The Black Nouveau

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on” -Albert Einstein

Greetings! Its been sometime since my last T.B.N feature with the Master Jeweler & Sculptor, Mr. Wallace Chan, and I felt that it was time for some new material!

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Andrea Warmington, a very talented Creative Director in the Beauty & Fashion industries by way of London, England. She discusses her passion for creativity, design, art and how she achieved her dreams in the overly saturated melting pot that is Manhattan.

TBN: Let’s begin with your background, where did you grow up? When did you decide that moving to New York was something you wanted to do?

A.W: I grew up in London England, I came to New York to go to Art school, The School of Visual Arts. I was always into art and design. I loved drawing. My sister was going to Parsons in New York. I was really inspired by her doing what she loved, which was fashion designing. So I decided to apply to art school.

I didn’t think I would have a career in the arts. I was really into computer science in a strange way. I loved that aspect of writing code and getting into the technical side of the computer system. But I had a passion for art and acted upon it. After art school the first job I got was senior designer at Harper Collins, designing book covers. I must say I felt like I was in a dream the first 6 months. I was doing what I loved to do… Designing… Designing books. A book cover to me was like designing a mini poster. Loved the process and how every book cover tells a story, working with the typography illustrations, photography and just being experimental.I did that for a year and wanted to try something new.

I got hired at McCann Erickson as a junior art director working on L’Oreal. It was great, fast passed, and a new creative challenge, beauty advertising. I did that for a year and shortly after that worked for Condé Nast where I freelance for a few years, for Mademoiselle and then Vanity Fair magazines. I loved working there and it really allowed me to work on some fun special projects. I was working on project invites and advertorial pages, and it was always fresh and new. I stayed there for a few years.  I really was ready for a change. And change was working at Ericsson Fina, a beauty boutique ad agency which was a part of Grey New York. I worked on Covergirl as an Art Director to Creative Director where I worked on campaigns with Taylor Swift, Queen Latifah, and Janelle Monáe to mention a few. I worked with a number of amazing photographers and directors, models hair and makeup teams. I loved it!

TBN: What was your “Ah ha” moment? ( I borrowed this question from one my idols, Oprah) When did your calling speak to you?

A.W: I think that working at Ericsson Fina was a great “Ah Ha” moment because we pitched a beauty and hair campaign and we won the account. It was a great experience. We were a small creative team of say 8-10 and it was like working with your family. Really supportive, really creative and a good creative challenge.

TBN: As a Creative Director, is there a specific medium that you enjoy working in more than others such as photographic print campaigns vs. digital or television work? What’s the least favorite part of what you do, is there one?

A.W: I really love photography and film. I love the process of coming up with a creative campaign for a brand, the research and development and crafting of that campaign and then producing the final concept. I love the story telling aspect. I love how a photo alone can tell the story without words.

I love the idea of tapping into ones emotions…

I’m not sure if there’s a least favorite aspect of what I do. I have to think about that…

TBN: You work with what I assume to be large groups of talented individuals such as Photographers, Hairstylist’s, Makeup Artist, etc. Do you find it difficult to align on one common vision for a project?

A.W: I’ve worked with Pat McGrath an amazing British and Black makeup artist, Photographer Tom Munro, Micheal Tompson, Dan Jackson, some really amazing creative guys who have worked on some major editorial stories and advertising campaigns. I must say they are all so collaborative and creative. I love working with a team of experts who do what they do best, I have my vision, but it’s just the foundation. Working with a strong team is key and you must be flexible. I don’t like to work with drama queens because the end of the day we are all putting our names on the final product i.e ad campaign or editorial story.

TBN: Did you always envision that you would have a career in this field of work?

A.W: No… I really wanted to be a systems analyst. Can you believe that?!

TBN: This may be a bit of a touchy subject, but do you think that we’ve made collective progress in the availability of jobs within the Fashion Industry for people of color?

A.W: Wow… I’m black and was born in the UK. I remember working at Saatchi & Saatchi in the UK and I was the only black creative person in the building. I would say things have changed a lot over the years. I can talk for the beauty business which is somewhat similar to the fashion business. I do think I’ve had much opportunity to work in the Beauty business both here in the US and in Europe and Asia. It could be timing, but I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work were I’ve worked.

TBN: Where do you see your career trajectory within the next 3-5 years? What goals do have on your list, and what advice would you give to readers on how to pursue and manifest their own dreams?

A.W: James that’s a good question. I really love the creative field. I really would love to strive to create work that not only inspires and educates people in some way, but touches you emotionally and in a positive uplifting way. So I’m keeping it open so I can explore new opportunities that will allow me to do this. My new creative challenge now is working for a start up magazine that bridges all the experience I’ve gained over the years. This magazine is a celebrity lifestyle publication that gives you exclusive stories and keeps you current with beauty, fashion, trends, with a European twist. The magazine is in both Spanish and English. I was brought on to take this European Tabloid magazine to the next level in the US market. Check it out on a newsstand near you, Hola! (Made in the USA)

TBN: Lastly Andrea, how has this journey been for you thus far? What has been the most interesting part for you, and what has been the most challenging?

A.W: It’s been a great journey…

I think that things are changing in the industry. I started out in the industry where you were an expert in your field i.e: Beauty. Now it seems that we are all experts. The internet has changed the industry and how consumer are involved in the process. Now you can create your own Youtube commercial and have thousands of people watching it from all around the world… that’s pretty major. From online Youtube videos to digital magazines, Instagram, Facebook, these are all creative tools to express yourself.

Andrea Warmington

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I would like to give a big sincere thanks to Andrea for taking the time to chat with me for The Black Nouveau!

It has been a wonderful insight into the exciting world of Creative Art Direction.

J.F