He's the darling of the fashion set and his collaboration with US store Target, sold out in seconds last year so it will come as no surprise to many that Prabal Gurung has yet another collaboration under his very well made sleeve. 

This time it's his first foray into the world of make-up as he joins forces with MAC for one of this year's most exciting, not to mention, stunning, collections. Here read on as Tatler learns all about his inspirations, hears about his favourite products in the line and discovers how his design process differs from his clothes line.

How did you and M·A·C decide on collaborating? Why beauty now?

I launched my first collection in 2009 with a presentation and reached out to M·A·C for support. I was a new designer and they agreed to work with me, which speaks volumes. It was an emotional and instinctive decision for them, which I feel was crucial in the development of our relationship. Their collaborations with designers are heartfelt, and season after season our relationship grew to where it is today. When they eventually came to me with the idea for this beauty collaboration it felt like the natural next step as our relationship has continued to grow. The timing was right for us as well considering this February marked our fifth year in business.

Creating this line has certainly been emotional for me. I think back to the beauty products on my mother’s vanity that I saw growing up and how much they resonated with me. It’s pretty incredible to be in a position to now be developing my own. It’s all very full circle.

What was the inspiration for the packaging?

I knew I wanted to create a product that would be recognized not only for its incredible quality, but also for the luxury of its packaging. I was inspired by the jeweled minaudieres of the 1920’s – decadent and true collector’s items. I wanted to create something striking that would also make a woman feel beautiful – from the moment she sees the product to when it’s being put to use. It’s not just the obvious idea of beauty that appeals to me, but the complexity of it, the many layers. I have always said that a beautiful woman with intelligence is a lethal combination – for me, beauty is comprised of so many different qualities. Integrity, depth, sensuality and strength, to name a few. I wanted to encapsulate this in the collection. My inspiration for the packaging came from three particular artists who I’ve always been particularly interested in: Damien Hirst, Sylvie Fleury and Nick Knight. What I like about these artists is that they all are submersed in beauty in their own distinct way.

What are your favourite products in the collection?

I always knew I wanted to include lipstick in the collection. The colours we created are great when applied lightly for day or darkened and dramatized with a gloss on top for the evening. The lipstick in Carmine Rouge is definitely a favorite. I love a red lip – it’s such a powerful statement. It exudes confidence and makes for a bold look.

How do you compare your creative process for fashion vs. beauty?

The creative process for anything I do typically starts with a moodboard that reflects what I am inspired by for that particular season or project. It then becomes a collaborative effort with my design team and we fine tune our vision and go from there. At the onset of every collection, whether it’s fashion or beauty, I ask myself – “Who is this woman? Who is the woman wearing these clothes? If this woman was to wear makeup, what would she want?” It turns out to be more than just the clothes and makeup – it’s the notion she stands for. I’ve always been interested in intelligent, beautiful women who are aware of the space they occupy and the relationship they have with fashion and the world, not just herself. What I know for a fact – having been born in Singapore, lived in Nepal, India, London and Australia, and then coming to New York – there’s one universal truth that I believe: every woman, no matter size, race, or colour, they all want to look beautiful. I want to embody that idea with my designs and of course with this line as well. There are obviously differences between fashion and beauty, but I think the idea of capturing a distinct look and offering it in such a beautiful way is very similar.

Were you heavily involved in picking the products and shades for the collection?

Absolutely. This collaboration has been a work in progress for almost two years. I worked very closely with the M·A·C creative team on the colours and packaging and everything in between. It has truly been a labor of love. I’ve always wanted to create a makeup collection that emanates luxury and beauty – that’s ultimately what we are looking to offer with these products. I’m really looking forward to sharing them with our customers

 

The MAC X Prabal Gurung Collection will be available from 1 December 2014 at Tangs Orchard and Ngee Ang City