Bringing Back Bold

Artistic director of Lancôme Auckland-born Aaron de Mey, 35, “is one of the new breed of male creative directors shaking up the beauty” who “longs to halt the relentless tide of beige, to put the individuality back into make-up and encourage women to be more daring and experimental,” writes the Times Online’s Sarah Vine. Wilson really does push boundaries, and is well known for his originality and daring — highly prized qualities in the world of fashion and beauty. His slight, blond presence is to be spotted everywhere, from Vogue shoots to backstage at runway shows, creating standout looks for groundbreaking designers. Prada, McQueen, Givenchy — he’s worked with all the greats. And now Lancôme. So far, his work for the cosmetics house has been boldly unapologetic, the antithesis of the no make-up look so popular in recent years. The pigmentation is intense, the textures bold. The lip glosses have a lacquer-like quality, more like paints than make-up, designed to be worn with extreme confidence. “I really wanted to take Lancôme back to its  roots, back to Paris. I love those French girls you see in the street who wear a designer dress with an easy shoe — that spirit, that easy, non-precious beauty.”