An often-overlooked category of influencers, the humility of most artists is what sees them resigned to the background of even the most exciting trends, visions and ideas.
For far too long, artists have been listed last in the credits, or paid to create work that is only credited to the brand, without the true recognition for their work.
The below group of artists resonate with New Zealand fashion & beauty in myriad ways, and most have taken their skills off-shore to share them on the global stage. From make-up artists to fine artists, photographers and stylists, these eight creators deserve every bit as much recognition as their Influencer counterparts.
Anahita Paul
IG @anahitapaul
If you’ve had a stylish flat lay, perfectly merchandised window, multimedia editorial or collage catch your eye over the last twelve months – it may just have been the work of talented mixed media artist Anahita Paul. Positioning herself as ‘grounded in visual storytelling and the intersection between content and art’ we frequently fangirl over her artwork which balances traditional mediums and technique with a style that perfectly appeals to social media formats.
Anahita has become a breakthrough creator in 2024 that can now name brands such as Commercial Bay, MECCA, Bronwyn, RUSSH, VIVA & Hermes amongst her client list.
Estelle Schuler
IG @estelle.schuler
Estelle Schuler is the Auckland-based stylist whose effortlessly cool aesthetic is turning heads in fashion and music alike. With a portfolio boasting collaborations with global heavyweights like Adidas, Kathmandu, and Vans, she’s also the go-to creative for styling local artists such as Muroki, Molly Payton, and Jujulips. Whether she’s curating looks behind the scenes or stepping into the spotlight herself—like her recent work with the Levi’s x McLaren collab—Estelle is a force to be reckoned with.
Her unique style, magnetic personality, and impeccable taste have made her one of the most sought-after stylists in the game. Loved by everyone, Estelle is the ultimate cool-girl muse—someone you can’t help but want to work with, be like, or simply be around.
Holly Sarah Burgess (Ngāpuhi, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi)
IG @hollysarahburgess
Holly Sarah Burgess is the creative force taking Aotearoa’s photography scene by storm. With an eye for detail and a knack for capturing magic, she’s collaborated with iconic brands like Rebe, Harris Tapper, and Deadly Ponies, while her work has dazzled readers of Fashion Quarterly. Represented by Loupe Agency, Holly’s calendar is buzzing with clients lining up to get her signature touch on their campaigns.
A proud descendant of Ngāpuhi and Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Holly’s creativity is deeply rooted in her whakapapa. With a vision as sharp as her lens, Holly is rewriting the playbook for contemporary photography, one stunning shot at a time.
Kiekie Stanners
IG @kiekie__
A professional makeup artist with deep roots in Aotearoa’s fashion industry, Kiekie’s journey began as a teenager with a love for the craft of design. After studying at AUT and gaining hands-on experience locally, she joined M.A.C Cosmetics, then the leading backstage beauty brand. As a Global Ambassador, she worked at International Fashion Weeks and contributed to seasonal trend creation, gaining a global perspective on fashion and beauty marketing and storytelling.
Over the past 16 years, Kiekie has collaborated with some of New Zealand’s most iconic designers, from NZFW and offsite shows to campaign imagery and social content. Her notable partnerships include Naveya and Sloane, Zambesi, the M.A.C AIDS Fund, and Kate Sylvester.
Kiekie is dedicated to the future of Aotearoa fashion, striving to inspire creativity and champion the industry’s diverse ecosystem—designers, writers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, producers, PR professionals, and authentic influencers—to ensure its ongoing success.
Liz Hyun
IG @liz_hyun
Liz Hyun, a Korean-Kiwi make-up artist, has firmly established herself as one of Aotearoa’s leading beauty creatives. With an exquisite eye for detail and an innate talent for transformation, Liz has graced the pages of major publications like Fashion Quarterly, Viva, and Remix. Her artistry shines both behind the scenes of high-profile shoots and in her work with diverse clients, where she prioritizes creating genuine connections to tailor every look.
Liz’s journey into make-up began as a passion that flourished into a full-time career. After transitioning from retail beauty to freelancing, she’s become known for her ability to enhance natural beauty while pushing creative boundaries. When she’s not perfecting flawless skin or crafting dramatic evening looks, Liz draws inspiration from the global beauty scene, K-pop icons like NewJeans, and collaborations with musicians like Chaii. Whether she’s crafting clean, minimal daytime looks or bold, smoky evening styles, Liz continues to shape and celebrate beauty through her artistry.
Tallulah
IG @look.bomb
Amongst the stand out artists of the year, we couldn’t help but include the talented and original work of MUA Tallulah McLean, current winner of the VIVA Beauty Awards Makeup Artist of the Year 2024. Tallulah is someone whose work has caught our collective eyes time and time again of the last few years. A fresh voice in the fashion and beauty industry, Tallulah is a champion of personal expression, who looks to use colour, texture and technique to bring new perspective to her clients and campaigns.
Lochie Stonehouse
IG @lochiestonehouse
New Zealand-born Lochlain Stonehouse is a trailblazing make-up artist celebrated for his multidisciplinary approach to beauty and advocacy for progressive values in the industry. Beginning his career at the MAC Cosmetics counter, Lochie honed his craft over six years with the brand, eventually working backstage at runway shows and teaching artistry as an educator.
Lochie’s expertise propelled him to the L’Oréal group, where he served as Director of Artistry for L’Oréal Luxe, leading education and creative direction for prestigious brands like Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, Giorgio Armani Beauty, and Lancôme. Since stepping away from his corporate role in 2020, he has thrived as an independent artist, specialising in consulting, editorial, commissions, and celebrity collaborations, dividing his time between Los Angeles and Aotearoa.
His portfolio is a who’s-who of global talent, including Lorde, Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan, Benee, and Camila Cabello, and his editorial work has graced the pages of Vogue, Rolling Stone, W Magazine, i-D, and more. As a key artist, he’s shaped collections for iconic designers such as Karen Walker, Zambesi, Wynn Hamlyn, and Stolen Girlfriends Club. Lochie Stonehouse continues to redefine beauty, blending innovation and artistry to leave an indelible mark on the fashion and beauty worlds.
Synthia Bahati
IG @synthiabahati
Your favourite creators, favourite creator. Synthia Bahati is a photographer and multidisciplinary artist, and one third of the Bahati sibling trio you need to get to know (shout out award-winning fine artist Sonielle Bahati @soniellebahati and fashion designer, director, videographer Frandson Bahati @frandsonbahati).
Using photography as her preferred medium Synthia is deeply inspired by her lived experience of Black identity in Aotearoa, celebrating themes of representation, community, and self-determined beauty. With a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Auckland, Synthia’s work spans campaigns for Casio G-Shock, Viaduct Harbour, REMIX magazine, HUFFER and VIVA as well as content creation for all your favourite streetwear brands and headlining art exhibitions around the country.