Makeup Artist Aaron De Mey Minimalist at London Fashion Week

New Zealand-born, New York-based makeup artist Aaron De Mey was backstage at Irish designer J.W. Anderson’s show for London Fashion Week crafting pure looks and “matte fragility”.

“We’re really trying to amplify a no-makeup state – with no mascara and no eyelash curling either,” De Mey said.

“I’m keeping it elevated, aristocratic – and taking the sex out of it, essentially,” he said. “The girls feel like themselves as I’m retaining the natural rosy color in their cheeks, which adds to the look of aristocratic purity.”

Originally from Tauranga, De Mey was the artistic director for Lancôme from 2007 to 2013. He was named as “One of the year’s Top Beauty Geniuses” by Elle magazine.

De Mey has collaborated with fashion designers for advertising and runway clients including: Dior Homme, Comme des Garçons, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Givenchy Couture, Haider Ackermann, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen Menswear, YSL, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, The Row, and L’Wren Scott.

Original story by Andrea Cusick, The New York Times, September 13, 2014.