SARAH TAMMER

Welcome to our Inspiring Women in Australian Fashion and Art Series, and our conversation with Sarah Tammer, one of Australia’s most accomplished Make-Up Artists.

With a career spanning over a quarter of a decade, Sarah is continually inspired by nature, the arts, books, dance, music and people. Her skill, passion for her craft, and her calm, collaborative working style has seen her directing makeup for leading fashion brands at Fashion Week and brand events. A popular editorial artist, Sarah is consistently booked for fashion and beauty editorials and covers for prestigious titles including VOGUE (US, Australia, Spain), Harper’s BAZAAR (Australia, Singapore), MARIE CLAIRE (Australia) and ELLE (Australia).

She has also worked for major television network productions including The Voice, Australia’s Next Top Model, and Naomi Campbell’s The Face. A passionate collaborator and advocate for global and niche beauty brands, Sarah was The Brand Ambassador for Giorgio Armani Beauty and works with Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Mecca Cosmetica, Bite Beauty, Zen Facial, Lepaar Skin, and Equal Beauty. She continues to work with many fashion brands and retailers on advertising campaigns and content including David Jones, Country Road, Witchery, Bonds, Portmans

Sarah’s positive, easy-going manner and her signature of flawless, radiant beauty has made her a go-to for celebrities and high-profile personalities for both personal and professional engagements. Her client list includes: Chris Hemsworth, Alicia Keys, Elle Macpherson, Elsa Pataky, Shanina Shaik, Elizabeth Debicki, Seal, Samuel L. Jackson, Vera Blue, Sarah Murdoch, Jessica Hart, Cheyenne Tozzi, Jessica Gomes, Isabel Lucas, Rachael Taylor, Erin Brokovich, Celeste Barber, Megan Gale, Billie Eilish, Rachael Taylor, Robyn Lawley, Amy Shark, Nicole Warne and Natasha Liu Bordizzo.

Tell us about your creativity, drive and inspirations?

I draw my creativity, drive and inspiration from many things in my life; my family & friends, and all the wonderful creative people I am blessed to collaborate with. Mother Nature, the arts; painting, music, film, books, fashion, travel, social media, yoga, meditation & living a healthy lifestyle...

Who are the women that have inspired you in your life?

My Grandmother Nina was elegant, chic, funny and cute, she was the first hairdresser in our family... my grandfather, father and three of my father’s sisters also followed the same career path as did several of their partners including my mother for a brief period, and then later down the track my stepmother.

My mother has been involved in the theatrical arts from a young age, performing on stage, in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes. She was a muse for my father in his early days as hairdresser.

My stepmother Gail has always been passionate about sewing.

I’m really enjoying learning from my niece Dubs who is a divine young First Nations Woman. She’s a dancer, actress and newly signed model with Priscilla’s. Time spent with her is very precious, she teaches me a lot about culture. 

My stepmother is also very creative with cooking, knitting and works with my father across their businesses. 

As a child I grew up living behind my fathers hairdressing salons and spent hours in the salons helping and assisting as well as being a practice model for my fathers apprentices. These young women also had a influence on me. We had fun creating weird and what we thought were wonderful styles on my head. I did the first two years of my hairdressing apprenticeship with Aunty Maureen, and like Nina, she was very chic and glamorous and LOVED fashion and jewellery. I was always in awe of her style.

Further down the track in the second part of my apprenticeship at the super cool South Yarra salon Efbee, Mary Scholetzer was the receptionist. She was a vibrant character with her finger on the fashion pulse. Mary had lived in London and loved sharing her fabulous stories and wealth of knowledge about fashion and music. She loved Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McClaren The Worlds on The Kings Road in London.

As my career progressed and I made the transition from hairdressing into make-up, two women - Dotti & Manami, had a big influence on me. Both were amazing make-up artists who I assisted back in the day, and who I still look at as mentors in my life. 

“These women were the first and most prominent and influential female figures in my life...women I look up to and am inspired by. They had a major influence on me and my sense of style, all being creatives, hairdressers, actresses, musicians and seamstresses...”

What are other sources of your creativity and inspiration?

Many models, actresses and creatives inspire me either in real life or from afar 

Performance artists such as Madonna and Annie Lennox heavily influenced me on my teenage years.

My passion for Mother Nature has deepened as the years go by she is my main inspiration and guide.... 

You work with a collective of inspiring, creative women. Who do you love to collaborate with?

I am very blessed to work and collaborate with so many inspiring and talented women; Adele Perry my AMAZING agent who’s so DIVINE loving and caring, as well as uber professional.

Jana Pokorny is one of my best friends and long time creative collaborators. Jana was the Fashion Director at Marie Claire for a very long time, I was very fortunate to work with her and other talented members of the fashion team, including Valeryi Yong, to create exquisite fashion stories and travelling some incredible locations all over the world.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many gorgeous, models, actress musicians, producers etc...

• Jessica Hart

• Cheyenne Tozzi

• Sarah Blasko

• Shanina Sheik

• Debb Bowen

• Debbie Walters (rip)

• Kaz Kingdon

• the list goes on...

Inspiring, creative, passionate, funny fun, dedicated.

How do you see the fashion and beauty industry evolving with the new reality of our rapidly changing world?

I see us keeping things more local, grassroots and hopefully brands becoming more aware of Mother Nature and respecting our planet.

I hear Gucci has already made a change by dropping some collections.

It all got SO out of hand with WAY too many things being produced it was CRAZY too much pressure on creatives, models and the environment...