'Looks on Indian fashion runway more about relatability with people'

Comments [ 0 ] By IANS | 09 October 2015 | 5:16pm

New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Creating a sunglasses look with an eye shadow or going spooky with dark lip shades are common on international fashion runways. But in India, it's more about relating the looks with the masses, says celebrity make-up expert Elton J Fernandez.

To be presented by Maybelline New York, designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna are set to showcase an interesting collaboration between fashion and beauty along with the brand's official make-up artist Fernandez at the ongoing Amazon India Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2016.

"Hero" actress Athiya Shetty, also the brand ambassador for Maybelline New York, will be walking the ramp for the designer duo on Saturday at the NSIC Ground here.

The actress will showcase the designers' pret collection, inspired by the Maybelline woman who is modern, edgy, ambitious and diverse.

Describing Athiya's look, Fernandez told IANS: "It will be young and edgy...a breaking from what we generally see... Beautiful nonetheless."

Asked why Indian make-up artists don't play with looks like their counterparts across the globe, he said: "More than playing it safe. It's just about keeping it relatable with people. Our people at large still don't wear make-up in general. It's mostly kajal that they use on a regular basis. But yes, now, lipstick, blushes and eyebrows are becoming important. It's slowly happening. If you look at fashion and grooming... how it has evolved, is fantastic. There is a huge market."

His focus is fashion, but the make-up expert, who has worked with Bollywood beauties like Juhi Chawla and Kalki Koechlin, loves to beautify brides the most.

"I like doing brides a lot because it is a personal journey. You are with them on the most crucial days of their lives especially in India where there so many arranged marriages.

"They share their most intimate fears with you before they step off. It's a journey and they remember you even after their wedding day. Because it's personal, it's something that I like doing," added the 33-year-old, who also thinks it's good for business.

What about Bollywood?

"Cinema is a different game altogether. If nine things out of 10 are right then wrong thing will get picked up. Needless to say, they are more critical and you need to give far more attention to details and can't take too many risks unless they are complete fashionistas," he said.

Fernandez also has a YouTube channel where he doles out beauty tips. So whether it's a party or your favourite actress' look that you want to ape, it's all there.

He says he doesn't do that for money.

"I love teaching. I don't hide brands or techniques and if other make-up artists follow it, my integrity grows and so does my brand too."

Spring-summer make-up trends?

"Clean skin...it's luminous, highlighting cheek bones, minimal foundation, eyebrows are fuller and not arched. They are more natural and raw, matte lips but not too dry looking," he said.

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