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As a makeup artist, Glenna Franklin’s career has taken her all over the world working with some of the greatest creative figures in music, film, theater, fashion and photography. After moving full time to the Shoreline, Franklin established Glenna Franklin Beauty Atelier and Permanant Makeup CT located at 82 Bradley Road in Madison.
Q: How long have you been in business?
A: I’ve officially been in business with an actual brick and mortar storefront for four years on the Shoreline. I have been in circulation in the business for a long time as a makeup artist doing weddings, and special occasions. The Madison location opened in July 2017.
Q: You’ve had such an illustrious career as a makeup artist. How did your journey begin?
A: Early on I decided to move to New York City because that’s where everything happens, right? My hairstylist thought that I was very good at applying my own makeup, and suggested I should try it professionally so I went to beauty school. I was working at a Madison Avenue salon when a photographer walked in and said, ‘Who wants to shoot pictures and build a portfolio?’ I did, and it just evolved from there.
Q: What originally inspired you to get into the beauty and fashion world?
A: As a child, I was visually obsessed with fashion and beauty. My mother was a big inspiration. She was an actress who was very dramatic, very beautiful and very fashionable. Kind of my muse. My grandfather was an artist. He made whimsical sculptures of animals. I was smitten with him and would sit and watch him chisel and carve these little blocks of wood to make these animals. He inspired me to create and my mother was a visual inspiration.
Q: You collaborated with one of the greatest photographic artists in the world, Albert Watson. How did you meet?
A: A friend of mine was represented by Albert’s wife, Elizabeth Watson, who later represented me, as well, and I worked with Albert doing makeup for 10 years. My work has appeared in many noteworthy publications such as
Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Town & Country, and Vanity Fair. The thing I really respected about Albert is that he surrounded himself with talent so to be in that fold was quite an honor. Some of the best hairdressers I’ve ever met and the stylists, too. Everyone on that team was immensely talented.
Q: Why did you decide to become a business owner here on the Shoreline?
A: After living in New York City for 15 years, I needed a change of scene. I was a workaholic, and I thought to myself that I really needed to have a more well rounded life. I still commuted to the city. I was a super commuter traveling up to six hours a day from Connecticut. I love New York City, but it’s a very difficult place to live all of the time.
Q: If you could live your fantasy career, what would it be?
A: I’ve pretty much lived a fantasy career! It was a dream come true to go to work every day and travel to amazing places. Maybe I would just become a vagabond and travel the world. I love art. I would go to museums and look at architecture everywhere I go. It’s so inspiring and fills your soul.
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