Sally Ann Nelson - FdA Hair and Make-Up for Fashion
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you studied before you came to LCF?
I'm half Filipino half British, very optimistic and have been told I'm bubbly! Before I came to LCF I studied a 2 year course in Theatrical and Media Make-Up.
What course are you studying and why did you choose that course?I have always been interested more in the editorial side of make-up so I chose to study Specialist Make-Up: Fashion and Editorial Image Design (now known as fda hair and make up for fashion).
Why LCF?Where ever you go you always hear that LCF is one of the best places to study for this sort of industry, and because I wanted the best tuition LCF was always my first choice.
How did you get involved with London High Street Fashion week?I was contacted by the LCF press office, and I was more then happy to help!
How much practical work do you do on the course?We had 2-3 days a week of practical hair and make-up lessons, but we also had visual studies and cultural studies which I also really enjoyed.
Do you get to do professional make up shoots? Who does the photography?We do a couple of projects with the fda fashion styling and photography which is a lot of fun because they were a lovely group of people.
How do you research for different projects?There are so many ways you can research. It does depend on what you are trying to find out but the ways that I used was the internet and the library.
What make up do you use on the course? Were you taught different application methods?We mainly used M.A.C but we were always encouraged to try different brands and find what we are most comfortable using. We learnt so many different techniques, I'm so glad I wrote them down because I'm so forgetful!
Have you been on any work placements or get involved in any industry projects as part of your degree?We have helped with many of the UAL student Fashion shows and we also worked on Graduate Fashion Week this year which was held in Earl's Court.
How much written and theory work did you have to do on your course?We had to write an essay a term for Cultural studies and our practical projects had to be under pinned with theory. This helped for us to understand that there's more to make-up and this industry then just making some one look pretty - it's so much more then that. Knowing why an image looks the way it does is so fascinating to me, why they used a certain colour or show a certain mood is a good thing to get your head around.It makes you think so much more when you look at an image. What is the message it is trying to show me? Why is she posing in a certain way? Why is this part in focus and this part not? It helps you really think about your own image and how you can make it stronger and more then just a cool photo.
Was there room for individual creativity on the course?Yes there was, our lecturers would show us a demo then we could either re-create what they have shown us, or we could take it and run with it and be as creative and experimental as we like. For me, I would try and re-create what my lecturer did first so that I knew I got the technique and then experiment more.It was also interesting when we learnt about make-up from different ages.Why they used certain colours because they could only use colour from fruits and leaves for lipstick and blusher, coal for around the eyes and finding out why.
Who or what inspires you most?Life in general inspires me, I could be walking down the street spot a colour or an object and I will have a million ideas bouncing about in my head. Places inspire me too, you can see an ally way, a wall, a garden and think of a photoshoot right there and then. What hair and make-up you would do, the styling, the angle etc.
Have you got any tips for students who want to follow in your footsteps?Turn up to class, get your head down, do the work and time management is very important. I know I sound like an old lady but seriously, leaving it until the last minute and then rushing your project or essay is not a good idea!
I know it can be hard to follow your dreams, I'm still working at mine but keep going, stay optimistic and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it!
How did you hear about work opportunities while you were on the course?When it came to the fashion shows and Graduate Fashion Week, it was all done through LCF. There was also teh opportuntity to work for past students who needed assistants or industry people needing make-up artists.
You have been freelancing since you graduated. How are you finding it?It is hard, you tell yourself it won't be easy but you never really know what it will be like until you're living it. I am getting paid make-up work at the moment and have started model scouting for a photographic studio, which is scary but fun. Freelancing is something that takes time, building contacts and confidence to stand out to people. You will have knock backs, I already have but its how you bounce back that counts.
