Franois Nars
One of the most celebrated makeup artists in the world, Franois Nars is widely regarded as the makeup world's most influential modern talent. The dramatic, beautiful faces he designs for on the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan, instantly become the blueprints for next season's definitive hot look. Always on the cutting edge, he possesses the unique talent of being able to expose a person's true inner beauty whether as a makeup artist, photographer, or as the creative director of NARS Cosmetics.

Born in the South of France, Franois Nars grew up dreaming, digesting and living out loud the fashion pages of Vogue. After attending the Carita Makeup School in Paris, Franois brandished his talent as a one-man industry and moved to New York City in 1984.

Immediately upon arriving he began working with fashion's top publications, becoming a star in his own right. He is the only makeup artist to do 26 consecutive covers of American Vogue. A record not since broken. Franois' collaborations with top designers including, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Sui, Versace and Valentino among others, helped transform the accepted face of beauty. At the same time Franois regularly collaborated with legendary photographers such as Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton, Irving Penn and Bruce Weber.

Franois' approach to modern makeup was and still is revolutionary; believing that makeup is not a mask and that the woman must shine through. Celebrity clients including Madonna, Sharon Stone, Lauren Hutton, Michelle Pfeiffer and Catherine Deneuve are testaments to Franois' extraordinary talent and ability to create looks that enhance the true beauty, style and individuality of a woman.

Franois Nars is an individualist, for him there is "no one perfect look" says Nars. "As long as makeup is not a mask, as long as a woman's personality or mood is enhanced not hidden, then a woman can be beautiful in a myriad of different guises," Nars says. From his famous "natural look" through classical elegance and sheer glamour, to outrageous, Franois' creations have transformed the accepted face of beauty. By inspiring others to follow his lead, ideas that started out as a quick sketch in his notebook have a habit of filtering into mainstream style in a matter of months.

Eventually becoming frustrated with the cosmetic lines available, Franois developed and successfully launched a small collection of twelve lipsticks at Barneys New York in November 1994. Born from Franois' fascination with color, purity and texture, NARS is synonymous with the ultimate in modern makeup and lifestyle products.

Franois introduced the first NARS advertising campaign in the fall of 1996, marking his foray into photography. His unique style of photography was recognized immediately, and he continues to shoot all NARS advertising campaigns.

In 1999, Franois' wildly successful photography book X-Ray was released, an embodiment of individual style and personality. Makeup Your Mind, the ultimate instructional makeup manual featuring the world's most recognizable models was later released in 2001.

Continually working on new projects to grow and develop the brand, Franois is the creative force behind NARS, a successful photographer and a legend in makeup artistry.