Everyday I pass a Illamasqua shop on my way to work and I’m always intrigued by the windows. The store is dark and mysterious and has a gothic Moulin Rouge feel. It feels sinister and glamorous at the same time. The models are always sexy and glamorous. This vibe all makes sense knowing their co-managing director is none other than founder of Agent Provocateur, Joe Corre (son of Vivienne Westwood!).
Illamasqua is “a brand that promotes the right to experiment and self-express through the way you look and remains committed to changing attitudes towards subcultures”.
And this week they have announced their plans to take self-expression one step forward and have teamed up with Leverton & Sons of London for their latest venture. What is Leverton & Sons? They, my friends, are well-known funeral directors of London.
Illamasqua and Leverton & Sons have come together to, as they say, offer the final act of self-expression: a corpse makeover. For £450 you can enter into the afterlife looking more glamorous than ever. When you go to pick out your casket you can select the tone of your makeover as well. Smokey eye, anyone?
Some people may think this new partnership is a bit strange. I however think there is something to it. My Grandma passed away in January and at the visitation (I come from a Southern American family where this is common) a few of the (female) family members started to debate whether or not the colour of lipstick the funeral home chose suited her. There were some differing opinions but the end result involved the ‘make-up’ artist taking my cousins lipstick to fix the colour. Odd? A bit. But it did allow for a few much-needed laughs. However, had there been the opportunity to plan the make-up this wouldn’t have been an issue.
So I’m starting to think that, although it’s a bit odd and morbid, planning make-up in the same way you plan an outfit when you plan a funeral isn’t such a bad idea.
What do you think? Do you think it’s a bit eccentric? A good idea? Would you do it?
