Fafi Quad 1
Fafi Quad 2
Fafi is a French artist who conjures up the most curvaceous cuties – chick-a-boom characters that make us smile. A Fafi girl is a nymphette with a Ph.D. in passion – she’s an adventuress with a very animated love life! From Toulouse to Tokyo, the movie of her life is a rags-to-riches love
story, an electric Technicolor dream in violet, coral and strawbaby anime.
Find her pouting on compacts, preening on packaging, and as the cutest doll
we’ve ever seen – soon to be on every M•A•C lover’s vanity.
LIPSTICK
Fun ‘n’ Sexy Blue pink with blue pearl (glaze)
Not So Innocent Sheer tan with pink and peach pearl (glaze)
Utterly Frivolous Rosy coral with pink pearl (lustre)
High Top Grey purple with blue pearl (glaze)
Flash-n-Dash Intense tangerine red with pink pearl (glaze)
Strawbaby Coral rose with rainbow pearl (lustre)
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN
LIPGLASS
Cult Fave Blue mid-tone pink with white pearl (frost)
Sugar Trance Creamy soft pink with white and rainbow pearl (frost)
Squeeze It Brassy plum (frost)
Totally It Sheer bright pink with intense pink pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN
EYE SHADOW X4
Fafi Eyes 1
Howzat Deep grey with silver sparkle (satin)
Hey Neutraltan with white pearl (veluxe pearl)
Pink Venus Washed pink (lustre)
Vanilla Soft pale-peachy-ivory flecked with shimmer (velvet)
Suggested Retail Price $36.00 U.S./$43.00 CDN
EYE SHADOW X 4
Fafi Eyes 2
Bold as Gold Yellow gold with gold pearl (lustre)
You’re Fresh Pale green with silver sparkle (lustre)
Shockwave Intense orange with silver sparkle (velvet)
Prankster Muted dark blue (satin)
Suggested Retail Price $36.00 U.S./$43.00 CDN
PAINT POT
Nice Vice Dirty purple with purple pearl (frost)
Girl Friendly Creamy grey pink (cream)
Layin’ Low Creamy beige (cream)
Cash Flow Green gold with gold pearl (frost)
Perky Cream coral with white pearl (satin)
Rollickin’ Aqua blue green with white pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price $16.50 U.S./$20.00 CDN
FLUIDLINE
Blacktrack Solid flat black
Suggested Retail Price $15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
EYE KOHL
Smolder Intense black
Fascinating Snake-eyes matte white
Suggested Retail Price $13.50 U.S./$16.00 CDN
ZOOM LASH
Zoomblack Rich black
Suggested Retail Price $11.00 U.S./$13.00 CDN
POWDER BLUSH
Hipness Intense coral with soft white pearl
Fashion Frenzy Mid-tone blue pink
Suggested Retail Price $17.50 U.S./$22.00 CDN
IRIDESCENT PRESSED POWDER
Sassed-up Soft coral pink with gold sparkle
Verve-acaious Intense yellow gold with gold pearl
Belightful Gilded peach bronze
NAIL LACQUER
Girls Will Be Girls Pink with coral pearl
Boom! Rich eggplant with purple pearl
BAGS
Rectangle M•A•C/Small/Clearly Fafi
Suggested Retail Price $15.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN
Rectangle M•A•C/Mini/Clearly Fafi
Suggested Retail Price $25.00 U.S./$31.00 CDN
M•A•C Tote/Clearly Fafi
Suggested Retail Price $60.00 U.S./$72.00 CDN
AVAILABLE
February 13, 2008 at all M•A•C locations,
1.800.387.6707 and www.maccosmetics.com
The Low-Down on Fafi:
A faFiNETte is: uNIque, fREsh, iRreVereNT, sTroNg, playFul, Edgy, fun, swEEt, sexy. Imagine a world where strong, bold women rule supreme, and the expression of femininity via sexuality, attitude, and use of bright, intense colour is de rigueur. Now add a dash of sophisticated urban street cred. Sound cool? Witness M·A·C’s latest collaboration with edgy graffiti artist, Fafi. For this project, M·A·C worked exclusively with the Paris-based artist to create three distinct “Fafinette” characters: Monoka, Ermine, and Eriko that embody the signature depictions of sexy, liberated girls that have earned Fafi a devout following in the street art world. What follows is a hip spring colour collection filled with bold, empowering hues, unapologetically girly lip shades of pearly pinks and tangerine reds, iridescent powder, brown, blue and green Paint Pots and Quads, and whimsical cosmetic accessories. And get ready to line up for the limited edition Fafi icon figurine, a highly collectable toy created exclusively for M·A·C. Step into the magical world of FAFI FOR M·A·C, where anything is possible.
