Luka Watabe

Q: A few words about yourself...your passion and inspiration...

A: My name is Luka, I’m a Japanese make-up artist who loves the world of colour, and nature’s colour especially is my inspiration. I’m passionate about painting on faces because everyone’s is different and finding their personality underneath is very important to me. For me, face and colour collaborate to make unlimited, fun creations.

Luka Watabe, Japanese make-up artist.

Q: The moment you realised, this was what you wanted to do, who you wanted to be, you were born to be where you are today...

A: When I feel the energy, excitement and tension between people during the photoshoot. In the moment I forget everything else, only creating a piece of art with other artists. I feel very happy to be part of that.

A look being created by Luka.

Q: If you were given an opportunity to work/collaborate with one person in your industry, who would that be and why?

A: Patrick Demarchelier. I’ve been a fan of his beautiful photographs for a long time. They are very classic and elegant. To work with the legend would be a dream come true.

Q: What would be your dream holiday?

A: I want to travel around the world to experience different countries and learn their cultures. I think it would open my eyes wide and feed my mind.

Q: What is your favourite piece of art, photograph, design in your own portfolio and why?

A: One of my favourite photographs is of two models with different skin colour and wearing brightly coloured lipstick. As I’m from a small city in Japan, we don’t have a lot of diversity and I remember being very excited working on people from many different backgrounds. This is one of the reasons that I love London.

One of Luka's favorite photographs is this image of two models.

Ayesha Hussain

Q: The story behind your first photoshoot/exhibition/fashion show - the moment you collaborated with a team of creatives for the first time...

A: The first time I had a photoshoot in London, I had just moved to a new country and I didn’t even have a place to stay. It wasn’t a good start. I was collaborating with other students from my university and seeing their happy faces gave me the confidence to work in London. I still work with them and the experience taught me to keep working hard, doing shoots and to cherish the people who you work with.

A colorful make-up look created by Luka.

Magdalena Bieth

Q: If you were not an artist...what would you do for a living?

A: I sing jazz and it would be great to work as a jazz singer. I really can’t imagine myself working in an office…

Q: What’s your happiness?

A: To spend my everyday life with my husband and to be able to follow my dreams.

Q: This time next year...

A: As I’m moving to the UK for a long stay, I want to be a part of a lot of shows in London, Paris and Millan. Hopefully I will see my name on lots of magazines and work in a top industry to achieve my career goals.

www.lukawatabe.com