Beauty
Unknown Beautycomes as Nars eponymous brand prepares to celebrate 30 years.
Its meant to entertain you but its also meant to be something educational at the same time.
Lets go back to the very beginning.
You cannot plan on something like that its impossible.
To be honest, it was only a wish.
Its going to be 30 years next year.
Its very old and its very new, when you think about it.
What inspired you in the 1990s versus what inspires you today?
Everything inspired me in the 1990s.
I moved from Paris in 84 to New York.
The 1990s were extremely exciting for me, especially living in New York City.
I was able to work with the greatest photographers in the world.
I did a book in the late 90s calledX-Ray.
My life was extremely full with so many projects and creating Nars in 94.
Fashion was completely alive.
Fashion was fun, magazines were fun, so doing my work was also a lot more exciting.
You had all the great photographers that I was obsessed with, likeDick Avedon, who were still alive.
I was able to work with him, Irving Penn, and Bill King.
They were great, great talents, and I was lucky that I was working with the best.
It was a dream time it was like paradise.
The nightlife was very exciting, and there were so many fabulous nightclubs.
The models and everybody would go out at night.
It was just a very unforgettable time.
What is it that draws you to a collaborator?
I like talented people.
I like strong people who have a point of view and a certain genius.
We have the same vision of what beauty should be.
We have to have the same vision.
Otherwise, I cannot work.
Thats why there are many designers I would not even think about working with.
I really need to love their aesthetic, and our aesthetics need to meet.
Otherwise, I wouldnt be able to do a good job.
Beauty and fashion trends come and go, but certain trends stand the test of time.
In your view, what makes a look timeless?
I love timeless things things that you work on and youve perfected.
People [like trends] of the moment, and I understand that.
But for me, Ive seen a lot of fashion throughout the years.
Now I can usually tell people who have talent and the ones that dont have any talent.
There are very talented people…and then some who should really do another job.
Its important that you have a strong vision about what you do, especially in the fashion world.
And also a strong background.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onSep.
