Plus, the astonishing looks of the week, curated masterfully by the legendary makeup maestro Pat McGrath, utilizing her self-named brand
After a hiatus stretching over four years, the renowned Victoria’s Secret fashion extravaganza has made a comeback, albeit with a fresh and contemporary twist. To mark the unveiling of its newest venture – a full-length film named ‘The Tour ’23,’ premiering on Prime Video on September 26 – the label hosted a grand, celebrity-filled celebration on the eve of September 6, just before the prestigious New York Fashion Week kicked off.
Though angel wings were in plentiful supply, it was the makeup that truly stole the show. Icons like Naomi Campbell, Emily Ratajkowski, and Taylor Hill showcased looks that were a striking blend of modern casualness and timeless elegance, all conceptualized by the beauty maestro, Pat McGrath.
McGrath, who shared her exhilaration with us in an exclusive chat, remarked, “Engaging with Victoria’s Secret has always been a sheer delight, culminating in this pinnacle moment. The makeup epitomizes the convergence of classic red-carpet grandeur with ageless runway aesthetics, pushing the envelope of contemporary innovation with a transformative flair.”
In McGrath’s vision, the Victoria’s Secret Angel of today is a beacon of self-assurance, allure, and celestial femininity, embodying a radiant and empowering presence. To accentuate this innate glow, she employed some signature offerings from her Pat McGrath Labs collection, incorporating some yet-to-be-revealed products, promising a tantalizing glimpse into future releases.
In this endeavor, McGrath and her squad sculpted two central looks, titled “Angelic Allure” and “Crimson Noir,” both of which were designed to highlight the individual beauty of each model while emphasizing radiant, luminous skin and captivating eyes.
To realize the “Angelic Allure” look, the indispensable “The Mothership XI: Sunlit Seduction” palette played a central role, crafting a sophisticated, sultry smoky eye adorned with layers of glimmer and metallic hues. This, coupled with the PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in shades BLK Coffee or Xtreme Black, forged a smudged yet irresistibly defined eye look.
On the other hand, the “Crimson Noir” visual embraced MatteTrance Lipsticks in Elson, Forbidden Love, and McMenamy, transforming the lips into a bewitching, deep black cherry canvas. Both aesthetics subtly incorporated a nod to the brand’s iconic soft pink hue, creating a cohesive link to Victoria’s Secret’s storied heritage while venturing into the realm of contemporary beauty.
At the event, McGrath personally collaborated with her longtime muse and “sister,” Naomi Campbell, and several other models, fostering an atmosphere resembling a family gathering. Utilizing products such as the Divine Skin: Rose 001™ The Essence for prepping and MatteTrance™ in Omi for the lips, the makeup virtuoso brought to life a radiant, blush-infused look on Campbell’s cheeks, heralding a harmonious blend of traditional and modern beauty elements.
Reflecting on the grandeur of the event, McGrath expressed her delight in mingling with iconic angels and witnessing the debut of the new generation on the runway. She emphasized the joyous collaborative spirit that pervaded the event, culminating in a magnificent fusion of classic beauty nuances with contemporary styling, crafting something truly spectacular.
