The Charisse Report

Today it’s very stream of conscious bonus mini episode. I’ve been thinking about Phoebe Philo’s brand a lot lately. It’s a brand with pieces that I am very attracted to. And, being someone interested and intrigued with how brands market themselves, there’s definitely a lot that piques my interest about Philo.One thing that often gets my attention is the brand’s approach to social media; it’s so chill, almost like they - the brand, as well as the models showing the clothes - could care less. What we see are women simply getting on with their lives, while wearing Phoebe Philo and we get to watch.Ahead of the much-awaited Collection D, dropping early 2026, I wanted to talk and write about what I enjoy about Phoebe Philo, so I figured I’d put out a mini podcast and write it all down on Substack too. So if you prefer to read these words and see the accompanying images head straight to thecharissereport.substack.com – you can read it for free just please be sure to subscribe!Wherever you’re listening, do please subscribe to or follow the show so you never miss another episode of The Charisse Report.Next up I’ve got an epic fashion month round up for you! See you then.WHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://thecharissereport.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

Yes we are ba-ack! New name, new format but still the same focus on bringing you the stories and guests who truly shape the fashion and beauty landscape.My first guest for this new format is the one and only Sam Fine; the ground-breaking makeup artist who celebrates the beauty of women of colour through his work and created an industry bible in the form of Fine Beauty: BeautyBasics and Beyond for African American Women.Today Sam's skills are still in demand for a slew of celebrity clients and most recently he won the Icon Award at the eleventh annual Met Gala Artists Dinner.In this episode Sam shares on how he decided to become a makeup artist, how being adopted at just six months old gave him a different view on the concept of family and why he's so passionate about centring black beauty.And there's more; as well as this episode there's also a fully-visual edited version over on YouTube so you get to see more of Sam's work in all its glory.Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCharisseReportLinksFollow Sam Fine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samfinebeauty/WHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://thecharissereport.substack.com/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautymeBusiness inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

The 2025 Met Gala dress code was ‘Tailored for You’ and on the night, many of the guests were inspired by the themes and concepts on show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibition ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.’On the night we saw heavy influences of the Black Dandy, a little international flavour and a lot of tailoring with highlights coming from the likes of Zendaya, Lewis Hamilton and Teyana Taylor.In this Met Gala special I chat with fashion creator Aston Em, beauty editor Kayla A. Greaves and stylist Justin Friedman to find out their top 5 blue carpet looks. As well as sharing my own favourite moments, I also share information on the history of the Met Gala and how Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity formed the basis of the exhibition.LinksFind Aston on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astonemmmFind Kayla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylaagreavesFind Justin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomfordforgucciWHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionFind me on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautymeBusiness inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

This week my guest is Michela Wariebi, a New York-based makeup artist who was born in Monrovia, Liberia.I can’t remember when or how I first discovered Michela, but I know why I followed her; she has this brilliant relationship with colour, especially when it comes to black skin, and she is an artist in the truest sense of the word.In this episode Michela is really open and thoughtful; she’s honest about what she calls her trash morning routine and she shares which beauty innovations have inspired her the most throughout her 15 year long career.We also discuss the importance of grooming as a ritual and we talk about how beauty is not just about creating an aesthetic, it’s also how we communicate.We also touch upon the recent conversations around why Pat McGrath Labs is apparently failing when Pat McGrath the woman is a unicorn in the beauty industry and the importance of archiving black beauty practices and products.Follow Michela on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michelawariebi/WHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

This week I’ve got a very special guest in the form of Aston Morrison, known on the internet as Aston Em, the creator of some of the most aesthetically striking fashion content videos you will ever see.Aston manages to create truly viral moments by showing the beauty that isn’t always shown, particularly when it comes to black models and black designers.In this episode New York-based Aston shares on his first fashion memories including watching his singer mum Elizabeth get ready to take to the stage as well as the impact that Nerd members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo had on his own personal style.Aston is also very open about how he sees the benefits of using AI as a creative tool, but not something that you need in order to create.LinksNymphet Alumni episode with Evan Collins of CARI: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1psqjoLoRPK9oo4Lbci2vS?si=ea44eeae87a84b2fAston’s models you need to know video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHn0KpExhJj/?igsh=MWFxamp0MnA3YjhvMA==Follow Aston on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astonemmmFollow Aston on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astonemmmWHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautymeBusiness inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

