FASHION, THEATRICAL AND MEDIA HAIR AND MAKEUP STAFF PROFILE
Tom has worked across the Art Enterprise and Photography degrees at Leeds City College.
Tom is a practising artist and is interested in many forms of creative practice; current research is focused on internet culture, and particularly the creation of online communities through the development of new forms of communication
After training in Fashion, Theatrical and Hair and Media Make-up, I began to promote myself as a freelance make-up artist. Whilst working freelance I was employed in a variety of different contexts within the fashion, television, bridal and photography industry. These included Calendar (Yorkshire Television), bridal designers to include Sharon Cowen, Asian bridal wear companies, short films, fashion shows and events and providing makeovers for the public and for promotional images for personalities from TV productions including Hollyoaks, The Apprentice and Big Brother. One of my favourite roles in this time was as a beauty editor for the magazine publication Chic Lifestyle.
My current interests include future forecasting for trends, evolving retail strategies and social media marketing. I am currently studying an MA in Fashion Management and Communication.
Programme Manager – FD & BA Hons. Fashion, Theatrical and Media Hair and Makeup
My role involves managing activities and strategies to ensure the course is running successfully and that staff and students are progressing and achieving their full potential.
I currently teach on the L6 modules; Research Methods and Applied Prosthetics. I have been teaching on the course since September 2011.
I specialise in Fashion Makeup and Prosthetic Makeup.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
FD and BA Hons Fashion and Media Makeup at Bradford College.
PGCE at Huddersfield University.
MA International Fashion Design Management at Huddersfield University
EXPERIENCE
My teaching experience is enhanced by my relationships with industry practitioners who work in various industries linked to the modules that we deliver on the course. I regularly meet with industry specialists to ensure that the skills and knowledge delivered on the course is current and fit for purpose. I enjoy meeting with and working alongside practitioners in the industry to ensure that not only the course content is current but my own knowledge and understanding is up to date.
I have worked in the makeup industry for over 15 years and I have a broad knowledge of working in television, fashion, retail and commercial areas of the industry. I have worked on numerous primetime television shows, freelanced for The Daily Express and The Daily Mirror newspaper as well as working for MAC Cosmetics.
Naomi Francis Course Leader of 4 years for Level 6 BA Hons, on-programme work placements and Graduate employment opportunities.
My background in Drama, Theatre Studies and Art and Design sparked my initial obsession for theatrical makeup and special effects for the film industry. With my appetite to learn and progress into the extraordinary world of makeup and wigs, I graduated from Worcester College of Art & Design with a HND in Theatrical & Special Effects Makeup, Hair & Costume.
My passion remained in theatre, working as a hair, wigs and makeup artist on productions such as ‘Through the Looking Glass’, ‘The King and I’, ‘Cats’ and ‘Arturo Ui’. Whilst establishing my career path over 16 years, I expanded my experiences of the industry by working on various fashion & catwalk campaigns which led me to work for a well-known cosmetics brand as a Business Manager for 8 years. Here I learnt interdisciplinary elements such as marketing, trend forecasting and branding as well as leadership whilst continuing to develop my practical makeup skills and understanding of skincare.
I am currently Course Leader and lecturing on the FD & BA (Hons) Fashion, Theatrical and Hair & Media Makeup programme whilst completing my Masters in Management & Marketing. My continuing field of research explores cultural practices and values in marketing strategies which has furthered my motivations for an inclusive approach in understanding hair from Black and Ethinic Minority communities. Being an area that I am truly passionate in, the ongoing development of skills and understanding of Afro, textured and curly hair is a discipline that I embed into our students’ development throughout the course.
I am extremely passionate about the industry and building students’ confidence in networking, self promotion, innovation and entrepreneurship, with the aim to develop personally and professionally in an exciting field of creative work.
I have been in the makeup industry for nearly 10 years and have worked for both Illamasqua and Urban Decay as a makeup artist and trainer. During my time with these brands, I worked at London Fashion Week, held a demo at UMA Expo and was a finalist in the staff category of Illamasqua’s Distinction in Makeup Artistry Awards held at BAFTA.