MeeT tHe M·A·C faFINettes
These ageless creatures live in a fantastic, magical realm called the Carmine Vault, but they love to peer in on us. Fafinettes crave colour and creative expression, and they’re inspired by hip earth chicks that incorporate bold, fabulous makeup into their style. The three Fafinettes you’re about to meet began to notice that this iconic kind of trend-making female shopped at M·A·C. So like elves, by night they hop in Lupus, their jet-setting, dimension-travelling car, and sneak into M·A·C stores to play with makeup!
moNokA:The book nerd, Monoka, loves the blinding lights and technology-driven culture of Tokyo. She also has a weakness for shochu (Japanese vodka) and delicious sukiyaki, a thinly sliced beef dish served with raw eggs. She’s a consummate bibliomaniac and loves to read the classics, but she has a weakness for ‘50s-era French erotica, and plugs into rap music in her spare time. She adores girly lingerie and sleeps with high heels on!On her iPod: Yo Majesty, Lloyd, Ying Yang Twins, Bat For Lashes. On her Goodreads.com: Edward Bunker: Aucune Bête Aussi Féroce, Bidouille & Violette by Hislaire.Raves: Singing 50 Cent at karaoke bars, Polaroid cameras, Ouija boards. Rants: Tomates à la Provençale, thongs, people who visit her at home and don’t take their jackets off.
ErmINe: Ermine is your typical cheeky Frenchie with a soft spot for the New York graffiti scene. When she’s not watching television reruns, she’s in Brooklyn trying to spot new graffiti characters or eating Indian food in Jackson Heights, Queens. She loves snowboarding and knows how to DJ, but she’s over it now because it’s become too trendy. On her Tivo: “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Yo Gabba Gabba,” “Little House On The Prairie,” “V.” Raves: Un Bracelet De Cheville Pour Probation, the smell of gasoline. Rants: Movies starring Tom Cruise (especially Jerry McGuire), Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes, plastic pushpins.
eRiKo:Eriko is the big sister of the bunch, and even though she hails from Japan, she’s all about Paris. She especially loves the marche in the Marais, a street market filled with cuisine ranging from crepes to Moroccan dishes, sandwiches, fresh fruits and vegetables. On her Facebook profile: videos of her dancing to the KLAXONS songs, blogs about French Tecktonik Fever. Raves: Baking life-size gingerbread men, collecting chic blue ashtrays - like the ones from the tables at Caviar Kaspia in Paris, Las Vegas print thighs.Rants: Personal Computers, people who own restaurants and don’t hold or participate in food drives.
The pERfect pouT
Fafinettes know the power of the pout, and aren’t afraid to use their secret weapon. Start with a coat of creamy Lipstick — the collection ranges from pearly blue-pink Fun-n-Sexy to coral rose Strawbaby, then sweeten the deal with a coat of M·A·C’s signature Lipglass in Fafinette-friendly shades like Totally It (sheer bright pearlized pink) and Cult Fave (blue-pink with white pearl).
cAugHt in tHe hEAdlighTs
A Fafinette might appear to be doe-eyed, but like some pop stars we know, she’s not that innocent. Shades like silvery green You’re Fresh Eye Shadow and dirty purple Nice Vice prove that this chick’s not afraid to show her true colours.
iT’s all aBout plAytime
Limited edition makeup bags and the tres chic Fafi figurine, by Medicom Toys, let you take a step deeper into the fantasy world of the Carmine Vault, a parallel universe where girls just wanna have fun, and do. Fafi, a now internationally acclaimed artist, started tagging walls in her hometown of Toulouse back in 1994. Today, her murals are welcomed in countries across the world, including the U.S., Japan, Germany and Spain among others. She has two books, Girls Rock (2003) and Love and Fafiness (2006), in addition to various artistic collaborations. She currently lives in Paris.
Q&A with JAmes GaGer, sVP/cREaTiVe dirEctoR M·A·C worldwIde
Q: How did the collaboration with FAFI develop?
A: Ironically, Fafi wasn’t in my mind when we first began. I was working with photographer, Richard Burbridge, and we started shooting photographs of this beautiful Asian woman with a renegade spirit and style, playing with makeup, different fashion accessories, and a video camera. It really conveyed the feeling that captures the spirit of youth today in terms of dressing up, experimenting and using technology as a form of expression. I then worked with Jennifer Balbier to shape it into a spring collection, elaborating on the playful idea behind the Barbie collection, but in a way that reflects this new generation. After doing research, we came across the work of Fafi, and from there we got the idea to merge illustration with photography. We are using art as a vehicle – merging photography with animation, and then integrating it with fashion, trends, colour, and forwardness.
Q: What makes FAFI a good fit for M·A·C?
