From vinyl masks, diamond encrusted eyelids and gilded tears, to graphic liners paired with a sublime dewy complexion the industry-shifting makeup looks from creative force Pat McGrath have single-handedly, changed our perception of beauty and how we, as a society use makeup to express ourselves. She epitomizes all that is hot or not, so to speak, in the beauty industry and has been dubbed the most influential and sought after makeup artist in the world, McGrath sets the beauty trends globally each season. Her looks have been seen on the runways of countless designers including Tommy Hilfiger, Givenchy, Anna Sui, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Valentino just to name a few. And with a career spanning two decades, McGrath has conceptualized looks for hundreds upon hundreds of the most iconic runway shows over the course of her career. Her vision and trends in beauty are incomparable, and her looks not only grace the runways, but advertising campaigns, and editorials for prestigious fashion brands and media outlets. It is with all this in mind that, on June 5th in New York City, Pat McGrath will be honored with the much deserved Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert at the The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) Award ceremony to be held at The Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom.
The CFDA recognizes the impact and contributions McGrath has made in beauty and fashion, which they deem “unparalleled in the history of the beauty and fashion industries.” and whose “creative vision has made her a tour de force – and one that touches and influences many industries.” While Vogue and CNN named McGrath “The most influential make-up artist in the world.” and “one of the most influential and powerful people in fashion.”
McGrath has also been involved behind the scenes on the product side of the industry for many years, having developed cosmetic collections for Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, and Gucci, and having been the creative-design director for Procter & Gamble. However, in October 2015 McGrath focused her creative development on her own brand and launched Pat McGrath Labs where the tag line is: “Where unadulterated experimentation meets raw glamour.” Since the launch of her groundbreaking brand, with unique future defining collections like Phantom 002, Skin Fetish 003, Metalmorphosis 005 and Dark Star 006, it has almost changed the way beauty is approached. Each collections is released in limited quantities and sold out instantly. Each piece is almost an instant collectible, a rare commodity, that’s here one minute and sold-out the other.
McGrath’s influence will continue to change and shape the beauty and fashion landscape. And pro makeup artists will continue to anticipate and be influenced by her ever setting trends, while awaiting patiently for each new mesmerizing release from Pat McGrath Labs. On Makeup Magazine congratulates Pat McGrath on her, well deserved, Founder’s Award from CFDA. Check out some of our favorite McGrath looks below.
Photos Courtesy of: @patmcgrathreal
Images displayed in order from @id_magazine Sept, 2004, April. 2002, Vogue Italia March 1997, Gisele Bundchen for @Dolcegabbana Winter, 03.
Vogue Japan Sept. 2001, @id_magazine Sept. 2004 Givinchy PFW Fall 2014.
Alexander McQueen SS15 PFW, Vogue Italia Nov. 2006, @versace_official FW’98 campaign, Dior Haute Couture, 07.
#Bts Met Gala 2013, @elleuk Sept. 2009, @jgalliano #margielaSS16 PFW, #Bts Looks Givenchy NYFW.
Galactic Gothic Splendor John Galliano, John Galliano Jan 2016, Givenchy SS14