Makeup Artist Lucy Bridge Launches 248-Page Book 'Colour Mode'

Makeup artist Lucy Bridge celebrated the launch of her first book, "Colour Mode," a 248-page volume published by Thames & Hudson, at Dover Street Market Paris on Friday evening.

The book, which culls more than 380 images, was conceived with creative director Veronica Ditting. "It was actually Veronica's idea," Bridge said. "So we started working together in lockdown."

The pair first collaborated on a show at the start of 2023. "Veronica really liked how I printed out my imagery — like my eyes and my lip details — to show the press and my assistants," Bridge said. "She contacted me and was like: 'If every you want to do a book, then let me know.'"

Bridge accepted immediately. That was about three-and-a-half years ago.

"It's been quite funny because I thought: 'OK, I'm going to ask Lucy to do a book, but maybe in a year's time or something she's going to come to me," Ditting said. "But her just being a force she directly said: 'OK, when do we start?' So we really established everything together."

"It feels like we've birthed a baby," Bridge said.

How did the collaborators shape the book?

Bridge and Ditting selected photographers with whom Bridge has long-standing relationships and whose work would sit well together visually. "It's not a magazine, we want it to be a book — something a bit more timeless," Bridge said.

Ditting called Bridge's work "so expressive and vibrant, and we really wanted to showcase that through collaborations with all of these photographers that all brought a different thing to her work, as well."

The volume includes:

• 10 commissioned stories by photographers, including Jack Davison, Carlijn Jacobs, Tim Walker and Sam Rock
• Each story introduced with information on the makeup colors used
• "Looks in Progress" sections with images revealing Bridge's creative process and practice
• A selection of Bridge's editorial work spanning from 2009 to 2026
• Texts about collaborating with Bridge penned by Haider Ackermann, Saskia de Brauw and Dries Van Noten

Where can buyers find it?

Thames & Hudson publishes the book at 62 euros. In Paris, "Colour Mode" is now sold at Ofr and Yvon Lambert, among other retailers.

The book launch caps a milestone year for Bridge, who was named Tom Ford's first global makeup artist last October. With editorial work stretching to 2026, the volume doubles as a record of a career still accelerating.