Naomi Campbell on Becoming the New Global Face of Pat McGrath Labs—and Why It’s an Important Milestone in Their Iconic Friendship
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The first time Pat McGrath joined forces with Naomi Campbell was on the set of an i-D magazine photo shoot with Kate Moss in August of 1994. It’s a day that’s forever etched in the legendary makeup artist’s memory. “It was there I discovered that Naomi was not only devastatingly beautiful, she was also so much fun,” recalls McGrath. “I remember sitting with Naomi and Kate, we three London girls in New York, howling with laughter while we helped create images that so many people loved.” Campbell was similarly struck by their chemistry, as well as McGrath’s creativity and technical skills. “With Pat it was an instant connection,” says Campbell. “I knew right away that I loved her personality. But I also felt safe—she’s very maternal and makes you feel comfortable right away—and confident that she knew what she was doing. I was so happy to work with a makeup artist of color because there weren’t many at the time. Moving forward, I wanted to work with her on everything I possibly could.”
It was the beginning of a friendship between McGrath and Campbell that’s lasted over 25 years, and yielded countless iconic, high-drama moments, from the runway to magazine covers, while breaking industry boundaries. “You sit in the chair and just let her do what she does best,” says Campbell of working with McGrath. “You don’t even have to look in the mirror. You just trust her. Pat only competes with herself. There is no competition. She has taken her own artistry to another level.” And now the pair are reaching another shared artist-muse milestone with Campbell becoming the first-ever global face of Pat McGrath Labs since the brand launched in 2015.
“I am so honored to not only be working with a legend who has changed the face of beauty forever, but to be working with a friend and a sister who I love and adore,” explains McGrath. “The fact that this is the first time Naomi has been the face of a beauty brand founded by a woman—and not to mention a fellow woman of color—after 34 years in the business, makes it even sweeter.” Campbell agrees that stepping into this role was a natural progression for their shared passion for beauty, as well as another way to push the industry forward. “I believe in her as a friend and as chosen family, but I also want to see her do well for the industry overall. I want to see a person of color at the top,” says Campbell.
Making a grand debut in her new role, Campbell, who has appeared in Pat McGrath Labs campaigns previously, stars in a new short film directed by McGrath celebrating the launch of the new Divine Rose Collection, which features vivid roseate mattes and holographic pigments for the eyes and lips. In the video, Campbell radiates regality wearing a gold crown adorned with pink roses with smoked-out rose gold lids and a glossy mauve mouth. “There’s something so raw, yet refined about Naomi’s beauty,” says McGrath. But with Campbell, what she symbolizes is just as important. “No one commands a catwalk like Ms. Campbell, but then she’s so much more than a model—she’s an actress, an innovator, an icon, an activist, and a philanthropist,” explains McGrath. “Not only has she stayed at the summit of the fashion industry for over three decades, she’s an inspiration to women, especially women of color. She [demonstrates that] anything is possible.” Below, McGrath takes Vogue through a few highlights from her and Campbell’s collaborations over the years.
Photo: Getty Images1/8“This ‘Bloom without caution’ look from Anna Sui’s FW 2004 show was a precursor to the colors in my new Mothership VIII: Divine Rose II Eye Palette, and the shade Rose Seduction [in particular]. Even though we often think of Naomi in sultry bronzes and seductive smokes, I always love seeing her in captivating color. The power of pink always takes her look to the next level.”
2/8“Something really magical from the early days of Pat McGrath Labs was when Naomi debuted our LUST 004 Glitter Lip Kit on the MTV VMAs red carpet in 2016. She decided to go the day before and flew in from L.A. to attend. She got on the phone with me so we could strategize what the makeup look should be. She had seen LUST 004 and was absolutely obsessed because it made your lips look like fine jewelry, the ultimate fashion accessory. The next day, we were in her apartment, getting her ready up until the very last minute. We put that lip on and it was sensational. She hit the red carpet with that scintillating red lip and our jaws dropped—her lips were sparkling and dazzling, like a divine couture dress. Needless to say, LUST 004 has been sold out ever since!”