Dame Pat McGrath, DBE

  Powerlistee #3
  Arts, Fashion & Design

Hailed by her legions of fans as the ‘mother of make-up’, Pat McGrath is a bona fide industry legend. Her influence stretches far and wide, from catwalk to cover stars and cosmetic counters.

Indeed, her career was forged backstage at fashion shows, and she has created key styles every season since the early 1990s. Over more than 20 years, she has built four high-profile luxury cosmetic brands, including the first bearing her name – Pat McGrath Labs. She has also helped a string of big-name designer labels create best-selling beauty products, from Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation to Diorshow Mascara.

In March it was announced that she is to be creative director of Louis Vuitton’s much-anticipated debut makeup line, La Beauté.

Continually setting global beauty trends, Patricia designs the make-up looks for iconic runway shows, breakthrough advertising campaigns, and editorials for the most prestigious fashion houses and media outlets. She has created beauty looks for the world’s top luxury fashion brands, from Prada to Miu Miu, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Yohji Yamamoto.

Last year, Patricia conjured her most viral sensation yet with an iconic ‘glass skin’ look for Maison Margiela during SS24 haute couture week. This January she finally released a sell-out own label product, the Glass 001 Artistry Mask, aimed at replicating that otherworldly vision, to the rapture of her devoted followers. In May followed a second Glass product, the Legendary Glow Setting Spray.

At this year’s Met Gala she created a ‘superfly disco’ make-up look for Chappell Roan, as well as crystal-embellished eyes for Alex Consani and glamorous, retro ‘feline’ beauty for Doja Cat.

In 2024 she continued her smash-hit association with pop icon Taylor Swift, who famously sported McGrath’s LiquiLUST matte red lipstick in her Bejeweled video – leading to a rush on the product – and reportedly continued to wear it during her worldwide The Eras Tour.

In spring 2022, she launched her very first skincare product, the Divine Skin: Rose 001. Naomi Campbell – named global face of Pat McGrath Labs in 2020 – fronted the campaign, which was shot by fashion super-snapper Steven Meisel.

In 2021, Pat became the first-ever makeup artist to be named a Dame of the British Empire (DBE) for services to the fashion and beauty industry and diversity. American Vogue has described her as ‘the most important editorial makeup artist working in fashion and beauty’.

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