On the runway, the pair highlighted the link between style, beauty, and art.
Isamayah Ffrench is a true artist in every meaning of the word if you are unfamiliar. She has consulted for companies like Byredo Makeup and Tom Ford Beauty, worked with celebrities like Rihanna and Rosala, Fergie and designed makeup looks for runway shows including Iris Van Herpen Couture and developed her own line of beauty necessities.
The Electric Duo
Isamayah Ffrench is the epitome of eclecticism. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that Dion Lee, an Australian fashion designer known for his avant-garde and architectural designs, chose the British cosmetics artist and businesswoman to assist in the development of his FW 2024 collection. It’s amazing Ffrench had the time at all. Following the worldwide success of her Lips collection, the beauty tycoon who puts the “art” in “makeup artist,” swept fashion week by storm in the true French style.
Models wore snakeskin prints from Dion Lee’s collection, which was more accurately represented by a python bag and a green snakeskin, biased cut skirt on the NYFW catwalk. Yet, Lee incorporated his distinctive look, with models sliding down the catwalk in laser-cut bodysuits that preferred reptile texture and even a barbecue dress with a Dion Lee twist that made it resemble dorsal scales shedding—a unique take on regular clothing. As I felt, it made them stand out in the arena leaving the audience in awe.
Laying forth a Second Skin
For his most recent Fall/Winter 2024 collection, “Second Skin,” Lee looked to nature for inspiration and the reptilian world for design ideas. According to the designer’s show notes, the collection is based on terms like “snake,” “serpent,” “scale,” “reptile,” “shedding,” and “ouroboros,” to name a few. The designer explained backstage on the day of the event, “My last collection was really looking at patterns in nature and this idea of biomimicry, so it went from that leaf and nature motif into something that was more reptilian.
The majority of runway beauty trends are simpler than futuristic. Isamaya Ffrench challenges us to experiment with our appearance and makeup while reminding us that beauty is an art form. We were charmed by the snakeskin third eyes that Isamayah Ffrench gave several of the models as she paraded a variety of cosmetic treatments down the catwalk. We spoke with Isamayah Ffrench, who discussed her Lips campaign, the inspiration behind the design, and the process of working with Dion Lee.
Above of All
What made you want to partner with Dion Lee?
Isamayah Ffrench: I’ve always loved his clothes, they’re so sexy, comfortable, and modern. He’s had a very strong aesthetic and vision since the beginning of his career and I love to watch the brand grow. I feel very luck to work alongside it.
The majority of runway beauty trends are simpler than futuristic. Isamaya Ffrench challenges us to experiment with our appearance and makeup while reminding us that beauty is an art form. We were charmed by the snakeskin third eyes that Ffrench gave several of the models as she paraded a variety of cosmetic treatments down the catwalk. We spoke with Isamayah Ffrench, who discussed her Lips campaign, the inspiration behind the design, and the process of working with Dion Lee.
It’s fashion week, so perhaps you’re thinking that the emphasis should be on clothes. I understand,I’ve noticed that there are usually three beauty trends: a dramatic lip, a smoky eye, or a dewy, bare-faced complexion (read: the no-makeup makeup looks). Indeed, they are classics, but Isamayah Ffrench’s amazing and astonishing works of art go well beyond what anyone could have envisioned fashion week beauty to include.
Also, despite the fact that her makeup styles make a statement, they don’t take away from the garments rather they seem to be a logical continuation of the designer’s ideas. The idea of doing something so unique on the runway and the decision of Lee to work with Isamayah was one the best decisions as it all intertwined on the runway.
