Pat Mcgrath: The Maven Behind the Makeup

Sep 19, 2016
2 min read

Last week New York was ablaze with the fierce heat that can only be sparked from the hottest of fashionistas. New York fashion week is the ultimate opportunity for people in the industry to communicate their values and characters through their style. Makeup Artist Pat Mcgrath has been adorning the industry with the fairy dust that has been flowing from her magic up make up wand since the early 1990’s.

During a time where social divisions are increasing and, particularly in America, racial tensions need to be addressed. It is refreshing to see a creative belladonna in the fashion realm spelling out success for other aspiring Makeup Artists, especially those of colour, to follow.

One of the motivations for choosing to shed the limelight on someone who is positively impacting in this industry is the bitter taste that was left in my mouth after hearing that Marc Jacobs dodged the chance to send a powerful message out on behalf of women in the black community. Yes - I am talking about the dreadlocks.

The dreadlocks on the Marc Jacob runway looked great, but it seems distasteful that the hair stylist, Guido Palau, would tell Harper’s Bazaar that the style was inspired by “certain types of cultures, like rave culture, club culture, acid house, Boy George and Marilyn” with absolutely no reference to their obvious connection to the Afro-Caribbean community. This hairstyle could have been a reminder to black women that they are beautiful and deserved to be admired.

In performing magic with her makeup throughout the years in a way that shows professionalism, progression and a sense of fun, Pat Mcgrath is most certainly telling anyone who is interested, but women of colour even more so, that they are capable of achieving greatness in an industry that takes no prisoners.

Mcgrath told Glamour magazine that fashion had always been an interest to her and, after nearly pursuing a degree in fashion, Pat decided to drop out of school for a gap year and enjoy the London nightlife. It was being involved in this scene, combined with her realisation that there wasn’t much makeup available to people of colour, that led her into the fiesta of fashion. She’s been gliding from runway to runway on her GoldWing motorbike ever since!

Alongside her duties as a maven behind the make up, Mcgrath is also Design Director of P&G Beauty. A few of the brands she’s recently worked with include Valentino, Rihanna’s Fenty x Puma line, Covergirl and Max Factor.