Artist Insights

Vittorio

May 12, 2010, by Dan Grant

Vittorio is someone whose work I only came to know in the past year, when it became apparent he was collaborating with so many of Toronto's top models, photographers and stylists.

Born and raised in Montréal, he now lives in Toronto, but is currently on the road with one of the hottest pop acts in the world.

A former ski instructor, trained in theatre and a skilled painter besides, Vittorio tells Modelresource how he ended up getting to where he is today.

Agency

Plutino Group

Website

www.plutinogroup.com

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Ariel (Spot 6), by Renata Kaveh
styling: Rita Fiorucci (Push) makeup & hair: Vittorio (Plutino Group)
You studied professional theatre in Montréal. Was there something in your formal training that led to your current occupation?
Previous to the makeup class in theatre school, I was stealing makeup from my mother and putting it on any girl that was willing to play along. "My mother's a hairdresser, trust me I know what I'm doing!"

Eventually getting my hands on my own makeup kit in theatre school was the wind that caught my sail. I had so many people around me wanting to play along and had the opportunity to see what makeup and hair requirements were like for stage. Hot lights, audience distance, and character development, were lessons I had no idea I was learning, but can now attribute them to my success.

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Grace (Next), in Filler Magazine, by Renata Kaveh
styling: Alissia Marciano; makeup & hair: Vittorio (both Plutino Group)
You're doing a show in Montréal that shows off a different side of your artistic nature. Tell me more about that.
The show is now being postponed because I'm going on tour with Ke$ha this summer. Who knows how much the show will change by the time I can actually do it.

I love the process of painting... I'm given anywhere between 1-3hrs to create a finished look when doing hair and makeup, but painting allows me months, years even, to finish a piece. The end results show off a part of me that is a bit deeper and more expressive.

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Robin Buss (Elmer Olsen), by Peter Tamlin
makeup & hair: Vittorio (Plutino Group)
Your roots are in Montréal, so why the decision to ply your trade in Toronto?
I found a makeup school in Toronto with a faculty that inspired me. I also wanted to separate myself from my family and friends for the challenge... The plan was to stay for a year while studying and then return home, but I quickly started to work and one thing after another... you know how the story goes.

You were a ski instructor. What is your favourite hill?
I loved Sugar Bush!! But have a soft spot for Mt Saint Anne.

Tell me how you chose to be a hair & makeup artist first place.
It chose me.

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Bojana (Elmer Olsen), by Felix Wong
styling: Corey Ng (Page One); makeup & hair: Vittorio (Plutino Group)
Do you find a certain advantage to listing hair as your primary, as opposed to the majority of artists that have makeup first?
Huge advantage! It describes my skills most accurately and that allows for the right client-artist match. When I arrive on set with a new client there is an established expectation of who I am and what I do. I am very blessed to feel comfortable in both fields and wasn't sure, in the beginning, about how to define myself. Roseanna Plutino, with her years of experience and talent for artist development, was able to see it before I was.

Weirdest experience you've had on set?
I love kids and actually feel inspired by the natural beauty they possess... but have had moments of "Really? You want me to put makeup on a kid?" I'm waiting for the day someone asks me to groom an animal. Haha.

Any advice for models, based on mistakes you see on set?
You can see fear in the face. Even if you don't know what you're doing find a way to give off confidence, your team depends on it for inspiration.

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Ke$ha and Vittorio
Clients working with you for the first time... what should they know?
That they can throw anything at me...

Any weird quirks or superstitions you bring to the set?
I don't believe in luck (or bad luck) so I try to arrive as "blank" as possible. However, I make sure that I use my travel time right before arriving on set to get as happy as possible. My energy will have an effect on how the model/talent feels, and how the model/talent feels has an effect on how they look. My iPod, the book I'm reading, a good outfit, and a short chat with my agent, normally have me showing up to the job with a goofy smile on my face.

If you get to pick the music on set, what's the first song on the playlist?
White Nights by Oh Land. I want to work with her!!