My research interests are varied, coming from both a Media Makeup & SFX qualification and a Masters Degree in History of Art, but I have a keen interest in the history of makeup, creative makeup design and exploring gender theory.
Sofie Manners is Course Leader and Lecturer on Fashion, Theatrical and Media Hair and Makeup. She has worked in the department for 2 and a half years, recently progressing to the role of Course Leader.
Whilst studying media makeup I started my career working for Nars cosmetics. Over the nine years in industry I progressed into management roles working for numerous brands including Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Chanel, Christian Dior, Illamasqua and Mac. Here I was given many opportunities including makeup for a Fendi trunk show. I used working for these brands as a networking platform and got to work freelance on shoots for Mary and Millie which were used on ASOS. I completed my foundation degree in Makeup artistry at Manchester City college and BA Hons Top up in Special Effects and Media Makeup Artistry at Bradford City college.
I qualified as a teacher graduating from Leeds City College in 2019 and continue to research into teaching and learning methods. I have recently enrolled onto Fashion Communication and Promotion MA at the University of Huddersfield, here I will learn about different facets of the fashion and makeup industry which I can then share within this curriculum. I am currently researching sustainability within the makeup industry and how this may have an impact on artists. My goal is to enable students to thrive in the industry both academically and professionally.
Natasha Jordan is Course Leader for Special Effects and Prosthetics
My role involves liaising with industry leaders to ensure the curriculum is up to date with the industry demands and technology changes in special effects and prosthetics. Organising a varied curriculum programme which engages with visiting industry professionals from the specialism and which gives students opportunities to gain experience.
I teach on the BA (Hons) Fashion, Theatrical and Media Hair and Make-Up (Top Up) course and the Foundation Degree Fashion, Theatrical and Media Hair and Make-Up course. I have been teaching on the courses since September 2021 .
I specialise in the following aspects of creative art:
- Airbrush makeup
- Sculpting prosthetic appliances and prop making
- Application and colouring of prosthetics and special effects.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
I studied Media Makeup / Business Management / PGCE at York College, Leeds Metropolitan University and University of Huddersfield.
I am starting an MA in Creative Practice this September 2021.
EXPERIENCE
Teaching experience brought to the course – I have seventeen years of teaching experience and course leadership during which I also continued my practice as a freelance makeup artist. As an educator and demonstrator I have taught airbrush makeup techniques for international students at Central St. Martins, London College of Fashion, the Schwarzkopf Academy in London and was a keynote speaker at IMATS, London (International Make-up Artist Trade Show). In recent years, I have led a team through the curriculum writing and validation of four media makeup degree programmes which specialise in prosthetic and special effects makeup.
Experience of the industry – Starting my career in makeup over 20 years ago, I achieved success in the industry working across the UK for different productions and publications as well as live music tours with bands such as ‘Take That’ and catwalks including Britain’s ‘Next Top Model’ Live.
Having previously worked in London as a sculptor and painter for a company who made stage sets and props this led me to specialising my career in prosthetic makeup. Alongside working on set, I have supplied prosthetic appliances for film and TV productions in the UK.
As an airbrush demonstrator for one of the original leading airbrush brands, I was invited to join the committee to write the National Occupational Standards for Habia UK. This established the basis of the industry makeup standards which media makeup qualifications are based on and set the first airbrush training standards required for HDTV, these standards are still in use today.
Inspiration for practice and research – Diversity and representation inspire me; a lot of makeup design reinforces negative stereotypes. I’m interested in creating more layered, well observed characterisations. In recent years, it is increasingly important to include social responsibility and ethics as part of the curriculum to ensure graduate makeup artists are aware of this important part of makeup design.
NOTABLE PROJECTS
- Habia International Skills Team
- IMATS Keynote speaker
- Mist Air Demonstrator
- NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) specialist trainer