Session tech heads to star-studded Cannes Film Festival
By Kat Hill | 16 June 2018 | Feature, Tech Talk
We caught up with Scratch Stars Finalist and session stylist, Julie Lee, about a recent nail adventure that took her to star-studded Cannes…
“I was recently offered this chance to work at the Cannes Film Festival for prestigious jewellers, Chopard,” reveals Julie. “After taking part in the Nail Mastered innitative, Marian Newman recommended me to London agency, ELSL Management. Through my involvement with the agency, I was offered the oppontunity.
“I was on hand at the festival to offer nail services to Chopard’s VIP clients alongside the hair team. My working day would start at 10.00am at our rooftop salon at the Hotel Martinez. Assistants would arrive to book hair, nail and make up appointments for their high profile clients and we would discuss designs and looks with stylists.
“Some days I would be creating a set of acrylic nails for a fashion designer or manicuring a top journalist, blogger or actress for the red carpet. The next day I might be driven to a hotel to manicure a celebrity for one of Cannes famous parties or be giving a pedicure to a famous footballers wife! No two days were the same. Our working day would finish at 8pm when we’d head to one of Cannes cool beach restaurants to eat and chat about the day.
“One evening we were taken to a secret location to do the hair and nails for some of the worlds top models and another I worked at the AmfAR party with celebrity guests such as Paris Hilton, Nicole Sherzinger, Pierce Brosnan and Winnie Harlow.
“My kit bag was bursting at the seams with manicure products provided by Chanel, as well as a gel polish and acrylic kit provided by DTPro Nails, the brand I educate for. I had to have every eventuality covered; packing my case was like a military operation. As well as a basic session kit, I took a full gel polish kit with a vast colour range and soak off essentials, Minx, nail art products and a full manicure and pedicure range.
“Work was often fast-paced and demanding. Working for such a prestigious brand meant producing competition standard work in the minimum amount of time – something working at Fashion Weeks around the world has taught me. It was the most exhilarating, exciting adventure working with the worlds rich and famous and it has inspired me to dream even bigger!”
