backstagereport
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of Chantal Porte
Image courtesy
r
of Chantal Porte
Image courtesy
backstagereport
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antal Porter.
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The shoot: So Solid
Crew’s new single,
Since you went away
The venue:
Watford Leisure
Centre, Hertfordshire
The date: 26 June 2009
I
“
was lying on a beach in Aiya Napa last year
when I first met some of the members of
So Solid,” explains Chantal Porter, beauty
consultant and sales manager at Spa
Products International. “I kept in touch with
the group’s lead MC, MegaMan, via email
and when he said So Solid was due to make
a comeback with a new single, Since you went
away, I jumped at the chance to organise the
make-up and nails for the video.”
“I was invited to London for a meeting with
MegaMan and Sheridan de Myers, the video’s
director where they talked me through the concept;
a basketball theme where ‘Mega’ and MC Romeo
would be the star players, with lead female vocalist
Lisa Maffia as head cheerleader. Over 20 models
were to be involved, playing roles of glamour girls,
cheerleaders or fashion models and I needed a
team to do the nails and make-up for them, as
74 Scratch
well as for Lisa Maffia and her friends; so I left the
meeting bursting with ideas and got straight on the
phone and was organising the team the entire drive
back to Nottingham – on my hands-free of course!
“With educators all over the country for Spa Products
International, I was able to choose my team quickly – a
bonus as I only had two weeks to organise everything!
Inga Lewin, head of education, produces nails that are
out of this world, so I poached her to concentrate on
Lisa’s nails. I chose Vikki Hopkinson to do most of the
model’s nails, as nothing phases her and I knew she’d
have a lot to get through yet still produce fabulous
nails. Carina Pennant, my partner’s cousin, is a fantastic
make-up artist. She’s worked for Chanel, YSL and
Sisley and was a natural choice for Lisa’s make-up.
“The day before the shoot, the team and I headed
to the models’ dress rehearsal at a dance studio
in Fulham to give each of them an Exotic Glow
“After an early night, we arrived on location at 7am.
The majority of the video was to be filmed in the
basketball court at Watford leisure centre, and we
took hold of a room above it to begin the nails and
make-up. As the models flooded in, the room felt
increasingly small and with the
addition of freelance hair and
make-up artists we were soon
clambering for free space.
Inga and Vikki set up on a table
in the centre of the room and
straightaway began on the
model’s nails. With so many
to get through, we performed
manicures and either painted the
natural nails of the models, used AcryGel for fast, easy
extensions, or did ‘express nails’ for an instant effect.
Despite the lack of space and heat from straighteners
and curling tongs, everything ran really smoothly.
Depending on what the girls were wearing we used
neon Essie polishes and enamels from the new Kicks
range from China Glaze, which really complemented
the bright clothing. Nubar and Pronails provided nail
art to jazz up the nails of the glamour models.
as mine!’ She was also made up with her make-up,
courtesy of Carina, who used a combination of Art
Deco, Bobbi Brown and Lisa’s favourite brand, Mac, to
create the striking smoky-eye look with a matte base.
After much debate about eyelashes, Lisa chose to
wear false lashes from Perfect Nails.
“As Lisa’s hair was straightened and MegaMan
popped by to check on progress – Ribena in hand Inga got to work on Su-Elise’s nails. Su-Elise mentioned
that she usually has crazy nails, so Inga toned them
down by using Acrylic Plus with a subtle pink powder.
She said, ‘I usually have all sorts
hanging from them, with loads
of diamantés, so it’s nice to
have a change.’
“I prepared for smoky
eyes, glossy lips and
bright, funky talons
to complement
the fabrics .”
“Lisa Maffia arrived at around 8.30am with friends
Su-Elise (from girl group Mis-teeq) and Becky who
were also featuring in the video. They’d got lost on
the way and had driven to another leisure centre
so things started to run a little behind, as Lisa was
due on set at 10am and needed a full set of
acrylics! Inga got straight to work using the Acrylic
Plus advanced nail system to craft square nails in
a French style with black tips. Lisa absolutely loved
them and joked, ‘Don’t make anyone else’s as good
“Lisa and the girls were ready
around the same time and
production was only running a little
over schedule when they went to
get changed. Everything on the
nails and beauty front went to plan, but I wasn’t prepared
to be put in the video playing Lisa’s PA! I was given an
Apple Bottoms outfit and accessories to wear and Carina
quickly touched up my hair and make-up before I was
downstairs, ready to be filmed. That was a shock, but it
was so exciting. I loved working with So Solid, both in
the video and behind the scenes. Three weeks after
the shoot Lisa said to me, ‘The nails are amazing.
I have a hectic schedule that includes housework
and general ‘mum’ duties, but not one nail has
broken – they’ve lasted for so long.’
