Meet us backstage with Maki Ryoke as Miss Kassim interviews her, Maki has been a professional makeup artist for five years. Her mother, a professional kimono designer, also created cosmetics, and instilled in Maki a fascination with makeup. Inspired also by the passionate actresses of the 40’s & 50’s, Maki took up a mission, to define the modern woman through the precise use of shadow and color.

Today, her inventive approach to beauty has made her one of the most sought after talents in the business of makeup artistry. Ryoke’s work has graced the pages of The NY Times, American Vogue, Bazaar, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Allure, Dazed & Confused, Mixte and Flair magazines while collaborating with some of the photography industry’s most notable up-and-comers like Hedi Slimane, Liz Collins, Josh Olins, KT Alueta, Cedric Buchet and David Slipjer.

A master of many looks – young & fresh, sophisticated, edgy, glamorous, or natural, Maki has worked on a diverse number of advertising projects for designers like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Alexander McQueen, Neiman Marcus, Target and MaxMara. Maki Ryoke is one of the most sought after makeup artists of today. Her work is very edgy and avant garde.

She has also collaborated with beauty companies like MAC, Lancome and Clinique. Because she is bi-lingual, Maki is a favorite with the Japanese press, doing interviews and fashion stories for Numero Tokyo, Elle Japan and Vogue Nippon. Maki currently lives in NYC, but spends time working each month devotingly in London and Tokyo.

Maki Ryoke client list includes: Photographers: Alasdair McLellan, Amy Arbus, Arthur Elgort, Benjamin Alexander Huseby, Brian Atwood, Cedric Buchet, Chad Pitman, Christopher Griffith, Dan Martensen, David Slijper, David Sherry, Derek Kettela, Dusan Reljin, Enrique Badulescu, Fabio Chizzola, Greg Kadel, Heidi Slimane, Jason Kibbler, Jason Schmidt, Josh Olins, Kenneth Cappello, KT Auleta, Liz Collins, Maciek Kobielski, Magnus Unnar, Marcelo Krasilicic, Mariano Vivanco, Matt Irwin, Matthias Vriens, Max Farago, Mel Ottenberg, Miguel Reveriego, Norbert Schoerner, Richard Burbridge, Rita Ackerman, Sasha Eisenman, Sebastien Kim, Simon Burstall, Skye Parrott, Terry Tsiolis, Thomas Schenk, Tim Richardson, Todd Cole, Tom Allen, Toscani, Tiziano Magni, Vanina Sorrenti, Will Davidson, Xevi Muntan.

Editorials
10, Another, Another Man, Arena, Cosmo Girl, Commons and Sense, Dazed & Confused, Esquire, Flair, Glamour US, GQ (IT), Harper’s Bazaar US, i-D, Interview, Elle (IT,UK, US), Hobo, Love, Man About Town, Mixte, Numero, Numero Homme, Nylon Japan, POP, Purple, Teen Vogue, Tokion, V, V Man, Vanity Fair (IT), Vogue (China, Germany, Nippon, Russia, Spain, US), Vogue Hommes Japan , Wonderland

Clients
Alexander McQueen, Armani Exchange, Benetton, Charles David, Clairol, Diane Von Funrstenberg, Hobbs, Intel, Jenny Packham, Kipling, Levi’s, Max Mara, Mavi, Microsoft, MTV, Net A Porte, New Look, New Penny, Nicole Farhi, Prada, Uniqlo, Westfield

Interview with Maki Ryoke

In my exclusive interview with Maki Ryoke, I found her  to be eloquent and nice. I am a huge fan of her now, that I know her. Let’s listen in as Maki answers a few brief questions about herself, in her own words.

• What is your favorite thing about being an exquisite makeup artist?

i can create beauty everyday.  🙂

• How do you feel about making fashionelite.com’s TOP 20 Makeup Artist’s List? Any statements?

I feel so honored.

• Were do you derive your inspiration from? Your work is truly amazing.

Each time is very different. always i try to keep my mind fresh and simple as possible. so that i can listen.
and if i succeed of listening carefully to my inspiration, i usually feel so excited.
then i know, i created something really good.

• What is your nationality?

Japanese

• Is your work derived from your background, tell me a story of how you were a little girl.

I was very shy and quiet. not that out going.
but loved watching my mom making beautiful kimono everyday.

• What’s your favorite model and why?

I love everybody. I find beauty in every single girl.

• Who are your favorite designers? Which designers would you love to work with in the future?

My favorite designer changes every season.
it is tough to make one specific favorite. if i do, it will limit my creative flow when i need to work with clothes.

• What designers have you worked with?

Prada sport, Benetton, Thomas Wylde, etc.

•If you could describe your love for style, in three words what would they be and why?

fun, cool, fantasy
Author: Felicia K.