Andrew Ly remembers his very first drawing. It was a bow. Drawing a hair accessory might seem ordinary enough on the surface; being a young in a family of fashion-loving females. Even Andrew might not realize how this object is the ideal metaphor for him. You see, he is something of a transformation artist both in his work and in his life. He is invigorated by the possibilities that any one face holds as a canvas, finding deep satisfaction in using his tools to craft something that no one could have imagined – even the subject. Over his twelve year career, he’s gone through many transformations himself. He’s worn different hats, ranging from make-up artist, producer, agent, director, consultant to hair stylist. It’s all too perfect that he first sought to capture the beauty of a bow, because where most see a flat, uninspired one-dimensional ribbon before them – he sees the impossible, made possible. Andrew always sees the bow.
An artistic child growing up in Calgary, Andrew made up his mind early to find a place for himself in the fashion industry. Seeing beauty as his route, he immersed himself in make-up and hair, biding his time at salons. At 24, he bought a one-way ticket to Montreal and did what any ambitious hustler did circa 2005 – he got a MySpace account. “I sought out the most creative people in the city that I could surround myself with,” he remembers. Inbox to inbox, he created an extensive network of artists. He focused on his craft and cultivated his vision, producing his own photoshoots and campaigns. Ahead of the curve, Andrew began making waves with fashion videos before they were even a thing. He struck a chord, and in 2008 decided to launch his own creative agency with a peer. After seven years, Andrew had cemented his reputation as a creative force, garnering the attention of high profile clients at home and abroad. And yet, he felt a longing to return to his roots in beauty. “Hair and make-up allows me instant gratification through creation. It’s an honour to make people feel beautiful. It thrills me.”
Largely self-taught, Andrew’s boundless creativity and fearlessness in taking on new challenges has given him a broad and deep skill set and knowledge within the industry. With an impressive client list that ranges from Drake, Nicola Formichetti, Mugler, COS to L’Oreal, Urban Decay, Shu Uemura, Annabelle Cosmetics. He’s had roles and projects ranging from curation and brand consulting, art, advertising, film and art direction. There seems to be no medium that he can’t wield with ease. This has not gone unrecognized, most recently leading Andrew to teach a 5-day Masters Class for Creative Direction at HEAD Geneva, their Design University. On set, he is at once quick with a cheeky joke but just as swift offering nuanced feedback and razor sharp references. A natural leader, his respect for collaboration is palpable. “I love to work in collaboration with artists. I truly believe that in order to create beautiful images you need to work with a team. Yes, you may have a vision but ultimately you need a good army of people.”
When pressed to reveal what has given him so much courage to take on any creative task thrown his way, Andrew doesn’t skip a beat. “My mother. I still remember her saying, ‘Andrew if I can make it [coming to Canada] without speaking any English, so can you. Use your voice; you are good at talking.” He is, he has and when he does, people listen.
Interview by Naeme El-Zein.