A: M·A·C has its pulse on fashion, trends, art, the youth culture and what’s happening on the streets and in the world. The Fafi collaboration embodies our connection with the world of art, and fuses M·A·C’s philosophy that makeup should be about play, experimentation, and making the customer feel good and have fun. When we met with Fafi, she was this amazing, young carefree hip person who also happened to be a true artist, so the collaboration ended up being a perfect match. We’re also about All Ages, All Races and All Sexes with the Fafinette characters representing that as well.
Q: Who will FAFI appeal to?
A: Everyone. They will certainly appeal to a younger generation, but I believe the world of Fafi is one that all ages will enjoy. Everyone wants to escape into a world of fantasy and imagination, and that’s what this collection offers. Customers want to feel young, so I think it’s likely that say, a soccer mom would be as intrigued by this collection as well as a younger consumer.
Q: Do you think the Japanimation and graffiti trend will translate to American consumers?
A: Absolutely. The Barbie collection was all about nostalgia, but these Fafi characters are a whole new direction. We’re exposed to so many elements through the Internet, which creates this thirst for new, innovative, fresh ideas like this. The Fafi collection offers a fantastical escape outlet, but there is a sophistication that arrives out of it. People love to play.
Q: How will that world be conveyed?
A: We created an adjunct video with an East Village-based artist, Bec Stupak, encouraging her and Fafi to create a moving animation piece that will introduce customers to the world of Fafinettes and the Carmine Vault.
Q&A with jENNifER BalbIeR, sVP ProducT dEvelopMenT, M·A·C woRldWide
Q: The collection includes bright lip shades that range from coral reds to bright hot pinks and eye colours in browns, blues and greens. How are these shades reflective of the Fafinette aesthetic?
A: The colours are clear without being harsh, playful with a sophisticated twist, and presented in textures that are sheer and buildable. We also utilized a pearlized effect with sheen rather than with heavy particles. The quads include one that is more on the basic, neutral side, and another that’s more “fun.”
Q: What is the ultimate Fafinette face?
A: The look is toned-down skin with heavier emphasis on eyes and a girly mouth. She’s colourful, but the texture is light.
Q: How did Fafi’s work inspire you from a colour perspective?
A: The fun attitude was inspired from young girls who are super-cool and hanging out in Shibuya 109 (huge, popular shopping mecca). They are edgy but sophisticated, and that is how we tried to make the colours. There’s nothing dirty or dull about the tones – they are playful and girly no matter what age you are.
Q: How did you determine what products to include in the FAFI Collection?
A: Upon meeting with Fafi and our Creative group, we began to craft looks that were young in attitude but not in age, so these products are intended to inspire and delight women of all ages.
Q: How involved was FAFI in the development of the product collection?
A: Actually, not at all. This was a collection inspired by her work. However, she was totally involved in creating the packaging, dolls and visuals.
Q: What consumer can wear the FAFI colours?
A: Anyone can wear Fafi. We were inspired by the look and feel of spring. That entails colours with a punch, but not raw or too bold. So you can wear a little or wear a lot.
Q: Are there any product innovations in the collection that you would like to talk about or does the collection focus more on colour?
A: The Fafi collection is strictly a shade promotion. Fafi was a visual inspiration, but not like a Beauty Icon, whose products we interpret to the consumer.
Q: so do you think the FAFI products will appeal to everyone?
A: Yes, but the visuals and the packaging are very young. The products, however, have universal appeal!
Q&A wiTh fAFi
Q: How did the collaboration between you and M·A·C come about?
A: It was like a movie! M·A·C was somehow connected to my L.A. gallery, and they requested I meet them for a meeting. In New York there was snow everywhere, which made me very late, and I rolled in wearing these huge boots and feeling like this crazy French girl in an important American meeting. I had been dreaming about making my own cosmetics collection, and with their colour range and commitment to representing different ethnicities, I knew it would be the right fit. I’m a very lucky girl. Two days later, they offered to work on a project with me, and that’s when I started creating the three characters for this collection, which came naturally and smoothly, like a knife in butter!
Q: Can you introduce us to the world of the Fafinettes and the Carmine Vault?
A: The Carmine Vault is a parallel world, it links to our planet but has many differences such as food, nature, and behaviour. We can meet the Fafinettes but there are also other creatures like Birtak and Hmilo, who are all trying to live in harmony. I’ve been painting Fafinettes on walls since 1994 and at some point, three years ago, I decided they shouldn’t be alone anymore, plus, I wanted to add a richer universe to my creations.
Q: What was your previous experience in the world of beauty, if any?
