François Nars

Francois Nars is a French makeup artist who launched NARS Cosmetics, creative director and photographer.

Born in the Sout of France, Nars talents surfaced at a very young age.

At ten he explored his fashion-plate mother Claudette’s Vogue magazines and began sketching the faces of the models and personalities he saw in its pages. He was inspired by the exuberant sophistication of Yves Saint Laurent, the surrealist wit of Guy Bourdin, and the inimitable glamour of starlets like Catherine Deneuve. To this day, these first inspirations shape Francois’ approach to beauty, and often come to life as dramatic makeup looks or evocative, cinema-inspired product names like Dolce Vita, Strada, or Belle de Jour.

Upon graduating from the famed Carita Makeup School in Paris, Francois Nars’ rapid ascent in the fashion world reflected talent, hard work, and uncommon vision and soon worked with famed photographer Paolo Roversi. His talent caught the eye of Polly Mellen, then the editor of American Vogue.

Encouraged and nurtured by her, François decided to move to New York in 1984. He immediately began working with magazines including American Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Italian Vogue, and Elle. François soon became a star in his own right.

Designers like Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld, and Versace admired his ability to create iconic looks, both highly theatrical and ultra-natural, that engaged in compelling dialogue with their designers.

Advertising campaigns for clients such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Versace and Valentino followed shortly after.

In addition, François collaborated regularly with legendary photographers Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton, Irving Penn and Bruce Weber.