The Changing Face of The Lost Business

While we are restricting our movements and only going out when we absolutely need to, we decided to look at the future and what will become of business as time goes on. It is fairly positive and we can see already changes to the market that will be making massive waves to how we view the media world.

There will key aspects of the current climate we will be maintaining such as having smaller shoots and focusing on story rather than just an image which we have talked about before but never seemed to find the time, from a photographic stance it really is interesting working out how we can do this and still have a cohesive narrative.

On a film and TV side, our favorite writers are working from home happily and have taken it under advisement that we want thrillers and horror that can and should be creatable on a smaller budget to fit with the requirements of the current market, will offer us quick turn around for shoots and of course minimal cast and crew requirements which will be a challenge in and of itself that we as a team we look forward to. The Lost Concept is something we are immensely proud of and can see the potential to take our initial idea of moving The Lost Boys and The Lost Girls as a story for stills and to turn this into a storied TV series with a dark edge built around individual stories and characters.

In the interim, we are working on designs, talking to our remote teams as best we can, naturally, we are very worried about our Indian and Nepal contacts and wish them the best at this time of full lockdown in their countries. However, everyone is in good spirits and has been positive so far.

The future is something we cannot solidly control or predict but we do know that we will continue our work for as long as we can. We will finish this by asking that our readers stay safe and well, keep positive and we will all be back to work soon and entertaining the world.

The rise of On Demand TV

With the current climate being so uncertain for the media business in terms of new productions, there is a little hope for those with projects already made or want to find something to watch during the quarantine. Like many, I love a good thriller or a nail-biting horror movie from a viewers perspective to being a member of the team, this is the right time to be thinking about those projects that are backlogged or just to find something to fill the days and nights.

Over time we have been working on some interesting projects (that we have put on hold temporarily) that we will release through HOD TV, the on-demand service tailored to the horror and thriller market, so much is the faith in the service that we signed up as a partner to the company allowing us to offer some support to indie filmmakers across the board.

As a film buff, you can watch a wide array of films from across the world and show some support for the indie film scene, but crucially for us, there is an opportunity here to open a door (admittedly a creaky, groaning door), there are many filmmakers out there looking for an outlet for their movie and its an easier sell to take on horror than any other genre.

So with the downtime we have, the team at lost creatives are making plans for the future and wanted to share this with our contacts out there in the film and TV world, there is a way to enjoy and sell your movies that will be beneficial long term through the HOD TV network.

To learn more about the HOD TV service as a viewer click here.

For submissions and to put your film or project in the horror and thriller genre to the team click here.

We want to wish all our readers the best at this difficult time and ask that you please be sensible and safe. The Lost Project will be continuing to talk about beauty and lifestyle so check the site out for something a little more fun about the makeup world to keep you entertained.

Commercial Shoots and Editorial Goals

We are really excited about the upcoming photo project we are creating and have been carefully selecting clients to work with to augment this and take it in a more commercial direction, with a deal being worked alongside a Scottish clothing designer and a fashion media house in London that will see The Lost Creatives and The Lost Project, taking massive strides toward the creation of our goal of multimedia work.

Structuring the planned work round behind the scenes capturing the collective work of the Lost Creatives and the brands we will be working with to give an increased sense of cohesion and showcase not just the in house talent but also the brands and creatives we meet on our journey.

Within the next few months, we will be adding to our South Asian Stable of clients and collaborators with a new casting service that will be based out of Mumbai, one of our creative director’s favorite places to work incidentally. We will be continuing to work with the team at Nepal Film Production and pushing boundaries with them in what is set to be a hugely important aspect of the business we do. More on this soon.

Our business is naturally evolving and we are starting to see more and more interest from companies and we plan to offer packages for brand placement within the various behind the scenes for editorial/advertorial shoots, our TV series plans (we have 2 fantastic scripts in place) and on a smaller scale 3 short films we are currently planning for the festival circuit combining our in-house artists and actors with talent from other fields.

If any brands are interested in knowing more then please drop us an email to discuss.

JamesC Makeup artist and Creative Director

It has been just over a year since JamesC took down his website and took a break from the world of media and fashion, focusing his energies on the blogs and building up The Lost Concept (for which the team is extremely grateful) but we all decided that it was long overdue that he came back. With new commercial projects and plans in motion, we needed our creative director standing tall and being showcased.

