HUE GOES THERE
Lancôme x Proenza Schouler
From niche NYC up-and-comers to the US’s hippest label to love, Proenza Schouler has won worldwide fashion acclaim since its launch in 2002. This season, the label led by designers/ founders Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough is extending its reach via a limited-edition cosmetics collab with Lancôme. As expected, the packaging is part of the draw, with graphic casing holding highly pigmented eye palettes, lip products and a cushion compact. We got the lowdown from Lazaro and Jack.
What was the collection’s starting point?
LH: Usually when we’re thinking about makeup, it’s for shows and has to go with the specific look of the collection. This time, since it was independent from the clothes, we decided to go all out on colour. Our conversations with Lancôme were all about strong shades, assertive strokes, graphic shapes and bright colour blocks — almost going back to primary [school] art, in a way.
JM: We drew a lot of inspiration from painters we love, like Ellsworth Kelly and Carmen Herrera. The collection was built around a minimalist, abstract vision. Blocks — instead of fades — of strong, clean colour.
How do you picture the women who’ll wear it?
JM: We imagine they’ll be looking to have fun with it. We don’t see makeup as something that has to be completely serious and overwrought. We like the idea of women being able to play with this collection. Bold colour on the eyelids, bright orange lips, exaggerated lashes. There’s something really playful and joyful about it.
What are your favourite products?
LH: We love the palette. Firstly, because it makes a great fashion accessory in itself, with a richly coloured graphic case that’s almost like a painting, but also because you can do absolutely anything you like with the selection of shades it contains. You can combine and blend them any which way — they’re really versatile. We also love the Chroma Lip Kajal Duo. The colours are beautiful — rich and matte — and the texture is amazing.
Lancôme’s message is summed up with the words ‘declaring happiness’. What’s your definition of happiness?
JM: I’d say it’s freedom. To be free to make your own decisions — that’s the ultimate happiness for me.
LH: Having control over your own life — not having to bow down to anyone else’s will. To be happy, you first have to be able to do what you want to do and be the person you want to be. And in fact, that’s exactly the message behind Proenza Schouler clothes and this makeup collection.
When have you felt total happiness?
LH: At our first show, when we launched the brand. At the opening of our first shop in New York. At our first Paris show in July 2017. The first time we won the CFDA Designer of the Year Award, which was a tremendous honour. Naturally, lots of our most joyful times are tied to our work, since it makes up such a huge part of who we are as individuals. It’s our voice in this world — and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Proenza Schouler for Lancôme is available from October 1.