Makeup artist, visionary and founder of NARS Cosmetics François Nars made appearances in Los Angeles (May 14th; Nordstrom Topanga) and Chicago (May 21st; Nordstrom Michigan Avenue) to kick off the launch of his newest beauty book Makeup Your Mind:Express Yourself!

EXCLUSIVE Q&A with FRANÇOIS NARS:

Why did you decide to create a sequel to Makeup Your Mind?

We originally planned Makeup Your Mind as a three-part book set. The first book featured models, the second showcases real people, and the third will feature notables, tastemakers and celebrities. This felt like the perfect moment to come out with a book focused on real women and men wearing NARS. It was nice to have the opportunity to showcase NARS on every-day beauties—to make NARS feel more accessible.

How is this book different from the original book?

While Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself is a continuation of the first book, it features more inspiring and complex looks. The difference lies in the people featured: they’re everyday beauties hand-picked from the streets of New York City. They represent a range of ethnicities and ages, as one of my main goals this time was to capture as many different people as possible.

How did you come up with the looks for each subject?

Instead of crafting each look based on what suited the individual’s personality, I focused on bringing out her or his natural beauty rather than concealing it. Ideally, you want someone to say to you, ‘You look great!’ rather than, ‘Your makeup looks great.’ You should always see the person first and the makeup second.

What’s your advice for real women reading this book?

Regardless of what look you are trying to achieve, less is more. Always go for transparency no matter what—even with very intense colors.

Visit makeupyourmind.com to take part in the global gallery NARS has created to showcase looks from the book, and compete for your chance to win a trip backstage with NARS at New York Fashion Week.

In May 2011, François Nars will be launching his newest book, Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself, the sequel to his best-selling beauty manual that launched in 2001. Readers will not only learn about makeup application from François himself, but are encouraged to express their beauty, individuality, and creativity through makeup.

Back in 2001, François Nars published Makeup Your Mind, the globally celebrated, best-selling beauty manual that boasts two shots: one of a model without makeup, and another shot of her with makeup.

In between lies an acetate overlay that details where on the face the makeup products were applied. Building on the first books success, Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself brings together Nars’ two passions-makeup and photography. Taking the before-and-after concept to the next level, François turns the lens on 60 beauties – both men and women all of ages and ethnicities hand-picked from the streets of New York City.

Holiday Gift Guide. WWD Unveils “WWD: 100 Years, 100 Designers” A Compilation of 100 of the Most Influential Designers & 10 Decades of Unrivaled Fashion News Coverage.

WWD (Women’s Wear Daily) and Fairchild Books are proud to present a special edition, large-format book commemorating the 100th Anniversary of WWD. WWD: 100 Years, 100 Designers, compiled by the editors of WWD, examines the careers and creations of 100 designers who are among the most influential style icons and tastemakers of the past century.

This 312-page book pays homage to WWD’s century of fashion-industry news and daily style coverage from 1910 to the present. Filled with hundreds of stunning photographs and lavish illustrations, one section also features designer interviews conducted over the years for WWD including: Giorgio Armani, Gabriel “Coco” Chanel, John Galliano, Tommy Hilfiger, Halston, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Gianni Versace and Diane Von Furstenberg.

The first book published by Fairchild Books, is now available at Amazon.com with a suggested retail price of $65.00.

Francesco Clark’s the founder of Clark’s Botanical new book Walking Papers: The Accident that Changed My Life, and the Business that Got Me Back on My Feet just went on sale this Tuesday, June 1st, 2010.

Book Synopsis:

When Francesco was 24, he dove into a swimming pool and suffered a heart-breaking, debilitating spinal cord injury. He is paralyzed from the neck down for the rest of his life .One consequence of Francesco’s injury was a painful skin condition, where his body had lost its ability to sweat out toxins. As a result, his pores had become clogged with the toxins and he developed acne, rosacea, dry, flaking skin, you name it. He tried everything, from prescriptions to cosmetics, to cure his skin aliments and noth ing worked. That’s when he turned to his father, a doctor, for help. Francesco and his father began mixing soothing lotions with natural ingredients. What started as a shoestring operation in the Clark kitchen, with his mother and sister sampling and bottling batches of lotion, is today the successful and award-winning Clark’s Botanicals. With its sought-after products, Francesco Clark’s skincare line is a darling of the cosmetics industry and has been featured in W, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and InStyle, among other top publications, and is sold worldwide in stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Fred Segal. Part of the Clark’s Botanicals profits go to support research for spinal cord injuries.

