I’m pleased to see that the topic of beauty is slowly becoming a legitimate field of study. It hasn’t been looked at as critically or academically yet the way fashion has, but we’re getting there. Recently I came across several things that I found to be very encouraging.
Musingonbeauty posted about this book. While I’m a bit chagrined someone else came out with a coffee table book on makeup, I’m not completely beat down – there’s plenty of room for more makeup books!
Then I read in the June issue of Lucky magazine that there’s an exhibition called Beauty Culture that’s going on at the Annenberg Space for Photography. The exhibition “examines both traditional and unconventional definitions of beauty, challenging stereotypes of gender, race and age. It explores the links between beauty and violence, glamour and sexuality and the cost (in its multiple meanings) of beauty” and “encourages a social discussion about the allure and mystique of the pursuit of female beauty, as well as its cult-like glorification and the multi-billion dollar industries that surround it.” A little different than what I’m trying to do, but it’s exciting to see a dialogue being started about the impact of the beauty industry.
Finally, I stumbled on the coolest blog on vintage compacts while researching an inquiry I received. It is so incredibly detailed and gives a thorough history of early cosmetic companies, many of which don’t exist anymore.
So, yay! It’s nice to see that makeup is finally being recognized as something more than to paint your face with – there truly is history and art involved, which is one of the things I strive to point out through the Museum.
Welcome to the 2nd holiday exhibition by the Makeup Museum! I actually have a theme this year, which is "Crystal Sparkle" since so many of these holiday items are decked out in crystals. Enjoy!
Main exhibition:
MAC Holidazzle postcard, Stila blush, Chanel Lumières d'Artifices palette:
Stila clutch palette, Armani 2008 crystal palette, YSL Bow Collection palette:
Stila holiday can, Dior Night Diamond palette:
Benefit catalog and Dior Aurore Boreale pendant (I wanted to drape it over the shelf somehow but couldn't figure it out without using thumbtacks, and I didn't want to put holes in the wall. Oh well.)
Guerlain Imperiale Meteorites and Shu Planet Cat palette:
Armani lipstick and Lancôme Sparkling Cherub palette:
Now for the auxiliary exhibition!
Life of the Party Quickie Chronicle by Too-Faced, along with the Armani Black Lace palette:
Benefit holiday catalog and Guerlain Gold Temptation Meteorites:
Tsumori Chisato for Shu poster and Paul & Joe palette (and a little piggy!):
Another auxiliary exhibition:
Finally, if you're still reading, here are a couple bonus pics of all the snow we got here on Saturday. Isn't it pretty?
The Curator wishes everyone a very merry Christmas!
Britishbeautyblogger posted this last week and I definitely had to post about it here as well! Luxe-pack Monaco, an annual showcase of new and innovative packaging, is featuring an exhibit curated by perfume and cosmetics historian Jean Marie Martin-Hattemberg. (Note to Jean-Marie: I’m a cosmetics historian/curator too – can you please explain to me how to parlay this into a real, paying job?!)
Anyway, the Luxe Pack site reads, “Discover how lipsticks and their packaging have been manufactured over the time. Nowadays seen as a must-have seduction weapon, the lipstick appeared in self-confident and open-minded women’s daily life in the 20th century… Re-discover the daring and creative power of
brands over time!” Sounds fantastic, no? And according to Premium Beauty News, there will be a book released — not just showcasing the pieces in the exhibtion, but an entire history of lipstick. I for one will be waiting with bated breath for the book to come out, not just because this is something a curator of a makeup museum should by all means have on hand in her library, but to get ideas for my own makeup book. 😉
The “Couturines” lipsticks will be on display, which Revlon manufactured between 1961 and 1963. The three featured represent Shirley MacLaine, Marilyn Monroe, and Bette Davis. Here’s a closeup of Shirley – look at the intricate work on the case as well as the gold detailing towards the base of the lipstick itself. They sure don’t make anything like this anymore!
image from luxepack.com
I’d give my eye teeth to fly to Monaco and see this in person, but I guess the book will have to do for now.
