Canadian makeup giant MAC Cosmetics has partnered up with Brooklyn-based designer Becca McCharen-Tran (who’s also the founder of indie fashion label, Chromat and a finalist of the 2015 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund) to present the beauty brand’s first-ever tech-inspired, galactic collection that’s super wearable and focuses on strong eyeshadow colours and bold lips.
Best known for her background in architecture, the designer has used her knowledge to create a beauty collection that best represents her and her brand. If you’re still unfamiliar with Chromat, the fashion label creates experimental pieces and designs that help empower women of all shapes and sizes, with every collection exploring the intersection of architecture, fashion and technology.
We chatted up with the designer on the latest beauty collection and the products she’s been loving.
Tell us more about yourself and your brand, Chromat?
Becca McCharen-Tran (BMT): I’ve been designing for Chromat for seven years now. I actually studied architecture in school and drifted into the fashion space. Chromat focuses on designing garments that empower women, with a strong focus on women’s lingerie and sports.
How did you manage to use your knowledge with fabrics to create a beauty line with MAC?
BMT: This whole collection is inspired by many different seasons of Chromat’s pieces. The colour originated from varying seasons, where we’re always inspired by the M∙A∙C makeup artists creations backstage. There was one show where we did an orange dot on the inner of the eye – it was so simple and beautiful. In every season, we always display a lot of blues. Blues are something we always come back to, which is where this signature cobalt blue in this collection comes from. Working with M∙A∙C backstage for so many years really set the groundwork for how well the creative collaboration would be.
You have a background in architecture. How did it play a part in the creative process of your collection?
BMT: My studies in architecture give fashion and our designs specifically, an edge. We talk a lot about structure and how certain pieces lay on the body. This structural mindset also helped me to incorporate lines and angles into the packaging. The design on the packaging is a structural architecture movement taken right from our runway with different looks and pieces from our collections.
What is the vision behind the collection and how do you think it appeals to people?
BMT: The whole inspiration comes from a poster we have backstage that reads “You are now a #Chromatbabe. Walk fast powerful strong. Women taking over the world!” This idea is our focus as a brand and as an innovator. We always want to emphasise direct eye contact. This collection is mainly about the eyes with the inclusion of Eye Shadow x6, Pro Longwear Fluidline, and Zoom Lash Mascara.
What are some of your favourite products from the collection and why?
BMT: My all-time favourite product is the Zoom Lash Mascara in Metropolis Blue. I’m just so thrilled with how this product turned out – it’s the secret killer in this collection. I need a lifetime supply!
What are some of your current favourite beauty trends and how have they been reflected in your collection?
BMT: I don’t think I’m as trend-based when I’m thinking about how or what I want to wear. My favourite thing to wear is self-confidence and not caring or getting hung up on what other people think. When we’re designing our collections, we don’t necessarily cater to trends, but we’re more interested in fabrics and making honest, strong, and powerful looks. The same goes for makeup.
What is one particular beauty product you have to use on a daily basis?
BMT: I would say the M∙A∙C Technakohl Liner on my waterline and an SPF are always a must.
What are the new products from MAC you are currently digging?
BMT: I love that M∙A∙C has expanded their fragrance portfolio. I like to mix up my fragrances and have recently been adding the freshness of M∙A∙C Shadescents in Candy Yum Yum into the mix.
What else can we expect from you and Chromat in the latter half of 2017?
BMT: There are so many things in the works! We’re focused now on Resort and Spring/Summer collections which is very exciting.
Below, the products to buy come July 6.