Fri–Tue 9:30 – 18:00. Wed & Thu 9:30 – 20:00. Sun Closed.
Fri–Tue 9:30 – 18:00. Wed & Thu 9:30 – 20:00. Sun Closed.
I have worked with delilah since their launch in 2014 and I can honestly say I love it. From the packaging to texture and colours, they really have got it right.
This week I sat down with the man himself, Creative Director and very talented makeup artist Rupert Kingston. I picked his brains about what's new from delilah this year and what's going to be hot for SS17.
So tell us the story behind delilah and the name -
I had been working as a Creative Director for a while doing brand and product development, I have worked with one of the other Directors at delilah, Hannah Nicholson for years and we shared a vision of a luxury British colour cosmetics brand. It was at a trade show in Las Vegas that we decided to take the plunge and go for it, when Juliet came on board it was her drive and passion for detail that helped to really complete the concept for delilah. We loved the idea that you could elevate the packaging so that the products looked and felt gorgeous, we were inspired by the timeless beauty of the old fashioned compacts and lipsticks, products that looked and felt precious. The look and feel of that brand came very quickly, we all shared this ideal of a simplistic approach to colour and an absolute desire to create formulations that really perform.
The direct translation for delilah is "seductive and beguiling” we loved the idea that the name would encapsulate that attitude of feeling empowered by feeling beautiful. Our logo is the delilah rose a true symbol of British beauty. In fact we are very proud to be a British brand and there are very subtle nods to our British heritage, the pewter colour that runs through the brand was inspired by a material called Britannia metal, while rose gold was introduced into England by King Henry 8th to replace the gold sovereign. The two colours look timelessly beautiful together giving the whole brand an understated luxurious feel.
What do you feel makes delilah different from other brands on the market?
I think there are a few elements, firstly I suppose it is the way it is presented. We always get so many comments on the way the brand looks, customers just love the way it is packaged. I would also say that customer are really intrigued by boutique brands, especially British ones. Finally I would say that unlike so many brands we have not inundated delilah with too much colour, we wanted to make the range simple, easy to understand, that has really resonated with our customers
What are you most excited about coming from delilah this year?
It's a secret (Pure Light Liquid Radiance) shhh! It's a beautiful illuminating fluid, done the delilah way!
What and who inspires you?
I am inspired by brands that combine great design with good craftsmanship, I have to say that Christopher Bailey Creative Director for Burberry has done an amazing job to re-invent the brand, totally inspiring. I am, and of course will always be, inspired by some of my Make up heroes, Val Garland, Mary Greenwell and the amazing Lisa Eldridge
Who is the most famous person you have made up?
Right at the beginning of my career, I was lucky enough to work backstage at one of the early Stella McCartney shows, that particular show had Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Yasmine Le Bon in it! Pretty amazing faces to be working on at such an early time in my career.
When are you at your happiest?
At home in front of the fire, with my dog and a glass of red wine!
When was the last time you cried and why?
I have to say I am a real cryer, the older I get the worse it is, I have to admit that I welled up during the last episode of The Voice, you know when they put the really emotional story at the end of the show, watching people cry always sets me off.
What is your favourite product in the collection and why?
Difficult to choose, I love the matt bronzers, they have a beautiful velvet finish to them and the compacts are just gorgeous. But I am really loving our cream concealer Farewell. It has such great coverage but feels smooth and nourishing under the eye, it is quickly becoming our hero product!
Top tips on trends for the coming season? What's hot and what's not:
Contouring is dead, long live non-contouring!! Clean glowing luminous skin (that starts with good skincare not makeup) I think we will see a return to lipgloss, we have seen glossy lips season after season on the runways, I think this trend will be back for this spring-summer. I also think this season we will reach “Peak Coral” those orange tones are great on eyes lips or cheeks
Your top 3 recommended delilah products to create the coming seasons' looks?
Time Frame Foundation, Tango Lipstick and Colour Blush in Clementine!!
