The iconic makeup artists shaping the future of beauty, on and off the runway.
Behind every unforgettable runway look is a team of exceptional beauty artists whose creativity brings each designer’s vision to life. As New Zealand Fashion Week returns in just three weeks this August, we sit down with three of the country’s most respected makeup artists, women whose talent and influence have helped shape the beauty landscape both here in New Zealand and on the international stage.
With decades of combined experience spanning international fashion weeks, editorial campaigns, celebrity clients and countless runway shows, Kie Kie Stanners, Liz Hyun, and Katherine Gould are undoubtedly three of New Zealand’s leading authorities on beauty. Their work has not only defined some of Fashion Week’s most memorable moments, but continues to influence the way women think about modern makeup, confidence and self-expression.
Ahead of New Zealand Fashion Week 2026, we spoke with each artist about their careers, favourite backstage memories, what continues to inspire them after years in the industry, and the beauty trends they’re most excited to see emerge this season. Along the way, they also share their expert advice for brides and guests looking to translate runway beauty into timeless wedding and occasion makeup, as well as the products, techniques, and professional tips they swear by.
Whether you’re preparing for your wedding day, a special celebration, or simply looking to refresh your beauty routine, there’s no better place to seek inspiration than from the artists working behind the scenes at New Zealand’s biggest fashion event.
NZFW Kie Kie Stanners
You’ve been part of New Zealand Fashion Week for many years. Looking back, what are some of your favourite memories from backstage?
I have so many backstage memories; it doesn’t pay for me to spend too much time being nostalgic. I can get lost in some amazing memories and moments in time of New Zealand fashion. But we have always had a lot of fun. And hopefully create a lot more memories!
I adore creating a backstage environment for me and my team that has a great energy – we need to work fast and precisely, and the more upbeat and fun the environment is, the better the makeup execution. We have had some crazy backstage moments: copious amounts of models teamed with hair/makeup into the hottest, tiniest office space with me squeezing into each office to try get a glimpse of each models finished look and just seeing about 25 makeup artists hands peeping up onto faces amongst the squeeze, working in the Speedway Male Locker Rooms – finessing 40 or so glossy red lips in and around the showers, finishing and final touches whilst traveling with models on the Link Bus, exploring the many rooms and crevasses of the St James to find all missing models, the underground carparks, the times when the power and lights blow, and the exciting ones where time is running out and the team is running on adrenaline. I have loved all of it so much.
Fashion and beauty have evolved enormously throughout your career. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve witnessed, both on the runway and in the way women approach makeup?
The changes over my time within beauty have been huge. When I first started out, everyday makeup wear in New Zealand was still not a big thing, definitely not personal glam bookings for everyday events. And in a time before social media, most of us got our beauty inspo from word of mouth, street style or video clips. However, all of these changes are trend- and technology-based, rather than what beauty actually does – makes you feel something. I still treat the way I work in beauty exactly the same – care of a face, precision, and really bringing some magic to each individual face that’s in front of you.
However, yes, the change in runway makeup is now a little more street. Not so many theatrical looks or wild artistry, but rather polished and wearable beauty with a hint of expressionism. And thankfully, diversity is at play; for me, each face and each skin tone is cared for and considered rather than a carbon-copy look on everyone that may not always work on particular skin tones.
The way we approach makeup personally has, of course, changed due to our access to online education, online shopping and the pace of life. However, I always think it’s important to remember beauty should be an emotional experience – it’s got to be fun, transformative, or just flat-out enjoyable! It’s makeup! Sometimes we get so caught up in the facts and figures of things these days that we forget that the essence of makeup is a styling statement.
For brides and guests attending weddings this season, how can they take inspiration from runway beauty without feeling overdone? Are there any trends you think translate particularly well to special occasions?
Creating glowing, radiant, balmy skin is always a perfect wedding look. It needn’t be a lot of product, but rather the correct use of the right products to enhance the skin. Creamy blush, highlighted cheekbones, a luminous finish to the skin and perfected brows work beautifully in a daytime setting.
Every Fashion Week brings new creative challenges. After all these years, what continues to inspire and excite you about working backstage?
