Tentside chat with: Makeup artist Amber Dreadon

Makeup designs by M.A.C.'s Amber Dreadon for Trelise Cooper (left) and Zambesi.

How do you get contracted to design make-up for Fashion Week shows?

Well I've had a long-standing relationship with Zambesi so that's how I got involved again this year, and with Trelise and others, it's the brand - M.A.C, that they want to be affiliated with. They want the connection with quality, a premium name.

How do you go about designing the make up for a big show like Trelise or Zambesi?

Usually I'll meet with the designer and we will talk about their inspiration for the collection and some ideas and then I'll go away and have a think and do some research. I'll have another meeting with the designer and do a makeup trial on a model. They will either say yes or get me to tweak the look. Sometimes it will take a few trials to get the look right. They generally have a look they want to go with. 

What were the inspirations behind the make up for Zambesi and Trelise Cooper?

Zambesi was a 60's or 70's gothic or moody look, dark eyes a bit worn in and smudged with nude lips.

Trelise had a very specific pallete...she wanted pinks, lilacs, mustard and a bit of black. It was a Victorian, English rose look. 

Whats the worst thing that can happen on show day?

To be running well behind schedule, or sometimes the models arrive late from another show. Forgetting a key piece of make up that's essential to the look would be really bad too! But most things like that can be improvised and you can tweak it with something else. 

Any backstage stories or drama from the last few days?

Nope, no drama, it's boring but all the people I've worked with have been great. The models are all really nice, there are no divas here.

If you could design make-up for any designer in the world who would it be?

Vivienne Westwood or Chloe, I love their designs.

What is the most common mistake people make with make-up?

Not matching their foundation correctly. It destroys the whole look, no matter how good the rest of it is. Also not looking after their skin.

What are some key colour trends for summer?

I'd say still a lot of bronze, a nice coppery eye shadow or a bronze sheen on the skin. M.A.C. has some great golden browns, and a look I really like is to highlight the lower lash line and inner rim with that colour.