Louis Vuitton’s La Beauté: Pat McGrath Crafts the Future of Luxury Makeup
Let me paint a scene: Paris, 1927. A mahogany vanity case, lined in LV’s signature canvas, cradles a mother-of-pearl powder puff. Fast-forward a century, and that same spirit of decadent utility is reborn as La Beauté Louis Vuitton—a makeup line that doesn’t just sit on your vanity but becomes it. And who better to helm this than Dame Pat McGrath, the woman who taught us to worship gold leaf eyelids and oxblood lips?
“Darling, this isn’t just makeup,” McGrath purrs (I imagine) over Zoom, her crimson talons gesturing like a conductor. “It’s armor for the modern icon.” Having spent two decades backstage at LV’s shows, she’s distilled those fleeting runway moments into something tangible: 55 lipsticks rumored to snap shut with the satisfying click of a trunk latch, balms that melt like “butter stolen from a Parisian bakery,” and eye palettes swathed in leather trim. Each piece feels like it’s been plucked from a steamer trunk aboard the Orient Express.
A Nod to Nostalgia, a Wink to the Future
Louis Vuitton’s flirtation with beauty isn’t new. In the Jazz Age, their vanity cases were the status symbol for flappers carting rouge and kohl. Today? The brand’s CEO, Pietro Beccari, calls this launch “a natural evolution.” Translation: Why sell a $5,000 handbag when you can sell the dream inside it?
But let’s get tactile. Imagine a lipstick bullet sheathed in gold, etched with LV’s monogram—a nod to their luggage locks. Or a eyeshadow palette with pans shaped like miniature trunk latches. McGrath’s genius lies in balancing whimsy with wearability. “The textures? Unparalleled,” she insists. “Matte? It’s crushed velvet. Metallics? Liquid mercury.”
The La Beauté Louis Vuitton Collection at a Glance
| Product | Details |
|---|---|
| Lipsticks | 55 shades, monogrammed cases |
| Lip Balms | 10 hydrating tints, UV protection |
| Eye Palettes | 8 color stories, leather-trimmed compacts |
Why This Matters
In a world of 30-second TikTok routines, LV is betting big on slow beauty. These aren’t products you toss in a tote—they’re heirlooms. The price? Whispers suggest lipsticks starting at $90, palettes nearing $250. But for LV loyalists, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to their $3K Neverfulls.
“We’re not just selling pigment,” Beccari adds. “We’re selling legacy.” And McGrath? She’s already dreaming up limited editions—perhaps a collaboration with LV’s watchmakers? “Darling, wait till you see the holiday collection…”
Will this dethrone La Mer or Tom Ford? Not quite. But for those who’ve longed to wield a lipstick as meticulously crafted as their Alma bag, this is the holy grail. My only gripe? The balms don’t (yet) come in a travel-sized trunk.
Mark your calendars, darlings. This fall, beauty won’t just be skin-deep—it’ll be Louis Vuitton deep. 💄✨
When does La Beauté Louis Vuitton launch?
Fall 2024—exact date TBA, but expect runway-worthy reveals during Paris Fashion Week.
What’s included in the first collection of Louis Vuitton La Beauté?
55 lipsticks (rumored to nestle in monogrammed cases), 10 hydrating balms, and 8 eye palettes with leather accents.
How does this tie to Louis Vuitton’s history?
Since the 1920s, LV crafted vanity cases for globetrotters—think powder compacts as intricate as their steamer trunks.
Why Pat McGrath for Louis Vuitton La Beauté?
After 20+ years backstage at LV shows, she’s the only MUA who could blend haute couture drama with wearability.