We have been planning this for several months and carefully selected from his previous work for the new site, showcasing only the pieces we felt were the best illustration of his work creatively and offering a starting point to what will be a resurgence in the commercial aspect of his and our business.

The team is really excited about the prospects of this and with our Lost Photo and Video project being planned strategically (for further details or collaborations please email the team) with a series of editorial shoots, cover images and of course short films to start the ball rolling, it is gratifying to see his work back online and moving toward a goal again.

JamesC has been instrumental in all aspects of the Lost Project and Lost Creatives, making the calls and arranging the meetings so it’s truly a pleasure for us to be able to showcase the work.

Naturally, we will be taking steps toward an increased marketing strategy that will fit all aspects of the work of the Lost Concept and the Lost Team with JamesC leading the charge toward new and exciting areas.

To learn more about JamesC and his work see:

JamesC Website.

JamesC Instagram.

JamesC Facebook.

JamesC Linkedin.

Grand Finale Powders by Lord and Berry

Fresh from fashion week the team at Lord and Berry have been testing the Gran Finale loose powders are designed to be a multipurpose powder that will complete your look and offer a professional finish with minimal fuss.

A savvy powder, Gran Finale comes in three shades and makes a great minimalist addition to a working kit for people who want to keep the weight of a working kit down and for shows where there will be multiple skin tones and a restricted amount of space to lay out your makeup kit.

• TRANSLUCENT: it is a white-toned powder meant for just about every skin tone because it turns invisible when applied to the skin.

• BANANA: it is a yellow-toned powder which works its magic to offset any redness, illuminate the skin, neutralizes dark under-eye circles and set makeup – and the best part is that it works on any skin tone.

• JUST PEACH: it is a peach-toned powder designed to give brightness to a dull complexion, to neutralize blue tones and set makeup. It works on any skin tone.

A skin blurring powder which minimizes pores is a soft-focus finish and is universally suitable to work across mediums: film/TV, print, live event and special occasion thanks to the professionally driven team who test the products and produce makeup that suits not just the consumer but the professional needs of artists. *A pro discount is available click here for details.

To learn more about Lord and Berry and their range see:

Lord and Berry UK Website.

Lord and Berry UK Instagram.

Lord and Berry UK Twitter.

Lord and Berry UK Facebook.

Expanding our Horizons With The Lost Agency

There is a number of different ways to look at the word agency which is partly why we are using it. It can be referenced to a management service or the idea of self-agency which in psychological terms is taking control of your own life, both are apt in the case of the lost agency. We wanted to have some degree of management and self-rule over our work which is overall what the lost concept is and why we are now bringing in The Lost Agency as part of our business future.

We often talk about the changes that have become part and parcel of the industry (both good and bad) and how commercial makeup, in particular, has become something of a “lost art,” instead the salon/party style is taking over and newer artists are focusing on the more personal side of the industry leaving people who want to work on the more film and TV level or commercial media side lost in the mix which we found frustrating as did some of our actors.

Focusing on the in-house staff we will be managing a small number of people and business elements as part of the ongoing work of The Lost Concept building on the creative, artistic and media work we have already done taking things forward and bringing The Lost Vision to new levels.

At the forefront of this will be our creative director JamesC who will be heading up more of the media elements and being central to the staff requirements for upcoming work taking a stronger more managerial stance and running The Lost Agency whilst simultaneously developing editorials and project work such as TV shows and photographic work for the sites portfolio and marketing needs.

What this means for the future of The Lost Creatives is we will be posting on the blog requirements for crew and looking at offering training positions on our work and tackling larger-scale projects. One of which we are close to finalizing at the moment with some fantastic brands/designers supporting the concept giving us a chance to showcase the creative work of our team.

Later in the year and into 2021, we will also be looking to put forward bids to take a team to London for off-schedule events during fashion week:

“Our plans and any work within the confines of The Lost Agency and affiliated sites/companies will be subject to agreed terms and a code of conduct. “

Stay tuned for news and updates on The Lost Agency and more in our blog.

MonsterFX Supplies

Founded in 2014, MonsterFX has become a staple of artists kits worldwide.  From its humble roots in a spare room to a respected and loved brand of character appliance suited to the film, TV and print market.  

