Andreas Bernhardt has a shy laugh when I ask if he was an “It Boy “ in the 80s and 90s. He certainly was!

A 20-year-old kid from Berlin, he was introduced in one night to “everyone in New York”, that’s Keith Haring to Debbie Harry, thanks to a chance encounter with Joey Arias in Fiorucci. He posed nude for Andy Warhol’s last photographs. He became a queer icon in that unforgettable Gay Paris photo by Pierre and Gilles. And perhaps most importantly, he spent many years of innovation as a hair and makeup artist in Manfred Thierry Mugler’s inner circle. Andreas has always had a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

In our conversation, Andreas revels in memories of his life within the Mugler “posse”. He unpacks the details - months of rigorous preparation; last minute perfectionism and excitement; shows starting wildly late season after season! Mugler pushed Andreas to create new materials and new ways of working - and we know that those wigs, hair pieces and diamond eyebrows coming down the Mugler runways have become indelible elements of fashion history! 

By the way, Andreas still has those velvet eyelashes he made for Jerry Hall! 

While Andreas had access to all the party scenes in fashion’s heyday in Paris, he has advice to people who get caught up in fear of missing out. 

Andreas is a philosopher; reflects on beauty and the idea of always working from a place of love. He also underscores the importance of discretion in his profession. Let’s face it, he’s seen everything!  He is careful to respect the trust people put in him. 

Supermodels Debra Shaw and Emma Wiklund encouraged me to have this conversation with Andreas because he was a mentor to them backstage - had always done the research and had the backstory they needed to hit the podium with an extra level of knowingness in their comportment. 

So of course, Andreas and I get around to talking about them and some of the other models who have inspired him. 

Find out more about Andreas @andreashbernhardt on Instagram.

To find out more about my documentary and overall project, visit @cartondinvitation on Instagram. Link in bio has a lot of resources as well.

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