Published by Hyperion. Price: $23.99. Available at: barnesandnoble.com

Pregnancy has never looked better. This spring, Lancôme teams up with style expert and author Amy Tara Koch of the much-anticipated pregnancy style guide Bump It Up: Transforming your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement for several exclusive in-store events

What’s in it for you: Stop by at the Lancôme Boutique (see dates and locations below) and get the inside scoop on style tips that will take the average pregnancy from blah to beautiful. From creating the best faux glow to the maternity makeup must-haves, expecting moms will be armed with beauty and fashion advice leaving mommy-to-be feeling fabulous. One of her fave product picks? Lancôme’s Star Bronzer ($36.50) to create a sun-kissed look and instantly brighten the complexion.

In addition to receiving expert pregnancy style tips, you will work with a Lancôme beauty expert on the hottest products to update your beauty regimen. And get the book FREE with any $75 purchase. Simply call the boutique nearest you to reserve your appointment. Space is limited.

WHEN & WHERE:

April 13th / 5 PM – 7 PM
Lancôme | The Boutique
Upper West Side
212-362-4858

April 14th / 5 PM – 7 PM
Lancôme | The Boutique
The Mall at Short Hills
973-258-0790

April 28th / 5 PM – 7 PM
Lancôme | The Boutique
Northpark Dallas
214-750-9364

April 28th / 6 PM – 8 PMW Hotel Dallas-Victory – Lancôme is a sponsor
2440 Victory Park Lane
RSVP: rsvp.01521@whotels.com

ABOUT THE BOOK: Bump It Up: Transforming your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement shows moms-to-be how to maintain their fashion edge and triumph over the incredible bulk of pregnancy. The trick? Strategically investing in multi-tasking flowy (maternity and non) silhouettes and “bumping them up” (or, in editor parlance, “super-accessorizing”) with ADD ONS and WOW FACTOR to transform a handful of basics into dozens of jaw dropping preggo ensembles. Without breaking the bank. The book features fashion sketches of glam situational preggo silhouettes by bold faced fashion designers like Nicole Miller, DVF, Donna Karan, Kate Spade, Milly and Rachel Roy. In Advice From The A List, high wattage beauty and fashion editors share the tips that enabled them to sail through their own pregnancies with panache.

Amy Tara Koch is a trend reporter for NBC, Vogue Style Expert, Twitter Mom Style Expert, contributor to The New York Times, Town & Country, Travel + Leisure, INC., New York Observer and the Huffington Post. Bump It Up: Transforming your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement is a category headliner for Random House.

ASSOULINE Announces the Release of PIERRE CARDIN: 60 YEARS OF INNOVATION By Jean-Pascal Hesse.

“Geometric motifs, asymmetry, oversized buttons and collars, hooped dresses, vinyl inserts-Cardin is an original in every sense of the word.”

ASSOULINE is delighted to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Masion Cardin, with the publication of a commemorative retrospective of the work of its founder, fashion designer Pierre Cardin.

Born in 1922 in San Biagio di Callalta, near Venice, Pierre Cardin immigrated to Paris in 1924. After working briefly with Elsa Schiaparelli, Cardin joined Dior in 1946 and opened his own couture house in 1950. He was a pioneer from the start, creating a design-based, architectural fashion with a futurist sensibility. Cardin also had an avant-garde understanding of fashion’s relationship to new audiences, presenting his collections to large crowds. He was the first to demonstrate that fashion can be both a creative process and a business-and that one man can excel as both a businessman and an artist.

Available at: assouline.com

Read full article in styleinterviews.com

I’m so excited to share with you my interview with Daymond John founder of FUBU and star of ABC’s The Shark Tank. As a New Yorker myself the name FUBU rings many bells but mostly Mr. Daymond John and FUBU are a success story that inspired me all these years.

