Dior’s Pre-fall 2015 fashion show took place last week in Tokyo and Peter Philips’ dazzlingly original take on the makeup was one of the highlights of the show.
Peter, Creative and Image Director of Christian Dior Makeup, explains: “I was mainly inspired by Kabuki makeup with its codified, dramatic aesthetic that plays on the abstract nature of this visual strangeness.”
Here’s how he achieved the overall effect, from eyes to nails (all images by Kevin Tachman for Christian Dior Parfums).
Eyes
Peter Philips emphasized the “importance of the eyes, made up in an ‘electric kabuki’ style, in a reinterpretation of this strangely beautiful theatrical aesthetic. This make-up looks just as good from far away as it does in detail. Using the new Diorshow Pro Liner was so easy it encouraged me to create this cubic bloc with clean lines.”
Get the look: Starting exactly above the iris, the black liner is then applied all the way down to the lower eyelids, creating a rectangular shape that crosses the eyes from top to bottom. Keep the sides of the eyes bare – only the eyelashes within the rectangle of eyeliner are coated with Diorshow mascara.
“I also wanted to punctuate the look with a flash of light,” adds Peter, “so I applied some jumbo-sized glitter to the centre of the upper eyelid at the lash line, which then catches the light when the eyes close, creating a pretty spectacular ‘robotic’ glitter effect.”
Complexion
Peter used Dior’s Nude line of foundations for an ultra-natural finish – as he says:
“The complexion is perfectly even and lightly made up. I chose two soft shades of Diorblush to use depending on skin tone, to add freshness.”
Mouth
Discretion was the name of the game for lips (and nails) as lips looked discreet in Rouge Dior Baume Milly for natural shine.
Nails
…were treated to the delicate pink of Dior Vernis Muguet.
Hair
Guido Palau created a very structured look in the style of a Star Wars-style princess. Hair was smoothed down and parted in the centre, then wound into two plaits at the nape of the neck into the shape of two large symmetrical coils.