Living Out Loud With Derek Warburton

Newly minted as the “Architect of Beauty” and New You’s Style Icon Of The Year, Hollywood tastemaker and Media entrepreneur Derek Warburton celebrates UK Pride as he presents his first-ever makeup collaboration with sustainable beauty conglomerate Face Stockholm and benefiting GLSEN.Org The Derek Fabulous collection came out just in time to shed light on this year’s theme – LGBT+ History Month which is a chance to shed new knowledge on the history of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people in the UK.

The UK will be looking forward to Pride 50 – the anniversary of the first Pride event since the Stonewall Riots and Warburton hit all the right notes as he highlighted the importance of bringing attention to the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges each individual experienced during these difficult times. 

 For the fashion icon, Pride means plenty of things, and while Derek never walked in a parade. He always felt that he has been living his life out, loud, and proud every single day. ‘I have loved watching Pride grow over the years into becoming a celebration of diversity that is acknowledged by myself, members of the community, and their allies!’

 

Last April during the New You Beauty Awards, Derek accepted his award with an open heart that did not shy away from talking about his past. It was a world that existed prior to the #Metoo era where being tough was mandated to survive and acceptance was hard to come by. 

Warburton grew up with challenges left and right — having been homeless in his early teen years and constantly facing the onslaught of bullying and abuse he suffered from his peers and at home. Then in an act of bravery to face it all head on, he took up the mantle of being the first male cheerleader in his small town in rural New Hampshire, “It was extremely difficult at first but then our away games started and I was bullied relentlessly by opposing towns and teams. As soon as my schoolmates and team members witnessed how bad that was, they rallied and protected me. That was at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school and I was never bothered again.”

It was a shocking revelation to everyone in the crowd who had no idea about the successful personality’s turmoil. Who they all knew to be as one of Hollywood’s premier stylists to the stars and rising media mogul “ Mr. Warburton.”

When it came to talking about his latest business venture in the beauty industry, – The Derek Fabulous x Face Stockholm collaboration , he revealed his excitement for the future of his makeup line. ” I’m thrilled because, at the moment, I am conceptualizing the fall collection with Face Stockholm, it will be a beautiful series — From its inception the idea behind the brand is simple; to help, teach, inspire, love, and have fun while doing it! 

The makeup collection comprises several chromatic palettes in bright colours, customized glitter, and lipstick tubes. All proceeds from The Derek Fabulous Collection went to GLSEN as a way of tribute from Warburton. “I knew this was the beginning of a new chapter, and it is important to me to pay this forward. I want to honour the boy I was – for staying alive.” He further expressed the collection serves as his way to thank and give back to the LGBTQ+ community by showing support to its members who are going through their respective journeys. “Have faith, keep going, and don’t feel any less. Keep building your brand and live within that.” 

 

As one of the world’s global initiatives GLSEN.org focuses on activating supportive educators, and uplifting student-led movements, which have powered revolutionary occasions like the Day of Silence, Ally Week, and more. 

 

GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers (they/she) added, “We’re glad to partner on a collection that celebrates and affirms LGBTQ+ individuals and encourages everyone to express their unique style. In the face of political attacks that try to erase and stigmatize our community, it’s more important than ever to remind all LGBTQ+ people that we deserve to feel confident, beautiful, and seen, no matter what.

To see the #Derekfabulous collection and support GLSEN go to http://www.FACESTOCKHOLM.com 

For more on London Pride: follow #AllOurPride and prideinlondon.org

 
Photography: David C Lee  | Hair and makeup: Joel Sebastian | Article: Cyan Leigh Dacasin