I'm a bit tardy with the Museum's summer exhibition – the makeup counters are already getting in their fall collections – but it's still hot here and summer needs to be celebrated! Here are some of my favorite summery pieces.
Main exhibition:
Here are some close-ups.
Shu Tokyo Kamon Girls Premium cleansing oil:
Too-Faced Bathing Beauty Quickie Chronicle and Chantecaille Coral palette (unfortunately I can't keep the Chantecaille palettes open, as they don't have a piece of clear plastic covering the actual product):
Stila Convertible Color paint can and Shu Boutique Birthday palette:
Guerlain Exotic Paradise palette and Stila Apres Beach trio:
Now for the auxiliary exhibition in the office:
Some closeups.
Another Shu Tokyo Kamon Girl cleansing oil:
Stila June Bride palette and MAC Style Warrior lipstick:
Too-Faced Beach Bunny Quickie Chronicle and Chantecaille La Baleine face powder:
I did put up some summer items in the other auxiliary exhibition space in the hallway, but alas, no matter what I can't seem to get a clear picture of them. If I do I will certainly post some pictures. But for right now I think this exhibit is pretty well-stocked. :)
I found this site via New Curator a few weeks ago, and I was massively impressed with the concept. “Public Collectors is founded upon the concern that there are many types of cultural artifacts that public libraries, museums and other institutions and archives either do not collect or do not make freely accessible. Public Collectors asks individuals that have had the luxury to amass, organize, and inventory these materials to help reverse this lack by making their collections public.” In other words, it’s a great opportunity for collectors to exhibit and share their items with the world, objects that might be overlooked by museums and galleries. You can access inventories and selected photos from the collections, and if geography allows and the collector is willing, you can meet them in person to see their some or all of their collection firsthand.
I spoke to Marc Fischer, who runs the site, and he kindly agreed to put the Makeup Museum up! Check out the complete MM inventory and select photos. A big thanks to Marc!
It just goes to show I'm not totally crazy – here is a bona fide exhibition about beauty and cosmetics! Via Art History Newsletter, I learned that the Musée National de la Renaissance in Ecouen, France, presents Le Bain et le Miroir: Soins du corps et cosmétiques à la Renaissance. Alas, I cannot understand French and the website doesn't have an English option, but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with beauty and cosmetics. From what I can gather (did you know Google has a translation function?), included are combs, perfumes, mirrors and I believe even some makeup. There are also paintings and sculptures depicting ideal Renaissance beauty to put these objects in context. The exhibition is in conjunction with another exhibit focusing on beauty in from antiquity to the Middle Ages at the Cluny Museum. What's really amazing about that one is that L'Oreal analyzed the cosmetics to understand their composition. How cool would it be to research what people used back then for makeup?
L'Oreal is also partially funding the exhibition..I'm thinking I should get in touch with them to see if they want to have a contemporary beauty exhibit stateside. 🙂
You might be wondering what I do with all of the lovely makeup items I've collected over the years. Believe it or not, I actually have a real Makeup Museum in my apartment, spread across 3 rooms, where I display some of my collection on shelves and change the items with each season. I've just put the finishing touches on the fall installation, so here's a chance to see my fall-themed beauties and memorabilia on display. (Note: the other items shown are from my fiance's toy collection – I think it makes a nice contrast!)
This is the main exhibition, located in the bedroom:
Here are some detailed shots.
Armani's Fall 2008 python palette and Dior's Impression Cuir eyeshadow, along with some friends:
Clinique Fall 2007 promo ad and Shu Fall 2008 palette, along with MAC Cult of Cherry postcard, Shu Qee figure, and YSL Fauve palette:
Here is one of the auxiliary exhibitions, located in the hallway leading to my makeup room (where I keep the entire collection and where my vanity lives):
And the other auxiliary exhibition in the office:
Who knows, maybe someday I'll have these installations in a real public space rather than my apartment. A curator can dream…