Thomas de Kluyver is an Australian born and London raised self-taught make-up artist who honed his craft by experimenting with makeup on himself and his friends as a teenager during the early 00s rave scene. His unique approach balances strong makeup and subtle references with method and technique. A mix of classic beauty meets youth subculture.
He is part of a wave of creatives shaping a new way of looking at beauty, through his monochrome and lipstick-heavy looks that transcend trends, referencing 80s and 90s rock musicians like Kim Gordon and Courtney Love. With runway shows for Opening Ceremony, Carven and Kenzo, and editorials for British Vogue, Vogue Italia and Dazed under his belt, De Kluyver’s has consolidated his trajectory as a rising star in the fashion world..
Born in Perth, Australia, De Kluyver grew up drawing and would do his friends’ makeup at night. Rebecca Williams, founder of Becca Cosmetics and a friend of his mother, gifted him a copy of the book “Beauty Flash” after he interned for her. De Kluyver used it along with François Nars’ “Makeup Your Mind” as his guide. He then landed a holiday job at MAC after one of his friends suggested he apply. In 2007, he moved to London, where he manned the door at a club called “Collapsing New People,” catching the attention of creatives like Pat McGrath with his makeup looks and ensembles.
The makeup artist soon began booking shoots for magazines like i-D and Dazed, Vogue Italia, British Vogue and Self Service , as well as advertising campaigns for APC, Sies Marjan and Missoni.
In May 2019 De Kluyver published his first book “All I Want to Be,” which involved working with photographers including Oliver Hadlee Pearch and frequent collaborator Harley Weir . The volume was met with critical acclaim, with Dazed lauding it as “a defiant, tender exploration of identity.” De Kluyver also became global makeup artist for Gucci, as the luxury house re-launched its makeup line.
He is contributing beauty editor of Dazed and is credited with creating runway and campaign looks for Calvin Klein, Simone Rocha, ACNE, Missoni, Jil Sander and Kenzo amongst others, as well as collaborating with photographers including Zoe Ghertner, Collier Schorr, Alasdair McLellan, Harley Weir, and Mert & Marcus.
He is represented by Art Partner and you can find his portfolio HERE
You can also visit his personal website HERE
