Christophe john rogers, Louis Vuitton, Dion lee, Calvin klein and Halseythe color cosmetics brand about-face are just a few highlights of the makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrezportfolio of. From bold styles to natural looks, the Colombian-born designer – who is also a filmmaker – is a name to pay attention to.
Now based at New York City, the multi-hyphen is not afraid to take risks by developing his art. “We live in a very ‘safe’ space in beauty and I’d love to be part of standardizing bolder creative directions that don’t care so much about being palpable to everyone,” Gutierrez shares with HYPEBAE. This very philosophy is found in his works, be it the colorful eye makeup for Troye sivan, blue tongue coloring Where fake tear droplets to Lily-Rose Depp.
Here we speak with the MUA about their inspirations and thoughts on the beauty industry. Read on to learn more about Gutierrez’s work, his thoughts on Latinx representation in the beauty industry and beyond.
Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you start your career as makeup artist?
I was born in Colombia to two very creative parents who have always supported my aspirations as an artist. My career really started in high school when I was working and selling my work as a painter as well as creating performance art for exhibitions at San Francisco. Then, after dropping out of college at the age of 20, I moved to New York City with no assets or money to pursue my dream of fulfilling myself as an artist.
In addition to your career as a makeup artist, you are also a filmmaker. What is it like to work with different artistic mediums and how do you use both to express yourself?
My makeup artist career is what keeps me busy every day and it’s the most collaborative part of my practice. It challenges me to always develop and improve myself. I constantly meet many talented artists and muses. Working in fashion and on set allows me to meet so many new people and broaden my understanding of what is possible.
As a filmmaker, it’s a much longer and more personal process that I don’t rush. I prefer to release a movie every once in a while and have it great, instead of constantly releasing something that doesn’t mean anything. The film expresses my vulnerabilities and my depths.
Could you share some of your latest inspirations? What influences your work?
Lately I’ve been really inspired by animals and things in nature. I’m really inspired by the idea of the future and how technology, sex and nature will come together. I am influenced by a feeling, a concept. I mainly work as a conceptual artist.
If you had the chance, what other art forms would you like to try working with besides film and makeup?
If we had the chance, it would be amazing to study to become an actor and try your luck. I like to tell stories.
What are the most memorable projects you’ve worked on so far?
This year you’ll see some of my most exciting projects coming out, but my favorite lately is my cover of Paper journal with Jari jones shot down by Renell Medrano.
How do you think the representation of Latinx has developed in the beauty industry over the past decade? How do you think it can improve?
I think in hair and makeup Latinos have always been very involved because our community and a lot of traditions incorporate glamorous rituals and moments of beauty appreciation. However, in fashion there are very few Latino gatekeepers and also very few Latino voices shaping beauty in luxury fashion. We hope to start to see this change, but the existing white school also needs to be okay with feeling uncomfortable with the new kids in the neighborhood.
What influence do you hope to have on the beauty industry in the next five to ten years?
I hope that in the next five to ten years, I will inspire people to be bolder, more creative, more thoughtful and fearless. I think we live in a very “safe” space in beauty and I would love to be a part of standardizing more daring creative directions that are not so concerned with being palpable to everyone. I prefer to provoke than to be regarded as a beauty for the simple pleasure of being beautiful.
What is your definition of beauty?
Beauty is the glamor, power, resilience, music, love, and feel that black trans women carry with them every day.
