Ellis Faas

Ellis was born and raised in the Netherlands. From an early age on, Ellis had a good eye for fashion, coupled with a strong opinion about what was or wasn't beautiful. She plastered her bedroom walls with images from Vogue and would often make her own clothes (sometimes with great success; other times failing miserably). She also developed a passion for photography, especially in the documentary, portrait and over-stylised fashion and beauty genres.

Inspired greatly by the work of photographers such as Yousuf Karsh and Serge Lutens, Ellis decided to pursue a career in professional photography when she left school. While on her course, Ellis kept using herself as a model. Each time, she would completely transform herself with make-up. Increasingly, Ellis started to dislike the technical side of photography, while her love for the more intuitive aspect of make-up kept growing.

Vogue Paris cited Ellis Faas as "one of the most influential make-up artists of her time". She’s taking over the industry with her eponymous product line (which launched in 2009) and sharing her artistry experience with both professionals and everyday make up fans. And indeed, she has worked with the world's most pre-eminent fashion designers, photographers, stylists, hairdressers and models. Ellis’ work has been published on the covers of the world’s best-known fashion magazines. Additionally, Ellis has worked for make-up brands, such as Clinique, Lancôme and MAC Cosmetics – and she was asked by L'Oréal to create a make-up line for their skin care brand, Biotherm. After the contract with L’Oréal ended in 2007, the way was paved for her to create her own brand: ELLIS FAAS.

Ellis working on a model in her Amsterdam studio.

[credit: BEAUTYLISH] The Ellis Faas brand

Identity Revealed: a filmed triptych by Ellis Faas
“Magical Africa – Masks and Sculptures from Ivory Coast. The Artists Revealed”

For this exhibition, the curators commissioned a film by make up artist/photographer/film-maker Ellis Faas, asking Ellis to draw inspiration from the traditional masks from Ivory Coast.

“Since ancient times, humans have been using masks – in order to express power and authority; to feel self-confident; to stand out or to hide behind; to not be recognised and disappear into the masses. Not only by traditional masks, but also by disguising and ornamental elements such as clothing, jewellery, hair and make up. But can one truly change one’s identity, or is it merely a temporary transformation? And who or what defines someone’s true identity? Is it the mask, is it the human being behind the mask, or maybe even the creator of the mask?” — Ellis

I think that Faas approach to the African Mask Identity revealed was very unique and extraordinary film clip. The use of make up and material gives each character a different identity through the use of make up. Some faces were revealed and were painted on with different patterns showing a variety of colours and textures on the face. However some masks we thick, heavy and the identity of the person was completely hidden however felt like it was portrayed through the mask, make up, movements and material. I think each person identity were revealed through the individual African masks, every mask was designed and thought through to portray something. I think it just makes you think if you had a mask to portray yourself, your identity, past and background what I would look like and how would we portray it to the world.  

Below is the link to the Identity Revealed - a filmed triptych by Ellis Faas.

| http://vimeo.com/109956784 |

Ellis Faas is a very influential make up artist in today's society. She's worked for some of the worlds leading brands and everyday keeps working forwards to achieve more and more. When researching about Faas she seems such an inspiring woman and artist and never stops working. She strives for more work and has the thought that theirs nothing you cant do as long as you try you can achieve anything. Faas is a huge inspiration to me and the progress through the fashion industry and creating her own line is an inspiration to all. 

“I loved the feeling and the smell of makeup. The touch and the transformation captured me.”

photographic and information source-
http://www.ellisfaas.com/brand/about/
http://www.beautylish.com/a/vxqvn/ellis-faas-interview

http://softly.nothingspaces.com/2014/10/29/identity-revealed-a-filmed-triptych-by-ellis-faas/
http://vimeo.com/109956784