Makeup Show L.A. features Kevyn Aucoin in ‘Icon Gallery’ exhibition
What did renowned makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin carry in his makeup kit? The answer will be revealed, along with many never-before-seen pieces from Aucoin’s private and professional life, in a special “Icon Gallery” exhibition, open to beauty and fashion industry professionals as part of the Makeup Show L.A.
The two-day trade show, which attracted 5,800 visitors last year, returns to Los Angeles for the sixth year on March 1 and 2, before traveling to New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando and Europe, where other legendary makeup artists will be highlighted — those names and details are still under wraps.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Cher, Julia Roberts, Tina Turner and Courtney Love were among Aucoin’s famous clients. During his career, Aucoin developed products for Revlon’s Ultima II line, created beauty cover looks for major fashion magazines, such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, published three books and launched his namesake cosmetics line in 2001.
“There are so many makeup artists around the world, obviously, but not many who are known outside the industry [like Aucoin is],” says Shelly Taggar, owner of the Makeup Show. “Some people know about his makeup and the brand and his books. But while doing the research, we found that he was also a photographer and a painter and a poet. He’s a true artist in many different mediums. It’s been many years since he died [in 2002 at age 40] but so many makeup artists still use his looks as references in classes and fashion shows.”
For the past six months, Taggar has worked closely with the Aucoin family, executives at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, and makeup artists who collaborated with Aucoin to curate the estimated 80 to 90 pieces on display, grouped into 24 categories. Personal pieces never seen until now include Polaroid photos from shoots that Aucoin kept in his diary, original paintings and poems by Aucoin, thank you notes from celebrity clients, and the contents of his personal makeup kit. There are also lashes crafted for celebrities and samples of products Aucoin created before launching his namesake line.
“[The exhibition] sheds a little light on [Aucoin’s] personal side, and also shows how his career started, from the first few items he designed for kevynaucoin.com all the way to where the brand is now,” says Taggar. “Kevyn Aucoin Beauty has wanted to create a Kevyn Aucoin exhibit for years and knew from the start that the Makeup Show would be the perfect partner,” says Desirée Tordecilla, executive vice president of Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. “It is frequented by the most passionate makeup artists in the industry and Kevyn Aucoin’s most loyal fans.”
Beyond educational workshops and products from 75 beauty brands, the Makeup Show L.A. also includes a “Making Faces” makeup artist competition, named after one of Aucoin’s books. Artists are challenged to re-create and reinterpret one of Aucoin’s famous looks, and prizes include a $2,000 makeup kit.
What: Kevyn Aucoin exhibition at “The Makeup Show Icon Gallery” during the Makeup Show L.A.
When: Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: California Market Center, 110 E. 9th St. in Los Angeles
How Much: $48 for a one-day pass or $68 for a two-day pass at the show door or www.themakeupshow.com. (Open only to beauty and fashion industry professionals.)
[For the Record, 1:13 p.m. PST Feb. 19: An earlier version of this post misspelled Shelly Taggar’s last name as Taggert.]
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