Since its launch in 2020, Byredo Beauty has been at the forefront of bringing niche interpretations of beauty to life on a commercial scale. “The beauty industry is very verbal, and it was very linear to say, ‘Buy this or this and look like this,’ but I wasn’t in a relationship.” This was about being inclusive to the point that it could be anything for anyone. That’s how we approached it from the beginning.
The result is five product ranges created in collaboration with makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench. It comes in a space-age package that focuses on color expressiveness with multi-purpose “color sticks” in unusual shades like cars. Leading greens and shimmering lilacs, as well as high-pigment eyeshadows, his palette draws inspiration from everything from corporate workplaces to experimental musician Yves Tumor.
(Image credit: George Harvey)
One year after winning Best Grooming Product at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022, Byredo Beauty is embarking on its next chapter under the guidance of former Chanel Makeup and Color Director Lucia Pica. Considering Pica has always been a champion of idiosyncratic glamour, and above all an expert in color, it’s a fitting match.
Red, in particular, has always been her favorite color, and since Chanel in particular had popularized its use around the eyes, red, often seen as a marker of sadness and illness, became a provocative way to brighten the eyes. For Pica, joining Byredo felt like a logical next step. She “felt it was the right place to land for this moment, where you can work with luxury brands while also having creative brand freedom.”
Best use of Byredo Beauty First Emotions colors
The fusion of luxury and creativity has resulted in First Emotions, Pica’s first collection with the brand. This red-themed collection has been recognized by being nominated for Best Use of Color at the 2023 Wallpaper* Design Awards.
The collection consists of five products: a burgundy kajal eye pencil and mascara, five eyeshadow palettes in gold, auburn and metallic pink, and two lipsticks. “The primal power of emotion is reflected in color,” he says Pica. “Gold has light and excitement, Burgundy has something dark.
For Pika, emotion felt like a natural theme for this first collection. “After meeting Ben,” she says. [Byredo] It’s a personal story, and it works to evoke people’s emotions and memories.he was talking about this transparent medium [perfume] Because I thought, “This is perfect.” [to me] Colors also always evoke emotions. Color is very important in makeup to express yourself and change your mood.
Therein lies the power of beauty for both Byredo and Pica. It is about providing a medium for people to have fun, express themselves and enhance their uniqueness. That is the ultimate meaning of beauty.
winner of Wallpapers * Design Awards 2023 Published in the February 2023 issue, available in print, the Apple iOS Wallpaper* app, and Apple News + subscribers. Subscribe to Wallpaper* now (opens in new tab)
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