M.A.C. Models and How The Company Considers Cultures & Socially Conscious Initiatives

Model Choices-
As M.A.C's slogan is 'All Ages, All Races, All Sexes', the model choices for M.A.C's advertisement or editorial images not only just female models, but also male models as well. The company is well known worldwide and is an international brand and so the model choices range from different people from different cultures. Therefore, the editorial images or advertisements always consider models with different skin tones. 

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M.A.C Red, Red, Red 2014 collection

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On below is an advertisement campaign of the body builder Jelana Abbou as the model for the collection 'Strength' in 2013. M.A.C is famous for pushing the boundaries of our perception on beauty ideals and there are few more examples how M.A.C show us this idea such as working with Dame Edna or Beth Ditto as the models and spokesperson.

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M.A.C Strength 2013 Collection

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M.A.C Brows Are It! Spring 2016 Collection

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M.A.C Is Beauty Spring Collection 2015

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M.A.C Hugs & Kisses Collection 2015

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M.A.C x Zac Posen Collaborations Collection 2015

For the age range of the models, I think they are normally around 18 - 28 years old. 
In 2015, M.A.C use social media to cast for models for their campaign 'MACnificent'. On below is what M.A.C has written on their website about their event.  
“Being MACnificent means being creative, being confident, having fun and most of all, being true to yourself. You already do it every day. Now MAC wants you to show the world what your MACnificent Me is made of.”

Why I think M.A.C consider socially conscious initiatives?
As I have mentioned on the previous post (refer to "Chosen brand for my project: M.A.C"), Viva Glam Collection was one of the fundraising initiatives created by the M.A.C HIV/AIDS organizations for charity purpose since 1994 and the reason why M.A.C set up this organisation is because the company wants the audience to be aware of the disease and the collection is used as a respond to the epidemic of the AIDS which was spread around the world at that time. This shows that the company consider socially conscious initiatives which means that they think and care about the customers.

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Rihanna is the spokesperson of Viva Glam in 2014

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Miley Cyrus as the spokesperson for Viva Glam in 2015

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Ariana Grande is the spokesperson for Viva Glam in 2016

From Viva Glam Collection, we can also see that M.A.C make collaborations with celebrities and they become the models and spokesperson for M.A.C to advertise their products. This helps to promote their products more effectively and engaged more audiences. On below are few examples from M.A.C's collections which collaborates with famous people. M.A.C not only collaborates with celebrities, but also designers and films as well.

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New York Fashion Designer Zac Posen

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British Shoe Designer Charlotte Olympia 

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M.A.C x Maleficent Limited Edition Collection in 2014

Cultures -

M.A.C’s Year of Monkey collection in 2016 is an example of how M.A.C considers other cultures by referencing them in their collections and on makeup design. I like the way M.A.C considers other people cultures because of how M.A.C try to engage and make connections to the consumers. The brand is international and this helps to attract more audiences worldwide. The make-up look from M.A.C Year of Monkey collection is inspired by the drama of Chinese Opera.

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M.A.C Year Of The Monkey Collection 2016

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Products in the collection

Historical references:
M.A.C also considers historical references within their photo shoots (the makeup, hair and style for the models). But as a creative company and designers, a lot of the photo shoots has combined with new features, sometimes is a contemporary or a modern version of a historical style and sometimes it involves a classic look. 

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This photoshoot reminds me of the 60s and the 70s as the use of roller sets on the hair and volumize hairstyle. For the makeup look, it captures the 60s inspired eyeliner from Twiggy's as well. 

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The image on above reminds me of the 40s Hollywood Glamour look, a very feminine and glamorous look. 

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The photo on above reminds me of the 1960s as the blunt bob hairstyle and also the use of stripes at the background reminds me of the op art. The make-up look makes me think of the pop art as the use of bold strong colors. 

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The image on above reminds me of the Elizabethans reference as it looks very feminine and elegant. The use of white and pearls are important during the Elizabethans era. The forehead are shown which means wisdom during that era and the pink cheeks, pale skin and rouge lips are the beauty ideals and symbolise wealth during Elizabethans period. 

References:

• Cruz, M. (2014). MAC Cosmetics Uses Social Media To Cast New Faces For 2015 MACnificent Me Campaign. [Online]. Available at: http://www.plus-model-mag.com/2014/11/mac-cosmetics-uses-social-media-cast-new-faces-2015-macnificent-campaign/ [Assessed on 09/02/16]