SOPHIE IONA IN CONVERSATION

So it’s official, we’re *all* excited to get our hands on The Cult Beauty Advent Calendar 2024! Worth over £1,100 but yours for just £235, this iconic collection is overflowing with over 40 beauty icons from bestselling brands across every beauty category (we’re talking everything from make up and hair care, to skin care and body care). Excited? We thought so!

What if we told you it gets *even* better? Not only do you receive a gift that will delight you on every day of December, but this luxurious calendar has also been specially designed to sit pride of place in your home.

This year, Cult Beauty has collaborated with Sophie Iona, an artist and stylist with a background in still life photography, to design our advent calendar. Inspired by her use of texture and colour, we worked together to create a piece of art that not only encapsulate what we are as a brand, but what the festive period means to us. Want to know more? You’re in luck – we sat down with Sophie to discuss *all* about how she created this playful piece of art…

SOPHIE IOANA IN CONVERSATION:

Cult Beauty: How did you become an artist?

Sophie Iona: So, I did a photography degree at university. My main love is photography; that’s my true passion. And then I realised that I wanted to see what else I could create, which led me to discovering sculptures. And I just kept trying new things – now I am shooting, I’m creating all these different textures through different mediums, and I’m getting to constantly evolve my work. I love artwork that really feels like something, like you want to get involved.

CB: What was the thought process behind creating the design for our advent calendar?

SI: When I was initially approached by some of the lovely people at Cult Beauty, they had pulled some references from my Instagram that I affectionately refer to as ‘weirdos’. Essentially, this was work I had been making that was purely an experimentation that I threw out into the world with no idea if people would like it.

But being able to then have the opportunity to lean into this playful experimentation meant I could explore new textures and colours that everyone could enjoy. I really bounced off the Cult Beauty colours and tried to showcase unusual shapes and textures; sometimes one shape would really capture my heart, and this idea of experimentation swiftly become the star of the show.

CB: What do you want people to feel when they see the final design? And how do *you* feel when you see it?

SI: I really can’t wait to get my hands on it. I think the experience of seeing it as a physical piece of art will be really exciting! Not only do I feel this calendar has such a lively energy, but it also feels very comforting. I hope people are proud to have it on display in their homes and want to spend time exploring all the little details within the work.

CB: Following on from that, what is it about the textures you’ve created that evoke that festive feeling?

SI: I think for me, you don’t need the traditional colours of green and red, or iconic festive motifs like snowflakes and glitter (although I do believe glitter should always make an appearance). Rather, this time of year is an expression of joy! I love the holidays. I put my tree up in November every year. I love the ambience; I love the mood. I love the joy. Obviously, family time as well, but mostly bright colours and energy are what I adore, and this is why I feel this calendar is the perfect encapsulation of the festive period.

CB: Finally, how has it been working with Cult Beauty?

SI: So, I got an e-mail, and I couldn’t believe what they were asking me. And all the references they brought up were of my favourite pieces of work that I'd done. So, I was so excited. There's definitely a video of my phone of me dancing around my flat to Taylor Swift that I've sent to all my friends! And it's been great; it's been so good – Cult Beauty really trusted me I think and gave me the opportunity to just explore things. And I learnt so much in the process as well. Like my workflow had to alter slightly, but it allowed me to do more things and work differently. I really can't wait for everyone to receive one.

And there you have it; if you weren’t as obsessed with Sophie’s work as we are, you sure will be now. Click the link below to get your hands on this specially curated design bursting with industry-adored icons waiting behind every numbered door. Plus, did we mention our advent calendar features some of this year’s biggest launches *and* viral sensations? Go, go, go...