A: I have always been crazy about black mascara! I think if there was just one piece of makeup I was allowed to take on a desert island that would be it. (I would use some fruits for my lips and cheeks!) I like the idea of crying with mascara. It’s beautiful, plus it gives you expressive, doll eyes. Overall, makeup is a way to transform your look. It makes us happy and gives us confidence.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
A: I’m so inspired by real women, my friends. My husband is a DJ, so music and the girls I see dressed up at parties are so inspiring. In fact, at a party in Tokyo there were three girls dressed up as Fafinettes. I’ve even seen some girls wearing Fafinette tattoos. I mean, graffiti is ephemeral but tattoos, wow!
Q: When did you first come up with the concept of tagging these girls?
A: At first I was painting these green Martians in profile, which was limiting because I couldn’t express emotions. So I moved on to these more human subjects. The Fafinettes have been an evolution though. They’ve gone through more sexualized, even pornographic stages, and now it’s becoming this whole universe with new characters in the Carmine Vault. Sexiness is not my main thing – it’s more about being coy, a suggestion. Now that I have a child perhaps the Fafinettes are growing up a bit as well. They are less obvious. It’s more about the attitude, not vulgar, but definitely defiant.
Q: What does femininity mean to you and why do you think you created such a female-centric world with your characters?
A: I never think about it, I just act and it seems like many girls from all over the world can relate to my drawings. I’m not conscious of that. I guess my life, my art, my friends, what girls do in this world, are all connected.
Q: If you were a Fafinette character, what would she be like?
A: I am the original Fafinette, just watch me party!
Q: Can you describe how painting a wall and painting your face can be similar or different?
A: Everything is about emotion, how you’re feeling, like do you want to be noticed today or not? I think makeup is crazy for that: you can be unnoticeable if you’re not wearing any, and if you’re in a happy mood, meeting your friends or lover, you can express so many things through it.
Q: Why do the Fafinettes have hearts painted on their cheeks?
A: The Fafinettes are natural-born lovers, so it’s just natural for them to have it on their body. This is why it felt so natural to work with M·A·C!
Q: What are your favourite products from the collection?
A: I like the Iridescent Pressed Powder. I can’t wait to see it on display and actually have it in my hands.
Q: While working on this project, did you make any discoveries about yourself or find any new influences?
A: I really wanted to create empowered females that girls can relate to. I think they have the right attitude and hope girls will be in love with them.
Q: What do you want to achieve with this project?
A: Ubiquity! I’ve had my time of scary stuff with graffiti, now I want to spread the word without any effort other than my imagination.
Q: Your work is perceived as having similarities to animae/Japanimation (female characters with exaggerated features, big eyes, sexualized figures). Are you now or were you originally influenced by Manga, etc.? Can you talk about the connection?
A: I used to be inspired by Manga at my beginnings, I loved Dr. Slump, Gunnm and early Dragonball, but I don’t do Manga at all and I don’t feel very close to it. I’d rather be compared to Vaughn Bode or another indie American comic.
Q: What’s the question you wish people would ask you?
A: “What kind of boy would you have been?”: I think a very gay one!
fAFI Bio
Once upon a time there was a little girl born in Toulouse, France, who grew up to develop a fascination with street art and a courageous desire to run with the “big boys.” She promptly dropped out of school and went grassroots when she began painting characters on her hometown walls in 1994 against the backdrop of the vibrant local graffiti scene. Her first images consisted of green Martians in profile, but she found the lack of emotion she could present stifling. This led to the creation of a group of sassy, sexy, and sometimes outright outrageous group of human-esque girl characters called the Fafinettes, which soon became her trademark. Word on the street travels fast, and soon this new graphic language — with its exploration of femininity through subversive stereotypes–was catching on. Thus, the Toulouse girl gathered up her brushes and paint cans and branched out to Paris and then the world, leaving her Fafinette legacy on the planetary playground of Europe, U.S.A., Japan, and Hong Kong. Soon enough Sony would ask her to design a six-character toy set for the Time Capsules collection, an almost natural move for her three-dimensional measures. Other successful figurines would follow, as well as numerous expositions and collaborations with Sony, Colette, Adidas, LeSportSac, and Coca-Cola, plus countless press stories in prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and The Face. Recently, her vision sprung to life in an animated Mark Ronson video featuring a Fafi-ed Lily Allen, and documented in the print world via books: Girls Rock (2003) and Love and Fafiness (2006). Now that she’s a mother, she’s stretched her creative wings further to create a new dimension for the Fafinettes, an entire dreamy universe called the Carmine Vault filled with new characters as magical and diverse as the girls themselves.
1 comment
Hi! =) I'm just wondering if you own one of the 'Mini Clearly Fafi' small makeup bag? Wanted to know if it's REALLY small, or is it of decent size to fit into a handbag and still able to hold a compact, lipglass and blotting papers. Hope you can help. Thanks!
ps. I love your blog! =)
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