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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Rae Morris part 2


Wanting to know more about getting a toe behind the curtain at Fashion Week I pressed Rae for more information. ‘A lot of MUA’s take on assistants for Fashion Week’. ‘I remember when I first worked at Fashion Week as an unknown. It was one of those “What am I doing here” moments.’ ‘I remember girls flocking to certain artists wanting them to do their make up’

I’ve had that sort of experience myself, and not even in the rarefied atmosphere of FW, so I am buoyed by the fact that one of my idols has been there and done that too.

As for getting to assist at FW, or at any top gig, Rae’s advice is that ‘you just have to really want it.’ ‘There are a lot of girls (and guys Rae, don’t forget me) who think they want to be a top Make Up Artist but they just don’t have the hunger they need to stick out the tough times.’ ‘They need to make things, like assisting at FW happen.’

So what Rae is saying is that although we can all get a look in at great assisting opportunities, only those who are prepared to go the extra distance will get them, keep them and grow from them. It was about now that I had to sit on my hand to stop it flying into the air with a cry of pick me, pick me. That would have to wait. I had to continue behaving professionally and get on with the interview. After all, others were beginning to circle. They needed Rae to face her fans.

So how long does one need to spend as an assistant? ‘I think one year is enough, by then you should be able to step out on your own’ assured Rae. ‘I really judge it on when I feel my assistant is too good for me to expect them to work for free.’ ‘At first they will be getting coffee and cleaning brushes, just like I had to.’ ‘Then I will allow them to do lips or brows etc until they master it.’

I also wanted to know if working in retail cosmetics is the way to go. I did it very briefly for Giorgio Armani, but the GFC took care of that job. ‘Not at all.' ‘I didn’t go that route and a lot of girls who do become complacent and stay there.’ confided Rae. ‘What is valuable about it though is the number and variety of faces you get to work on, that is important.’

So basically I am on the right track, but I need to put the accelerator down and take a huge leap, so…..Rae, is there any chance I could assist you some time soon? …………….’Definitely Ray!’

How psyched am I?!!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Rae Morris


I promised when I commenced this blog that I would pursue my Make Up dream by calling on those who have achieved their dreams and currently operate at the highest levels of the industry. That meant an interview with Rae Morris. I’ve kept my promise, here it is.

I was fortunate enough to land an interview with Rae just before she went on stage to intro her new book Express Make Up. What I wanted to find out from Rae is if there is an Express Make UP Career path.

If you’ve ever had butterflies the size of jumbo jets circling in your stomach you’ll know how I felt heading to this interview. Getting to sit with your idol for thirty minutes may sound wonderful, but knowing you need to supply intelligent conversation and relevant questions that hold their attention for that time is extremely daunting. I’m not unfamiliar with undertaking activities that have me questioning my sanity. This felt a little like skydiving, not tandem, but in an interview there are no parachutes.

So it was in this state of anxiety that I walked up to Rae Morris and her Agent Lisa on Sunday to introduce myself. As soon as Rae greeted me the feeling of free fall subsided. Rae’s immediate and sincere warmth cushioned my landing. Rae is the consummate professional, no uber style bitch here I’m glad to say.

I wanted to know how Rae has risen to the status she has. Did she have to do seemingly endless free work to try to build a portfolio? “I did that for probably a year and a half.’ Assured Rae, which is comforting for us mere mortals, but she continued, “But there’s free work, like the Miss Wednesday competition at the pub and there’s assisting at Fashion Week.” My ears really pricked up at this comment. I’ve done my fair share of Miss Wednesday comps, all the while wistfully fantasising about being back stage at fashion week. So how do you get a gig assisting at a top catwalk show, please Rae tell me do!

I’ll share Rae’s insights in my next post.