Isn’t it refreshing when models smile? Even better, when models reflect the diverse range of ages and characteristics of the (largely female) audiences for the clothes and make-up? Mouchette Bell, the star of our beauty shoot, is one of the models changing the face of catwalks.
At London Fashion Week, she walked in Emilia Wickstead’s show, wearing one of the strongest looks in the collection: a caramel knit shirt with coordinating pencil skirt, a handbag swinging from the crook of her elbow. And then she appeared at the presentation of the Queen Elizabeth II award for British Design to Alighieri designer Rosh Mahtani. She’s just one example of the way designers are normalising diversity on the runway, from height and body shape to age.
‘I’m so grateful to be modelling again,’ says the model turned stylist and fashion-editor, turned model again (she prefers not to reveal her exact age). ‘For too long, we’ve ignored women of different races, women who are voluptuous or older… it’s good for society to be included, and it’s good for business. As humans we like to put everyone in a box, and I never fit in the box.’
A self-described ‘Afro-Celt’ (her mother is Irish and father is Nigerian), Mouchette first modelled in the 1980s, when she was ‘young and quite insecure’, appearing in the likes of Italian Vogue. A career on the other side of the camera at fashion magazines followed, but it was only after she appeared in a show for Bath University three years ago that modelling came knocking again – and she’s since done cover stories and campaigns for the likes of Clarins, Sephora and Arket.
A fan of experimenting with beauty products, she’s thrilled to see the old boundaries disappearing. ‘That’s what I love about make-up: it has nothing to do with age, it’s about what suits you. I’m all for being dramatic with something like a strong lip,’ she says. ‘And the fact that fashion is including older people will affect how people perceive them – just to be seen as happy is such a positive influence.’ Amen to that.
Additional reporting by Emily Cronin and Sameeha Shaikh
From pink eyeshadow to orange lips, this season’s life-affirming make-up trends are surprisingly ageless. Chanel’s make-up artist, Zoe Taylor, shows you how.
Bold thinking
Bold thinking
Credit: Jason
Hetherington
Wearing terracotta on the cheeks, lips and eyelids is a fresh way to introduce brights – and more youthful than mixing and matching two or three shades. Here, Zoe used Chanel Les 4 Ombres in 354 Warm Memories, £44, on the eyes; Kiko’s Blush in Natural Tangerine, £8.99, and Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres in 176 Blood Orange, £22, with Chanel Rouge Allure Ink in 206 Metallic Copper, £31, on the lips. The complexion is given a second-skin effect with Shiseido’s Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation, £36.
Mouchette wears Silk jumpsuit, £430, Equipment. Gold chain, £295, Lucy Williams x Missoma.
Bronze and glow
Bronze and glow
Credit: Jason Hetherington
Keep skin dewy and youthful by steering away from heavy foundations. Instead, give it a sheer glow with Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint, £20. For a quick and easy eye look, Zoe blended Chanel Stylo Ombre et Contour in 36 Contour Mauve, £25, and Chanel Ombre Première Laque in 26 Quartz Rose and 22 Rayon, £26 each, over the eyelids and then dabbed it on to the lips, mixed with Tinker Taylor Lip Oil, £24, to create a glossy effect. Instead of mascara, Zoe used the deepest shade from Chanel’s Les 4 Ombres in 354 Warm Memories, £44, along the roots of the lashes to frame the eyes.
Mouchette wears Cashmere jumper, £340, Equipment. Earrings, £880, Chanel.
Skin first
Credit: Jason Hetherington
Whatever make-up trend inspires you, radiant, hydrated skin is the foundation of agelessness. Zoe recommends blending a drop of oil into your moisturiser for an added glow. Try ADC Beauty 01 High-Performance Moisturiser, £98, with Chanel Huile de Jasmin, £97. After skincare, apply a cream blush, such as Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick in Golden Light, £33, with your fingertips on to the apples of the cheeks and blend outwards towards the temple (a nifty, lifting trick). On lips, Zoe applied Tinker Taylor Lip Balm, £20, for a natural sheen. Nails were given a decorative manicure in neutral tones.
Mouchette wears Cashmere jumper, £265, Tabitha Webb. Gold necklace with two medallions, £3,677, Foundrae.
Lip service
Lip Service
Credit: Jason Hetherington
Give red lipstick a spring twist by pairing it with graphic eyeliner, either applied traditionally or in painterly strokes as seen here. Skin is left bare with nothing more than Augustinus Bader The Cream, £205, to create a natural glow. Zoe suggests prepping lips using a lip liner over the entire lip surface first, to ensure longevity of the lipstick. This also gives you a chance to cheat by filling in any areas that aren’t as full or even as others. Zoe used Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres in 174 Rouge Tendre, £22, followed by Chanel Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate, £31.
Mouchette wears Wool-mix cropped jumper, £355, Tibi. Gold ridge hoops, £129, Lucy Williams x Missoma.
Red alert
Red alert
Credit: Jason Hetherington
Deep red on eyes can be pretty and flattering. Here, Zoe applied Surratt Lid Lacquer in Shu Iro, £35, with a soft brush, followed by Chanel Ombre Première in 36 Désert Rouge, £27. Mouchette’s skin is warmed up with Vita Liberata Beauty Blur in Dark, £29.95, and finished with a dusting of Guerlain Terracotta The Bronzing Powder in 05, £38. Zoe used Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres in 172 Bois De Rose, £22, to precisely line the lips and filled in with Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Camélia in 347 Fuchsia, £33.
Mouchette wears Cashmere sweater, £225, Raey.
Ombre Première Longwear Eyeshadow in 36 Désert Rouge, £27, Chanel
Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate, £31, Chanel
Unlimited Blush, £8.99, Kiko
Ombre Première Laque in 26 Quartz Rose, £26, Chanel
Lip Balm, £20, Tinker Taylor
Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick in Golden Light, £33, Chanel
Make-up: Zoe Taylor at JAQ Management using Chanel
Model: Mouchette Bell at Models 1
Hair: David Wadlow at The Wall Group
Nails: Edyta Betka at Carol Hayes Management
Styling: Jane Taylor-Hayhust
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