Gone are the days of walking the Hollywood red carpets – the glitz, the glam, the drama! Without a gaggle of superstar actors in attendance, the inevitable question of who is, and isn’t, sporting designer gowns is put in question. But, what happens to the artists, hairdressers, and makeup artists behind the scenes – the ones who contour and chiffon to make the stars shine? After months of the world standing still, the ripple-effects of a pandemic-ridden Hollywood have come to fruition; now more than ever, we must appreciate the underappreciated “glam squads” who craft the looks that may never get a chance to be seen.
1. Stylists in Limbo Without Celebrities on the Red Carpet
The red carpet season for fashion houses and celebrity stylists is usually a time of great anticipation and hustle. Every appearance looks to make a statement and generate new trends. But with the red carpets closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, these style influencers have had to get creative in other ways.
The future of stylists remains murky. In-person consultations are off the cards as are the usual grandeur appearances for award nights. As a result, many stylists in the fashion industry are wondering what it will mean for the future of their business. They have had to resort to doing virtual styling consultations, but with limited people interested they are left wondering:
- Can the industry survive without the celebrity appearances?
- What will be the next big fashion trend?
- How can they provide value to people with the current industry climate?
2. How Missing Movie Premieres Impacts “Glam Squads”
As movie premieres continue to be postponed, the effects ripple through the entertainment industry. “Glam Squads” - a term used to refer to the team of professionals behind actors’ or actresses’ hair, makeup, wardrobe, and nails get – feel the impact of this disruption.
When a movie premiere is called off, glam squads miss out on the hustle and bustle that comes with the pre-event preparation and the event itself. For instance, they lose out on the gratification and joy of transforming an actor or an actress into a red-carpet ready persona. Moreover, there are other impacts that cannot be neglected:
- Glam squads have to miss out on the monetary compensations likely to be obtained from premieres.
- Opportunities to expand their portfolio of work could be lost.
- Appearances on media – in interviews or shows – may not take place.
- Training sessions for advanced makeup and hairstyling techniques are often conducted during premieres.
This is a time of tremendous change for glam squads. Out of frustration, some have even turned to pursuing other full-time opportunities as the pandemic continues to persist.
3. Making Do Without Stars for Hair, Makeup, and Fashion Professionals
The absence of star clients creates a significant gap in the business of hair, makeup, and fashion professionals. With such sudden shifts, professionals must find ways to remain viable.
Here are a few ways to adjust without the sparkle of star clients:
- Promote Your Services First: Focus on promoting individual services and the team of professionals in the salon and on social media platforms. Draw attention to the value and high-quality expertise that clients can reap from the professionals.
- Online Coaching and Tutorials: Offer online coaching and tutorials as a way to stay connected to clients and attract new ones. Highlight different techniques and beauty trends on social media.
- Partnerships: Look for opportunities to form partnerships with local businesses to promote each other’s services and products. Consider sharing resources and collaborating in new ways.
Though the future of the industry remains uncertain, hair, makeup, and fashion professionals can still find creative methods to stay competitive and profitable. With initiative, professionals can discover new opportunities without the star power.
4. A New Normal for Glamour and Glamour Teams in Tinseltown
The entertainment industry and Tinseltown itself have had to adjust to a ‘new normal’ in the wake of the pandemic. In the past, glamour was something to be celebrated in red carpet ceremonies and glamorous movie shoots. However, the age of face masks and rapid testing has meant these indulgences have had to take a backseat.
For actors, staff, and crew a ‘new normal’ means more precautions to stay safe; including rapid testing protocols for actors and crew on set, as well as enhanced sanitation and PPE protocols on set. Even glamorous events such as movie premier red carpets have had to take a backseat – with virtual streaming ceremonies becoming standard. As such, glamour teams across Tinseltown have had to shift their focus to take into account the extra precautionary measures.
- Rapid tests and PPE for crew and actors: Mandatory protocols before any shoot to ensure safety.
- Enhanced sanitation: Use of PPE, and heightened safety and sanitation protocols for sets.
- Virtual streaming ceremonies: Glamorous events, such as red carpets, have been shifted to virtual streaming services due to extra precautionary measures.
Over the years, the red carpet has come to signify more than just a photo op: it has come to represent the glamour and extravagance of Hollywood. Without the possibility of actors on the red carpets, the future of the ‘glam squads’ that put in the hard work to make sure that the stars look their best is in question. The uncertainty of the future of red carpets and the ‘glam squads’ will have a lasting effect on the future of Hollywood itself.
