Dame Pat McGrath: Fashion’s Most Iconic Makeup Artist
COURTESY OF PAT MCGRATH LABS
Pat McGrath is not just some makeup artist; she is the most legendary and influential makeup artist in history. Her work and her accolades speak for themselves. In the over 25 years she has built her empire, she has become the first makeup artist to win the Council of Fashion Designers of America Founder’s Award. She also received the British Fashion Council Award for Fashion Creator, and in 2019, she was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. And on top of all that she is the first makeup artist to be recognized as a Dame of the British Empire. Her influence over the beauty industry is astounding, as she has started some of the most popular beauty trends. Ombre lips, colorful mascara, and the highlighter craze were all brought you by none other than Pat McGrath herself. Now, she also holds the title of Beauty Editor-At-Large for British Vogue. There is no doubt that she has had and continues to have an amazing career in the beauty and fashion industry.
COURTESY OF VOGUE
Valentino Fall 2022 at Paris Fashion Week
Creativity is endless for McGrath. Her makeup artistry goes way beyond beauty norms and evokes a wide range of emotions. From gold laced eyebrows to tulle masks with Swarovski crystals, the British makeup artist has created and invented looks for hundreds of ready-to-wear and couture shows in the biggest fashion cities all around the world. When traveling, she comes with a large amount of baggage. Suitcases labeled and filled with pigments, lip products, glitter, feathers, and more are toted around the world to be turned into bold, awe-inspiring beauty looks. In addition to creating runway looks for the top designers in fashion, Pat McGrath started her own beauty brand, Pat McGrath Labs, in 2015. For so long, friends and fans kept asking and asking when Pat was going to start a brand of her own. The first item that she launched for her brand was a gold pigment with no single use assigned to it. That gold pigment sold out in under seven minutes, no doubt a testament to how much influence Pat McGrath has over the beauty industry.
COURTESY OF ALLURE
Givenchy Spring 2016
Pat McGrath is a force of nature and pours her heart and soul into all of her work. She gained her passion for beauty and fashion through her mom who would take her on shopping trips for clothing patterns, fabrics, and of course, makeup in various shades to complete the look. From a very young age, her creativity was fostered; her mother encouraged her to pursue the arts. Her mother was a smart woman, because Pat McGrath’s creativity fluorished and turned into a billion dollar empire. She didn’t set out to be a black makeup artist, but simply a makeup artist, but she is first and foremost a black woman, which influences her work in many different ways. She, like her own mother, recognizes racism in society and beauty norms, but does not let that hold her back. In an interview with Allure, she McGrath stated, “I have chosen to embrace freedom over fear.” She has been encouraged and inspired by the rise in support of black beauty brands in recent years.
COURTESY OF VOGUE
In the midst of New York Fashion Week, Pat McGrath who is also known endearingly as “Mother” by her circle of friends and family, must be busy coordinating and collaborating on makeup looks with New York’s hottest designers. February 2022 NYFW marked the first time that Pat McGrath collaborated with Shayne Oliver who debuted his eponymous brand. The floral inspired makeup looks artfully combined with Oliver’s designs to leave a lasting impression on NYFW. McGrath and Oliver worked together to create nine looks that showcased decadent beauty of the natural world. The “pollen” covered eyelashes are really the focal point of the face. From there, McGrath chose to use pearls, feathers, silk flowers, and crackled clay to represent the story of Shayne Oliver’s collection.
COURTESY OF VOGUE
COURTESY OF VOGUE
The unrelenting talent and hard work of Pat McGrath is inspiring to all. She has been the representation for black women in the beauty industry since the nineties, and she is not slowing down. Her original and innovative makeup artistry will continue to stun on the runways in Paris, Milan, New York, and other big stages in fashion.