Today I write this post saddened by the news that Conde Nast has rejected the idea of launching Vogue Africa. As expected, the news has caused differing views. While many were left disappointed and saw this as evidence that the West are still not willing to accept Africa and its creativity, it has been equally argued that Africa should build on it's own magazines as opposed to trying to align itself with a powerful brand like Vogue.
That said, the idea was the brainchild of Cameroonian make-up artist and photographer, Mario Epanya who has boldly expressed his dissatisfaction with the current situation. "I read my first Vogue in 1979 and have been buying it ever since," he said. "I always felt that African creativity was not represented."
Not content with the current state, Epanya contacted the director of Conde Nast directly but was dismissed. ".....About a month ago I sent the director of Conde Nast France a message via my friend, asking how I would go about getting a licence for Vogue Africa. He replied that no, it would not be possible to do the project."
Without using the racial card, having looked at the cover prototypes and read Epanya's ideas for the magazine it's hard to understand what grounds the concept was dismissed. Vogue is already published in 18 different countries including India and China so why not Vogue Africa? In an article written more than 25 years ago, it was predicted that black women will be responsible for over 50& of the health and beauty industry so why Africa continues to be ignored as a fashion and beauty hub is questionable.
It's hardly a news flash that models tend to be, well, gorgeous. But good genes aside, it's make up artists who help make or break a runway look. A beautiful YSL dress with cakey foundation? We don't think so.
For the next of The Fash Pack's London Fashion Week special features, we introduce make up artist Kenneth Soh. Soh, who learned his technique from Val Garland and Pat McGrath, is one of the most candid and comical insiders we've ever interviewed. We were pleased to talk with him before his first solo job at the Blow Presents show.
Just be warned: If you wear orange base and half a tube of mascara, you will be momentarily scorned in question five.
It's not everyday that your make-up artists, not one buttwo of them, file a lawsuit against you. This is the news that Queen Latifah woke up to yesterday morning.
Make-up artist Emily Bickerstaff has been working in the fashion industry for several years working for some of the leading musicians and magazines in the UK. Here she gives The Fashion Pack exclusive access to her life on set of a music video.
6:00 am: I woke up at at 6AM today, which is surprisingly late for a long day like this. I usually get up a lot earlier but luckily the set for the video was only about half an hour from my house. After I had double checked over all my kit, I was ready to set off.