Daymond John

A success story, an industry leader, a young entrepreneur, a man who has reached and surpassed new heights of commercial and financial success – just a fraction of classifications used to describe Daymond John. Over the last 18 years, Daymond has evolved into one of the most successful fashion icons in business today. Known as the “Godfather of Urban Fashion,” Daymond is also regarded one of the most sought after branding experts and motivational speakers in the country. Having graduated from waiting tables at Red Lobster to being the CEO of a multi-million dollar enterprise, complete with sky rise offices in the Empire State Building, Daymond John is living “the American Dream.”’

In this interview Daymond John talks to Marta Walsh about his beginnings in fashion. What made FUBU take off. His passion for inspiring others and giving back. His encounter with President Barack Obama. Why did he decide to join ABC’s Shark Tank. Gives advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Describes his personal style, philosophy about beauty, and talks future plans.

Marta Walsh: When did your fascination with fashion and style begin?
Daymond John: It goes as far back as when I was 5 or 6 years old. I used to watch my mother put patterns of clothes on the floor and I helped her cut them with scissors and sew them all together. My own interest for fashion and style grew when I was 13 and around the time when Hip Hop began to emerge in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and New York. The new music genre also translated into a change in how people used to dress on the street, and that was very inspiring to me.

MW: How did your passion for fashion turned into a business? How was your urban fashion line FUBU born? What made it take off?
DJ: I was lucky enough to grow up around musicians LL Cool J and RUN D.M.C. I became their roadie and travelled with them on their tours. This way I was also able to sell my clothes in Philadelphia and Detroit and making money off it. This was probably my first venture in making money out of fashion.

What made FUBU take off is the frustration in the market for the African American people. FUBU was more affordable and as equally fashionable as other existing fashion brands at the time. FUBU stands for “For Us By Us” and that message touched the Hip Hop community, African Americans, and New Yorkers. It brought a sense of empowerment to these people.

MW: What compelled you to also to become a motivational speaker and to write your book: Display of Power? Who inspired you along the way?
DJ: What compels me to become a motivational speaker and to inspire other people is my desire to give back to people. You can give back monetarily but there is no comparison to the sense of fulfillment you get when you inspire someone spiritually and seeing a change in them. When FUBU came out so many people walked up to me on the street and said to me that FUBU has changed their life. FUBU meant to people a whole new era where the whole concept of African Americans as business owners was finally acceptable and possible. And that’s very rewarding to me.

Some of the people that inspire me are my mother, Muhammad Ali, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela.

MW: Tell us about your encounter with Barack Obama?
DJ: Barack Obama mentioned “For Us By Us” in one of his speeches and I had the honor of meeting him. When I met Mr. Obama we were in a big room, he told me: “Wow one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time!” When he said that I looked around the room, I didn’t know he was talking about me at first. That moment with President Barack Obama was one the biggest highlights of my life.

Cast of ABC’s Shark Tank from top left: Robert Herjavec, Kevin Harrington, Daymond John,
Kevin O’Leary, and Barbara Corcoran 

MW: Why did you decide to join the cast on ABC’s The Shark Tank?
DJ: I declined Shark Tank at first, I didn’t think it was a good opportunity for me because I had to spend my own money and I didn’t feel the need to add more businesses to my portfolio. But the main reason I did ended up joining the shark Tank cast is because I liked the format of the show and it was a Mark Burnett production.

MW: What’s it like to be in a room full of ‘sharks’?
DJ: I generally surround myself with successful people so that’s not an issue for me being around all sharks. We all respect each other. We are all at the same level with regards to understating business but there is still the feeling of  ‘don’t get in my way’.

MW: What are some of the business you’ve invested through Shark Tank and what are they up to today?
DJ: I’ve invested with Tod’s Pies who was in one of Shark Tank’s first shows. He is a great guy and a happy baker out of New Jersey. So far we got him on QVC and we sold a whole a lot of pies. That was 3 months ago and it wasn’t even a holiday season. He was scheduled to appear on the Today Show. Tod’s Pies revenues increased by 500%. There are few more businesses I’ve invested on the show which you will all get to watch when ABC’s Shark Tank returns Friday January 8th, 2010.