Created inhouse and developed by UK artists, the brand has gone from being an intellectual exercise and Halloween sideline to a cottage industry with global reach that has seen the product range increase to the now 40+ prosthetics including classics such as “the mummy” to the more contemporary “zombie” with the most commonly required casualty sim pieces.  

A horror artist dream when working to a tight budget the team is happy to talk terms and will even create custom pieces and orders when required.  The inhouse sculptors all bring something unique to the table and have built a stellar reputation both for their work with MonsterFX and within the industry. 

From a professional artist whose work goes across various budgets and constraints, the scope and potential of the MonsterFX range is epic and offers a creative playground that will not only add dimension to film and TV projects but save cost without compromising on quality.  

With the constant changes and innovations in the market, the company is excelling in the character field and giving artists of all stripes access to the best possible products and materials making the work of a makeup artist a little simpler and creating happy productions with the depth of horror required to offer thrills, chills and on Halloween a dimension of fear that will be unrivaled at parties.

To learn more about the Monster FX range or to purchase see:

MonsterFX Website.

MonsterFX Facebook.

MonsterFX Instagram.

MonsterFX Youtube.

MonsterFX Twitter.

Creative Direction and Marketing Within The Lost Group

The Lost Concept has really taken off and we cannot be happier about the direction it is taking. With clients across various genres: beauty in particular, within the realms of film/TV (in South Asia) and fashion services (London) and a travel company making full use of tour services as an industry blog to name but a few of the services we have provided.

In the next few weeks, we will be fully implementing our marketing plans with editorial and short films (for festival entry) before we release our new and exciting next stage in our venture. As the founder and creative director, JamesC is really excited and has been front and center of all the upcoming changes and planning for the new websites, his own portfolio upgrade and of course the selection of the scripts.

A big thank you to all the people who have supported The Lost Project and The Lost Creatives and helped make it the success it has been so far and continues to be Naturally, we are going to keep working hard on this and have got so much more to come.

We, of course, owe special thanks to the following people and companies for their support and encouragement (as well as trust), who have been a part of the onward journey:

Nepal Film Production.

Pinnacle Expeditions.

House of iKons.

World Fashion Media News.

Lola Makeup.

Over the next few weeks and months, there is so much more planned and we will continue to grow the business within the parameters of commercial arts and media with a series of projects designed for the marketing of the team and our clients.

iKonic February Fashion Moments

From its launch in September 2014, The House of iKons has grown into a leader of the fashion world evolving above and beyond expectations with talents in design and crew coming to the forefront of fashion giving the elite a run for their money. The 2020 February show was no exception to this with a sense of style and panache, they have brought diversity to the world of fashion.

Developing the show was no easy task and it has all been overseen by the smart and talented Savita Kaye who has been front and center of the move to push the fashion business to new and exciting heights, a spectacle, yes, savvy, absolutely, it is without question a show but it is the behind the scenes elements that have really grabbed the attention of the mainstream, in particular, the new deal in place with China:

“The evening solo segment was in partnership with the UK-CHINA FASHION ARTS & CULTURE celebrating the beauty, culture, art, and fashion. With the media and press coverage on China at present due to the ‘coronavirus’, the CEO stated it was imperative that this segment is pushed to the forefront, highlighting that House of iKons does not discriminate and that there is only one race and that is the Human Race. Feedback from this segment was very positive, collections were graceful with a twist of both Chinese and western influences.”

Celebrity Sinitta/ Photo by Hicks Mestry

With a clear message that nothing will stop business and fashion wins, it is no surprise that The House of iKons team has become one of the top 6 respected fashion events worldwide and the media are loving it with this season’s show was also part of a USA reality TV show ‘Rising Fashion Show’ which will be aired on Amazon Prime, and this iKons show will be the grand season 2 opening. The reality TV show will also be returning to London in September’s fashion week with House of iKons highlighting not just the show but the build-up, drama just before the catwalk.

As they move forward to begin the planning of the (even bigger) September show it is with bated breath that we watch the exceptional growth of the company that has broken taboos (trans, nonbinary and gender-fluid models gracing the runway) whilst maintaining a dignity that rivals are clamoring to match and the celebrities are flocking to see.

