Before he became a master of couture, Christian Dior dreamed of many fantastic things: horoscopes, fresh cut flowers – a signature element of his upbringing on the Normandy coast – and, of course, female beauty. To realize his vision, he broke nearly every established standard, from his opulent first collection in 1947, a departure from the fabric-saving style of the time known as the New Look, to his frequent use of red, a color once reserved for the nobility.
Dior used the evocative hue to enliven his shows – he called them “coup de Trafalgar” – and his love of red inspired him to dress not only women’s bodies but also their smiles. In 1953, Rouge Dior was born, a lipstick artfully encased in an obelisk made of gold and glass. The designer’s innovative and precedent-setting qualities have made Dior a mainstay of beauty for more than half a century.
For Sam Visser today, the same motivations inform his art. “I’ve always wanted to create a narrative in my space, and makeup is very much about that,” the makeup artist explains. “I ask myself, does this touch an emotion in me? Does it make me want to create and inspire?” Ever since becoming Kris Jenner’s makeup artist as a sophomore in high school, the now 21-year-old’s work has been in the spotlight – his widely referenced yet unique style can be seen on the likes of Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber.
Having previously lent his artistry to Dior makeup, Visser has now joined the French brand as its newest US Ambassador of Makeup Artistry, under the guidance of Creative and Image Director Peter Philips. “It just clicked,” says Visser. “I love the Dior team; they’ve always been supportive of the creativity I want to project, the image I want to create, and the look I want to create.”
Visser’s appointment coincides with the relaunch of the “Rouge Dior” collection. It’s an ambitious project that pays homage to Dior’s first lipstick, launched in 1953. As the story goes, Dior couldn’t find the perfect red for his models, so he created two new shades himself. This time, Dior replaced the original glass bullet with a sleek black case, but in honor of the founder, a circle of his initials, “CD,” is printed on the silver trim. The lipstick is also refillable, providing a strong boost to sustainability.
Philips has expanded the Rouge Dior range to 75 shades, and includes a range of nudes: daytime colors from light beige to rosewood that work perfectly with all skin tones. “From the deep purple of Heroine all the way to the lightest pale milk, they inspire and make you want to wear makeup,” says Visser.
As a makeup artist, I love the variety of colors and undertones. I can use them to create any look I want. That’s the beauty of Dior makeup, it really reflects this versatility.” As for his favorite shade, Visser is partial to 999, Dior’s historic deep red.