MW: What does it take to become a successful entrepreneur? What advice can you give to anyone who is interested in creating their own brand or business?
DJ: You are your own brand since the day you were born and it all depends on what mark do you and your behavior leave on people. The choices that you make everyday are going to stay with you. This translates to business as well. The brand is you first. The first thing you need to know about your business is to be honest with yourself if you really have a viable business. Don’t test it with friends test it with total strangers. If nobody buys it, you don’t have anything. Then if you decide to go with your business you need to learn the business from the bottom up, every single aspect of it.

MW: How would you describe your own style? Where do you get your style inspiration?
DJ: My style is traditional with a subtle flair. I make some of the things that I wear. I’m not overly flashy when you see me, but if you look closely you would notice some of the attributes, the touches, and finesse of my personal style.

MW: What is your favorite: city, restaurant, movie, car, and drink?
DJ: My favorite city is Miami, I love the good weather. My favorite restaurant is Nobu. There are so many movies and cars that I love it’s difficult to pick. My favorite drink is Vodka Tonic.

MW: What is your philosophy about beauty?
DJ: Beauty is some physical attributes but the thing I like the most is attitude and energy.

MW: What one thing one people may not know about Daymond John?
DJ: Some people may not know that I’m a big green/nature kind of guy, I love fishing and the outdoors.

MW: What’s next for Daymond John?
DJ: For the next year I see the FUBU brand slowly coming back to the United States as it’s been mainly overseas for the past 8 years. So that’s the next year for FUBU, and for the next year for me I’ll be concentrating on Shark Tank and my new book I have coming out in February 2010. I think I’m going to call the book ‘The Brand Within’. I’ll be discussing building a brand and sharing the branding knowledge I have. I have a branding business where I advise other CEO’s on building their brand, how to penetrate the market or change things with their brand.

I would like to thank Daymond John for his time and brilliant interview. 

Visit www.daymondjohn.com to learn more about Daymond. You can also follow him aka TheSharkDaymond on Twitter.
Visit ABC’s Shark Tank official website to learn about the cast, guests, and show schedules.

The NARS 15X15 Project celebrates 15 years of iconic beauty by François Nars. The centerpiece of the project is the 15X15 book, featuring 15 celebrity portraits, including Marc Jacobs, Daphne Guinness, Amber Valetta and Naomi Campbell and others. During Art Basel Miami, the 15 images from the NARS 15X15 book will be on display at The Standard Hotel in Miami, on 40 Island Ave, Miami, FL,  through December 6th.

To celebrate the exhibition, François Nars hosted a cocktail event at The Standard Hotel to launch the exhibit on December 2, 2009 from 7-10PM.

François Nars & Naomi Campbell

Celebrities spotted at the NARS 15X15 celebration at Art Basel Miami: François Nars (Founder and Creative Director of NARS), Naomi Campbell (NARS 15X15 Participant), Anthony Hadden Guest, Brian Atwood, David Hamilton (Interview), Dennis Paul, Diana Picasso, Genevieve Jones, Geordon Nicol (The Misshapes), Glenn O’Brien (Interview), Greg Krelenstein (The Misshapes), Jeremy Scott, Leigh Lezark (The Misshapes), Lorenzo Martone, Peter Som, Rafe Totengco, Sebastian Puga, Terrence Koh and others.

The NARS 15X15 website (15X15Project.com) has available for purchase the book and select individual portraits for 30 days. 100% of the proceeds from the project will be distributed among the 15 charities chosen by the participating celebrities.

Jeremy Scott and Geordon Nicol

Leigh Lezark and Sebastian Puga

Lorenzo Martone and Peter Som

Peter Som and Rafe Totengco

Louis Desazars (NARS CEO) and Peter Som

Geordon Nicol, Leigh Lezark, and Greg Krelenstein

Amber Valletta as Catherine Deneuve wearing Belle de Jour Lipstick

Supermodel Amber Valletta has walked hundreds of runways, appeared on countless covers, and has been the face of Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein and Versace. She has also appeared in many films such as What Lies Beneath, The Family Man, and Hitch, and works internationally to raise awareness about the dangers of mercury in our waters. She appears as legendary French model and actress Catherine Deneuve in her most iconic role as a housewife turned prostitute in 1967’s Belle de Jour. She wears Belle de Jour Lipstick, a demure sheer beige. “I really wanted to use Belle de Jour—it’s one of my favorite shades and perfect for this fun, young interpretation of Catherine Deneuve,” says François. Proceeds to benefit The Friendly House.