To learn more about The House of iKons:

The House of iKons Website.

The House of iKons Facebook.

The House of iKons Instagram.

The House of iKons Twitter.

The House of iKons Youtube.

Professional Supplies With The Makeup Armoury

Founded in 2016 The Makeup Armoury has become a go-to for industry suppliers. From beauty to FX they are a community-style shop designed to support the professional working artists of the industry. Started by a veteran of the industry Jan Sewell, this has become a go-to supply station and all-round makeup hub.

With a wide range of products from across the beauty and FX spectrum, The Makeup Armoury is setting a new benchmark in professionalism with their dedicated team of working artists making the biggest difference to how the shop works, the team are able to answer questions and offer support which can easily be seen from the blog and the general tenor of the reviews and people being interviewed.

A savvy array of products such as the world-renowned Makeup forever and artist dream Viseart palettes, it is the set bags that have become their biggest sellers. As any artist will tell you, carting your kit onset is just not practical. A good set bag, which the working artists behind the brand have found, can make your job so much easier.

Standing out (for our creative director in particular) is the Marlene, with a detachable tissue pocket and dividers internally it is the perfect accompaniment to working on set for film, TV, editorial and more.

 “The makeup industry with all its effervescence and ingenuity can be relentless and ruthless – this is where we come in. We are your comrades. We are your tools. We are your Armoury.”

To learn more or to purchase from the Makeup Armoury store see:

The Makeup Armoury Website.

The Makeup Armoury Instagram.

The Makeup Armoury Twitter.

The Makeup Armoury Facebook.

Alfa Italia Pro Styling Tools

LISCIO DETANGLING BRUSH

Within the hairdressing arena, Alfa Italia has become synonymous with style and grace, professional tools designed to work in a salon as easily as backstage at fashion week. Inspired by Italian style icons such as Sofia Lauren, Carla Bruni, and Monica Belluci whos beauty has become the benchmark for Italian style, they are always at the forefront of professional style the team research and development top tier products designed to work as hard as they look good.

Pushing new boundaries in the pro realms, it is common to see the Alfa Italia range used in demos of session styling and in the working kits of leading hair and beauty artists. *A backstage must they are amongst an elite range of brands that can make the claim of fashion week approved.

Standing tall in the market they have won numerous awards, noteworthy is the detangling brush which has become an icon for its looks and a staple for its practicality. When it comes to the prosumer we are finicky and want the best tools and kit with a touch of style. Another reason to take the plunge and become a part of the Alfia Italia family, the styling tools are solidly built to hold up to the rigors and needs of a professional hairdresser or makeup artist working in the market today.

Defining themselves in the market as pro-grade essential, Alfa Italia is the choice of professionals.

To learn more about the range or to purchase see:

Alfa Italia Website.

Alfa Italia Instagram.

Alfa Italia Facebook.

Phone Calls, Planning and Pushing Boundaries

In the last few months, we have been working on something a little different that will change how we approach business longterm. While the goals are still the same it is the actions that will be redefined with a new corporate name and the closure of our books, we will not be taking in new staff long term but focusing on short term contracts and freelancers to create opportunities that will be agency (management based) giving us a more structured sense of control on the artistic and fiscal aspects of the work we undertake.

The overall feel of the Lost Concept is what we are planning to focus on and our South Asian contacts including Nepal film Production and a select number of artists in the acting field to create a stable of talent that will be at the heart of the business. HOD TV will be a major part of our future plans along with actor and model Raj Srivastava who has been a big supporter of the work.

Structuring a full-scale marketing plan built around different media elements such as editorial, short film, and TV with some cover images being created just for this project to showcase what we are and what we do.

New sites and business development projects/strategies that we will be announced soon are going to be leading the charge on how The Lost Concept is showcased and offering a different slant on how the creative art world works. While there is more to be done, we are really happy with the progress we have made and the support we have received so far to the prospect of our goals and proposals.

It is worth note that much of the work (and support) has been dependent on scheduling phonecalls via Whatsapp and Facebook messenger due to time differences etc.

Lord and Berry Supporting The Fashion Elite

With fashion week coming up and so many shows, designer showcases and events happening across the globe that it is impossible not to talk about one of the leading brands working behind the scenes in the European fashion scene: Lord and Berry. A staple of Milan fashion week and a standout during London and Paris, the company has become a go-to for the premiere event artists of the world for their cohesive, professionally-oriented and comprehensive makeup line.

