Isamaya Ffrench
Makeup Artist
From humble beginnings as a face painter, the young makeup artist now has done editorials for W Magazine, British Vogue and Love Magazine.
Isamaya Ffrench is Dazed Beauty's creative director and Christian Louboutin Beauté's new global makeup ambassador. Ffrench has elevated her part-time face-painting job into an impressive career with a portfolio that includes some of fashion’s most high-profile magazines and designers. She continues to produce artistic masterpieces with unconventional narratives.
Ffrench grew up in Cambridge and relocated to London at age 18 to study 3D design at the Chelsea College of Arts, and went on to attend Central Saint Martins for Product and Industrial Design.
She began her career face painting at children’s parties, and refined her interest into skill, landing her collaborations with photographers such as David Sims and Mert and Marcus on shoots for Interview Magazine, Dazed Magazine and Vogue Italia, among many others.
Ffrench’s background in illustration and extensive artistic education serves to refine and elevate her approach to makeup. Her capacity for storytelling through makeup has landed her worked editorials for W Magazine, British Vogue, Love Magazine and several more. She has worked with stars such as Rihanna, Fergie, Kim Kardashian and Miley Cyrus, and designed makeup looks for runway shows including Iris Van Herpen Couture.
Beyond cosmetic artistry, Ffrench’s creative talent spans to include projects such as window displays in collaboration with Liberty of London for London Fashion Week 2013. In 2014, she was appointed the beauty editor of i-D Magazine, a position she left a year later. In 2015, Ffrench was appointed as ambassador for Yves Saint Laurent’s cosmetics line YSL Beauté. Ffrench is part of the London-based Theo Adams Company, a collective of artists, dancers, musicians, actors and singers — and is represented by agency Streeters London. In October 2016, she joined Tom Ford Beauty as Creative Artist Consultant. Ffrench became part of Dazed's beauty launch in 2018 as Dazed Beauty's first creative director, and in April 2019, she was announced as Christian Louboutin Beauté's global makeup ambassador.
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Opinion: Creatives Should Not Fear the AI Revolution
Generative AI tools take the toil out of image making. But learning how to use them is where the real work begins, writes Isamaya Ffrench.
Opinion: Creatives Should Not Fear the AI Revolution
Generative AI tools take the toil out of image making. But learning how to use them is where the real work begins, writes Isamaya Ffrench.
Sexual Healing, in a Perfume Bottle
The luxury fragrance-meets-wellness brand tapped Isamaya Ffrench and Mia Khalifa as the first faces for its ‘sexual energy’-themed launches, founder Yasmin Sewell exclusively told The Business of Beauty.
Sexual Healing, in a Perfume Bottle
The luxury fragrance-meets-wellness brand tapped Isamaya Ffrench and Mia Khalifa as the first faces for its ‘sexual energy’-themed launches, founder Yasmin Sewell exclusively told The Business of Beauty.
The End of Glitter?
“Glow” has replaced “glam” as beauty’s vibe-du-jour, making pearlescent powder and face gloss more in-demand — and bumping glitter from the industry’s VIP ingredient list.
The End of Glitter?
“Glow” has replaced “glam” as beauty’s vibe-du-jour, making pearlescent powder and face gloss more in-demand — and bumping glitter from the industry’s VIP ingredient list.
When Big Beauty Pulled Out of NYFW, Indies Stepped Up
New York’s backstages were ruled by smaller brands making their Fashion Week debuts as big-name brands increasingly divest their sponsorships.
When Big Beauty Pulled Out of NYFW, Indies Stepped Up
New York’s backstages were ruled by smaller brands making their Fashion Week debuts as big-name brands increasingly divest their sponsorships.
Isamaya Ffrench on the Spirit of Collaboration
For two decades, fashion has proved how powerful the right link-up between brands can be. Why hasn’t beauty done the same?
Isamaya Ffrench on the Spirit of Collaboration
For two decades, fashion has proved how powerful the right link-up between brands can be. Why hasn’t beauty done the same?
Isamaya Ffrench on Where Beauty’s Magic Really Comes From
The glory days of backstage beauty are long behind us with front row makeup looks and social media “Get Ready With Me” videos taking its place. But true creativity and a-ha moments can still happen on the runway if we foster it.
Isamaya Ffrench on Where Beauty’s Magic Really Comes From
The glory days of backstage beauty are long behind us with front row makeup looks and social media “Get Ready With Me” videos taking its place. But true creativity and a-ha moments can still happen on the runway if we foster it.
There’s More to Building a Beauty Brand Than Selling Lipstick
The most inspiring fashion brands from Comme des Garçons to Balenciaga are able to satisfy customer desire and still make sales targets. The same can be done in beauty, writes Isamaya Ffrench.
There’s More to Building a Beauty Brand Than Selling Lipstick
The most inspiring fashion brands from Comme des Garçons to Balenciaga are able to satisfy customer desire and still make sales targets. The same can be done in beauty, writes Isamaya Ffrench.
How Isamaya Ffrench Is Reinventing Beauty
The make-up wunderkind and BoF 500 cover star is growing a beauty brand that’s less about prettification and more about ‘world building’ for a generation that grew up with the speed and fluidity of the internet.
How Isamaya Ffrench Is Reinventing Beauty
The make-up wunderkind and BoF 500 cover star is growing a beauty brand that’s less about prettification and more about ‘world building’ for a generation that grew up with the speed and fluidity of the internet.
In Paris, Global Fashion Community Fetes The BoF 500 Class of 2023
Members of the industry index including Pierpaolo Piccioli and Francesca Bellettini connected over cocktails and canapes in Paris, celebrating new entrants including Pharrell Williams, Karol G and Sabato De Sarno.
In Paris, Global Fashion Community Fetes The BoF 500 Class of 2023
Members of the industry index including Pierpaolo Piccioli and Francesca Bellettini connected over cocktails and canapes in Paris, celebrating new entrants including Pharrell Williams, Karol G and Sabato De Sarno.
Pharrell Williams, Isamaya Ffrench, Karol G and Lorenzo Bertelli Are This Year’s BoF 500 Cover Stars
On Friday 29 September, The BoF 500 Class of 2023 will be unveiled. To mark the occasion, The Business of Fashion sat down with four members of The BoF 500 to discuss how they are shaping the future of the industry.
Pharrell Williams, Isamaya Ffrench, Karol G and Lorenzo Bertelli Are This Year’s BoF 500 Cover Stars
On Friday 29 September, The BoF 500 Class of 2023 will be unveiled. To mark the occasion, The Business of Fashion sat down with four members of The BoF 500 to discuss how they are shaping the future of the industry.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
