StyleNest chat to Katie Jane Hughes, Global Ambassador at butter LONDON.
Appointed international brand ambassador in 2012, Katie Jane Hughes is butter LONDON’s brand spokesperson and head technician for all fashion week activity. Beginning her career in beauty 12 years ago, Katie now works alongside huge names including Rankin, Alice Dellal and Daisy Lowe. Assisting on a number of fashion week shows such as Acne, Matthew Williamson and Temperley, Katie’s role also encompasses press, makeup artist and client briefings.
We spoke to Katie to find out about her defining career moments, fashion month madness and where she gathers creative inspiration.
You started out in beauty 12 years ago as a nail technician. Had you always known you wanted to forge a career in this industry?
Yes, my mum had a strong influence as she used to be a singer so her beauty regime was something that really stayed with me.
After opening your own salon, you moved to London and began working with several leading makeup artists. Do you have any advice for fellow beauty fans wanting to pursue a similar path?
Yes, just get your foot in the door, focus, work hard and be kind.
You were appointed brand ambassador for butter LONDON in 2012, becoming brand spokesperson and head of all fashion week activity. Which part of your busy role do you particularly relish?
Honestly all of it, I don’t enjoying flying that much so that can be tough. All the people I get to meet, I love the creativity of it all and It’s awesome when you start to feel like part of a team. That’s the hardest thing within fashion and as a freelancer… you don’t always work with the same people every day so it can be like your first day at school every day. You deal with it though and it becomes natural as your all often in the same situation! I love going to Seattle where butter LONDON h.q. is as it’s like family there… work family.
Can you talk us through a day in the life during London Fashion Week?
Coffee, heavy suitcases, more coffee. Snacks in your purse. Haha its different every day! It often starts with a meeting between the designer, stylist and the beauty crew (the test) its where we all figure out a look for the show. They sometimes overlap so that’s difficult but it always works out. Then the show- it’s busy, loud and high energy back there, I first show my team the makeup or nail look as much of my time backstage is chatting with Press about the look. I love to get stuck in though! The day often ends by me on Insta talking about what we created that day… then bed.
Is there a significant fashion week show which stands out in your memory, for good or for bad?
Yes, I feel that September shows are more enjoyable as the weather is nicer out, in Feb it’s always snowy in NYC. Kits and snow aren’t a good combo. Some shows are great, some are hard but they’re all awesome.
You have worked with some huge household names including Rankin, Naomi Campbell and Daisy Lowe. Do you gain creative inspiration from the people who are around you on a day to day basis?
Yes I see and look for inspo in lots of things. I feel we never ever stop leaning… It’s important to keep your eyes wide open as you don’t know what might get you going creatively.
If you could choose one, what has been your defining career moment?
Keying my first NYFW show Libertine. It was exhausting, and amazing… I saw the stylist after the show and she told me friends of hers had said I love the makeup, I then saw my team and I burst into tears of joy. It lasted a second but I think the joy and the exhaustion just needed to get of me somehow!
Can you tell us some top nail tips for the upcoming beauty season?
Negative space is cool, bold shapes with vintage colours. It’s going all very 70s chic
You must have a hectic schedule- when you’re not working, how do you like to relax and unwind?
Binge watch crap tv and drink wine with friends.
Where in London do you like to go for a beauty blitz? Can you recommend any spa or salon hotspots to our readers?
I used to work at SPACE NK in my assisting days and I used to be offered comp treatments every now and then, Adrian at SPA.NK on westbourne grove is THE BEST for a good massage.
Are there any exciting projects in the pipeline for butter LONDON which you are able to share with us?
Yes lots… there is a bunch of brand new products launching and they truly are cutting edge, I’m always teasing on instagram @katiejanehughes.
Visit www.butterlondon.co.uk