Daphne Guinness in Modern Edwardian wearing Night Breed Single Eyeshadow

Daphne Guinness is a style icon, socialite, heiress, film producer and fashion designer, and a regular fixture in the most exclusive front rows. She has a legendary haute couture collection, impeccable taste, and never disappoints fashion critics. She appears in modern, glittering metallic Edwardian clothing, hat, and a mixture of Erickson Beamon and her own jewelry. “This look is so Daphne—very sultry, very sexy, very evening—so daring. Daphne can pull anything off—she’s such an inspiration,” says François. She wears the Night Breed Single Eyeshadow, a black with silver glitter hue that can be worn sheer or layered as it is here—perfect for creating a little drama. Proceeds to benefit Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services.

Marc Jacobs as China Machado wearing Dovima Nail Polish

American fashion designer Marc Jacobs knows a thing or two about icons. He is as famous for his unusual and ingenious choice of models and collaborative partnerships as he is for his stirring designs—at both his eponymous fashion house and at Louis Vuitton, where he serves as Creative Director. He appears as 1960s supermodel China Machado in a photograph taken by legendary photographer Richard Avedon, who has always been an inspiration to François. “China is wearing bright red polish in her 1959 photo, so I wanted Marc to do the same—plus he’s always up for anything,” says François. Marc wears Dovima Nail Polish, named for one of Avedon’s favoritemodels—a very modern, very sophisticated bold tomato red. Proceeds to benefit amfar.

Naomi Campbell as an Iconic Supermodel wearing Taj Mahal Blush

Naomi Campbell was an overnight sensation when she began her career in the mid-eighties, changing the face of the industry as the first black model to appear on the covers of French, British, and Japanese Vogue. She was famously filmed for George Michael’s Freedom ’90 video, as well as for Madonna’s Erotica video, and has appeared on over 100 magazine covers. She is a supermodel in the truest sense. Naomi is the epitome of glamour in an Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci dress, and Taj Mahal Blush, a burnt orange with shimmer. “Naomi is one of the most iconic symbols of beauty today, and I wanted to use a makeup color that would show this by name and by hue. It’s a bright shade, but sheer, so it looks very natural and yet, ultra-glam—just like her,” says François. Proceeds to benefit White Ribbon Alliance.

Dayle Hadd on as Elizabeth Taylor wearing Butterfield 8 Lip Lacquer

Dayle Haddon was a top fashion model and icon in her own right in the 1970s, appearing on countless covers, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and Playboy. Today, she is a dedicated philanthropist working with numerous global causes such as UNICEF. She appears as the glamorous, cosmopolitan and promiscuous Elizabeth Taylor in Butterfield 8, a character that served as a dark portrait of Upper East Side sophistication and savvy that still holds true today. Dayle wears Butterfield 8 Lip Lacquer—a shiny, sexy, luscious, sheer chocolate brown. Proceeds to benefit WomenOne.

François Vincentelli as Cary Grant wearing Malaysia Multiple Bronzer

François Vincentelli is an actor well known throughout France for his role on the popular television series Clara Sheller. He appears as a modern day Cary Grant from The Philadelphia Story (a role he will be taking on in the theatrical adaptation in Paris this Fall), and the very definition of a debonair, virile, charismatic and charming leading man. François wears Malaysia Multiple Bronzer, a medium to dark formula with red undertones for sunkissed, radiant, healthy skin—perfect for François’ tanned, Corsican complexion. Proceeds to benefit CESTmed.

Amanda Lepore as the Amanda Lepore doll wearing Jungle Red Lipstick

Amanda Lepore is a transsexual icon who is a model and muse to many, and one of the most sought-after party hostesses on the international nightclub circuit. Her notoriety is so great that a doll was created in her likeness. François designed the makeup for this doll, and it was sold to raise money for the Design Industry Foundation to Fight Aids (DIFFA). “Amanda is so sexy, so overt, so bold, but she’s also very sincere, which is why she is so admired,” says François. Amanda wears Jungle Red Lipstick, a highly-pigmented, full-bodied, bright red with a velvety finish. Proceeds to benefit Gay Men’s Health Crisis.