Every year I am still inspired to create. That’s the beauty of backstage makeup for me – it’s always evolving, it’s always creative, there are new faces to work on and get to know and a new generation of artists to inspire. If my love for creating beauty looks backstage fades, then I would know it was time to find a new creative outlet. But without fail, every year brings a new challenge for me – model numbers, training a new backstage team, new products, a new muse or show setting that I can dream up a beauty look that tells a particular story within that show. I’m constantly pushing myself to do something new that I haven’t done before but also that I haven’t seen before. I’d like to think that I was partly responsible for creating beauty moments that last in people’s memories.
You’ve helped create countless runway looks over the years. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt about beauty, confidence or the role makeup plays in how women feel?
That there are so many factors to it. In my position as almost a conductor backstage, what started out as an ambition to execute amazing creative makeup turned into an understanding of the impact you have with whoever is in your chair. Whether that is by the care you take on a face, the transformation you can execute, the conversation that uplifts or spotting when someone is in heightened anxiety, it can all make a huge difference. It is never lost on me that in my role I am literally touching faces and sometimes in the most intimate of settings with someone being that close, so it’s important to respect that.
After decades of working with countless faces, what are your best beauty tips for creating makeup that looks beautiful from the ceremony through to the dance floor? Are there any hero products or brands you always trust for long-lasting occasion makeup?
Layering product is key. You may only be using a small amount of product at a time, but strategically layering each product to get the best finish and the longest, most natural wear is your best bet. Forget a world of makeup where you are using a full-coverage foundation, set with heavy powder to achieve a long-wearing wedding look – now it is all about correct product choices and strategic placement.
Choosing the correct product or brand is a personal choice, depending on skin type and overall finish. When it comes to foundation or concealer bases, I look for a long-wearing product that has a silky, satin finish. This way, skin can glow in all the right places, and it can be perfectly set with powder in hot spots only. Recently, I have been loving Young Blood Beyond Blur Skin Perfecting Foundation, set with the Young Blood Mineral Rice Pressed Setting Powder.
See a recent 2026 beauty editorial Kie Kie worked on for Together Journal HERE.
See more kiekiestanners.carbonmade.com and @kiekies__.
NZFW Liz Hyun
As Lead Makeup Artist for New Zealand Fashion Week 2026, what excites you most about this season, and what are you hoping audiences will notice about the beauty direction?
Beautiful skin, but with creative finishes. I’m excited to explore the way different textures can be applied to the face in unique and unexpected ways – from iridescent, glass-like and chrome finishes to porcelain matte and raw skin that embraces real imperfections. I think there’s so much beauty in contrast, and I’m excited to see how these different textures can complement the designers’ collections.
Fashion Week is where beauty and fashion come together. How do you work with designers to develop makeup looks that complement and elevate each collection?
It’s such a fun and collaborative process. A designer may already have a vision for the beauty direction, and we bounce ideas around to see how we can bring that vision to life in the best way possible. Sometimes, a designer may not have a specific beauty direction in mind and will leave that up to me – and that’s okay too. In those instances, I’ll create a moodboard with looks that I feel would work beautifully with the garments.
I also love working closely with the lead hairstylist, as their vision often inspires and informs my makeup direction. Things can change and evolve during the hair and makeup test, especially once the model is wearing the showpiece. We’re then able to see the full look together and make any adjustments needed to elevate the overall vision.
If a bride or someone attending a special occasion wanted to draw inspiration from this season’s runway beauty, which trend would you encourage them to embrace, and how would you adapt it to feel timeless rather than trend-driven?
Runway makeup is a space where unconventional products, textures and placements can be explored. You’ll often see an array of colours, gloss, metallics, chrome, glitter and porcelain-matte finishes that you may not necessarily see in everyday makeup.
I love taking elements of those runway techniques and adapting them to feel personal and wearable. For example, you could add a wet-look glitter or reflective texture to the eyes and pair it with a classic brown smoky eye. It creates an extra dimension and allows the eyes to catch the light beautifully in flash photography, which can look incredible in reception photos.
