Embracing the Beauty of Imperfection: A Wabi-Sabi Inspired Fashion Showcase

This season, New York designer Kim Shui's collection took a captivating turn, drawing inspiration from the Japanese art of wabi-sabi and kintsugi. These ancient practices celebrate the beauty of imperfection, where broken items are repaired and transformed, becoming even more visually striking. Partnering with MAC Cosmetics and renowned makeup artist Romero Jennings, Shui's team crafted a look that seamlessly blended the smoky, undone aesthetic with a polished, pulled-together finish.

Uncovering the Allure of Imperfection

Embracing the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic

The wabi-sabi philosophy, deeply rooted in Japanese culture, embraces the beauty of imperfection and the natural cycle of growth, decay, and renewal. This ethos was the driving force behind Kim Shui's latest collection, where the designer sought to celebrate the inherent beauty in the flawed and the imperfect. By incorporating the principles of wabi-sabi, Shui's designs challenged the traditional notions of perfection, inviting the audience to appreciate the unique character and charm of each garment.

Kintsugi: The Art of Repair

Complementing the wabi-sabi theme, the collection also drew inspiration from the Japanese art of kintsugi. In this ancient craft, broken ceramics are repaired using a lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The resulting pieces are not only functional but also visually stunning, with the repaired cracks and seams becoming a celebrated part of the object's history and character. This concept of embracing and highlighting the imperfections was seamlessly woven into the design of Shui's collection, creating a sense of beauty and resilience.

A Collaborative Approach to Beauty

To bring this vision to life, Kim Shui partnered with MAC Cosmetics and renowned makeup artist Romero Jennings. Together, they crafted a beauty look that perfectly encapsulated the essence of the collection. Jennings, a longtime collaborator with MAC, drew inspiration from the '90s nude makeup trend, using a palette of sheer browns and butterscotch hues to create a smoky, undone aesthetic. The focus was on enhancing the natural beauty of the models, rather than striving for a flawless, airbrushed appearance.

Skin Prep: Radiant and Nourished

Recognizing the importance of healthy, glowing skin as the foundation for the makeup look, the team enlisted the expertise of Kate Somerville's lead esthetician, Susan Mastaj. Mastaj utilized the brand's Exfoliating Body Scrub and new Goat Milk Cleanser + Moisturizer to prep the models' skin from head to toe, ensuring a radiant, nourished canvas for the makeup application.

Makeup Application: Embracing Imperfection

Jennings' approach to the makeup was all about embracing the imperfections and creating a look that felt effortless and lived-in. He began by prepping the skin with MAC's Hyper Real Serumizer, followed by the application of the Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation and Studio Radiance Concealer. Depending on the model's skin tone, he then used either Blush Please or Big Diva Energy Glow Play Blush on the cheeks.For the eyes, Jennings applied the Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Contemplative State and the It's Fabstract Paint Pot, creating a smoky, subtly defined eye look. He then lined the waterline with the Smolder Eye Kohl Pencil, adding depth and dimension. The MACStack Waterproof Mascara was used to enhance the lashes, while the Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Highlighter was applied to the high points of the cheekbones, adding a luminous glow.To complete the look, Jennings utilized a trio of lip liners – Stone, Chestnut, or Cork – before finishing with the MACximal Lipstick in Honey Love or Caviar for the deeper-toned models. The result was a beautifully imperfect, yet cohesive makeup look that seamlessly complemented the wabi-sabi-inspired collection.