City Students Experience Cherry West Masterclass

City welcomed drag sensation Cherry West yesterday for an unforgettable beauty masterclass, enriching Level 5 beauty and make-up students with real-life industry insights.

As these students are at the beginning of their make-up training and careers, they expressed a strong interest in learning more about drag queen make-up. Responding to this feedback, lecturer Denyse Edmiston reached out to Cherry West, an 18-year-old drag queen who has been performing and perfecting her craft since the age of 14.

Cherry, fresh from attending RuPaul’s DragCon UK at ExCeL London, enthusiastically agreed to demonstrate how she creates her show-stopping drag looks. During the session, Cherry shared expert tips on creating dramatic and bold make-up designs while also providing valuable insights into the drag industry.

The session also featured one of Cherry’s YouTube videos, which played in the background as she worked, giving students a closer look at her artistry and digital presence. Cherry’s presentation wasn’t just about make-up—it was an exploration of self-expression, confidence, and the creative demands of the drag world.

The students responded with enthusiasm, eagerly engaging in the session. They asked questions, captured photos with Cherry, and expressed their excitement about applying the techniques they had learned in their own practice.

Lecturer Michelle Evans highlighted the importance of this experience: "It’s all about connecting education with the industry and giving students hands-on opportunities to learn from professionals. Having Cherry share her talent and insights has been an inspiration to us all."

At City of Glasgow College, we pride ourselves on creating opportunities like this that go beyond the classroom, ensuring our students graduate with practical skills and industry knowledge. This unique masterclass is another step in empowering our learners to succeed in their future careers.