Fabien Baron Interview by Pep Gay for Models.com

In 1994 New York, French makeup artist Francois Nars unveiled a new collection of 12 lipsticks in Barneys, one of the fashion beacons of NYC retail. It marked the start of a new eponymous line that would become a classic – highly regarded not only for its quality and the daring shades used but also for its impressive packaging and logo design. After nearly a quarter-century Nars Cosmetics still stands out as an entity demanding your attention – boldly black with clean, white lines, and a modern rubberized touch. What’s more is its cult status was achieved all without the help of social media, an impossible feat by today’s standards. Fabien Baron is no stranger to this evolution. An art director and former editorial director of the now-defunct Interview Magazine, the multi-hyphenate is also a product and packaging designer, graphic designer, film director, furniture and eyewear designer, photographer, and intuitive artist. As the man behind the design and the creation of the NARS logo, Baron has been collaborating with the beauty company since its very start. I spoke with Baron to share his personal experience with the creative process of designing the NARS corporate imagery and what led him to come up with one of the most iconic logos in the beauty industry. I was personally curious to see why graphic design expertise is essential for visuals and what personal involvement he has with the creation of fonts. We also talked at length about social media, his interaction with it