NARS

Francois Nars grew up on the French Riviera, where the Mediterranean light shaped his understanding of colour and beauty. He moved to New York in the 1980s to pursue makeup artistry, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after artists in fashion, working with photographers like Richard Avedon and Steven Meisel. In 1994, he launched NARS with 12 lipsticks at Barneys New York, each named with his signature provocative style. The brands first blush, Orgasm, launched in 1999 and became the best-selling blush in the world, selling one every 20 seconds at its peak.

NARS products are developed with a fashion-first approach, drawing inspiration from art, photography, and culture rather than following beauty trends. Francois Nars personally oversees colour development, often spending months perfecting a single shade. The brands iconic black rubber packaging was designed to feel like a fashion accessory, not a cosmetic product. NARS was acquired by Shiseido in 2000 but maintains creative independence, with Francois continuing as creative director and brand ambassador.