Over the last few months, we've been working hard behind the scenes to bring you fresh collections and new content which you will have started to see, with more to come as we head into gifting season!
Over the next few months we are taking you behind the scenes to meet some of the extended team that have helped make this happen.
We've already met Anna - our extremely talented photographer (if you missed it you can catch that here) and next up is our wonderful hair and makeup artist, Louise, who helps us set the mood for our collections.
Louise Heywood is a freelance make-up artist and hair stylist based in London. She has been freelancing for 20 years working across the industry for magazines and on commercial photoshoots for brands such as Asos, Levis and Reebok.
You can follow Louise's work on Instagram.
How did you get into being a make-up artist and hairstylist?
I did Printed Textiles at Art College and then did an MA in Design Leadership. My first job was in fashion forecasting, followed by marketing where I found myself behind a desk and totally uninspired.
I was asked to go on a photoshoot and loved the creative atmosphere with everyone working towards the same goal (a beautiful image), an end-of-day deadline, good music and even better lunches!
When I was little I was obsessed with magazines and had always done my friends' hair and makeup, so it was an area I loved and felt confident I could do. I retrained as a makeup artist and then in hairstyling and shortly after won a makeup artist competition which helped me get an agent. That was over 20 years ago and I've not looked back since.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
When I'm on a shoot, I make sure I’m there at least half an hour early to set up my kit and get some breakfast, because as soon as the model arrives my stopwatch starts as there is a lot of pressure for me to be as fast as possible.
I also make time to look at the clothes and discuss the vibe, lighting and looks with the client and photographer.
It’s also part of my role to put the model at ease - even models are apprehensive with a new team and you can never get the best image from a nervous model.
Things always loosen up nearer lunchtime when everyone sees we have a few gorgeous images in the bag.
My days finish with checking emails for up-and-coming shoots, a bit of admin and cleaning my kit ready to go again.
What do you like most about your job?
Collaborating with a team to create a beautiful image – to me it’s all about the image.
What do you like least?
Cleaning brushes and lugging my heavy kit around London.
If you weren’t a make-up artist - what would you be doing?
Still something creative - either portrait photographer or an interior designer.
How do you find shooting with Decadorn?
Loved it. I have worked with Decadorn before and with Jenna one of the models and Anna the photographer, which really helps us to feel comfortable and creative.
What is your favourite Decadorn piece from our current collections?
I love the chunky chains and the Dalmatian Jasper stones.
Is there a piece from the shoot that caught your eye?
The delicate satellite chain with the Labradorite from the new Celestial Collection is beautiful - it would look lovely layered with a chunky chain!
