RUBY HAMMMER

Aims

To raise awareness:

• that make-up artists are not told what to do; they are left alone to get on with it
• that there are great opportunities to be creative and earn money
• that there can be a lot of travel involved to places all over the world
• that other creative people in exciting environments surround you

Curriculum relevance

This programme can be used and discussed in conjunction with courses in sociology, psychology, anthropology, religious and moral education, art and drama, graphic arts, photography, filmmaking, and issues of assimilation.

• England & Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland

Programme outline

00-00.54
Introduction to Ruby Hammer: a brief history of the Ruby & Millie cosmetics line.

00.55-04.59
Ruby explains how being a make-up artist is about teamwork. She relates the process from brief, to model, to photographer, to what brushes to use. She earns £350 a day. Make-up artists are not told what to do; it's the type of job where you are left to your own creativity. You learn the most from adversity. Case in point - Ruby makes a mistake and thinks quickly.

05.00-07.09
History 1: Ruby is of Bengali descent, but grew up in Nigeria in West Africa. Her first creative influence was the glamour of the Bollywood movies she watched at the local cinema. Aged 7 she began using eyeliner, and by 14 she was fully experimenting with make-up.

07.10-09.26
Ruby's other big creative influence was watching her mother put on make up as a little girl. Bollywood movie version of Ruby's life based on a true incident when she broke her mother's expensive lipstick.

09.27-11.08
Another creative influence came from the mystery of Africa, the people she met there and the stories they told. Bollywood re-enactment of scary stories Ruby heard first hand. At 12 years old, Ruby and her family moved to the UK. Her father expected Ruby to follow him into medicine. It wasn't to be.

11.09-14.11
Ruby studied economics at City University of London. After university Ruby met a famous make up artist and got her first job in the industry doing basic make-up artist duties. She assisted for a year and gained a reputation as hard-working. A beauty editor gave Ruby her first big spread in a major publication.

14.12-15.58
Ruby shows her portfolio and tear sheets. She explains the difference between hard core editorial and commercial experience. Steve Hiett, famous fashion photographer explains the relationship between make-up artist and photographer.

15.59-19.43
Ruby and Millie tell story of how they met in Harvey Nichols: they formed a friendship from a mutual passion for cosmetics. They also tell the story of the creation of Ruby & Millie cosmetics line and pitching the concept to Boots Pharmacists.

19.44-22.14
Ruby and Millie define their roles in the company and the relationship between creativity and business. Ruby has a heated business meeting with a Boots representative. Millie bemoans the length of time to develop ideas and bring them to market.

22.15-End
The secret of Ruby & Millie's success. They launched 6 years ago, and are now available in 400 outlets nationwide. Their next goal is bringing their make-up to America. Their friendship has grown along with their business. Ruby's passion is for cosmetics and she makes a great living out of what she loves to do. Ruby's life is like a Bollywood movie – it always has a happy ending.