Imagine going through your mum’s closet and finding out she wears Tom Ford for Gucci?That’s just part of Justin Friedman’s undying love for everything Tom Ford and one of the reasons he started his fashion archive account @tomfordforgucci.I’m so excited to share Justin’s episode with you; he’s a New York-based stylist and creative director who fell in love with fashion from an early age and early on in this conversation we connect over that love and share on how it got us into not only collecting magazines but also trying to recreate what we saw in those magazines through drawing.As you can imagine the conversation also touches upon some of our most favourite ad campaigns ever which then leads us to discuss the state of the fashion industry right now and into the concept of aspirational advertising.Follow Justin at https://www.instagram.com/tomfordforgucci/WHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

This week my guest is New York-based makeup artist and content creator Lila Childs. I’ve been following Lila for a few months because she really stands out for having this amazing ability to recreate some of the most beautiful makeup looks while also making her followers feel like they can do it too. In this episode we discuss celebrity glam squads and why it’s time the media caught up with the importance of the teams involved behind the scenes, especially when it comes to those iconic red carpet beauty moments, because it’s not just about fashion.Lila also shares on how it felt to become one of Pat McGrath’s porcelain dolls when the makeup icon released Skin Fetish Glass 001 Artistry Mask recently. I loved listening to her share on how it felt to meet Queen Pat and she also gives us the breakdown on how to use the mask – although last time I checked it was still sold out online.Let me know if you know Lila’s work already – you can send me a DM on Instagram or chat with me on Threads @charisse_kenion and if you’re listening on Spotify you can tell me your thoughts direct as we can now chat to each other over there!If you’re listening elsewhere please leave a rating or review for the show and remember there’s also a newsletter that’s free to read at beautymenotes.substack.com and I’m also over on YouTube too now.LinksPat McGrath on Desert Island Discs: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fxVUzVULX88n4RWv28ntT?si=c12bb957c2944b83Follow Lila on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilainc/Follow Lila on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lilachildsWHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

Today's guest is the brilliant makeup artist, illustrator and creator of Face Lace, Phyllis Cohen. For anyone who doesn't know, Phyllis has been working in beauty for four decades and during that time she has likely inspired many of the beauty 'trends' we see today.Her career as an illustrator and self-taught makeup artist has seen her working through some truly innovative decades - the 80s and 90s in particular - and you can imagine the stories she has to tell!Over the years Phyllis has worked with everyone from David Bowie and Tina Turner to Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga. It's actually impossible to cover everything Phyllis has done in 90 minutes, but I guarantee you've got a real treat in store.In this episode Phyllis shares some amazing insights on growing up in Vancouver in the 1960s as well as being adopted as a baby, and moves on to share her wild ride of a career which began with her studying illustration.Throughout the conversation we zigzag from era to era and honestly, this easily could have been a 5-hour interview.Phyllis also shares on her ideas on female beauty, why she started her insightful Perceptual Makeup Instagram account and how she created the truly innovative beauty brand Face Lace, in 2012.Be sure to let me know if you know Phyllis’ work or if you’re a fan of Face Lace – you can send me a DM on Instagram or chat with me on Threads @charisse_kenion and if you’re listening on Spotify you can tell me your thoughts direct as we can now chat to each other over there!If you’re listening elsewhere please take a minute to leave a rating or review for the show; it really helps.Remember there’s also a newsletter that’s free to read at beautymenotes.substack.com and I’m also over on YouTube too now.WHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

Willy Chavarria is one of the most important, if notthe most important designer to come out of the United States since launching his first runway collection in 2017.In 2023and 2024 Willy was named CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year and in 2024 Vogue Business said that getting a invite to a Chavarria show was like winning a golden ticket.So in this episode you will get a mini bio of who Willy Chavarria is and what his enduring themes are when it comes to his collections, leading up to his recent Paris debut.Then I’ll break down the key themes of the Tarantula show - which for me were: Emotion, Resistance and Romance, and finally I’ll be going into the hair and makeup, because there’s no way I can talk about this show without talking about those two key components.I’m so glad to share an interview with the wonderful Yadim, who keyed the makeup for the show, as well as Ela Casati, fashion commentator and also Christiano Wennmann, one of the models who walked the runway.I would love to know your thoughts; what does Willy’s work mean to you? If you're watching on Spotify leave a comment and I can actually reply! If you're listening elsewhere then do please the show a rating or review, it really makes a difference.WHERE TO FIND MESubstack:https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.comLINKSFollow Christiano Wennmann on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiano.kei/Read Ela Casati’s blog on Willy Chavarria: https://www.elacasati.com/post/the-importance-of-being-willy-chavarria-everything-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-his-parisian-debutFollow Ela Casati on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elacasatiFollow Yadim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yad1m/Article on Pachuchos:https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/artbound/pachucos-not-just-mexican-american-males-or-juvenile-delinquentsArticle on the French Resistance:https://www.wondersandmarvels.com/2017/01/fashion-resistance-wwii-france.htmlArticle on Willy X Kendrick Lamar: https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-collection-1235249635/Willy Chavarria winning CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year: https://hypebeast.com/2024/10/willy-chavarria-american-menswear-designer-of-the-year-2024-cfda-fashion-awards-winner-listHypebeast Radio interview with Willy Chavarria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcSfKne1rlk&t=452s

