Meet the glam squad
ACCLAIMED singer and songwriter Beyoncé Knowles’s dress style and make-up is always perfect. Whether she is walking the most prestigious red carpets around the world or performing in a short, sheer dress, or just going on a walkabout with her family, one thing is for sure – she always looks flawless.
Just like most of her celebrity peers, if you are a star at that level, it takes an army of people, or a glam squad, to make sure that one is well put together. World-renowned beauty and fashion duo, Sir John and Ty Hunter, who have been part of Beyoncé’s glam squad, #BeyGlamSquad, recently visited South Africa for special masterclasses.
Hosted by fashion, beauty and food retailer Woolworths, the style superstars staged two VIP events at Woolworths Canal Walk in Cape Town and Woolworths Sandton City in Johannesburg.
The experience included a unique and exclusive customer event, alongside our very own Queen B – Bonang Matheba.
The event was a decidedly star-studded affair as celebrities, fashionistas, bloggers, influencers and the who’s who of the local fashion and beauty scene mingled with VIP customers, enjoying a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to learn from the stylist and make-up artist who are part of Beyoncé’s personal Glam Squad.
Between them, Sir John and Hunter have glammed up Queen Bey (Beyoncé) and helped the likes of Solange Knowles, Viola Davis, Kim Kardashian West, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Serena Williams, Joan Smalls and Karlie Kloss achieve incredible looks at the largest events and the world’s most posh red carpets.
This creative collaboration with Woolworths was a first for the pair, after the iconic “Beychella” – Beyoncé’s Coachella performance – which blew up every social media platform earlier this year with its 1980s-inspired aesthetic in April.
I asked Hunter about his life while dressing up the stars. Who are the stars you work with repeatedly and why?
I’ve been styling Beyoncé for the past 18 years. I have also been working a lot with basketball players like Kevin Garnett. What is a big no-no when it comes to dressing stars?
Never dress anyone in what you like or think works for them – it is not about what you like but what they are comfortable wearing. It is about highlighting GLAM SQUAD: (From left) Celebrity stylist Ty Hunter, TV personality Ayanda Thabethe and make-up artist Sir John at the #BeyGlamSquad masterclass. their best assets. If they are comfortable, they will wear each garment with confidence. Oh, and wear the right undergarments that will flatter your body. No dress or outer garment will work if your undergarments aren’t fitting properly. What was your favourite look from Met Gala?
I loved Cassie’s suit – very chic. Also loved Rihanna’s outfit – it fitted in well with the theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”, which was pretty amazing this year.
Sir John shared some of the hottest make-up and skincare looks for the winter season with us.
“The top-five winter make-up looks for the lips, skin and eyes: Honestly, everyday women should not follow trends or try to repeat what they see on Instagram – keep it authentic and natural – you are beautiful.
“Pick five things you love about yourself and highlight those things. You need to be authentic and true to your own beauty – that will give you confidence.”
What was his most important beauty advice to women?
“Be yourself. Your beauty will give you confidence – start with yourself, be happy with who you are, before looking at what celebs are doing on Instagram. It is not real, so stop comparing yourself.”