Worldbuilders: Inside Isamaya Ffrench’s Boundary Pushing Career

In this highly competitive and often considered oversaturated industry, the ability to successfully create a brand that stands out amidst the clamor is truly worth celebrating. Featuring creatives who have achieved this impressive task, Models.com’s new series, Worldbuilders, explores the stories behind the makings of what could very well become tomorrow’s heritage brands. British makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench has carved out a reputation as one of the most innovative voices in the business with an approach that is far from standard soft glam. From her early days exploring body painting while working at a theater company to creating three-dimensional, prosthetic designs, she has redefined the boundaries of makeup as a medium, taking it to heights once unconceived outside of hours-long sessions in Hollywood. Her collaborations with industry titans like Mert & Marcus and Steven Klein further honed her understanding of lighting, beauty, and storytelling while also instilling in her the confidence to approach beauty on her own terms.

That essential foundation had led her to collaborations with major fashion publications, including Dazed, i-D, W, and Vogue while consulting for a heavy-hitting list of brands before she finally decided to go out on her own two years ago. Ffrench’s eponymous makeup brand, ISAMAYA, is known for its provocative and boundary-pushing themes–whether it’s BDSM-inspired designs or daringly phallic-shaped lipstick—and challenges traditional notions of beauty and censorship. Through her work, both on set and in product creation, Ffrench continues to push the conversation forward, proving that beauty is not just an aesthetic but a powerful tool for self-expression and cultural critique. Shot by Kloss Films in London, Models.com spoke to the artist at home to discuss her progressive brand, her impressive collaborations, and her unconventional approach to beauty.