When three creative women over 50 come together, something magical happens. A fun and lively collaboration unfolds, blending makeup, hats, modeling, and photography. I have a passion for storytelling, and it turns out Tara, a brilliant milliner and imaginative soul, shares that same vision. We’re completely on the same wave length. Tara’s stunning home instantly inspired me, sparking the idea for an exciting, Biba-inspired photo shoot. A quick call to Taras friend, a former model with a background in fashion, and our creative team was complete. The collaboration was set in motion.
The Story
It’s the 1970s in deepest Wiltshire countryside, the lady of the manor is a charming eccentric, with a heart devoted to all things Biba. Her world is one of decadence, where rich colours and sumptuous fabrics define her life. Draped in deep greens and shimmering golds, she moves gracefully (disgracefully) through rooms filled with fashion books, velvet-covered sofas, and pouffes arranged with an artist’s flair.
Her true passion, though, is for hats. She wears them at all times, and feathers—soft, delicate, and extravagant—adorn her favorite pieces. Her style is a perfect blend of bold and refined, always immaculately made-up in soft, natural tones. She favours warm neutrals, but when the occasion calls, she enhances her look with a bold berry lip, adding just the right touch of drama. Her presence is one of effortless glamour, rooted in the iconic spirit of the era she adores.
Make up Used
Foundation: Chanel no1 https://www.chanel.com/gb/makeup/p/145764/n1-de-chanel-revitalizing-foundation-illuminates-hydrates-protects/
Eyes: selection from Urban decay palette https://www.boots.com/urban-decay-naked-2-basics-eyeshadow-palette-10267346
Mascara: Rumi Cosmetiques https://uk.rumicosmetiques.com/products/mascara
Contour/highlight Charlotte Tilbury https://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/product/filmstar-bronze-and-glow
Natural Lips: https://iliabeauty.com/en-gb/products/lip-sketch-hydrating-crayon-lipstick-lip-liner?variant=40816226566224
Berry lips: Look Fab Forever Mulberry https://www.lookfabulousforever.com/lip-makeup-for-older-women
The Collaborators
Tara O Calloghan
Beautiful Hats by @tocahats Tara’s hat designs include Panama hats, Fedoras, straw boaters, hair bands and truly unique one-of-a-kind creations designed and crafted by hand exclusively in her studio just outside Salisbury, Wiltshire. See more at her website https://toca-shop.com/
Arabella Womersley
Our stunning model kindly came out of model retirement to help us out. She was very professional and with a background in fashion she achieved the looks I was after, and of course, we had lots of fun.
It was a fun day and wonderful to work with two fabulous creatives – Arabella
Karen Lockyer (me)
This was such a fun collaboration and really inspiring working with others. I love the Biba era and recreating not only as a make up artist, but to put together the vintage clothes (mostly from my mothers 70s wardrobe) and work with Tara at her beautiful home that provided such a perfect backdrop to the image I was after. Then to take photographs I feel really proud of.
All photos and make up by Karen Lockyer
Karens Workshops and One 2 Ones
The Graceful Disgraceful Make up Experience is for small private groups (6) of women 40+, so grab a group of friends and book this fabulous self care workshop that celebrates women, guiding them through the early challenges of ageing from 40s to menopause and beyond. Booking now for November (click link below for details)
Photographic Experience
