The Charisse Report

Today my guest is Tiffany Bartok, the woman who, back in 2013 decided to make a documentary about the legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin.
Little did she know it would take numerous interview requests spread across several few years and along the way someone else would also decide to make a Kevyn Aucoin documentary!
If you don’t already know Kevyn Aucoin, he was a brilliant, influential makeup artist who rose to fame in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
While he worked with all the great photographers, including Albert Watson, Herb Ritts, Steven Klein and Steven Meisel, he was known for always taking Polaroids of his own looks and becoming one of the highest paid makeup artists in history.
In this episode, Tiffany – who’s also the host of one of my fave geeky podcasts Look Behind the Look – shares on the ups and downs and the realities of making a documentary and also about the brilliance of Kevyn himself.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves makeup, is a fan of Kevyn’s work or anyone who’s ever wondered about what it takes to make a documentary.
Links
Watch Larger than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story: https://vinylfoote.vhx.tv/checkout/larger-than-life-the-kevyn-aucoin-story
Follow Tiffany at https://www.instagram.com/tiffanybartok
My Substack: https://thecharissereport.substack.com
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
Check out my ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme
Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week I’m chatting with the most interesting fashion creator out there, Jay Tibbitts.
New York-based Jay has become a real authority on talking about fashion where it’s less about opinions and more about facts, statistics and curiosity and what makes him so interesting, especially within the fashion space, is that he’s not a creator who simply gushes over collections or churns out instant negative hot takes; instead he embraces curiosity and encourages dialogue.
Plus, he has a day job working in social strategy across beauty, tech and hospitality, which gives him this very individual viewpoint on how we use and consume fashion as well as culture in general.
If you’re a regular listener then you might already have heard Jay making a few appearances in the last episode, number 310, which was my epic SS26 fashion month report. In that episode Jay shared his top show picks from New York, Paris and Milan, but in this episode we dive even deeper into his favourite fashion month moments, and along the way we discuss the more provocative issues that emerged from shows such as Duran Lantink at Jean Paul Gaultier and Pieter Mulier’s new vision of Alaïa.
We also break down the concept of luxury itself, talk about Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel, ask if we still need fashion shows and discuss the prevalence of hot takes from online critics who have no prior knowledge of the fashion industry!
Links
Follow Jay at https://www.instagram.com/jaytibbitts/
My Substack: https://thecharissereport.substack.com
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
Check out my ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme
Business inquiries: [email protected]

