We Talked to Kat Von D’s Artistry Collective About What’s Coming Up For the Brand
You may recall that back in March, Kat Von D launched a global artistry collective made up of four makeup artists based in Vancouver, California and Salem. The four artists were slated to become faces of the brand, along with Kat herself, of course, and assist in everything from product development to the brand’s Instagram page. And, man, have they done all of that and more.
When half of the collective—Leah Carmichael and Kelseyanna Fitzpatrick—were in Toronto this week, they stopped by the FASHION office to talk new products and what they’ve been up to. Read our interview with the very talented (and super sweet!) Carmichael and Fitzpatrick below.
FASHION: What new products have you been working on?
Kelsey: The new Everlasting Glimmer Veil is an amazing, super metallic, super glittery, opaque longwear liquid lipstick. It’s our most long-wearing liquid lipstick so far. And you don’t actually need to wear anything underneath. It’s cool because there’s an option for everybody. It’s a cool alternative to gloss if you want a super high shine finish but not the texture.
Leah: The new Shade+Light Creme Contour Palette. I was very afraid of contouring before even as a makeup artist. It’s always scary. But these are great to build. It almost mimics skin. It’s super lightweight but long-wear.
FASHION: Do you have any contouring tips for those who are still scared to try it?
Leah: Always start from behind. Wherever you start, whatever colour you choose, that’s going to be your point of intensity. You should always pull it forward and never add more product.
FASHION: What was the hiring process like once Kat slid into your DMs and asked you to be part of her artistry collective?
Kelsey: Crazy.
Leah: We had a day where we had to go out to San Francisco and we had to create tutorials. Not all of us had done them before. Steph’s had her cat in hers by accident. They were all over the place but were really fun to make. It showed us that we were actually going to be able to be super creative.
Kelsey: I had never met Kat until she messaged me on Instagram saying she wanted me to come down to be a part of the events team for the trade shows. A couple weeks later, I went to LA and met her and the rest of the girls. The same day, she invited me to come to her house. I went to her house by myself. We were just talking and playing with her cats and she brought up being a part of the artistry collective that day. She had already chosen the other girls and was basically checking out if I’d be interested. I didn’t really believe her that she would want me to do it. A couple months later, they flew us down to San Francisco and we had the interview. It was super secret at the time. We had this crazy thing going on and couldn’t tell anybody. We were just freaking out to each other.
Leah: When Kelsey flew down, we already knew Kat wanted to ask her.
Kelsey: I had no idea.
Leah: Kelsey was our favourite. So yeah, we have the coolest job in the world.
FASHION: What’s your day-to-day life like?
Leah: Lots of photos. Lots of makeup photos. Lots of makeup. Lots of Instagram.
Kelsey: Either we’re at home working on content for Instagram or flying somewhere and teaching a class to Sephora. It’s always different.
FASHION: What is it like working with Kat?
Leah: She’s very hands-on and supportive.
Kelsey: People always say to me, “I see you’re working for Kat Von D beauty. Do you know her?” I’m like, “Yeah! We’re pretty good friends, actually.” People don’t realize how closely we do work with her.
FASHION: If you had to pick your favourite Kat Von D product, what would it be?
Leah: I love the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Nosferatu. That red was made for me. I wear it almost daily. It’s my go-to.
Kelsey: I’m obsessed with Tattoo Liner. You can do anything with it. It’s so long-wearing and easy to use. I love using it for eyeliner but you can use it to create cool eyebrows our freckles or lipstick if you really needed to.
FASHION: I once asked Kat the same question and she said basically the exact same thing.
Leah: She carries so many around. Always.
 Carmichael and Fitzpatrick below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXoqt82AOUz/?taken-by=iamleah
FASHION: What new products have you been working on?
Kelsey: The new Everlasting Glimmer Veil is an amazing, super metallic, super glittery, opaque longwear liquid lipstick. It’s our most long-wearing liquid lipstick so far. And you don’t actually need to wear anything underneath. It’s cool because there’s an option for everybody. It’s a cool alternative to gloss if you want a super high shine finish but not the texture.
Leah: The new Shade+Light Creme Contour Palette. I was very afraid of contouring before even as a makeup artist. It’s always scary. But these are great to build. It almost mimics skin. It’s super lightweight but long-wear.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX81KnRjQ_w/?taken-by=kelseyannaf
FASHION: Do you have any contouring tips for those who are still scared to try it?
Leah: Always start from behind. Wherever you start, whatever colour you choose, that’s going to be your point of intensity. You should always pull it forward and never add more product.
FASHION: What was the hiring process like once Kat slid into your DMs and asked you to be part of her artistry collective?
Kelsey: Crazy.
Leah: We had a day where we had to go out to San Francisco and we had to create tutorials. Not all of us had done them before. Steph’s had her cat in hers by accident. They were all over the place but were really fun to make. It showed us that we were actually going to be able to be super creative.
Kelsey: I had never met Kat until she messaged me on Instagram saying she wanted me to come down to be a part of the events team for the trade shows. A couple weeks later, I went to LA and met her and the rest of the girls. The same day, she invited me to come to her house. I went to her house by myself. We were just talking and playing with her cats and she brought up being a part of the artistry collective that day. She had already chosen the other girls and was basically checking out if I’d be interested. I didn’t really believe her that she would want me to do it. A couple months later, they flew us down to San Francisco and we had the interview. It was super secret at the time. We had this crazy thing going on and couldn’t tell anybody. We were just freaking out to each other.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYJj3ENlecv/?taken-by=katvondbeauty
Leah: When Kelsey flew down, we already knew Kat wanted to ask her.
Kelsey: I had no idea.
Leah: Kelsey was our favourite. So yeah, we have the coolest job in the world.
FASHION: What’s your day-to-day life like?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX5-NlanpQI/?taken-by=katvondbeauty
Leah: Lots of photos. Lots of makeup photos. Lots of makeup. Lots of Instagram.
Kelsey: Either we’re at home working on content for Instagram or flying somewhere and teaching a class to Sephora. It’s always different.
FASHION: What is it like working with Kat?
Leah: She's very hands-on and supportive.
Kelsey: People always say to me, “I see you’re working for Kat Von D beauty. Do you know her?” I’m like, “Yeah! We’re pretty good friends, actually.” People don’t realize how closely we do work with her.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV2srF2Anzi/?taken-by=thekatvond
FASHION: If you had to pick your favourite Kat Von D product, what would it be?
Leah: I love the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Nosferatu. That red was made for me. I wear it almost daily. It’s my go-to.
Kelsey: I’m obsessed with Tattoo Liner. You can do anything with it. It’s so long-wearing and easy to use. I love using it for eyeliner but you can use it to create cool eyebrows our freckles or lipstick if you really needed to.
FASHION: I once asked Kat the same question and she said basically the exact same thing.
Leah: She carries so many around. Always.
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