From a professional stance, the Lord and Berry range is growing to meet the demands of designers and models with key elements and new products that are designed to fit the beauty industries’ commercial needs. As many of us know (especially those from a show background be it theatre or fashion) you need products that are going to work, be cost-effective and give you a comprehensive range from the base (foundations) to shadows that will work with your business.

What catches the eye with Lord and Berry, aside from their stellar credentials, is the dedication. From its start in 1992, when it was considered a niche brand to the current ties to Milan Fashion Week and a household name, they have created a clean, simple line with all the hallmarks that for working artists mark it out professionally as a brand to know, not just developing products in their lab they are using them backstage testing the limits and showcasing the potential of their makeup.

*Noteworthy products like the cream blusher and the new Skin Control Primer (must-see items for the bridal artists and of course fashion) are taking the world by storm, and rightly so, showing the savvy of the team who are thinking of their working artist clientele and giving us products that will work on editorial, event and more. The creme foundations with their clear and concise range of tones and the clever use of plastic bottles making them lightweight and easy to use which realistically in a working kit is a major plus point that shows the thought process behind the company working at fashion week, full understanding that we artists need to travel and extra weight can be a strain.

With a professional discount program: for details of the pro discount click here, their extensive fashion week credentials and of course the range itself, they are in the top list to have in a working kit by many professional makeup artists in the industry today.

To learn more about the Lord and Berry range see:

Lord and Berry UK Website.

Lord and Berry Facebook.

Lord and Berry Twitter.

Lord and Berry Instagram.

*Image courtesy of the lord and Berry website.

Dollbaby London lashes for Professionals

Already seen as a pro must have and a celebrity favorite with artists such as Cardi B, the Dollbaby London Magnetic lashes are a professional addon that is well on its way to becoming the professional beauty artists choice for fashion shows, shoots and bridal.

Designed to be quick and easy to apply the lashes are an ideal solution for those who worry about latex-based glues and want something that will speed up the process without losing any of the glamor that goes with the right set of lashes.

An on the go solution, Dollbaby London is at the cutting edge of lash technology being faux mink (cruelty-free) and vegan. With several awards already under their belt, there is something to be said for the range that is making waves and drawing eyes.

From a purely pro stance, the Dollbaby London range fits perfectly into a working kit for fashion week through to the upcoming wedding season, the potential for these lashes is endless as we see more and more professionals picking them up and using them in their day to day work in live events, weddings, print, and red carpet events.

With our plans for film and TV as well as several editorials we will be integrating these lashes into our work and feel that they will change how we work with our female models and actors in prep time giving them something fresh, innovative and designed to work within a professional scenario.

To learn more about the range (including trade options) or to purchase see:

Dollbaby London Website.

Dollbaby London Instagram.

Dollbaby London Facebook.

Dollbaby London Twitter.

Marketing using Magazines and Behind the Scenes

With the creative development work being done and a much more solid sense of the future of the Lost Concept, we are shooting content and work that is specifically tailored to marketing and will be slow-released as we set out our editorials and other magazine elements in the coming months.

Our goals have become really clear and we are determined to push forward with an agenda of creative commerciality that was our goal from the start of our journey.

All the strategies we are using require a certain amount of investment both financially and in terms of time but will ultimately bring into place what we want and can be used by a wide range of people to accommodate their own business model from makeup staff to the filmmakers themselves.

For us, we are focused on film and TV with a minor but none the less important aspect in fashion and print for the marketing value. *There are sites that are dedicated to magazines that offer different packages that with careful checks and a little effort will make good marketing tools for business.

The logic we are using to work this is we are a business, we want to create content that sells and promote ourselves in the best light with key members of the senior team organizing and looking at the different aspects structuring the photoshoots around the magazines to maximize the potential of the work across the board; this does mean we have had to calculate a budget to cover the costs and will be talking to a Google rep this week about SEO.

Our preference overall is for digital magazines and online content sites as the overall potential reach is higher when you combine the magazines reach and our own social networks (this can be a smart method of driving home your brand and giving validity to your skills).