Today I’ve got the wonderful Vilde Feste, MAC Cosmetics Nordic Senior Artist as my guest. Vilde lives in Copenhagen and through her work as a makeup artist she covers Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Norway as well as working backstage at some of the most exciting shows at the international fashion weeks. For me Vilde is the queen of the lip combo so I really wanted to find out more about her inspirations. In this episode Vilde shares on how growing up in a small city in Norway and constantly playing with her image meant that she always stood out. I love how Vilde's story takes us from the time she bought her very first MAC Lipglass, to how she ended up being a Senior Artist for the brand. Along the way she shares on the benefits of living in Copenhagen and why she could never give it up for a move to New York or London. I’d love to know what you thought of this one, so if you’re listening on Spotify be sure to drop a comment, as we can actually talk now! Also, please don’t forget to follow the show if you’re a Spotify listener, it really helps others to find it and let’s me know how this community is growing. If you’re listening elsewhere on Apple Podcasts or anywhere else you get your podcasts, please do subscribe to the show and leave a rating or a review, so others know if they should listen and I know if I’m doing a good job! You can also share feedback over in the DMs over on Instagram @charisse_kenion, or find me on Threads at @charisse_kenion. Links Weleda Skin Food: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364175 MAC Strobe Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364180 MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tinted Moisturiser: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364185 MAC Face and Body Foundation: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364189 MAC Lip Pencil in Chestnut: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364197 MAC Clear Lip Glass: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364211 MAC Lip Pencil in Root For Me: https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13852/340/products/makeup/lips/lip-pencil/lip-pencil?shade=Root_For_Me%21_ Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT Find me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/ BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

My FINAL guest of 2024 is here! I've wanted to have makeup artist Sara Wren on the show for so long, and I'm so glad that the Director of Artistry for Milk Makeup is our final guest interview. In this episode the Philadelphia-based makeup artist takes us behind the scenes of her life in makeup. From being inspired by Gwen Stefani and her first makeup counter job working for Christian Dior to how she became Director of Artistry for one of the most no-nonsense, multi-tasking beauty brands to come out of the 2010s: Milk Makeup. As well as being hilarious and enlightening, this episode is a great opportunity to learn more about beauty retail, because when Sara first started working at Milk Makeup, she actually worked in account management, spending much of her life on the road and in hotels. If you love this episode as much as we did, feel free to reach out in the DMs over on Instagram or find me on Threads - @charisse_kenion for both. And if you really loved this episode, give the show a rating or review - that would be the perfect Christmas gift to me. Also, be sure to follow the show wherever you're listening. Links Find Sara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrentar Find Sara on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrentar Purito Centella Unscented Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422441 Purito Centella Unscented Recovery Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422443 Mutha Rebirth Amniotic Toner: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422448 Obagi Clinical Vitamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422452 The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422455 Laneige Lip Glowy Balm: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422458 Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422459 Youth to the People Superfood Hydrate + Firm Peptide Eye Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422465 Shop Milk Makeup: https://milkmakeup.com/ Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT Find me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/ BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Today’s guest is Alicia Lartey, a London-based esthetician, skincare expert and cosmetic chemist student who also works in new product development. As such we talk a lot about skincare and Alicia’s approach is really refreshing, especially when it comes to brands who have always put diversity at the forefront of their offerings - not just because it's a trend. However we don’t just talk about the products we put onto our skin; Alicia is also candid about her journey towards feeling comfortable in her own skin, especially when it comes to her health. She also shares on her hilarious early experiments with makeup involving her mum’s Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation! I would love to know if you enjoyed this episode so let me know in the DMs over on Instagram @charisse_kenion, or find me on Threads at @charisse_kenion. You can also share your thoughts by commenting on my Spotify page now so we can have a little chat - just be sure to follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening so you never miss another episode. Follow Alicia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alicia.lartey Follow Alicia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia.lartey Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT Find me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/ BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme