This September, the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show (IMATS) will take place in Australia for the first time in the US-based show’s 12 year history.
To be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, from September 12 to 13, IMATS will showcase the work of local and international award-winning makeup artists, in beauty and prosthetic work.
IMATS Sydney is sponsored by Make-Up Artist magazine, which covers professional make-up artistry in film, fashion, TV and theatre. Launched in 1996 by Emmy Award-winning make-up artist, Michael Key, the magazine is circulated internationally.
IMATS Sydney brings the total of annual IMATS trade shows to five; comprising IMATS London, in January; IMATS Vancouver, BC, in April; IMATS Los Angeles, in June; and IMATS Toronto, in November.
The 2009 IMATS Los Angeles event attracted 6900 visitors, more than double the attendance of 2008.
Cheryl Morrill, Head of Advertising for Make-Up Artist magazine, said: “With all of the amazing makeup artistry coming from Down Under, we simply had to bring IMATS to Sydney.”
Keynote speakers for the show include renowned Australian makeup artist Rae Morris – makeup director of Australia’s Fashion Week, four-time winner of Australia’s Make-up Artist of the Year award, and author of Makeup: The Ultimate Guide.
International keynote speakers include Oscar winner Howard Berger, Britain’s BAFTA-winning make-up effects designer Neill Gorton, and special make-up effects artist Gino Acevedo.
IMATS Sydney will host 60 international cosmetics vendors, with educational seminars held throughout the weekend. Show organisers anticipate that 2500 visitors, both trade and consumer, will visit the event.
Aspiring makeup artists from around the world will compete in the IMATS student competition. The theme for Sydney ‘09 is “Gothic Beauty” on Saturday and “X Man Mutants” on Sunday. First-place winners in each category will take home a $1,000 prize.
IMATS SYDNEY
12 -13 September 2009, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
Opening hours: 8:30am – 5pm Saturday; 10am – 5pm Sunday
Open to trade and public