MOA: Thank you Jana for taking time to chat with us, please tell us a little of your background?
I started working as a fashion model at the wonderful age of 14 while I was still at school, I then went onto hairdressing which took me up to my 20’s whilst still modelling. I was lucky enough to get to travel the world and meet some truly amazing people. In the mean time, I started to build up my career as a make-up artist in my 20’s which led me into other avenues.
MOA: How did the AOFM business concept come about?
My colleagues and I felt that there was a lack of real education surrounding makeup artistry, particularly within fashion. So, we decided to come together to create an academy of freelance makeup artists that would be trained by full time working makeup artists – a premise that is exclusive to AOFM. We’ve turned the saying ‘those who can’t do teach’ on its head, because we take those that are doing it best and bring them in as guest teachers on our courses. As the only makeup academy to sponsor fashion shows around the world, we are able to provide on-the-job training that fully prepares our graduates for the fast pace of fashion.
MOA: How long did it take you to build up this wonderful empire?
We went from 4 to 20 students within six months and then had to find a permanent location in Soho, London. Within a year we had 450 students attending our makeup classes. Move forward four years and we opened up in New York Times Square area. So yes, you could say we did move pretty fast…gracefully and naturally. The fifth year we started the online concept www.aofmakeup.com where up until now we have produced and shown over 350 step by step videos which are also on our YouTube channel
MOA: Out of the many fashion shows that AOFM puts on each season, can you name a few favourites?
I have quite a few favourites! Here are some of our wonderful clients… Belstaff, DAKS, Moncler, Vivetta, Barbour, House of Holland, Iceberg, David Koma, Viktor & Rolf, Max Mara, Dior, Pucci, Roland Mouret, Ermanna Scervino, Christopher Raeburn, Haizhen Wang, Paul Costelloe, John Smedley, Blood Brother, Dondup, KTZ, Bora Aksu
MOA: Your career sounds incredible, what have been the highlights?
There are so many, but here are some of the best….
When I stopped freelancing back in the day.
Working at all the shows.
Opening the doors to the academy.
MOA: Any bad moments?
Only learning curves and a fine line between friends and business.
MOA: What other Industry members have you worked with?
So many to mention, but very humbled to work with them all and also my amazing team.
MOA: Where do you get your inspiration from?
From myself…Inspirational ideas continually pop into my head on a daily basis. I grew up in an ambitious, determined family and I just had to prove myself to myself a lot of the time. I guess for me...I am my own inspiration.