Pat McGrath: The Mother of Makeup
Photo credit: Ben Hassett
Dame Patricia Ann McGrath has made makeup more than a practical fashion but has taken it to a level of high art. Her creative visions made a huge impact on the fashion and beauty worlds internationally.
Pat McGrath is a British makeup artist of Jamaican descent and has been named the most influential makeup artist in the world by Vogue Magazine. In 2020, she was listed on Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year Honours List and given the title of Dame, making her the first make-up artist to ever be given this title.
Her work in fashion began in the 1980s in London, when Pat began working with designers such as Alexander McQueen while also working as a receptionist for financial support. She then worked for Proctor & Gamble as the Global Cosmetics Creative Design Director. In 2015, Pat McGrath Labs, her own cosmetic line, launched and has since grown to become a billion-dollar company.
Pat is iconic, not only because of her artistry, but also because of all she has achieved regardless of the discrimination she faced as a Black woman. Her work is inspiring because she not only pushes the boundaries of makeup, but the boundaries of the world and its social and racial hierarchies.
"I am an entrepreneur, but I am a Black woman first and that undoubtedly influences everything I create. I know what it is not to see yourself represented and not to have a seat at the table," she said.
Fashion week is Pat McGrath’s busiest season with her working on over 60 runway shows in New York City, New York, Milan, Italy, London, England, Paris, France, and more. This, in addition to all of the photoshoots and additional work Pat does throughout the year, displays her achievement and impact on fashion and beauty; setting the global trends each season and always improving and elevating her work and style. Her make-up artistry is an iconic art that has made lasting changes to how makeup is done in the fashion world.
Her work for other brands in addition to her having her own cosmetics brand exemplifies Pat’s dedication to and passion for the art of makeup. Her debut product, Gold 001, sold out in record-breaking time, a record that was broken by the brand again with the first beauty collaboration with Supreme New York, which sold out in 8.2 seconds in September of 2020.
This January, Maison Margiela made a big comeback to the fashion world this Spring/Fall fashion runway season with John Galliono’s Artisanal Collection. On this runway, Pat debuted a new, innovative look that took the beauty world by storm.
She made the models look like they were made of porcelain glass. The intricate and expressive makeup look perfectly matched the collection, which was intended to look like a moonlit walk along the Seine river, Galliano envisioned the models glowing under Paris evening lights. This makeup look on the runway was captivating and led many, influencers and celebrities alike, to try to recreate the look.
Zuri Primos is an Intern for Hope Magazine. She is a student at Dillard University and the Editor-in-chief of the Dillard University student paper, the Courtbouillon.