NARS Cosmetics
 |
|
| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Personal care |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | François Nars |
|
Key people
|
Louis Desazars, CEO |
| Products | Cosmetics and skin care |
| Parent | Shiseido |
| Website | narscosmetics.com |
NARS Cosmetics is a French cosmetics and skin care company founded by make-up artist and photographer François Nars in 1994. The cosmetics line began with twelve lipsticks sold at Barneys New York. Since then, NARS has created various multi-use beauty products and now is a subsidiary of Shiseido.
François Nars was born in Tarbes in the South of France and grew up influenced by his mother Claudette and her collection of designer clothes. She also helped him acquire his first job as an assistant to some of Paris’ top makeup artists. After graduating from Carita Makeup school in Paris, Nars moved to New York in 1984 and became known for his love of color and modern style. He also worked with photographer Steven Meisel and hair stylist Oribe Canales. In the eighties and nineties, they produced many magazine editorials appearing in American Vogue, Vogue Italia, and Elle.
Very quickly, Nars' popularity grew among fashion designers like Marc Jacobs for his ability to create looks that captured the story and feel of their designs. Celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista also sought out for him. His philosophy towards makeup was to use makeup to explore the depths and nuances of individual character, and as a makeup artist, Nars was frustrated by how little selection there was for makeup artists.
In 1994, François Nars launched NARS cosmetics. In 1996, he started his first advertising campaign doing the photography for the ads himself.
He later photographed for several editorials for major magazines, and has published five books on his photography. Although the company was sold to Shiseido in 2000, Nars remains as the artistic director, in-house photographer, and copywriter for his brand.
NARS’ minimalist matte black, rubber packaging was created by Fabien Baron, who Nars met on a shoot in 1989. Said Nars, “Fabien was the only person I wanted to do the art direction of the line...He was my only choice. Ever.”
...
Wikipedia