MARIKA D'AUTEUIL

From Makeup Artist to AI Fashion

Designer: An Interview with Marika D'Auteuilww

Marika D'Auteuil, a makeup artist turned AI creator, is a woman of many talents. With a background in makeup and a passion for technology, she has found a unique way to merge the two and create stunning AIpowered makeup editorials.

When asked about her transition from makeup artist to AI fashion designer, Marika explains that she has not made a complete transition. Instead, she sees them as two creative mediums that blend well together and allow her to explore her imagination in separate ways. "I have not transitioned from one to the other. They are two creative mediums that mix well together and allow me to explore my imagination in different ways. What I like above all is to create beautiful universes and beautiful visuals, and both give me the opportunity to do so," states Marika D'Auteuil.

Marika's background in makeup has certainly influenced her design process with AI technology. She says that the images she generates with AI reflect the style and signature that she has as a makeup artist, with lots of contrast, texture, and duality. With over a decade of experience in the fashion photography industry, Marika knows what appeals to her and is able to easily translate this into her AI designs.

Marika walks us through her process for creating an AIpowered makeup editorial. She starts with a theme that inspires her and explores it through trial and error until she finds a world she likes. From there, she plays with the details to create different images and a story that holds together.

To ensure that the AI technology enhances, rather than detracts from, the final look and feel of the editorial, Marika says it's all about balance. Her experience in the field gives her an eye for good taste in themes that can sometimes be hard to master. She emphasizes the importance of details, from the environment to the model, styling, hairstyle, makeup, and lighting, to achieve a harmonious result.

Working with AI technology in the realm of editorial makeup design comes with its own set of challenges, such as the realism of computer-generated makeup and texture issues. Marika acknowledges that the technology is still novel and has its limits, but she is confident that it will evolve quickly. "The technology is new, and I find that computer-generated makeups are not, at the moment, as realistic as hairstyles and clothes, for example. A lot of issues with texture I would say. And we must not forget that the images produced may seem photorealistic, but in the end, they are digital illustrations. Naturally, technology has its limits too. It should evolve pretty fast... "After all, I'm training the machine day and night," she laughs.

One of the biggest challenges Marika faces as an AI fashion designer is making the models appear as realistic as possible, including their hands, which are particularly hard to get right. She sees the future of AI in the fashion industry as an opportunity to reduce waste and make fun designs more accessible and inclusive.

When it comes to ethical considerations in AI fashion design, Marika believes that there will need to be regulations and frameworks put in place, particularly for commercial purposes. "I believe this is a slippery subject at the moment." Brands will need to be transparent about their use of AI, and people will want to know the authenticity of what they are seeing. "People won't want to constantly question the authenticity of what they are seeing."

Marika's design process, from concept to final product, is entirely computer-generated, with AI involved from start to finish. She is even testing incorporating her makeup images into the equation to have digital versions of them. Marika thinks that AI fashion design will be a gamechanger for traditional fashion designers, allowing them to create realistic moodboards and explore different possibilities with ease.

For those interested in trying out AI fashion design, Marika recommends playing with programs like Dall-e, Midjourney, or Stable Diffusion. She encourages any artist who loves technology to give it a try, calling it a fun and incredible creative tool.

Despite her love for AI fashion design, Marika says that makeup will always be her first love. She values the human connection that comes with being a makeup artist and will always choose it over the machine, saying, “Makeup is my first love and it allows me to create and express myself, work with fantastic teams, create beautiful images and travel the world. I'll always choose the human proximity before the machine.”

With her unique background and creative vision, Marika D'Auteuil is a true trailblazer in the world of AI fashion design. You can check out her fantastic designs, and makeup profile, on Instagram at her AI fashion account @illusorybeauty and her makeup account @ lapetitevengeance.

Eugenio Marongiu is a Milanbased commercial lifestyle photographer with 15 years' experience in the field.

Although his focus is not specifically on fashion, he has worked at fashion shows, captured street fashion, and taken backstage shots during fashion weeks in Milan. He has a keen interest in innovations and the crypto NFT field and was blown away when he discovered the world of image generation from text via AI. He has since applied his knowledge and aesthetic taste to create portraits of twins with an editorial slant.

When asked about the focus of his work, Marongiu says that he creates editorials and that his main focus is on diversity, which is also the common thread in his photographic work, saying, "I think I create editorials, and my focus is mainly on diversity because it is also the common thread in my photographic work." He works on style, shape, ethnicity, gender, age, and location and uses Midjourney with the premium plan to have more hours with the fast option, virtually unlimited production, and the possibility of marketing the images. Marongiu admits that although he researches everything to the best of his ability, he also lets the randomness of AI image creation do its work. His biggest challenge is to find the right idea and build the right prompt. It is easy to get an image by writing random words, but getting what one has precisely in mind is not so easy. He often changes a word, moves a comma, modifies some parameters, and tries again until he gets what he wants. He says that the prompt is the key to this new world of expression, and unveiling it is like a chef unveiling a secret recipe. "I must admit that although everything is researched to the best of my ability—because that is the key to distinguishing and carrying out a true project—I also let the randomness of AI image creation do its work. "Version 4 of Midjourney works wonders, and I dare not imagine what it will be able to do in future updates!" states Marongiu.

Marongiu believes that AI will not change photography yet but is just getting started. The speed of development is incredible, and new figures will be born while some disappear. There will be no more limits, and incredible things can be invented. He believes that stylists, make-up artists, hair stylists, designers, and photographers with an extra edge will benefit from this new technology.

Marongiu's work has been well received on Instagram, where he has a growing profile with lots of shares, likes, comments, and messages. He sees AI image creation as a new medium close to photography, and the difference is not the means but the idea. He believes that it is important to study the platforms and software that allow one to create images so that one has one more weapon that one can use in creating an artistic or commercial project.

Marongiu's work in general sees a reworking of reality where imperfection is further emphasized. He sees AI image creation as a new avenue for artistic and commercial projects, and one that allows for more creativity and commitment. He prefers those who make an effort, not those who want a ready-made meal!

Interview by Wynn Wilder

Artificial intelligence (AI) integration is becoming more prevalent as the fashion business develops. AI is transforming the fashion industry in previously unthinkable ways, from creating garments to planning fashion shows.

A fashion designer who has been at the forefront of this movement recently gave me the chance to chat with her. She has been a successful fashion designer for the past 20 years, but it was her curiosity and enthusiasm for AI that inspired her to investigate this cutting-edge technology.

When questioned about her sources of inspiration, the designer said that they frequently include both conscious and unconscious study. She finds inspiration in popular artists, musicians, and designers like Alexander McQueen. She is especially inspired by the visual work of directors like Kubrick, Wes Anderson, and the Wachowski sisters.