“So Solid are great people to work with and Since
you went away is a really good, uptempo track.
I love both the music and beauty industries so I’m
looking forward to more work with urban artists – and it
all kicked off from lying on the beach in Ayia Napa!
Chantal Porter - Spa Products International
T: 07815 510 648 E: chantal@spaproductsinternational.com
>>
www.spaproductsinternational.com
r
of Chantal Porte
Image courtesy
y
t
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a
Solidthe scenes
airbrush spray tan. We got a first glimpse of the
clothing for the video, which was provided by American
brand Apple Bottoms, which had an urban, sexy and
edgy feel - so I prepared for smoky eyes, glossy lips
and bright, funky talons to complement the fabrics.
(clockwise):
Opposite page
Spa Products
Chantal and the
applies Lisa’s
Int. team; Carina
tion of the
make-up; a selec
the shoot; Inga
products used for
rk on Lisa’s nails
Lewin gets to wo
top) Chantel
This page: (from
Chantal with
with MegaMan;
Elise Nash,
Lisa Maffia; Su
eq waits to get
formerly of Mis-te
a model waits
her nails done;
dry; MegaMan
for her nails to
from So Solid;
pops in with Taj
eo director
Chantal wih vid
ers
Sheridan de My
Scratch 75
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backstagereport
Famed for being the lead vocalist in
garage collective So Solid Crew as well as
having three top 10 solo hits and winning
ITV2’s Celeb Air, Lisa Maffia took time out
on the set of So Solid’s new video to chat
to Scratch about her beauty regime, plans
for So Solid and exciting future steps
00:00:00 It’s been a while since So Solid collaborated
can’t wait to hear the new
So Solid tracks. I would
love her to go into the
industry but it’s such a
demanding job. If she did want to go
into music I would support her and try to
make it easier for her.
and released a single. What’s the inspiration
behind the new track Since you went away?
00:00:17
It’s about the adventures the So Solid members
have been on and what we have made of
ourselves in the last few years. It’s like the rap of
So Solid that we never got to do; everyone went
onto do solo material and do their own thing and
I personally went onto write So Solid material and
establish myself as a solo artist and we never
actually got to do our final album. So Since you
went away is the perfect track to kick it all off.
00:03:33
Have the group dynamics of So Solid Crew
changed at all?
00:03:49
The group has changed quite a bit, although all
the original people are back. Because I’ve been
doing music the whole time this doesn’t feel like
it’s a comeback, but it’s nice to be around all my
friends. For a while now it’s been me with models
and film crews that I don’t even know. It’s nice
to be back working with everyone I remember.
We all went solo but now we are back together
and we are probably the most excited about it
because we are So Solid again.
00:11:48
00:12:07 00:14:14
00:14:34 We’re going for a really urban feel, something
a bit edgy with lots of bling. Personally, I’ll be
dressed in black, with sleek, straight hair, smoky
eye make-up with false lashes and acrylic
nails with funky black tips courtesy of Inga from
Chantal’s beauty team.
00:09:03
How does your daughter feel about you
getting back with So Solid? Do you think
she will follow in your footsteps?
00:09:42
She’s quite unphased about it all, although she
76 Scratch
What’s been your most extravagant purchase?
Last month I spent £900 on Dior boots and I actually
felt sick. I’m meant to be a responsible adult now!
Being in the music industry, do you feel a
pressure to stay in shape and look good?
00:15:57 I don’t look after myself as well as I should do,
I’m lazy when it comes to exercise. I don’t really
use the gym, but I’m sure everything will start
catching up with me with age. I enjoy having
facials though and usually have Crystal Clear
microdermabrasion and I enjoy the occasional
manicure, but mostly in my spare time I’m just a
mum. I see friends, go shopping and spend every
second I can with my daughter.
00:18:13
After the single and album have been
released will that be the end for So Solid?
00:18:47 No, there will be other ventures going on and lots
of brand new stuff. I still have my album to do,
which will have some dance tracks, house and
more commercial R&B and some of the other
guys are doing solo albums too. I’ve got my own
record label too, Maffia Records, which I’ve signed
Romeo to, so that’s keeping me busy!
and no longer have that little sweet voice anymore!
What’s the look for the latest video?
I’m so used to being the only girl that I fit in like one
of the guys – I like a bit of banter! I think I turned
girly overnight – the boys can’t believe I wear
heels, get my nails done and wear hair extensions!
00:15:28
00:06:41 Has your personal sound evolved?
00:06:50 My sound hasn’t really changed. I’ve just matured
00:07:24
00:07:36
What is it like being the only girl in the group?
00:21:00 Times up - thanks Lisa and good luck with
the single!
Image courtesy of Chantal Porter
with Lisa Maffia