dean Martin impersonator serenading us all and in the evening there was a hog roast and an Elvis impersonator. It was so much fun!! I have added some pictures in this post so you can see mine and Mr FF's outfits and some of the crazy shenanigans!

Mr FF and I
Mr FF and I with Mr FF's Bro and GirlfriendThe Grandparents = awwwAnd a rather close call with Elvis!

Anyway speak soon!!
Fashion Fantasist xx

(Thank you David D'Elia for the event photographs)

Grazia late night shopping event!

This Thursday 17^th November, Carnaby Street will open the doors to late night shopping once again in association with Grazia. From 6-9pm, our beautiful Flagship store in Beak Street, London W1, will be offering a 20% discount in store for one night only!

There will also be complimentary nail art from Cat's Claws and 'portraits' by our amazing event photographer. Key Artist Mika will be in store to offer transformations, make-up tips and advice, and to share his creative techniques to ensure you dazzle this Christmas.

Key Artist Mika 

In true Illamasqua style, there will be a few extra surprises too… draw out your alter ego and indulge in Soho’s hottest night out with us!

To register for your free ticket to the event, click here