Natasha Poly in Punk Rock wearing Rated R Duo Eyeshadow

Natasha Poly is a Russian model whose career began in 2004. During that year, she walked a staggering 54 catwalks and graced two consecutive covers of French Vogue. She appears influenced by the Fall 2009 Marc Jacobs runway show (where she and François met), sporting a punk ensemble and attitude, with a nod to Stephen Sprouse’s uptown/punk/pop aesthetic. “I wanted her to look as if she could go from the shoot, straight to a club in the eighties and not have to change a thing,” says François. Natasha wears Rated R Duo Eyeshadow, a shocking chartreuse green and cobalt blue pairing with shimmer that can work as a shadow, a liner or on brows, as it is shown here. Proceeds to benefit amfAR.

Lisa Marie Smith as Futuristic wearing Pandora Duo Eyeshadow

Lisa Marie Smith is a model and actress who has appeared in photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe, and Calvin Klein Obsession ads by Bruce Weber, as well as in the films Let’s Get Lost, Woody Allen’s Alice, and Mars Attacks!, where she first met François, who did the makeup on-set. She appears in a futuristic ensemble, with bold, geometric-inspired patterns, a clean, bright, uncomplicated palette, and hard, straight lines. Lisa Marie wears Pandora Duo Eyeshadow, a richly-pigmented contrast, like Pandora herself, of white shimmer and matte black hues that evokes the future fetchingly. Proceeds to benefit Greenpeace.

Olivier Theyskens as Olivier Theyskens wearing Lovejoy Blush

Olivier Theyskens was thrust into the fashion limelight when Madonna wore a dress of his design to the 1999 Oscars. He has since received the 2006 CFDA Award for International Designer of the Year. Olivier has also design-directed at the helm of the fashion houses Rochas and Nina Ricci. Today, he continues to dress the most discriminating celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, and Melissa Auf der Mauer of The Smashing Pumpkins. “Olivier has a really strong personal style and attitude—he’s so Parisian and I just wanted him to come through as himself, not anyone else. Olivier is his own inspiration,” says François. Olivier wears his own jacket and Lovejoy Blush, a shimmering bronzed rose with transparent pigments and a hint of color that’s soft, sheer, and imparts a natural, healthy glow. Proceeds to benefit CARE.

Carla Gugino in 1940s Glamour wearing Cruella Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Carla Gugino is an acclaimed American actress who is known for her role in Entourage as well as in many films. She recently completed a run on Broadway in Desire Under the Elms. She appears as a glamorous yet very modern 1940s movie star who is ready for her close-up. “Carla has the most perfect eyes for this look—they’re incredibly light and bright, so they go well with the porcelain skin and dark makeup. It’s very sophisticated,” says François. Carla wears Cruella Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, a supremely scarlet red. Proceeds to benefit Raise Hope for Congo.

Shalom Harlow in Galliano Couture wearing Jolie Poupée Duo Eyeshadow

Shalom Harlow is a supermodel and actress who has appeared on countless magazine covers and films, including In & Out, Vanilla Sky, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. She is featured as an ornate, Galliano Couture-laden French aristocrat. “She looks so incredible here, very noble, like a rare, exotic bird—but still very feminine and real,” says François. Shalom is wearing Jolie Poupée Duo Eyeshadow (meaning pretty doll), a richly-pigmented pairing of vibrant violet and pearlescent purple, which can be worn sheer, or built-up for a more dramatic effect. Proceeds to benefit Forest Ethics.

Tyson Ballou as a warrior wearing Monoï Body Glow II

Texan-born Tyson Ballou is a campaign and runway model who has worked for Giorgio Armani, Versace, Exte, Calvin Klein, and Dolce & Gabbana. He appears as a Greek warrior in a headdress by Gareth Pugh. He wears Monoï Body Glow II, that contains a pure extract of coconut oil for glowing, healthy, fragrant skin—it is the ultimate multi-purpose product. Proceeds to benefit United States Fund for UNICEF.

