Partner Valentino Moon
Pierre La Roche (1946
- August, 1991) was a member of
David Bowie's crew during the 1973 tours. He is responsible for makeup done during the Aladdin Sane years (the lightning bolt across his eye and "third eye" in the middle of his forehead). He was also the make-up artist for is known for The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Goin' Down the Road (1970) and Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1979).
A lot of mystery surrounds make up artist Pierre La Roche. What is known is that he was born in Algiers. Once "of age," he moved to France and then to England, where he became a make-up artist for Elizabeth Arden in the 1960s. After 5 years, he left the company when they insisted he become more conservative. La Roche went solo, and started working with rock stars.
During the sixties, inspired by the Arab women of his homeland who painted their eyes black with khool, Laroche popularized black eye-shadow and originated the glitter look. Later, he moved to America, where he reorganized his professional approach to include make-up for all kinds of women—and men.
He has been credited by starting the glitter-rock look, having created David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" and "Aladdin Sane" face-paint, as well as going on tour with The Rolling Stones as their make-up artist. La Roche was brought in as a consultant to The Rocky Horror Picture Show to help adapt the heavy-handed look that the actors from The Rocky Horror Show had created for the stage, and soften it for the big screen. He adapted both make up and hair designs for the film.
La Roche did Bianca Jagger’s make-up for the cover of People magazine, Elsa Peretti’s make-up for Helmut Newton’s photograph of her in Newsweek, and worked with Nona Hendryx on major make-up projects. Laroche was equally interested in designing make-up for the “average woman”. Intent on contributing to the American chic, Laroche asserted, “I have lived through the sixties in England. Now I’m getting ready to face the eighties in America.”
Michael Roberts; Ossie Clark; Mickey Finn; Pierre La Roche; Marianne Faithfull; Valentino Moon (Jurgen)
by Clive Arrowsmith
digital chromogenic print, 1973
17 1/2 in. x 17 3/8 in. (443 mm x 442 mm) overall
Given by Clive Arrowsmith, 2016
Photographs Collection
NPG x199703
Pierre La Roche (1931-2014), Make-up artist, and Valentino Moon (Jurgen) (active 1970s), Model and boyfriend of Pierre La Roche.
Pierre’s Breakfast Willie Christie at David Hockney’s house in Notting Hill on May 18, 1974.
Valentino Moon (Jurgen), Alice Pollock, Ossie Clark, Pierre La Roche, Marianne Faithfull and Michael Roberts
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