When Jeremy Scott decided to collaborate with MAC on a makeup collection, he wanted to design every detail himself, including the packaging. And he did. Today, the CD, cassette, and boombox-shaped eyeshadow palettes are available at MAC stores and Ulta, and are as eye-catching as the designer’s fashion collections, which are often inspired by music in some way, shape, or form.
The collaboration took two years to come together. “It took longer than it looks, and longer than I expected,” Scott said at MAC Soho in New York City the day after the fall 2018 show. “I’m used to fashion, and I’m like, ‘Move, move, move, move.’ But more than anything, it’s not just the colors and the look… it’s the packaging that I’m proud of.”
The boombox-shaped eyeshadow palette (which comes in 29 shades, mind you) is as over-the-top as you’d expect, while the CD-inspired blush palette is fun in terms of packaging, but truly the perfect solution for effortless contouring. Here, we chat to the legendary designer about all things beauty, and his latest runway show.
Did you wear makeup before?
I used to wear a lot of makeup. I used to wear eyeshadow all the way to my hairline, and mascara, and everything. I never wore lipstick. I was more into my eyes.
Do you have a favorite product?
I wear anything colorful. I mean, if I can get MAC powder, I’m excited. I’m always looking for anything I can get.
I know this makeup collection is inspired by music. Would you say your fashion is always inspired by music?
Yes, absolutely. I always feel like my girls are either on stage, backstage, or in front of the stage – she’s in a girl group, she’s the lead singer, she’s in a band, she’s in a band. It always feels like that because I always feel like that’s my world, my love. They’re all different music styles, it could be doo-wop girl bands, it could be punk, you know? It could be an early 80s girl group, it could be a futuristic band from outer space, I mean, it could be anything.
How important is beauty to you when you’re putting on a show?
It’s so important. It’s really the finishing touch and it really tells my story. I mean, even if the clothes themselves are eye-catching, like yesterday’s, if I change my hair and makeup, then… let’s say I put on a 40s makeup, you know? You’re like, “Oh, okay, what is this? Is she a time traveler?”
So when you’re designing your collections, do you take that into account?
Yes. In a flash, absolutely. Of course, it’s even more intense when you’re up close, especially when I see the whole look come together.
Do you remember one of the most extreme runway looks you’ve ever done for a show?
A few years ago, about five years ago, we did a show with Kabuki (makeup artist) and Eugene (hair stylist Souleiman) called Moving History. Similar to this show, Kabuki created – I don’t know what it’s called, it’s like stickers or something. He designed stickers to put on the girls’ faces, and blue lips, all kinds of makeup. Eugene also designed a curly wig, so that was definitely one of the most amazing pieces.
Are you into skin care?
I’m kind of obsessed. I don’t think I’ve always been obsessed, it’s probably been in the last 10 years or so. When you get older, you’re like, “Oh, I have to get this under control.” Hydration.
What about hair products?
I’m actually very lax about my hair care. I bought some hair spray, it was only a few bucks, but it smelled like baby powder, and I was like, “Oh my god, this is amazing.” That was my biggest surprise, wow, I bought hair spray.
Do you have a beauty idol? Male or female?
Peggy Moffitt, always. I love her because she also uses makeup to create her look. I mean, she was an artist. She wasn’t just a model or a muse. She really saw the clothes, understood the concept, and gave it so much more. Even not just the makeup, but the way she walked… I mean, I was so honored to talk to her about those days, it was so fascinating. She used to do her own hair and makeup. It was so crazy.
Do you think there are contemporary icons today that are on the same level as her?
No one can compare to her, especially now. Of course, there are many more beauties that I like, but I feel like with the change in culture, society, and careers – she was more creative because people did their own makeup back then. Like Bella Hadid would be like, “Oh, hi, I do my own makeup.” Do you know what I mean? Who are you? What are you talking about? Did you hit your head?
How was your performance on the show last night?
I just called Kabuki and asked him, “What am I doing today?” I want to do something very futuristic, and I really want to do this colorful wig. I also want to do something colorful and fun like you see in a sci-fi movie. It was so cool to work with someone as talented as Kabuki. He did it.
What about the clothes? What was the inspiration behind them?
I was really thinking about sci-fi movies, thinking about some kind of outer space disco, thinking about that kind of glam style, that feeling of, oh my god, people would never wear shoes like that. I was kind of trying to capture the spirit of Back to the Future 2. I wanted that sense of absurdity, so I was like, “Oh, let’s make a sci-fi version of moon boots.”
Those are so cool. I was going to ask you about those specifically. How did that come about?
I had the idea right then, so we reached out to Moon Boot, and they were so cool. They said, “We love you guys, we’d love to do something.” I worked with the Moon Boot store, and we shared fabric so we could make some exact matching pieces, and then use their fabric to do silver and neon colors, and they said yes. I said, “I want them to be above the knee, and I mean above the knee on the model.” I didn’t want them to just be above the knee. They should be exaggerated, and they said yes.
I was going to ask you about wigs because I know a lot of your shows use them.
It’s a way to really capture a look. Sometimes, some girls don’t have enough hair, it’s either very short or very long, to do a certain look. For the show, it’s a great way to create magic.
Is there a beauty trend or look that you hate?
No. I really, I just, that’s really not my personality, I’ve always felt that people should do whatever they think looks good, they should – that’s their own business, you know? The same thing with fashion. It’s kind of like, there’s a lot of different things going on, but I think, you know, people who like it, people who like it, it’s great because there’s all kinds of frequencies. I do my thing, you do your thing. So I don’t have an initial reaction to any real style.
Do you have an initial memory or experience with makeup?
I remember my sister had trays of makeup on her dresser, and she wore really, really, really tight jeans, and she would do this, you know, put makeup on in the mirror, and lift her leg up, and I would watch her from behind, and it looked like she didn’t have another leg because the jeans were so tight. She would do her makeup like this, and I was completely fascinated.
Do you think fashion can exist without beauty?
I thought, it’s very unattractive. I don’t want to survive this way.