Welcome to my SS26 Fashion Month report, packed with backstage interviews and voice notes from fashion industry insiders.
In this episode I take you through the shows I was most interested in from New York, London, Milan and Paris and share some backstage beauty moments with the likes of hair icons Sam McKnight and Eugene Souleiman and makeup artists Terry Barber and Yadim.
Throughout I’ll be sharing clips from my upcoming interview with one of the most thought-provoking fashion commentators out there, Jay Tibbitts. New York-based Jay has become a real authority on talking about fashion where it’s less about opinions and more about facts, statistics and curiosity.
Also, we have to talk about the passing of the legendary fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who died on September 4th, just before fashion month began, so I’ll be sharing insights from fashion industry insiders Edward Buchanan, Tamu McPherson and understitch, as well as an interview with Mimma Viglezio, former exec at Bulgari, Louis Vuitton and Gucci Group (now Kering) who also creates videos that share her unique perspective on the world of fashion. Of course a key question that comes up is: what will happen to Armani?
I’d love to know what you think so feel free to pop into the DMS @thecharissereport or @charisse_kenion and do please leave a review for the show to let me know if you like these kind of deep dives!
Wherever you're listening make sure to follow the show so you never miss another episode and don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack at thecharissereport.substack.com where you can check out many of the visuals I mention in this episode.
Links
Follow Jay Tibbitts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaytibbitts
Follow Mimma Viglezio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mimmav
ICE magazine review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQzQfQLCMsE/?igsh=MWU5cXJmNjVjZjcyYw==
Khaite review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOn4IjTCIDF/?igsh=MWlhYjd5dmQxZWgzZg==
Ralph Lauren review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOlLAXaiFEl/?igsh=MWV4Mm04d3J4MXdxNw==
Campillo review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOld2zjCLMS/?igsh=YnB4YWEwMzZvd3g3
Michael Kors review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOglxO-CDxE/?igsh=cHA5MGMzZ2R6ZXUx
Simone Rocha review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPthq-4iN_7/?igsh=MWNobnd0OTZwN3dydw==
BoF article; Does Fashion know what Women want? https://www.businessoffashion.com/briefings/this-week-in-fashion/does-fashion-know-what-women-want/
Saint Laurent part 1: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQADiSLCI1f/?igsh=MTdjeGpxNmlwcW40aQ==
Saint Laurent part 2:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQFSZI0CAKV/?igsh=dTJ1NHNkZmNybDFp
Saint Laurent part 3:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQH2s-SiPSq/?igsh=Zmp5a3Z4c2owazl6
Richard Quinn backstage beauty:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO3mrMcCN1d/?igsh=MXdpMmc2a2prd25vbA==
Maison Margiela review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPjFi3GCPa8/?igsh=MXM3ZnYyYzhoMWxwaQ==
Bottega Veneta review:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPlnN3vikr5/?igsh=MWFudHZmN2Y4dTlxeQ==
Bottega Veneta Jacob Elordi campaign video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQuN2MpCAaX/?igsh=dmNvemk4bDJpZGs2
SHOWstudio Milan Fashion Week panel discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXtDw9PEIKU&t=111s
Tom Ford review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPTvBO2iIjT/?igsh=MTBhbmNsMm95c25vcQ==
Mimma’s ShowStudio panel on Giorgio Armani SS13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8DLsOgqkcw
Mimma’s Reel on Armani:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOL-DNjiI_9/?igsh=MTcya2ZjMHh3YjcyZw==
WHERE TO FIND ME
Substack: https://thecharissereport.substack.com
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
Check out my ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 
Business inquiries: [email protected]

Today I have an amazing guest, Naeemah Lafond, a true force within the hair industry.
A first generation Haitian American who grew up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, Naeemah is well versed in hair at every level, as a stylist, artistic director, educator and someone who stands for change and real inclusion.
In 2021 she worked with Pinterest on the hair pattern function to improve the user experience for Black, Brown and Latinx people with textured hair in search of style inspiration and advice.
A year before, in June 2020, Naeemah created a guide about what needed to change when it came to Black creatives; from hiring black stylists to normalising Black beauty. While Naeemah’s focus was and is of course hair, her guide spoke to everyone in every industry.
In this episode we discuss how Naeemah got her start in hairdressing and how her work fits alongside being a mother. She talks about the gap she began noticing in hair education and points out why the onus falls on the system, not the stylist and she shares on that stunning global fashion moment when she created the hair looks for the Christopher John Rogers AW20 show.
By the way, there's a dedicated Substack on Naeemah's episode as well as a special video all about that epic Christopher John Rogers show over on my Instagram.
Follow Naeemah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naeemahlafond/
WHERE TO FIND ME
Substack: https://thecharissereport.substack.com
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 
Business inquiries: [email protected]

Today it’s very stream of conscious bonus mini episode. I’ve been thinking about Phoebe Philo’s brand a lot lately. It’s a brand with pieces that I am very attracted to. And, being someone interested and intrigued with how brands market themselves, there’s definitely a lot that piques my interest about Philo.
One thing that often gets my attention is the brand’s approach to social media; it’s so chill, almost like they - the brand, as well as the models showing the clothes - could care less. What we see are women simply getting on with their lives, while wearing Phoebe Philo and we get to watch.
Ahead of the much-awaited Collection D, dropping early 2026, I wanted to talk and write about what I enjoy about Phoebe Philo, so I figured I’d put out a mini podcast and write it all down on Substack too.
So if you prefer to read these words and see the accompanying images head straight to thecharissereport.substack.com – you can read it for free just please be sure to subscribe!
Wherever you’re listening, do please subscribe to or follow the show so you never miss another episode of The Charisse Report.
Next up I’ve got an epic fashion month round up for you! See you then.
WHERE TO FIND ME
Substack: https://thecharissereport.substack.com
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 
Business inquiries: [email protected]