MAC Is Partnering with the CFDA on a Cool New Beauty Collaboration
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund offers up-and-coming designers the opportunity to flourish in two ways: It gives them money, and it gives them name recognition in the fashion industry—and both are extremely valuable. Now MAC is taking its support of emerging talent to the next level by enabling outstanding alumni of the womenswear category to create their own capsule color collection for the brand.
Juan Carlos Obando, Tome, Cushnie Et Ochs, Tanya Taylor, and Chromat, all of whom are past finalists for the award, were chosen by MAC to take their skills from the runway to the beauty industry. Each designer will develop a concept for a six-piece makeup collection that “captures the essence of their vision.” A panel of judges will weigh in early next year, and the winner’s ideas will go into production for an official collection that will be available for purchase in late 2017.
This partnership is unlike anything MAC has done in the past—though the company is recognized for its zeitgeist-y collaborations, this is more like a contest than a collab. Three senior MAC executives, including the brand’s longtime creative director, James Gager, will mentor the nominees, who will also receive lessons in formulation, packaging design, and marketing. Former Fashion Fund finalist Prabal Gurung will also serve as one of the judges.
As much as this news may seem like something that’s only truly titillating to the fashion flock, it’s really an exciting way for the brightest new minds in fashion to make their first foray into makeup. In the meantime, you can stay abreast of the designers’ journey via the hashtag #MACxCFDA and both the @MACcosmetics and @CFDA social media accounts for, well, the next two years.
MORE: Inside the CFDA Incubator: What It’s Really Like to Be a Rising Star Designer
