FRANÇOIS NARS

Nars founder

French makeup genius, photographer and beauty brand founder François Nars was central to the supermodel era of the ’90s and continues to make us think outside the box when it comes to cosmetics.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? I love Italian cinema because it translates their way of life through their art and through the decadence of Italy. I love Italy, I could live there. It’s always very grand yet you feel things kind of falling apart, in a way. It’s so beautiful. YOU HAVE HAD SO MANY MUSES. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE? [The late Italian actor] Gina Lollobrigida really was one of my favourites. She was a very complicated woman – not your average. She was very intense. She also was extremely sophisticated, extremely elegant. If I [had to] pick one, I would pick her.

YOU WORKED AT THE EPICENTRE OF THE SUPERMODEL ERA. TELL US ABOUT THAT.

I worked with Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista. I would bring my Sony Video 8 camcorder with me on set [with photographer] Steven Meisel. Steven actually enjoyed that when I was filming everything. I was discreet but at the same time people got into it.

My film title Unknown Beauty asks the question: what is beauty? We don’t know really what beauty is and I like to keep it that way: not super clear. Beauty is very abstract. What makes somebody beautiful is not just the physical beauty, it’s also the soul. So not putting a specific name on it is great.

I would bring my camera to shoots with Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista”

Nars today. RIGHT Nars with supermodels (from left) Stephanie Seymour, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington in the 1990s.

FROM TOP Nars Hardwired Eyeshadow in Mendoza, $35, Afterglow Liquid Blush in Insatiable, $48, Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick in Turned On, $48, Sheer Glow Foundation in Vanuatu, $75, and Soft Matte Complete Foundation in Patagonia, $67, at mecca.com.