Inuit- make up store

Looking through images that relate to Inuit tribes I came across this beautiful collection of images produced by Make Up Store for a new collection of make up appropriately named 'Inuit'. I was intrigued not just by the beautiful and subtle use of colour but the way that styling incorporated feathers, antlers and fur but never looked over the top. The hair is slick yet intricate with plaits winding around the head and the colour of the adornments compliment that of the make up! Beautiful.

Inuit tribes

Inuit communities are found in the artic and the harsh temperatures influences there lifestyle, such as homes made of snow. Throughout the years Inuit lifestyle had changed by mythology, storytelling and dancing still remain as important parts of their culture.

I decided to research into the Inuit culture because it's very different from that of any other tribes I have looked at and I didn't want to restrict my research. The patterns and markings on the clothes really interest me. The colourful patterns woven into thick warm heavy materials looks lovely against the fur. As well as the long and perfectly neat plaits hanging down by the face.

Scarification using make up

Using a mix of split peas and rice and a heavy serving of liquid latex it is possible to create the look of scarification without the pain!! I have designed a small pattern on the arm of my model, I was happy with the results although I haven't managed to quite match up the skin tones. In future it would be possible to use other objects to give different shapes such as popcorn, string and buttons.

Scarifaction

From a western point of view scarification seems cruel and unnecessary but on closer inspection and with an open mind it is a beautiful from of permanently making the skin and in that respect not very different from tattooing.

The methods used for scarification range from knives and glass to stone, the implement used often depends of the shape of the scar tissue you want to be left behind. To cause the scars to be raised infection is encouraged using the juices from caustic plants as this causes the skin to bubble. Different tribe have different reasons for causing the scaring these can be religious to social views and identification. Scarification can also be a way of making people more attractive and can be used as sexual lures.

Although I was very against the idea of this scarification process in the beginning and struggled to watch the videos of the cutting I can understand that for the people of the tribes it has great meaning and that the pain of this process in relation to the life long decoration is largely outweighed. Having researched this further I can see that what amazing designs can be created and the effect is beautiful and something that I could look at for hours, there is always something you haven't seen.

Images taken from randafricanart.com

Magazine tattoos

Inspired by the very different sorts of facial tattooing I have seen throughout my research I decided to take inspiration from a few of them and translate on to faces from magazines. This is a very simple yet effective way of designing make up looks. It is very similar to using face charts however it is a lot faster and less accurate. The images from this experiment have made me realise that facial tattooing is an effective and interesting way to decorate the face, however, for the brief we have been given the make up would need more elements to the look to give it a fashion edge. I will, however, consider the use of small areas of facial tattooing throughout the design process.

Chimbu Tribe and Jean Charles de Castelbajan

I have continually been amazed in my basic research by the amount of work and skill within the tribal make up I have seen. The Chimbu Tribe also know as the Skeleton men were no exception, covered head to toe in black and white pigment depicting the carefully considered curves of the human skeleton. The tribe are located in New Guinea and the reason for the extreme body paint is to frighten away the enemy. Looking closely at the images I have collected of this tribe I was excited by the fact that every single member of the tribe were individual in their interpretation of this body paint and it got me thinking that from one small idea, for example the skeleton, there is so much scope for different designs and subtle changes can alter the feel of a look completely.

After looking at these images I wanted to see if there were any fashion designers that had taken inspiration from the skeleton, there were a few, but the one that intrigued me most with his designs was Jean Charles de Castelbajan. A lesser known designer from France who has taken an idea and translated it in a number of ways. My favourite piece is the skull inspired hat that I have posted a picture of below because within this project I am also having to consider the hair and adornments.