In 1979, the fashion world was rocked by a revolution, with makeup artist Linda Mason at the forefront. Designers brought fashion to an art form creating runway shows that weren’t simply a marketplace, but full throttle theatrical performances. As an artist for Helena Rubenstein, Linda was required to make the rounds of these fashion shows. Having previously modeled, Linda observed that the make-up done by the models themselves was totally out of sync with the incredible fashions the designers were presenting.

Linda decided to reinvent the role of make-up on the runway by personally applying the make-up on the models. Her efforts where met with resounding approval from designers and models alike. Mason’s ingenuity and artistic talent was an integral part of creating the signature looks for lauded designers such as Gaultier, Mugler, and Commes des Garcons.

Always on the quest for a new challenge, Linda moved to New York in order to pursue her other artistic goals in film and art; only to find herself once again plunged into the fashion world. Returning to her position as a trendsetter by creating a look for Steven Meisel that would prompt the Wall Street Journal to state, “Mason…took face painting out of punk and into high fashion.” While changing the face of fashion and working with numerous celebrities Linda also found time to publish books and videos: “Linda Mason’s Sun Sign Makeovers” 1985, a professional makeup video which won the Fashion Video Awards in 1986, “Tanaka-Mason-Kostabi” 1992, “Makeup, The Art of Beauty” 2003, “Teen Makeup, looks to match your every mood” 2004.

In 1987 Linda started her cosmetics company Linda Mason Elements, Inc. and developed her own cosmetic kits which were launched in Barneys, Bendels and Nordstroms. In 1998 Linda opened her Soho shop/gallery, now the place to find her pure signature colors and custom blended bases, as well as her unique art pieces such as her “Mini Masterpiece” makeup compacts and portraits.

She currently offers workshops for professionals and aspiring makeup artists at the Grand Street location while continuing to develop both her career as an Artist and as an entrepreneur.

 


CELEBRITIES:
Cameron Diaz, Uma Thurman Charlize Theron, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Courtney Cox, Kim Cattrall Iman, Christie Turlington, Demi Moore,
Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Famke Janssen, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss
Aimee Mann, Debbie Harry, Joan Jett, Claire Danes, Sarah Ferguson,
Paloma Picasso, Belinda Carlylse, Isabelle Rossellini, Linda Evangelista,
Lauren Hutton, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, Elizabeth Berkley, Brooke Shields
Camryn Manheim, LL Cool J, Rob Lowe, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen,
Matthew Broderick, Paulina Porizkova, Molly Ringwald, Susan Sarandon,
Kelly Lynch, Andie McDowel,l Kirk Douglas, Christy Brinkley,
Laura SanGiacomo, Chaka Kahn, Marsha Gay Harden, Cybil Sheppard,
Jeff Goldblum, Duran/Duran, Judd Nelson, Frederique, Shari Belefonte,
Iggy Pop, Sonia Braga,Jerry Hall, Terry Farrel, Bette Midler.


DESIGNERS:
Anne Klein, Liza Bruce, Basile, Nina Ricci,
Commes de Garcons ( Rei Kawakubo), Norma Kamali, Cynthia Rowley, Patou
Fendi, Perri Ellis, Giorgio Armani, Steven Sprouse, Issey Miyake, Thierry Mugler
Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood,
Laura Biagiotti, Yojhi Yamamoto
, Levi Okunov

 


Photo Credits

1. Photo: Bruno Gaget
2. Photo: Linda Mason
3. Photo:Bruno Gaget
4. Photo:Bruno Gaget
5. Photo:Bruno Gaget
6. Photo:Bruno Gaget
7. Photo:Bruno Gaget
8. Photo:Bruno Gaget
9. Photo:Bruno Gaget
10. Photo:Bruno Gaget
11. Photo:Bruno Gaget
12. Photo:Bruno Gaget
13. Photo:Bruno Gaget
14. Photo:Bruno Gaget
15. Photo:Bruno Gaget
16. Photo:Bruno Gaget
17. Photo:Walter Chin
18. Photo:Walter Chin
19. Photo:Walter Chin
20. Photo:Walter Chin
21. Photo:Walter Chin
22. Photo:Walter Chin
23. Photo:Walter Chin
24. Photo:Walter Chin
25. Photo:Walter Chin
26. Photo:Javier Vallhonrat
27. Photo:Javier Vallhonrat
28. Photo:William Garrett
29. Photo:Linda Mason
30. Photo:Art Kane
31. Photo:Richard Avedon
32. Photo:Elisabeth Novick
33. Photo:Paul Sunday
34. Photo:Roberto Edwards
35. Photo:Bruno Gaget
36. Photo:John Chen
37. Photo:Walter Chin
38. Photo:Walter Chin
39. Photo:Tom Jacobi
40. Photo:Michel Compte
41. Photo:Linda Mason
42. Photo:Linda Mason
43. Photo:Guzman
44. Photo:Diego Uchitel
45. Photo:Linda Mason
46. Photo:Linda Mason
47. Photo:Linda Mason
48. Photo:Hans Feurer
49. Photo:……
50. Photo:……
51. Photo:Bruno Gaget
52. Photo:Bruno Gaget
53. Photo:Bruno Gaget
54. Photo:Helmut Hoffman.……
55. Photo:……..
56. Photo:Hollister Lowe
57. Photo:Hollister Lowe
58. Photo:Hollister Lowe
59. Photo:Richard Avedon
60. Photo:Richard Avedon
61. Photo:……….
62. Photo:Linda Mason
63. Photo:Art Kane
64. Photo:Art Kane
65. Photo:Linda Mason
66. Photo:
67. Photo:John Chen
68. Photo:Walter Chin
69. Photo:Linda Mason
70. Photo: Daniele Marracino
71. Photo:Linda Mason
72. Photo:Linda Mason
73. Photo:Linda Mason
74. Photo:Linda Mason
75. Photo: William Garrett
76. Photo:Matthew Rolston
77. Photo: Steven Miesel
78. Photo: Steven Miesel
79. Photo: Steven Miesel
80. Photo: Steven Miesel
81. Photo: Steven Miesel
82. Photo: Steven Miesel
83. Photo: Steven Miesel
84. Photo: Steven Miesel
85. Photo:Sheila Metzner
86. Photo:Sheila Metzner
87. Photo:Bruno Gaget
88. Photo:Michael Myers
89. Photo:Alessandro D'Andrea
90. Photo:Linda Mason
91. Photo:Bruno Gaget
92. Photo:Linda Mason
93. Photo:Linda Mason
94. Photo: Chris Hannan
95. Photo:Alessandro D'Andrea
96. Photo:Linda Mason
97. Photo:Linda Mason
98. Photo:Tom Jacobi
99. Photo:Tom Jacobi


I would greatly appreciate help with the missing photographer credits. Please E-mail me Linda@lindamason.com if you know them.