This is one of the ways I blend my editorial and fashion makeup experience into my bridal work. It allows me to create something that feels uniquely tailored to each client, rather than simply recreating a trend. As an artist, I think it’s important to have a broad knowledge of techniques and understand how to adapt them. That’s what allows you to offer clients something truly personal and special.
Backstage is often described as fast-paced and exhilarating. What does a typical Fashion Week day look like for you, and what do you love most about the atmosphere behind the scenes?
It’s non-negotiable to start the day with a coffee! From there, I facilitate a live makeup demonstration for the makeup team, explaining the products, application and placement for each look. Makeup artists are often very visual learners, so I find it incredibly valuable to demonstrate the techniques in person.
The team then works incredibly efficiently to execute a large number of makeup looks within a very short timeframe. I’ll observe the models during their run-throughs, make notes on any adjustments that need to be made, and then do the final touches during line-up.
It’s honestly a chaotic environment during show time – but in the best way possible, and I love it. There’s also a huge amount of work that goes into moisturising the body and applying body makeup, which is a major part of bringing the overall vision to life.
It’s difficult to put into words what it feels like to bring a show makeup look to life alongside talented artists who are both previous colleagues and lifelong friends. It’s surreal, and I’m forever grateful for them. I love the energy and passion that every creative department brings to the shows, and the way everyone collaborates to create something bigger than any one individual.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of beauty, and where do you see runway makeup evolving next?
As a makeup artist who loves every style of makeup and works across a broad range of industries, I love that there isn’t one dominant runway trend at the moment. In a way, the current trend is that there is no single trend that everyone is following.
That’s why we’re seeing everything from no-makeup makeup to full-glam, theatrical and Renaissance-inspired beauty on the runway. There are also elements of prosthetics and body makeup being incorporated into looks.
Traditionally, there was often a mindset that you had to choose between emphasising the eyes or the lips. I don’t necessarily believe in those rules. You can absolutely do everything at once, or nothing at all. Ultimately, it’s about whether the makeup makes people feel confident and whether it complements and elevates the designer’s collection.
What are your top three makeup tips for anyone preparing for a wedding or special event? Are there any products or beauty brands you find yourself reaching for time and time again?
If you’re new to makeup or haven’t had your makeup professionally done before, it’s completely okay to have more than one makeup trial before your wedding. The first time can feel overwhelming when you’re wearing more makeup than you’re used to, and you may need some time to process how you feel about it.
I also recommend timing your trials around an event, such as a date night or special occasion. This gives you the opportunity to see how the makeup wears and how you feel in it throughout the day or evening.
Finally, don’t be afraid to try different styles. You might want to compare something softer with something more glamorous to discover what makes you feel the most confident and like yourself.
Some of my favourite products at the moment include the ‘Weekender Palette’ by Youngblood Cosmetics and the lip smudge pencil in the shade ‘Whisper’ by Edni Beauty.
See more lizhyun.com and @liz_hyun.
NZFW Katherine Gould
Great runway makeup is about much more than following trends. What do you believe makes a beauty look truly timeless?
Traditionally, Fashion Week was where beauty trends began, with looks created backstage eventually filtering into magazines, campaigns and makeup counters. Social media has changed that completely, and trends now come and go much faster, so they do not always have the same staying power.
For me, a beauty look feels timeless when it is created in close collaboration with the designer and genuinely reflects the collection, its inspiration and its point of view. Rather than following a trend simply because it is popular, the strongest runway beauty supports the clothes, helps tell the story and feels completely at home within the world of the show.
Brides today are increasingly looking to fashion for inspiration. Which runway beauty trends do you think are perfectly suited to weddings and celebrations, and how would you reinterpret them for a real woman on one of the biggest days of her life?
Fashion can be a wonderful source of inspiration for brides, but I always encourage people to stay true to themselves rather than chasing a trend. Your wedding photos are something you’ll hopefully treasure for decades, so the goal is to feel like the very best version of yourself – not like someone else’s idea of what’s fashionable this season.
