TWELV sits down with founders of Parlor Social Club Jan Cieslikiewicz and Frederick Ghartey to give a glimpse into the story of co-founders living in New York City.
TOM PECHEUX INTERVIEW
August 20, 2019 3:17 PM
TWELV got a special interview from Tom Pecheux. Read as we host interviews and explore the lives of artists who shape the final product - directors, fashion designers, stylists, hair stylists, makeup artists, and photographers.
TOM PECHEUX
"The Maverick of Makeup"
TOM PECHEUX, ESTEE LAUDER’s new creative director, is taking the EL brand and makeup in general, to a level never before seen. He has just brought EL for the first time to Paris Fashion Week, painted the face of Princess Diana, and has inadvertently started color trends from his work on the runway. Having grown up on a farm in rural France with aspirations to become a pastry chef, Pecheux’s path to becoming the maverick of make up is atypical for the industry. TWELV had the opportunity to catch up with Pecheux to talk to him about his progression and style, as well as where the makeup industry is headed.
So what specifically happened in Paris to change you from an aspiring pastry chef to a makeup artist?
I still enjoy cooking, but something changes when you turn it into a job. I met a young woman that was learning how to do makeup, and something rang a bell. I then just decided I needed to learn all about this field.
What do you find is the biggest difference in the color palettes between countries? Are some countries more prone to using more vivid shades?
In general, Italians like orange, Germans like pink, and in Asia, they like pastels. I don’t really follow that though. I think is has to fit the individual. On the runway, you get all nationalities: everyone is different. I try to find what will fit each individual best.
Do you draw inspiration from anything particular? Music? Art? Nature? Or do you just create looks that you’d like to see?
I like and draw in a similar style to 17th and 18th century art. Traveling a lot and meeting different people, you learn so much also. Getting to meet and work with such great people everyday is inspirational.
I know your decision to use the glossy black lipstick in the YSL Fall 2008 show helped bring a slew of dark lip products to the market. When that happens, is it a vindication of your concept for a show?
For each show, I try to bring my own flavor to it. I did not expect it to become anything, and I never think about what would become of it. For me, it is about the moment, and I play day-by-day. I never forget that. As a makeup artist, I have to be flexible, like a chameleon. It is not my show: I am working for them.
Meeting Princess Diana had to have been amazing for you. What was your biggest take-away from that shoot?
The kindness and sweetness of Princess Diana and how pleasant the experience was. When meeting with the royals at the palace, they had all these rules for what we could or could not do, and we had to call Princess Diana “Ma’am” or “Madame”, and to me that sounds like mother in French. Princess Diana said to forget about all those rules. “Don’t worry, feel free.” She made everyone feel comfortable and at ease.
Most of us saw Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow look in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Do you think makeup for men would ever work, or is it even a good idea?
It should. Why not? After the Revolution [of the 1960’s], men started wearing makeup. If men want to wear makeup, they should. Why can’t they? If nothing else, some concealer to cover a pimple for example. Makeup is meant to make yourself feel good, and then you can add color to add character or personality. If women have that option, then men should as well. That was what Johnny Depp was doing in that movie, creating a character.
What new barriers are you looking to overcome and branch out into?
I feel that the company needs to push it even more. The makeup at EL is very respectful to women. We want to make makeup more playful, to make products that are more fun and playful. That is what I think is missing a little.
What would you like your legacy to be for the next generation?
The joy of making a woman feel beautiful. Having a woman in a department store become transformed by our products. I can work with every woman to make her feel beautiful. It is a nice feeling when you can give. I am not thinking about what I can leave behind, but what I can give, and that depends on what people want to keep.
Many people have a personal quote or mantra to live by. Do you?
Live day-by-day.
Edited by KAREN YABUTA
related posts
Keiichiro Nakajima interview
Keiichiro Nakajima is a photographer and director based in Japan, represented by a management and production company called Signo, Inc, which is one of the largest and leading artist management...
SHIN FUJIYAMA Founder of Students Helping Honduras INTERVIEW
Japanese-American philanthropist Shin Fujiyama co-founded Students Helping Honduras with his sister Cosmo Fujiyama.
NEW TYPE #36: Mônot - ELI MIZRAHI INTERVIEW
Beginning with his childhood in Lebanon, Eli Mizrahi garnished inspiration from across the globe to debut his evening wear brand, Mônot, last fall.
RMK CREATIVE DIRECTOR: KAORI INTERVIEW
KAORI is a renowned make-up artist and the creative director of RMK beauty, a flourishing Japanese makeup and skincare brand that is now sold worldwide.
MICHEL GONDRY INTERVIEW
“MAYBE WE CAN BE IMMERSED IN MOVIES BECAUSE WE’RE USED TO DREAMING.”
