The biggest makeup looks from backstage at fashion week AW21 that you can copy at home
Fashion month has drawn to a close and it’s been interesting to watch it play out. Instead of the usual dashing between shows on 10 inch heels during rain storms, editors watched from their laptops, since this season was mostly virtual. Designers shared more of the behind-the-scenes and backstage moments via their social media (so everyone could get involved) and brands had to think outside the box to make their digital experiences as alluring and eccentric as ever.
With normal proceedings out the window, designers were freed up to be more adventurous and experimental. Louis Vuitton took advantage of the lockdown to take over the Louvre, while Miu Miu’s collection was beamed in from the top of snowy mountain slopes in the alps. Take that regular fashion week.
Makeup-wise, it’s been largely relatable. Concerns around social distancing of course impacted how intricate the makeup artists could go, but that hasn’t got in the way of some incredible artistry.
Smoky eyes headlined, from the slightly smoggy eyes and fresh skin at Isabel Marant, to the halo cut-out smoky eyes at Dior. XXL kohl stole the show at Etro, Chanel, Valentino and Erdem while David Koma, Marques Almeida and Versace mixed things up with colour-pop liner in shades of aquamarine, electric pink and lime.
Zimmerman kept things simple and pretty with a scattering of glitter beneath bottom lashes while Courreges circled under eyes with crystal gem stickers.
Obviously, though, it wouldn’t be fashion week without some cray-cray makeup looks served up and Moschino – as usual – didn’t disappoint. Taking Hollywood technicolour to the extreme, designer Jeremy Scott mashed old-school red carpet glam (side-parted waves, ruby lips and winged liner) on half the girls, with brush-stroked, paint-splattered models brought to life, as if from a picture frame. One of Jeremy’s muses even emerged with a windmill on her head – because alice bands are so 2020. “Comfort schmomfort! What we need now more than ever is fantasy and glamour and things that make you feel wonderful, and I don’t think sweatpants do that,” said Scott. Fair play, we actually couldn’t agree more.
These are the best makeup looks from fashion month...
Giambattista Valli, Paris Fashion Week
Graphic painterly eyes.
Schiaparelli, Paris Fashion Week
Winged liner and nude lips.
Courtesy of brandAltuzarra, Paris Fashion Week
Butterfly wing-inspired makeup.
Courtesy of brandChanel, Paris Fashion Week
Ultra smoky eyes.
@viviennewestwood / InstagramAndreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood, Paris Fashion Week
Blue painterly eyes.
@etro / InstagramEtro, Milan Fashion Week
Super smoked eyes.
Isabel Marant, Paris Fashion Week
Subtly smoky eyes and sheeny nude lips.
Dolce & Gabbana, Milan Fashion Week
Bold, statement lips.
Moschino, Milan Fashion Week
Brush stroke face and body paint.
Moschino, Milan Fashion Week
Hollywood glam.
Moschino, Milan Fashion Week
Mod makeup.
@versace / InstagramVersace, Milan Fashion Week
Colour-stripe eyes.
@versace / InstagramVersace, Milan Fashion Week
Gigi Hadid wearing blue winged eyeshadow.
@preciousleexoxo / InstagramVersace, Milan Fashion Week
Precious Lee wearing blue winged eyeshadow.
Courtesy of brandErdem, London Fashion Week
Courtesy of brandErdem, London Fashion Week
Courtesy of brandDavid Koma, London Fashion Week
Courtesy of brandDavid Koma, London Fashion Week
Ben Broomfield @photobenphotoMolly Goddard, London Fashion Week
As per, Molly Goddard served up a confection of frothy colourful dresses, with a fun but soft fuchsia pink palette translated over into the beauty look. Created by makeup artist, Miranda Joyce, bright pink blusher was draped from the brow bones down to cheek bones in a half-moon shape and lips were painted in a romantic red.
Vivienne Westwood, London Fashion Week
Vivienne Westwood's unisex AW21 collection followed three distinct trends. The first was inspired by a 1743 painting, Daphnis and Chloe, by French Rococo painter, François Boucher. To match this, makeup artist, Pablo Rodriguez created "the technicolour cherub" using Illamasqua. Colours on lips, cheeks and eyes were dialled up to the max using "quite a monochrome palette of yellows, oranges and pinks. There is a sexy innocence about this look," says Pablo.
Vivienne Westwood, London Fashion Week
Vivienne Westwood's unisex AW21 collection followed three distinct trends. The first was inspired by a 1743 painting, Daphnis and Chloe, by French Rococo painter, François Boucher. To match this, makeup artist, Pablo Rodriguez created "the technicolour cherub" using Illamasqua. Colours on lips, cheeks and eyes were dialled up to the max using "quite a monochrome palette of yellows, oranges and pinks. There is a sexy innocence about this look," says Pablo.
Vivienne Westwood, London Fashion Week
The second beauty look was based on Vivienne Westwood's muse from the late 80s and early 90s, Sarah Stockbridge. Applied on just one model, "the key elements were the dark eyebrows in contrast with platinum blonde hair (paired up with black eyeliner and a beauty mole), and black red lips," explained Pablo. The final look was some simple grooming with fresh, luminous skin, "to make them look like cheeky, good boys."
