Art and Makeup Artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis

Precious Rubies, Sapphires sourced from Vietnam are exciting as discovering renowned makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis. Like these fine gemstones, her groundbreaking creative talent is equal to their sparkle. Her enthusiasm, energy, draws an eclectic crowd into the fashion world she lives in. However always grounded, she has a great love of her roots from Vietnam, and family are an integral part of her life. Born in Ireland and now London based Lan is married to Brendan also from Ireland her rock and soulmate and has a baby girl Eva Marie.

What she has showcased this year at London Fashion week was beyond Art, but legendary Art!

The location was a great choice being the Vestibule at Free Masons Hall in Convent Garden. Like her work, every wall, floor, ceiling of this iconic building is filled with intricate detailing of shapes, color, and patterns.

At the beginning of her event, a queue that went around the building was described as one of the biggest turnouts for the opening of London Fashion Week. Guests arrived at a barrage of paparazzi photographers trying to get in at her anticipated launch.

Gin cocktails by G vine de France designed by Paul from Boutique Brands were served as magician Steve Rowe enthralled delighted guests. Also as a gold statue, painted on model BB Kaye, he stood bold as a storyteller.

The music really set the tone and ambiance as the models glided down the grass catwalk in keeping to the blossom garden by Ryan and his team at Love Flowers.

Halfway down the catwalk a tree embellished with Hydrangeas, roses, shards, chains, gold, and red apples hung on ribbons, this was complete with entwined hand-painted embroidered fabric by Sarah Cross inspired by Peacock feathers.

Partially hidden at the beginning of the catwalk was a plush table feast complete with giant birdcage, red and gold Ostrich eggs, sumptuous candelabras embellished with classic and exotic flowers. Stunning bespoke creations by Couture Chairs, gold giant flowers by Ivana Inhoel. The all-time decadence of a giant bust, hand-painted by Debbie Wingham of couture cakes, was also a highlight as guests were invited to join into the feast.

The vocals of the choir of Urban Voices Collective lifted the roof and tears began as guests were led on an emotional journey of art leading right up to the final model. The musical pinnacle, revealed the iconic cover look of Picasso, inspired using the latest products and special effects from Krylon

Wearing a dress designed by Inbar Spector one of Lans’s first collaborators and worn and owned by Paloma Faith the dress itself is a piece of art.

Even the luxurious gift bags were in keeping with the event filled with products. A bespoke candle with a lip design from the book that Lan especially collaborated with Sensi Chic to create a beautifully sweet and rich smell. The limited-edition is available to buy now until Christmas. The makeup products from Kryolan, the fashion fix hair products from Toni&Guy, the beautiful designs from Face Lace made especially, the handcrafted embellished Cakes by Cake Pop Passion, the lip inspired on a canvas biscuit by Debbie Wingham and specialist skincare range from Alona Schecter and exclusive membership for Champagne for Life.

Proudly supporting her from Fashion Scout, Martyn Roberts and Gina Hewitt have known her for years watching Lan’s talents blossom even further through her collaborations with many fashion designers shows that take place there.

Paloma Faith attends effervescent as always

As an inspirational leader in her field, she breaks the boundaries of imagination. On this occasion she collaborated with other creative talents, such as dancer and model Glenn Ball who art directed the show, celebrity stylist Karl Willet who created a catwalk look so decadent, opulent, theatrical, this was couture in all it’s splendor. Avant-Garde award hairdresser Chie Sato and the Toni&Guy Session team who seamlessly dressed the hair to perfection. Details of glamour nails with lots of crystals and embellishment by Pebbles Akins.

Backstage is one of the many rooms was taken over by a sea of makeup artists under the calm direction of Lan applying layers of mind-blowing variations of textures, colors, lotions, and potions sponsored by her long time collaborator Krylon. A running element in the show was gold, in recognition of Child Cancer Awareness. Lan being a first-time mother herself.

The show was… Well I say no more, watch the video, as it all unfolds

Lan passionately quotes, “‘The gold ribbon that stands for Children Cancer Awareness was an inspiration to paint and Go Gold by a group of makeup artists who recently had lost their own children to cancer and their stories broke my heart. I wanted to do what I could to help raise awareness. Children have the right to a life no matter how young they are when they come into this world”

ART AND MAKEUP

If there is one publication you should put on your coffee table, let this be your pride and joy!

Published by Laurence King Publishing, this page-turner submerges you into her world of the fantastical mind of a genius.

Each image is fascinating and will require a second detailed look as to how she achieved such an extraordinary use of makeup. From bold lips that look like they are set in the blackness of space that has equal colors, textures found on the surface of Saturn to models that look like they have been encased in vacuum plastic, ballerinas in flight with gravity-defying couture boots…she is a storyteller of untold imagination with an ability to keeping it exciting, fresh and in stylish good taste.

Credit stockists of book

Available on Amazon and limited edition cover exclusively from Kryolan Stores.