INTERVIEW: PETROS PETROHILOS talks to FILEP MOTWARY
Dear iDEALS. Petros Petrohilos is one of the top make-up artists of our times and a person I highly have respect for. I hope that you will undertand more about him as a person by reading what he answered to my questions and also to see what makes one make-up artist different from another.
FilepMotwary: Your CV is actually a list of great collaborations who keep the international fashion scene alive, legendary personalities and legendary names: David Bailey, Paolo Roversi, Corinne Day, David Lachapelle, Miles Aldridge, Nick Knight (about 40 more photographers), magazines (i-D, W, V, Numero, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Pop…) celebrities ( Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Chloe Sevigny…) and also a great number of advertisement commissions ( Givenchy, Burberry, Missoni, Paul Smith…). Have you ever imagined all these great achievements? PetrosPetrohilos: I always had a great interest in fashion, and in photography in particular.While living in Greece and looking at fashion magazines at a young age I never imagined I would be working with all those people I really admired. When I moved to London over a period of time and through hard work one thing led to another and slowly I started working with all those mentioned about . 
FilepMotwary: How do you feel being represented by an agency helps your work? PetrosPetrohilos: Being represented by an agent is essential in my line of work. Mainly for taking care of all my job bookings, and organizing day to day needs, like travel, hotels , assistants etc. Also my agent helps me make more informed decisions as far as the publications, shows, and people I work with.
FilepMotwary: Can you explain the importance of make-up as a factor in fashion generally? PetrosPetrohilos: Make up has always been an integral part of fashion cause it completes the vision of a designer, photographer or stylist. Most of the times behind a fashion story or show there is a certain character of a woman we are trying to bring to life, and make up as hair along with the clothes are the key elements to achieving 
that.
FilepMotwary: How did it all start for you?PetrosPetrohilos: I moved to London about 11 years ago to do a course in London College of fashion for 2 years. After that I started doing photo shoots for model agencies and putting together a portfolio of my work. I then went around seeing agencies and I was lucky enough to get offered a job assisting make up artist Val Garland for the couture shows, which I was very excited about. I assisted Val for 3 years as a first assistant and slowly after that I started working on
my own. FilepMotwary: During our brief conversation the other day when we met on the street, you expressed your need to return “backstage”. (Fashion Shows). Why, what makes such events for you to work at/for? PetrosPetrohilos: Fashion shows are very important for a make up artist cause u get to create looks that influence the trends of the season, and is good exposure to the media. Being part of fashion week u also get a sense of the direction things are going in fashion for the upcoming seasons. FilepMotwary:What is the difference between working for a magazine and working for a show? PetrosPetrohilos: Working on shows generally requires more preparation than working on a magazine shoot. For shows you have make up tests with the designers to establish the look u going for prior to the show, then u have to put together a strong team of make up artists that will work with you on the day. Usually on fashion shoots there is always more time and a more controlled environment, unlike shows where everything has to be done by a certain time regardless of the all the “surprises” that might arise.
FilepMotwary: How important is the “research” definition in your work. PetrosPetrohilos: Research is very important as a starting point in my work. I like looking at art, photography, old magazines, and people on the street or just random objects. Always trying to translate things I see and like into a make up idea. Other times I have no starting point at all and just experiment on the day so the result is more spontaneous. 
FilepMotwary: What do you enjoy working most for and why? PetrosPetrohilos: I love working on fashion shoots, is what I enjoy the most and I am most proud of in the end. I am intrigued with the idea of catching a moment on camera that can look so amazing. The whole process from the time the girl walks into the studio to the character she gets transformed into is also very exiting and the result if successful breath taking.
FilepMotwary: What does a young person need to become a good make-up artist and after reaching that level to enter the real fashion world? PetrosPetrohilos: First of all u have to have a real passion for make up and fashion too. Getting informed and looking at magazines, shows etc is very important and would help u get a sense of what is going on. Once u one is passionate about it, practicing your skills and experimenting with make up would be a great start. Assisting a good make up artist would be the best advice I could give, u get invaluable experience and u learn a lot about how the business works.
Note: Petros Petrohilos is represented by UNTITLED . Please click here for more.The copyright of this interview belongs to FILEP MOTWARY
