After reading the latest post on FashionPhilos, I was moved by her reference to Constantin Brancusi who wrote in 1927,

Each material has its own life....we must try not to make materials speak our language. We must go with them to the point where others will understand their language.

Brancusi reflected the concern of every creative artist, the struggle to implement a cohesive formal plan, to construct a memorable set of relationships and to create art that works. In the case of my own visions for make up application, I anticipate that the materials that are used will be allowed to direct the method of application, where there is often a friction between what designers want a material to do and what it would rather do. I am also fascinated by the results that are so often read as mistakes, and so dismissed, these can so often be a fertile source of new ideas. I suppose the trick may be not to fool with the body's inherent desire to be expressive because it will offer or 'impose' its own suggestions of new forms and ways to work.

Paper Cuts

After looking at so much make up and make up application this week, it has been a pleasure to find the work of Hector Sos who has developed a series of images titled 'Swatch Book Creator'. These immediately bring to mind the more crafted aspects of the design process and elicit a response that negates the now ubiquitous image of glamorized, sexualized female beauty - images of the healthy and exposed body, made-up face, direct and inviting expression.

I recently came across the term 'Design and Emotion', and it immediately struck me that if any design project that I embarked upon were to be successful then I would need to incorporate emotion into the process and outcome. Reading the essay 'Emotion & Design: Attractive things work better' by Don Norman I have begun to ruminate on whether "attractive things work better," and will the design approach I am taking enable me to understand how we use use cosmetics to foster identity. Is this problem centred design or am I just making pretty pictures?

Human Collage

'Human Collage' is an exciting example of creative fashion photography.

Based in Berlin, Studio Straulino has developed a series of works that focuses on make up and capturing the creative

moment of applying materials to the face and body.

It takes time and effort to look this beautiful

For Rodarte's Spring/Summer 2010 Runway show in New York, MAC Cosmetics Senior Artist Chantel Miller, in collaboration with Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy, designed full-sleeve, half sleeve and neck tattoos painted on by hand, using MAC cosmetics and brushes. It took 40 artists and 4 hours to prepare and accomplish the look on the models before the show.

Tribal-Like Illustrations

This tribal mask-like series illustrated by Indian-born Illustrator Nina Chakrabarti is a direct way of re imagining the face. The series below was made for the US/Seattle based magazine, I Want You. It is a way of re-informing the ideas I have surrounding scarification - more literal but still engaging.

Wode

Wode is the first ever visible fragrance by Boudicca. It comes in a graffiti spray can and its color is cobalt blue. At first it will turn your skin and clothing blue, but it will disappear after some time. This version is called Wode Paint, there is also a normal one, Wode Scent, for those who don’t trust it.

Chanel Liquidated

“Chanel Liquidated” is one of Zevs, a French street artist, most famous pieces. It is not only a mural, he also does it as a live performance. This is his new google-style website.