Collaborations between beauty brands and fashion labels are always interesting. These days, this is becoming quite the trend in India. Just as top designers are looking to diversify their profiles by associating with makers of cosmetic products, the latter, too, are keen on adding value to their brands by utilising some design knowhow. Listed below are some of the most talked-about collaborations in this area.
Manish Arora & Kama Ayurveda
Manish Arora, known for his vibrant designs, has partnered with the beauty brand Kama Ayurveda for its signature line, Pure Rose Water. Arora has designed the packaging for this product as well as some accessories to go with it.
Speaking to Guardian 20 about this association, Arora says, “The creative concept behind the box is the celebration of inclusivity, diversity and most importantly, universal love. Aptly titled ‘Love is Love’, the design features my very modern and signature pink and gold palette juxtaposed beautifully with Kama Ayurveda’s existing ethnic Indian persona to tie in with the Valentine’s Day theme. As always, variations of the heart motif are the standout design feature for the packaging of the box as well as its components that include Kama Ayurveda’s bestselling rose mist and two custom-designed zardozi work brooches.”
The box is packaged in the designer’s iconic pink and gold signature colour palette. On choosing to collaborate with the brand for this unique offering, Arora says, “When Vivek Sahni, the co-founder of Kama Ayurveda, approached me with the proposition of a collaboration, I was certain I wanted to come on board for this project. While our individual brand philosophies may vary, our commitment to the ‘Make in India’ cause is what really brought us together. We were able to come to a common ground with the concept of the association that resonated strongly with both of us and that to me was the real deal-clincher.”
Talking about the collaboration, Vivek Sahni says, “At Kama Ayurveda, making people beautiful with love is at the soul of everything we do. Which other Indian designer symbolises and speaks for love more than Manish Arora? He was the perfect match.”
Manish Malhotra & MyGlamm
Celebrity designer Manish Malhotra has teamed up with premium European makeup brand MyGlamm and has launched an exclusive cosmetic collection, known as Manish Malhotra Haute Couture Makeup. The beauty line was launched on 15 December 2018. Alanna Panday was the muse for this collection.
Malhotra says “We’ve explored different textures and finishes in this collection. It was the driving factor behind the development of our signature foil eye shadows and glitter-based lip gloss. The collection features 9-in-1 and 4-in-1 eye shadow palettes that deliver a powerful statement in three kinds of luxurious finish—foil, metallic and matte. We’ve created 12 lipstick shades, long-wear blushes, and highlighters to give a lit-from-within kind of glow. Our party-ready lip-glosses come with polychromatic particles, which shine with the play of light. And I do hope women will enjoy the range of 18 high-shine enamel for salon-style nails.”
Malhotra further adds, “This range is for any woman who loves to experiment with her looks. She can try a softer, subtle look in the day, and yet go bold and glamorous the very same evening. The underlying inspiration for this range was high shine. At the end of the day, it’s all about wearing whatever makes you feel good, confident and happy.”
According to Malhotra his association with MyGlamm was a “natural progression”. He says, “I had every reason to say yes to this collaborative idea. I believe makeup can make or break a look—it lends authenticity to the vision and amplifies it.”
For Malhotra, creating a makeup range wasn’t very different from designing garments. “In both mediums, I always keep the consumers’ interests, needs and tastes in mind. From the colours, textures, quality and packaging, I wanted to deliver products that are investments in a makeup bag, versatile and high on glamour. We worked on specific shades to compliment the wide spectrum of Indian skin tones. It was a great learning experience, and has been an interesting journey so far,” he says.
Malaika Mahtaney, chief marketing officer, MyGlamm, on collaborating with the ace designer, says, “We are excited to collaborate and bring to life Manish Malhotra’s vision of beauty, for his many fans across the country. Manish knows what women want and empowers them to look and feel their most beautiful selves. We are delighted to give every woman a chance to wear Manish Malhotra.”
Sabyasachi Mukherjee & L’Oreal Paris
World-renowned fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee collaborated with L’Oreal Paris for his debut festive makeup collection. The designer joined hands with the cosmetics giant for a 21-piece limited-edition makeup line, called “L’Oréal Paris x Sabyasachi”. The collection was launched in October 2018. Mukherjee’s collection focuses on classic beauty. He says, “For me, classic is iconic, because classic is unforgettable.” Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was the face of the campaign.
“Modern beauty is about being carefree and casual,” the designer tells Guardian 20. “Wear your makeup effortlessly. Makeup shouldn’t wear you down. A red mouth, a winged liner, sun-kissed, wind-swept hair and a simple, classic sari creates a look that is iconic yet simple to achieve. It has a certain je ne sais quoi about it.”
The makeup series includes nine new shades of highly pigmented matte lip colours in hues ranging from soft beige to hot pink, a black eye liner and a volumising mascara.