Biography
Thomas De Kluyver 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.