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
It has become almost useless and banal to introduce Jean-Paul Gaultier.The mere mention of his name alone elicits a constellation of images that have become part of our mind and imagination since...
NEW TYPE #35: DARA SENDERS INTERVIEW
Dara Senders, the designer behind the eponymously titled, all size inclusive brand that launched in 2018, has always been obsessed with fashion.
NEW TYPE #35: NTTE HATS
From a small city near Milan to Downtown New York, Paolo, Designer and creater of NTTE Hatsdiscovered his passion for hats and anything vintage at a young age.
NEW TYPE #34 : BEAU WATSON
1. As a new designer, how do you hope to distinguish yourself among other designers?
NIAN FISH INTERVIEW
Nian Fish, creative director of KCD, has been, for decades, a pivotal figure in the fashion world, assembling and producing fashion shows that have become cultural benchmarks unto themselves, such...
CESAR LOVE ALEXANDRE INTERVIEW
Cesar Love Alexadre is a duo of visual artists formed by Isabelle Chaput and Nelson Tiberghien.They met at the Gobelins school of Photography in Paris and now based in New York where they work on...
TOM PECHEUX INTERVIEW
TWELV got a special interview from Tom Pecheux. Read as we host interviews and explore the lives of artists who shape the final product - directors, fashion designers, stylists, ...
ANTHONY VACCARELLO INTERVIEW
Anthony Vaccarello was considered as one of the brightest new talent in fashion: he was part of this new generation of talents the whole industry has kept an eye on to see them grow, to see them...
Why is Everyone in Hollywood Buzzing About Actress Malgosia Garnys?
Have you ever felt like you were beautiful and powerful and the universe was conspiring in your best interest, and your opportunities were endless because you’ve lost people you loved...
INTERVIEW: Bigwig Broadway Producer, Jordan Roth and Acclaimed Choreographer, Michelle Dorrance
R.I.P Chek Wu
We at TWELV are deeply saddened to announce the passing of talented photographer, boundless free-spirit, and our friend, Chek Wu.
GatherNYC: Everything We Love About Church With No Weird Stuff
GatherNYC is Everything We Love About Sunday Service With None of the Weird Stuff
NEW TYPE #33: Catherine Casias Inteview
If fashion is an expression of experiences, Catherine Casias has a lot of area to cover. She has excelled as an Olympic volleyball player, a philosophy major, and a fine artist....
Party Czar Carmen D’Alessio, Empress of the Sun and the Queen of the Night
You may not know Carmen D’Alessio by name.
IKEMEN #39: JORDAN HENRIQUEZ
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
IKEMEN #38: WARREN KAY
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
NEW TYPE #32: ALEXANDER ROYS INTERVIEW
"Introducing an innovative Men’s designer to inspire you with the visions of future and the rise of technology."
Branding in the Worlds of Art and Commerce According to Silvia Mella
Branding is everything. For an entrepreneur, it is the difference between viability and bankruptcy. On social media, we are all our own brands.
Interview: Jackie Yang, Creative Director of Chelsea and Walker
TWELV sat down with Jackie Yang, Creative Director of Chelsea and Walker, in the brand’s New York City...
New Type #31: Angela Mitchell – Krystal and Marilyn Lavoie Interview
We are living in the age of fast fashion, and even Europe’s most storied luxury brands have been moving their factories to Asia to reduce costs.
Ikemen #37: Dominik Halas
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
New Type #30: Carolina Sarria & Bianca Allen Interview
Both Carolina Sarria and Bianca Allen knew they wanted to become fashion designers from a young age.
Interview & Backstage: Christian Siriano Celebrates 10 Years in Fashion
After the successful launch of his book Dresses to Dream About, a decade-anniversary celebration on the runway, and a whirlwind of striking celebrity looks on the red carpet of...
New Type #29: Jackie Astier Interview
Astier places its identity within the advanced adaptation skills of the modern New York woman.
INTERVIEW: Meet Kiko Arai, Miss Japan-turned Face of Balmain and Zara
Kiko Arai hails from Osaka, Japan, and after winning the title of Miss Japan 2012, the now 27-year old is captivating a new audience– the fashion world.
Interview: Parisian Designer Frédéric Robert's Debut Shoe Collection "ME.LAND"
A vibrant brand of Italian-made shoes for men is emerging this year as one-to-watch.
New Type #28: the Design Duo Behind Maxime Hernandez Interview
The streetwear phenomenon in the fashion establishment is not slowing down anytime soon.
MICHEL NAFZIGER INTERVIEW
With a wealth of experience shooting some for some of fashion's most renowned clients (Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche), ...
IKEMEN #36: Jérôme LaMaar
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"