Francois Nars and the Start of NARS Cosmetics

NARS Cosmetics Logo

(source: http://www.kirstymccall.co.uk/faqs.html

Accessed: Feb 6 2016)

Francois Nars was born in 1959 in France. His mother introduced to the world of make up and fashion from an early age. At only ten years old, Francois used to draw model's faces and create different make up looks. It was obvious that he was very talented, and it didn't get unnoticed. After graduating from Carita Make-up School in Paris he moved to New York to persue his career on the request of Polly Mellen who was the fashion editor for Vogue in 1984. As soon as he moved he started working on editorials  for Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Italy and Vogue US. 

I have a very good sixth sense to know how to pick the people to work with and collaborate with. That's really one of my main talents: that I've always known what I've wanted. 

—FRANÇOIS NARS (2013)

His great talent to use make up as an enhancment of beauty allowed him to enter the elite world of fashion designers, stylists, photographers etc. He regulary collaborated with photographers such as Helmut Newton, Patrick Demarchelier, Richard Avedon and Steven Meisel on advertising campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Calvin Klein and Versace. For a while, Nars, Meisel and hairstylist Oribe Canales worked together as a trio on many different projects and magazine covers. Madonna, Sharon Stone and Michelle Pfeiffer were just a few of his clients.

UK Vogue October 1986

Model: Christy Turlington
Photographer: Patrick Demarchelier
Hair: Oribe
Makeup: François Nars

(source: http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f71/oribe-hair-stylist-57367-19.html

Accessed: Feb 5 2016)

Vogue Italia February 1989

Model: Linda Evangelista
Photographer: Steven Meisel
Hair: Oribe
Makeup: François Nars

(source: http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f71/oribe-hair-stylist-57367-19.html

Accessed: Feb 5 2016)

Vogue Italia February 1989
"Jazzy Jazz"
 Model: Linda Evangelista 
Photographer: Steven Meisel
Hair: Oribe
Makeup: François Nars

(source: http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f71/oribe-hair-stylist-57367-19.html

Accessed: Feb 5 2016)

US Vogue June 1987
The Power of Black
Photographer: Steven Meisel
Models: Paulina Porizkova
Hair: Oribe
Makeup: François Nars

(source: http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f71/oribe-hair-stylist-57367-19.html

Accessed: Feb 5 2016)

Marc Jacobs asked him to be his make up artist after he left Perry Ellis to started his own label as he wanted a fresh start. They worked together on many fashion shows and were, and still are, very good friends. In 2009 Nars returned to the runway to work on Jacobs' fashion after a 10 year break creating 65 individual make up looks.

Make up looks from Marc Jacobs fashion show

NY Fashion Week Fall 2009

Models: Unknown

Posted on: Feb 19 2009

(Source: http://makeupforlife.net/fashion-week-aw-2009/page/4

Accessed: Feb 6 2016)

Make up looks from Marc Jacobs fashion show

NY Fashion Week Fall 2009

Models: Unknown

(Source: http://www.temptalia.com/nars-for-marc-jacobs-nyfw-fall-2009-backstage-looks

Accessed: Feb 6 2016)

"I always felt like I could do makeup without so many products. The fun part of doing makeup is really mixing things."   — FRANÇOIS NARS (2013)

Unhappy with the make up product that were avalible on the market at the time, Nars decided to start his own make up brand "NARS Cosmetics" in 1994. The first products that he launched were lipsticks - a collection od 12 shades that were sold only in Barneys New York in 1995. Fabien Baron designed the packaging which was, and still is black with white writing; elegant and sleek. The advertising campaign was shot by Francois himself in 1996. This was the first time he revealed his hidden talent, photography, and was soon shooting editorials for Vogue, Vanity Fair and Harper's Bazaar. In 2000 Shiseido Cosmetics bought NARS Cosmetics. Today NARS has a wide make up and skin care range and is one of the best selling and best quality brands in the world. Francois Nars still shoots all the advertising campaigns and has published four books, he is working on his brand to expand, however, he has turned to photography. 

Cover of Vogue Brasil 

December 2015

Chanel resort 2016 look

Model: Gisele Bundchen

Fashion stylist: Patti Wilson

Photographer: Francois Nars

Hairstylist: Peter Gray

Makeup artist: James Kalliardos (NARS Cosmetics)

(source: http://www.bloginvoga.com/2015/11/21/gisele-bundchen-stuns-in-chanel-on-vogue-brasil-december-cover-by-francois-nars-cover/

Accessed: Feb 6 2016)

Chesters A, The Guardian (Nov 2011) A brief history of Nars //www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2011/nov/14/brief-history-of-nars (Accessed Jan 28 2015)
The Business of Fashion (no date) Francois Nars http://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/intelligence/beauty-brands-fashion-week-partnerships-mac-nars (Accessed Jan 28 2016)
Vogue Paris (Nov 2015) Background Francois Nars http://en.vogue.fr/vogue-list/thevoguelist/franois-nars/1013 (Accessed Jan 28 2016)