Yesterday our students were the make-up artists and hair stylists for the Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry Annual Charity Fashion Show, Vertigo 2012. The event was held at the O2 Academy in Islington, in aid of London’s Air Ambulances. This was a chance for the students to incorporate a real working situation into their Boot Camp experience, where they were graded on the standard of work they produced, and on how they handled the pressure!

We made our way over to the O2 Academy in Islington and found ourselves ushered into what was essentially a lift entrance near the dressing rooms and just as everyone was wondering how we were meant to fit twenty – five students and seventy – five performers into the space, we thankfully found ourselves moved upstairs...to the bar area, which was lit exactly as you would expect a bar to be...

After a slightly frantic setting up period and a case of making the best of the space you are given, the students started working on the models and dancers as they came through to have both their hair and make-up done. So, students set up sofas and stools to work on, and got stuck into making the best of working in what is essentially a VIP area. But it was a perfect example of being prepared to work in slightly odd working environments – all part and parcel of being a make-up artist. It was a great learning curve to be able to work anywhere, and not to let that faze you. Our students did a great job, and thanks are due to our graduates from our previous course who came along to lend a hand.