IMATS, as if you didn’t know, is the International Make‐Up Artists Trade Show, and in a nutshell it’s the industry’s biggest gathering of make‐up, hair and cosmetics companies, as well as make‐up schools, film companies and more. Many of the companies attending give amazing discounts on the day, and of course there are a whole host of incredible speakers, demonstrations, workshops and discussions to inspire and educate all make‐up fans!
Friday at IMATS is the PRO cardholder day, and is a great opportunity to mingle with other make‐up professionals and see the stands in a less crowded environment. There are some amazing talks and workshops on, designed to inspire and educate make‐up pros, and you’ll have first dibs on the incredible offers, discounts and new products available from the exhibitors at the event.
Saturday at IMATS tends to be the busiest day, as it’s the day when all the press representatives turn up, as well as all those bloggers and style gurus you’ve been dying to meet! It can make things a bit more crowded, and the queues a bit longer, but you’ll be rewarded with a fabulous atmosphere and a high probability of bumping into one or two of your make-up idols.
Sunday at IMATS is a great day to go. The press will have cleared out, the pros will have bought their supplies, so you’ll be free to shop, explore and enjoy with less crowds and stress than the other days. Not only that, but as the event starts to wind down in the afternoon, you could really bag a bargain when you haggle with the stallholders!
If you’re only attending IMATS for the day, it’s a good idea to plan in advance what you’re going to be doing and when, because time really does fly when you’re having such awesome fun. Here’s our guide to what to see and do on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help you make the most of your visit and maximise your IMATS experience.
Table of Contents
IMATS Checklist – Before you go
Getting to IMATS
Don’t forget to plan your travel to IMATS in plenty of time too. The venue is the Olympia National in Hammersmith, W14 8UX, and is well served by public transport. There is parking on site, but by far the easiest and least stressful mode of transport has to be the tube. Here’s how to find the venue from the major London train routes:
London Overground
Kensington (Olympia) is the stop for the Overground network. It’s just one stop away from Shepherd’s Bush on the Central line, or West Brompton on the District line.
Central Line
Change at Shepherd’s Bush for the Overground.
Circle Line
Choose to get off at Hammersmith and then take a 5 minute bus ride or 15 minute walk to the venue, or High Street Kensington for a 4 minute bus ride or a 12 minute walk.
District Line
Change at West Brompton for the Overground. Alternatively, get off at West Kensington and enjoy an 8 minute walk, or High Street Kensington for a slightly longer walk.
Piccadilly Line
Hammersmith is your stop if you don’t mind a 9 minute walk.
Hammersmith & City Line
Get off at Hammersmith and catch a 5 minute bus transfer or go for a 15 minute stroll
The ultimate Friday what’s on at IMATS guide
Don’t miss a thing at IMATS 2015. Take this handy timetable with you and you’ll be ready for every talk, discussion and workshop for the day.
Time | Venue | What’s On | Who |
12:30pm – 2:30pm | Club Room | A masterclass in digital make-up design featuring Rod Maxwell. Booking essential. | Rod Maxwell |
3:00pm – 7:00pm | Exhibition Hall | Make-up artist PRO card event | |
4:30pm – 6:00pm | Open Forum Stage | Make-up effects design panel | Neill Gorton, Steve Johnson, Mark Coulier |
The ultimate Saturday what’s on at IMATS guide
Don’t miss a thing at IMATS 2015. Take this handy timetable with you and you’ll be ready for every talk, discussion and workshop for the day.
Time | Venue | What’s On | Who |
10:30am – 12:00pm | Main Stage | Bobbi Brown Bridal | Hannah Martin |
Open Forum Stage | Application using a combination of silicone and foam prosthetics | Thomas Surprenant | |
11:00am – 12:00pm | Apex Room | Contouring with colour | Penelope Gwen |
11:30am – 12:30pm | Club Room | Becoming a flesh master – making colour theory simple | Rod Maxwell |
12:15pm – 1:45pm | Apex Room | Master effects designer Neill Gorton creates classic horror | Neill Gorton |
12:15pm – 1:15pm | Main Stage | Journey through the decades with Lan Nguyen-Grealis | Lan Nguyen-Grealis |
Open Forum Stage | Transforming Colour | Siân Richards | |
1:00pm – 2:30pm | Club Room | One bodypainting, three ways: prosthetics, airbrush and sponge | Gabriela Hajek-Renner |
2:00pm – 3:00pm | Main Stage | Creating an artistic make-up for editorials and fashion shows | Einat Dan |
Open Forum Stage | Career retrospective with keynote speaker Jan Sewell | Jan Sewell | |
2:45pm – 3:45pm | Apex Room | Setting the tone: Customise and perfect with Temptu Pro airbrush make-up | Vincent Ford |
3:15pm – 3:45pm | Main Stage | Battle of the Brushes: Character / prosthetics awards show | |
4:00pm – 5:00pm | Main Stage | ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ panel discussion | Lizzie Yianni Georgiou & David White |
The ultimate Sunday what’s on at IMATS guide
Don’t miss a thing at IMATS 2015. Take this handy timetable with you and you’ll be ready for every talk, discussion and workshop for the day.
Time | Venue | What’s On | Who |
11:00am – 12:00pm | Apex Room | Lee Pycroft: My career commandments | Lee Pycroft |
Main Stage | The art of male make-up and the context within contemporary society | David Horne, Mark Bowles | |
12:15pm – 1:15pm | Open Forum Stage | Love of beauty, creation of art by Paddy McGurgan | Paddy McGurgan |
Main Stage | Airbrush for natural perfection | Emilie Guillermin | |
Club Room | Working with wigs in the theatre | Gillian Blair | |
12:30pm – 1:00pm | Make-Up Artist Magazine Booth #201 | Exclusive book signing with David Horne and Mark Bowles | David Horne, Mark Bowles |
1:00pm – 2:30pm | Apex Room | Getting it right: How to develop and execute a strong character | Sofia Bue |
Main Stage | The art of illusion with keynote speaker Andrew Gallimore | Andrew Gallimore | |
2:00pm – 3:00pm | Club Room | The horror of war: Cliff Wallace goes behind the scenes of Kajaki | Cliff Wallace |
3:15pm – 3:45pm | Main Stage | Battle of the Brushes, Beauty / fantasy awards show | |
3:30pm – 4:00pm | Make-Up Artist Magazine booth #201 | Exclusive book signing with keynote speaker Andrew Gallimore | Andrew Gallimore |
4:00pm – 5:00pm | Main Stage | Making the most of a creative niche | Phyllis Cohen |
Open Forum | Keynote speaker Steve Johnson | Steve Johnson |
Your handy floor plan and exhibitor list
Floor Plan:
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Exhibitor list:
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Other posts about IMATS:
Nanshy celebrates IMATS London 2015 with big brush giveaway
5 things not to miss at IMATS London 2015