Marques Almeida, London Fashion Week
Last year, the Portuguese couple behind Marques Almeida left their East London base (where they've showcased their collections at LFW for years) and returned to their native Portugal. This latest collection is directly inspired by the change of scenery and culture. Made from dead stock and recycled fabrics in bold, colourful prints, the neon green line look created on up-and-coming Portuguese/Cape-Verdian singer and muse, Nenny, is all about celebrating bright colours and bright futures.
Mark Fast, London Fashion Week
“The idea for this look was to capture the effect you get when light reflects on water," lead makeup artist, Pablo Rodriguez explained backstage at Mark Fast. "The main feature were a few pieces of chunky silver glitter placed on the centre of the eyelid on top of the lash line, so they catch the light when the models blink. The rest of the look was all about metallic pastels on eyes, lips and cheeks”. Pablo used Illamasqua powder eyeshadow in Superstitious and Pure Pigment in Beguile to achieve the look.
Preen By Thornton Bregazzi, London Fashion Week
Created while the design couple behind Preen worked from home in their Suffolk countryside cottage, the collection felt bucolic, earthy and feminine. Makeup was kept simple, other than pretty pastels swept over eyes, like this parma violet eyeshadow.
Ina LekiewiczPreen By Thornton Bregazzi, London Fashion Week
Elsewhere dusty mauve was swept over lids while skin was kept looking bare and fresh.
Chris Yates All rights reservedEden Loweth at Art School London, London Fashion Week
Backstage at Eden Loweth's presentation at Art School London, makeup artist, Andrew Gallimore used MAC Cosmetics to create a punky, gothic makeup look.
@nonismithmakeupZimmermann, New York Fashion Week
While technically taking place during New York Fashion Week (where Australian design house, Zimmermann usually displays its collections), the brand took the opportunity to beam its upcoming AW21 collection to fashion editor's from its native, Sydney. Taking inspiration from the 70s, the makeup was bohemian and beautiful. Created by MUA Noni Smith, using MAC Cosmetics and products from The Glitter Tribe, under-eyes were lifted with a pretty scattering of sparkle, while the rest of the makeup was kept warm, earthy and romantic.
Getty ImagesBora Aksu, London Fashion Week
Bora Aksu took to London's Tate Gallery, to exhibit his collection, inspired by the life and achievements of 18th century French Revolutionary mathematician and physicist Sophie Germain. The clothes and makeup reflect on "the effect that isolation can have on the mind, simultaneously eroding and inspiring the greatest feats of passion and creativity." The makeup, created by Janeen Witherspoon, featured hand-pressed petals.
@mcgregorlapierreLavie By CK, New York Fashion Week
Claude Kameni who counts celebrities like Kelly Rowland and Janet Jackson as clients, showcased the new Royal Empire collection from her brand Lavie By CK. Inspired by Coming to America, Black Panther and Bridgerton. Kameni interpreted couture through bold african print, matched with bold, beautiful makeup created by makeup artist Ashley Wallace (@itshotchiick).
@richgreensAnna Sui, New York Fashion Week
Anna Sui channelled the swinging sixties in a psychedelic collection. Meanwhile the makeup looked, created by Pat McGrath was inspired by a boy the designer kept crossing paths with. "The makeup is inspired by a boy I’ve seen a couple times walking down 6th Avenue. He has great style and draws these beautiful lines on his eyes," Anna explained.
STAUDStaud, New York Fashion Week
Simple doesn't mean boring. The complementary lip and eye combo of warm pink and soft pecan has autumn written all over it.
ShutterstockBibhu Mohapatra, New York Fashion Week
Bibhu Mohapatra kept things dark and vampy with lightly glossed, smokey lids and ultra deep lips created by makeup artist, Jenny Atwood Smith, using NARS.
ShutterstockJonathan Simkhai, New York Fashion Week
Simple, but effective. At Jonathan Simkhai, makeup artist Courtney Perkins combined fresh skin with a rich statement lip.
ShutterstockNaeem Khan, New York Fashion Week
Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl. Clearly shy and retiring was not the vibe Naeem Khan was going for at his AW21 showcase, and we're feeling it. This shimmery lid and red vinyl lip combo is for the people that love glamour. Move over, sweatpants.
@victoriabeckhamVictoria Beckham, London Fashion Week
VB gave a nod to the nineties via the beauty look at her LFW show. “This season, the beauty was all about a cool ’90s girl look," she said. "I love how soft and sultry the eyes are - all done with our new Satin Kajal Liner in Ash, rimmed along the upper and lower waterline and slightly smoked out with the smudger, plus a touch of Future Lash Mascara.”
@jasonwubeautyJason Wu, New York Fashion Week
Diane Kendal created the beauty look backstage at Jason Wu, using products from his beauty range. Here, she used the Hot Fluff 3-in-1 stick for lips, eyes and cheeks in the shade Eclair for a soft sultry eye and brushed up brows using The Bush brow soap.
@romerojenningsPrabal Gurung, New York Fashion Week
Prabal Gurung brought back full, unapologetic Hollywood Glam with red lips, flicked liner and a generous sweep of hot pink blusher.
@rabens_salonerRabens Saloner, Copenhagen Fashion Week
Danish makeup artist, Trine Skjøth, created the beauty look backstage at Rabens Saloner. The acid green eye shadow clashed against the earthy tones in the collection.
@trineskjoethRabens Saloner, Copenhagen Fashion Week
Trine called upon another scandi brand to create the look at Rabens Saloner, using the shade Scylla (a neon chartreuse) from Byrdeo's Syren Eyeshadow Palette, topped with gloss and the Space Black mascara.
