THE RISE AND RISE OF A MAKE-UP ARTIST - Saima Rashid Bargfrede aka SAM

Saima, better known to me and most as Sam, revolutionised the world of make-up in Kenya. To her, make-up is not only a means of highlighting and bringing out beauty, but a work of art to be explored.

Sam hard at work

Having met Sam for the first time at Severine Devailly’s Fashion Show at Rusty nail in 2008, we seemed to make an instant connection, and I loved what she was doing with make-up. Her make-up was completely over the top, wild crazy hair, in other words, she broke all the rules of make-up as it was known in Kenya.

Severine Devaily’s Fashion Show

I brought Sam on board to do make-up for African Woman Magazine, and together we made an incredible team – not to mention Andre, the African Woman Photographer, absolutely loved working with her. Sam’s make-up brought the fashion to life, and much as it was not understood by the public at first, strong make-up looks become somewhat a trend.

Some of my favourite looks from our time together at African woman include:

Red and Black (Valentine’s) Shoot at Onami, Feb 2010, with Kinkey Model, Melan Wachie

Nike Kondakis Fashion Shoot at The Nairobi National Park with Kinkey Model, Gloria Barasa

Metallics Fashion Shoot at The Go Down Arts centre, with Kinkey Model Yvonne Odhiambo

And my BEST covers were:

Gloria Barasa, on Issue 11 of African Woman (Gloria actually let us shave her bald for this one)

Leah Akinyi on issue 13 - which was perfectly represented the cold June-July weather

Wangari Ngugi, winner of the Vaseline / African Woman Cover Girl Competition... This was the ultimate Fabulosity make-over for Wangari (Issue 18)

Fridah, rocking a Patricia Mbela head and neck piece... on issue 19 was simply awesome

With my history in fashion shows, and fashion show production, I worked with Sam on a couple of shows through our time together. Some of the shows include:

Italian Fashion Food and Wine, 2009 (organised by Sam and Dorothy Chrystlun, with assistance from me)

FAFA (Festival for African Fashion and Arts) 2010 Workshop and Fashion Show

Tribal Chic 2011 at Tribe Hotel

And... she is also responsible for my make-up in my profile shoot:

I shall keep adding more amazing pictures to this blog post as I find them, not only to showacse Sam's amazing talent, but also inspire aspiring make-up artistes. In the meantime, if you are too eager, follow this link to Saima Rashid Bargfrede's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saima-Rashid-Bargfrede-SRB/172530129473941

Sam, you'll definitely be missed in Nairobi... Take Europe by STORM!!!