From cover images to interviews, the options are endless and we are going to be adding behind the scenes stills and video to our arsenal with our script work in motion and a solid sense of the future of our company it is going to be a fun few months as we finish our additional sites and creative director JamesC reopening his portfolio site with fresh content, after 20 years in the job and his various travels the time feels right to relaunch his site, he will still be a heavy influence on our blogs but will also be influencing the direction of the business more strongly in terms of the look which we are all very excited about.

Cult Candy Cosmetics For Professionals

In a savvy move that will benefit makeup artists across the board, Cult Candy Cosmetics is taking their range into the pro realm and offering a discount aimed at professionals and makeup schools to open the door to the brand as a staple of a working kit.

What this means is an already affordable and vegan-friendly brand is showing solidarity with the creative community and giving back to the people who are using the makeup.

*For more details on the discount or the potential of the range for schools and artists talk to the team.

“The colours are vibrant, deep, warm, cool and versatile. The palettes each encompass eight diverse shades, with a mix of deep and light. They allow for experimentation and as a vegan product the pigment is vibrant and has staying power.”

To learn more about the brand or purchase from the range see:

Cult Candy Cosmetics Website.

Cult Candy Cosmetics Instagram.

Creating an iKonic Show

When talking about fashion week or even the off-schedule events, there is one show that stands out above and beyond the rest: House of iKons. a stellar showcase weekend of fashion that is fast becoming a household name globally for their savvy marketing, press coverage and the divine array of designers whos work grace the catwalk.

From humble roots to a leading light in fashion in a few short years, it goes without saying that the talent-driven event holds a place creative director JamesC’s heart as he was there for the very first show working backstage as a makeup artist.

Through the years House of iKons has built a solid reputation for the shows and taken risks in film and music supporting various projects both inhouse and on a global scale with CEO and founder Savita Kaye taking on the line producer role for projects more than once in her career.

Giving a platform to the creative and working that tricky middle ground of commercial, it is within our sites to return to the fold and possibly pitch for members of our own team to work (alongside a sponsor) at the show which at this time has an extensive waitlist for not only the designer slots but the backstage area and we will be discussing the options with the CEO later in the year, although we most likely will be sponsors and front of house as a blog team.

With so much on the table with the lost creatives and our sister site Lost Project, we love the potential to showcase and it is little to no wonder that the House of iKons is top of the list for fashion bloggers and magazines with an ever-increasing TV channels like BBC worldwide, etc, vying for a slot at the prestigious show and a waiting list for the press pit.

To learn more about the iKons show or to purchase tickets see:

House of iKons February Ticket link.

House of iKons Website.

House of iKons Twitter.

House of iKons Facebook.

House of iKons Instagram.

George Westmore Establishing an Industry the Legacy of Makeup Artistry

George Westmore an on Set Moment

In the early days of cinema, it was common for actors to do their own makeup and wigs, a craft that found its roots in theatre and vaudeville and carried over to the beginnings of the film industry and changed dramatically thanks to the savvy and artistic vision of George Westmore.

George Westmore, whose vision brought him from the Isle of Wight in the UK where he had established himself as a hairdresser and wigmaker, going onto become a leading light in the film industry working his way from Canada to the USA as a wigmaker with his family and taking risks along the way that led to a career and legacy that is still talked about today. 

With an inauspicious entry into cinema: offering his services for hair and makeup to the Selig Polyscope Company at a starting rate of $25 per week to later and by chance, it was Perc Westmore (son) offering support to Adolphe Menjou who had accidentally shaved off part of his mustache, which so impressed the legendary Douglas Fairbanks (senior) that the Westmore’s were hired to create all the wigs and take care of the hairdressing needs thanks to the professionalism of Perc Westmore and his father George Westmore (father of the clan and founder of the makeup artist industry we all know). 

With a client list that reads like the who's who of cinema throughout the years, from the Talmage family, Theda Barr, Douglas Fairbanks to name but a few, it is no surprise that the ethics and work started in early cinema with the Westmore clan have carried on throughout the cinema age into TV and beyond keeping alive a family legacy of excellence and defining a now multi-million-dollar industry.

To learn more about the Westmore family and its legacy see:

The Westmore’s of Hollywood Website

*With Special thanks to the Westmore family for supporting this blog series.