Más que una colección de maquillaje, Dior Forever propone una forma de habitar la belleza. En esta conversación, Peter Philips nos habla de la esencia detrás de la línea y de cómo el maquillaje puede convertirse en una herramienta para expresar quiénes somos y la manera en que nos enfrentamos al mundo.
How is your visit in Mexico going?
I mean, they keep me busy, so I haven’t had a chance to see much. But this is a fabulous location. I eat well (maybe too well). It’s not my first time in Mexico, so I really enjoy coming back. The first time we did the show here was about three years ago, I think, with Maria Grazia for Dior. I had a bit more time then because we had all the fittings and time in between, so I could really enjoy Mexico and do some visits.
I love Mexico City. I love that it’s such a green city, with amazing architecture and good food. I’m happy to be here.
How would you describe the essence of Dior Beauty?
Dior Beauty was born at the very beginning of Dior, almost 80 years ago now. It started with small beauty elements: perfume, nail polish and lipstick. It kind of grew with the house, so the DNA of Dior Beauty grew with it. With every new collection and every new creator, new elements were added to Dior Beauty. Alongside that, the laboratories also grew.
We’ve got amazing laboratories in-house. Most people forget because they think it’s a fashion house, but our labs have more than 60 years of experience. Our skincare, perfumes and makeup products are built on knowledge and experience, and that builds the essence of Dior.
Over the years, because we cater to women worldwide, of all ages, skin types and cultural backgrounds, the Dior woman has become multifaceted. If you’re a girl who likes natural, no-makeup makeup, you can find everything you want. We’ve got our Backstage lines, our foundations and our skincare. If you want a glam look, we’ve got everything. If you want a sexy look, we’ve got the tools for that too.
Any woman can play with makeup and express herself, from very subtle, almost shy, to really expressive, and everything in between. So, for me, the essence of Dior Beauty is a multifaceted woman who is not afraid to express herself.
What do you consider to be the role of makeup in the construction of identity?
That’s a very interesting question, actually, because people kind of ignore that phase of self-development and self-discovery, for men as well as for boys and girls. I think makeup is a very important part of that.
There are so many ways to answer that question. Makeup can become a way of rebellion while growing up. Some kids want to make themselves ugly to disappear, and makeup can help. They become more punk, and in a way it helps them go through that process of self-discovery. Maybe at one point they develop an eye for their own beauty and for the positive parts of themselves. Makeup might have helped them by becoming something to hide behind.
On the other hand, there are people who start to blossom. They discover makeup and they see its power to enhance that blossoming: the power of a mascara, the power of a lip gloss, the power of great skin.
Imagine going through puberty, constantly breaking out. The power of a good concealer, the power of good skincare.
I think makeup is a very important part of how people grow up, express themselves and develop themselves. At the end of the day, if you look good, you feel good. It gives you confidence. You project yourself to the outside world in a more secure, more confident way.
Makeup can help. You don’t have to be a slave to makeup, but it can be a very handy tool in that process.
What makes Dior Forever so desirable?
What makes Dior Forever desirable is that it’s a large range, a strong pillar of products. We’ve got amazing base products and great formulas. It’s not intimidating. It’s not something that makes you think, “Oh, it’s too professional for me.” It’s a very inviting range.
The products are caring and diverse. We have shades from 00, very, very light, almost white, to number 10, which is extremely deep, with every tone in between. It’s a complete range, so everybody can find something that works for them.
It’s inviting, not intimidating. Caring ingredients, easy to apply, long-lasting, with a guaranteed beautiful makeup result.
How would you describe the personality of someone who uses Dior Forever?
In retrospect, I don’t think it’s just one personality. I think it’s somebody who recognizes quality, somebody who is confident and knows our products.
It can be any of those multifaceted girls.