By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
One of the most prominent names in the fashion industry today is an organization made up of highly respected designers, Council of Fashion Designers of America, commonly referred to as CFDA. They are the leader, the mentor, the industry soothsayer and so much more, all wrapped into one.
So it would only serve to reason that CFDA would partner with another fashion industry leader, MACCosmetics. The brand started off in Canada and began as the most widely used makeup brand applied to models during fashion shows and other events by professional makeup artists as a means of creating a very dramatic effect on the runway. MACCosmetics became an overnight sensation and it didn’t take long before it hit the global consumer market in the 1990’s and became an instant top seller, offering an outlet to scream individuality.
Now, another union is materializing and began back in December of 2015. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund decided to branch out and give talented designers an outlet for their creativity concepts. In the past, MACCosmetics has worked with many celebrities on capsule collections, an extension of their personalities with each tube of lipstick or wave of the wand on their lashes. Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Ru Paul and most recently, Kaitlyn Jenner have contributed to best-selling capsule collections.
Just as important as the dress that you put on or the purse that you swing over your shoulder is the makeup that matches your look. Five womenswear designers that also happen to be CFDA Fashion Fund finalists (Tome, Tanya Taylor, Cushnie et Ochs, Juan Carlos Obando, Chromat) have been given the challenging assignment of developing a proposal which entails coming up with a six-piece makeup collection, one that represents an extension of their fashion vision for the future. Once the competition is done and the finalists are ready to present their concept, a panel of expert judges will decide the winning concept and that winner will be awarded $50,000 and the capsule collection will go into production for sale in MAC retail stores beginning in 2017.
The finalists required a bit of crash course education before they could embark on their journey, and to do that, MACCosmetics invited the finalists to their Pro Showroom located in the Flatiron District of New York City to talk with some of the MAC executives, serving as mentors, in each area of the business. The finalists learned about formulas, finishes and hues. In addition to learning about the actual cosmetics, there was a brief discussion on the marketing and packaging part of the product. Being educated on the total formula is crucial to the creation.
Prabal Gurung, a former CVFF finalist and one of the judges, is already intimately acquainted with what it takes to expand one’s purview from body to face because he collaborated with MAC on a gold-clad collection last year. His advice was simple, yet effective, to think expansively. “It’s an opportunity to tell your story through a different medium,” explains Gurung, who often weaves memories of his native Nepal and his elegant mother into his work. And unlike ready-to-wear, which is targeted to the luxury market, a collaboration with MAC has a much farther reach. “It’s such a gratifying feeling,” Gurung says of the way a makeup collection allows a designer to reach a new group of people. “What you put on your face is truly an exclamation mark to your whole outfit.”
Each of the finalists has their own unique style and will tie their capsule collection into their final product.
TOME: Inspired by Madonna and Grace Jones. Aiming to achieve beauty, softness, power, practical, universal and humorous.
TANYA TAYLOR: Inspired by Lena Dunham and Michelle Obama. Aiming to achieve artistic, bold and fresh.
CUSHNIE ET OCHS: Inspired by his mom. Aiming to achieve sultry, sleek and striking.
JUAN CARLOS OBANDO: Inspired by Bianca Jagger. Aiming to achieve hot, Latin, summer.
CHROMAT: Inspired by Björk. Aiming to achieve bold, architectural, empowering.
