When pop sensation Adele struts on stage at Mt Smart Stadium in March, it'll be a Kiwi behind the star's glam look.
London-based New Zealander Michael Ashton has rocketed to fame as the trusted make-up artist and stylist to the Rolling In The Deep singer for almost 10 years. And the proud Kiwi has made no secret of how excited he is to show Adele his homeland for the first time.
Ashton, who is originally from Tauranga, has taken to social media to trumpet Adele's one-off show in March next year, while the Grammy Award-winning star herself has also posted a hand-written note to Kiwi fans, announcing "I wouldn't miss you for the world, I'll see you in Auckland. I can't wait."
Adele's beehive hair-do and cat-eye make-up have become signatures of her stage and screen image. And in December last year, Ashton's work graced the front cover of Time magazine.
"Hailed for creating the beauty look for which Adele has become globally know for is not the only aspect that positions Ashton as leader of a new beauty aesthetic," says the biography on Ashton's website.
"His creation of the modern beauty icon, a status as immortalised to Adele as her powerhouse voice, has won worldwide acclaim and remains a symbol of profound relevance to today's women."
As well as Adele, Ashton's work has also been responsible for glamorous, front-cover shoots with actress Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy) and red carpet looks for actresses Amber Heard, Stacy Keibler and Kimberly Stewart.
• Pre-sale tickets for Adele's March 23 show are released on Monday, while general sales go live on Thursday.