Jennifer Jason Leigh in Old Hollywood wearing Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil

Jennifer Jason Leigh is an American actress who is known for her roles in films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Single White Female, and Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle. She wears a dinner jacket and shirt by Maison Martin Margiela and hat by Rod Keenan for a look that is right out of old Hollywood. “Jennifer and I both love this look. It comes from a time when people really dressed up every time they left the house—so tailored, but here, it’s still very feminine,” says François. Jennifer wears Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil, a dense black hue with a creamy texture, ideal for precision definition, blending, and smudging. Proceeds to benefit The Ackerman Institute for the Family.

Isabella Rossellini in Junya Watanabe wearing Misfit Duo Eyeshadow

Isabella Rossellini is an Italian actress, model, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and icon so renowned that an entire exhibit was devoted to her image when Portrait of a Woman was shown at Musee d’Art Moderne in Paris. Her portrait references her most recent project, Green Porno, a series of short films written, directed and featuring Isabella, which examines the sex life of bugs. She is cocooned beautifully in a jacket by Junya Watanabe, and wears Misfit Duo Eyeshadow in Ecru and Emerald, a richlypigmented pair that can be worn sheer or layered, wet or dry. Proceeds to benefit The Guide Dog Foundation.

From now until December 12th, 2009 log on to www.15X15project.com  to purchase a copy of the NARS 15X15 book, celebrity inspiration pictures and individual portraits of the celebrities.

Log on to YouTube to view exclusive behind-the-scenes video footage from the photo shoots: NARS 15X15 – Behind The Scenes.

15 Years: NARS Cosmetics, like the concept of beauty, is many things to many people: A stylish accessory, a guilty pleasure or a luxury makeup staple. Yet its allure, fueled by Founder and Creative Director François Nars, makes NARS a state of mind and venue of self expression. Fifteen years ago, François Nars shook up the cosmetics world when he launched a collection of 12 perfectly edited lipsticks with names as evocative as the shades: Honolulu Honey, Blonde Venus, Funny Face, Heatwave, Scarlet Empress, Trans Siberian, Morocco, Casablanca, Red Lizard, Shanghai Express, Jungle Red, and Transeurope Express. The premiere NARS collection launched a tradition of indelibly branding each product with a personality and reference based on a person, place, event, film, or simply, an emotion. Today, the NARS will to defy convention remains unwavering, as does François’ use of iconic beauties as muses. Says François, “True icons are larger than life, unforgettable with an elegance that’s mesmerizingly timeless.”

15X15 examines the use of makeup and icons in a way that is provocative, extending further than cosmetics, and using portraiture and photography to convey emotion. This 15th anniversary initiative features a collection of 15 celebrity portraits, each inspired by a NARS product shade and based on an iconic reference chosen by François (who personally did the makeup and photographed every portrait). Each participating celebrity subsequently took on the role of guest editor, photographing their interpretation of the NARS product shade that inspired his or her own portrait, providing insight into the age-old question of what, indeed, is in a name. The 15 celebrity portraits appear in the book 15X15 (highlighting 15 years of NARS and 15 icons). The book, along with the individual portraits and the series of photographic interpretations taken by each celebrity, will be available for purchase on the 15X15 Online Gallery (www.15x15project.com), to be launched mid-November 2009. Profits from the project will be distributed among the 15 charities chosen by the participating celebrities.

In celebration of 15 years of iconic beauty and François Nars, the limited-edition15X15 book (ONLY 1,500 copies available!), individual portraits from the book, and photographic interpretations taken by the participants, will be available for purchase on the 15X15 Online Gallery (www.15X15project.com ) beginning tonight at 8pm EST through December 12, 2009. 100% of the proceeds from the project will be distributed among the 15 charities chosen by the participating celebrities.

SNEAK PEEK – see below a never seen before behind-the-scenes image of Marc Jacobs! Once the site launches, behind-the-scenes images and videos of the participating celebrity icons will be available.

For more exclusive details leading up to the launch become a fan of NARS 15X15 Project on Facebook!

CELEBRITY PARTICIPANTS:
· Amanda Lepore
· Amber Valetta
· Carla Gugino
· Daphne Guinness
· Dayle Haddon
· Francois Vincentelli
· Isabella Rossellini
· Jennifer Jason Leigh
· Lisa Marie Smith
· Marc Jacobs
· Naomi Campbell
· Natasha Poly
· Olivier Theyskens
· Shalom Harlow
· Tyson Ballou