“Amazing work is being done by some key makeup artists who are contacting microbiologists so as to provide us with the best possible knowledge.” – Sían Fitzgerald
Fallout from Covid-19 has impacted every sector of society and has led to dramatic changes in the fashion industry which is struggling to chart a new course amidst big chain closures, the end of the runway calendar and uncertainty from head to toe. In this month’s fashion feature we talk to a number of the key players on the scene here, who explain how they’ve been affected and where their future lies.
The Makeup Artist – Sían FitzGerald
“Lockdown unfortunately made me unemployed, like so many others,” says Sían FitzGerald, a make-up artist whose work has appeared in this magazine. “I am lucky that I live with my family so rent wasn’t an issue for me. The biggest impact on my life was taking such an abrupt and long break from my work, but it made me appreciate my job all the more. I thrive on collaborative creative projects, so being isolated stifled any work ethic.”
Admittedly, she finds the return to work “a little bit daunting” given that an integral part of her work involves “touching people’s faces.” In preparation for this, she has been doing online courses provided by specialist sanitation brands such as Barbicide, as well as looking to the practices of makeup artists who have already returned to work in America.
“Amazing work is being done by some key makeup artists who are contacting microbiologists so as to provide us with the best possible knowledge. For the film industry on the other hand, SIPTU has set out their own guidelines and is proposing strict work practices for production companies as well as workers.”
Her concerns regard the “possibility of outsourcing makeup because clients and productions will see the new time restrictions, risks and costs as a negative. Models may be asked to do their own makeup, films might use CGI more frequently to create large crowd scenes.”
However, she remains “excited to see how we all overcome these new challenges and find creative solutions to make our jobs safe for everyone. I’m excited to get back to work with a renewed appreciation and a fresh outlook.”