If you’re someone who loves full glam, then embrace it. If you rarely wear more than a little skin tint and mascara, your wedding day probably isn’t the time to reinvent yourself. A great trial is invaluable because it’s where you and your makeup artist can explore ideas, refine the details and create a look that feels elevated while still feeling authentically you.
One of the things I love about today’s beauty trends is that they’re much more adaptable than they used to be. Whether you’re drawn to soft, warm bronzy tones or fresh, cool neutrals, it’s less about following a colour trend and more about choosing shades and finishes that complement your features, your dress and your personality. The most beautiful bridal makeup isn’t about copying a runway look—it’s about taking inspiration from fashion and translating it into something timeless, personal and beautifully wearable.
As someone with such extensive experience, what advice would you give to the next generation of makeup artists hoping to work backstage at Fashion Week?
Backstage at Fashion Week is one of the most exciting places you can work as a makeup artist, but it’s also one of the most demanding. My biggest piece of advice is to listen. Pay close attention to the key artist’s briefing and demonstration, because your role is to execute their vision consistently and beautifully – not to reinterpret it.
Preparation is everything. A streamlined, well-organised kit will save you valuable time, and the more efficient you are, the calmer you’ll be under pressure. Backstage is fast-paced, collaborative and incredibly rewarding, so being a team player is just as important as your technical skills. You’ll often be working across different skin tones, skin types and face shapes, all while creating a cohesive look in a very short amount of time.
It’s also an amazing opportunity to learn. You’ll be surrounded by incredibly talented artists, discover new techniques and products, and build relationships that can last throughout your career. The artists who are invited back season after season are the ones who are reliable, adaptable, easy to work with and who consistently deliver under pressure.
What continues to motivate you creatively after so many years in the industry, and what still gives you that sense of excitement when Fashion Week arrives?
What still excites me most is that nothing about Fashion Week feels routine. There’s an incredible energy backstage that’s hard to describe until you’ve experienced it. As the music starts, the models line up, and everyone is making those final touch-ups, there’s a real sense of anticipation. It’s fast-paced, high-pressure and completely exhilarating – and I genuinely love that environment.
People often say that pressure makes diamonds, and there’s definitely an element of that backstage. You’re working against the clock, collaborating with an amazing team and bringing a creative vision to life in real time. Then, before you know it, you’re packing up your kit and heading to the next show to create an entirely different look. That constant change, creativity and adrenaline are what keep Fashion Week feeling just as exciting to me today as it did when I first started.
What beauty advice do you most often share with brides and women attending important occasions? We’d also love to know which makeup products or beauty brands have earned a permanent place in your professional kit, and why.
The biggest piece of advice I give brides, and anyone preparing for a special occasion, is to stay true to yourself. The aim isn’t to look like someone else – it’s to feel like the most confident, polished version of you. If you regularly have your makeup done, trust the relationship you’ve built with your artist and don’t be afraid to let them guide you.
If it’s your first time, a trial is invaluable. It gives you the chance to explore different ideas together, build trust and make sure you both feel confident well before the big day.
I also encourage clients to bring visual references, but make them realistic. The best inspiration often comes from your makeup artist’s own portfolio because it shows what they’re capable of creating on real people. Look after your skin and avoid trying any new treatments or procedures too close to your event—you want your skin to be calm, healthy and predictable on the day.
As for my kit, it’s always evolving because I genuinely love discovering new formulas and textures. Rather than being loyal to one brand, I choose products based purely on performance. My kit includes favourites from NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, Haus Labs, Armani Beauty, Lancôme and Dior, alongside brands like MCoBeauty and Morphe. Great products exist at every price point, and if a formula performs beautifully, has longevity and delivers the finish I’m looking for, it’s earned a place in my kit.
See more kmgould.com and @kathgould_makeup.
New Zealand Fashion Week 2026 takes place from 17 to 22 August, bringing together the country’s leading designers, creatives and industry talent for a week celebrating the very best of New Zealand fashion. Tickets are on sale now and are selling quickly, so now is the time to secure your place. Visit the New Zealand Fashion Week website or follow on Instagram to purchase tickets and stay up to date with the latest show announcements, events and Fashion Week news.
For more information, visit nzfashionweek.com and @nzfashionwk.
