New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 was all about innovation and collaboration. Her one of the hottest collabs of the season is a marriage of fashion with Marisa Wilson and experimental makeup with iconic heritage brand Kevin Aucoin for her beauty, art and education. It was conducted under the leadership of Global Director Nik Rujan.
“This season started with the lingering thought that you can’t really know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been. It’s not just my own past to understand who I am (as a human being, as a daughter, as a designer, as an artist), and what my future holds, but also my legacy and the generations that came before me.” exclaimed Wilson when asked about the direction of the SS23 show. “For the MARRISSA WILSON Spring 2023 runway collection, I was inspired by the colors and culture of Guyana, known as a birdwatching paradise.” Nick Lujan and Kevyn Aucoin’s team have beautifully captured that vibrancy in a beauty statement, with makeup looks that transform models into exotic birds with faces resembling brightly colored feathers.”
Lejan did a great job capturing the essence of the MARRISA WILSON brand when melanin-filled models took to the runway with bright, smoky eyes and dewy skin. Inspired by the colors, culture, people and energy of .Pops and flashes of orange and green can be seen in the color and market environment expressed on the inner corner of the eye.The shimmer under the eyelashes represents the sea and marine life. , brings the collection’s story to life.A key feature of this look, and of all looks this fashion week, is glowing fresh skin.It’s always there, but especially heading into the first half of 2023. says Nick Lejand.
After the show, we had the chance to interview make-up artist Nick Lejean about the show’s inspiration and beauty trends for next spring. For more information, read on.
What was the source of inspiration for this season’s beauty looks at the MARRISSA WILSON show? Are beauty lovers looking to set the tone for spring trends that continue next spring?
The show was very special because the make-up was tied to Marissa’s designs and was so closely tied to the colors and vibrancy of Guyanese culture. Inspired. With ‘Glazed Temple’ highlights, matte smoky eyes, bold pops of inner eye color, and understated glitter dots, this look has something for everyone. A lot of the show showed off “no makeup, no makeup” or ultra-graphic looks, but we wanted it to be fun and playful with pops of texture and hints of color.

Marissa Wilson Kivi Roberts
We’re back to experimenting with makeup, but what Kevin Aucoin products are you most excited to use on your models this year?
This year, Glass Glow Face was a real eye-catcher on the runway. As each model hit its target and pivoted at the end of the runway, we were all in awe of the flash of glaze reflecting off the temples.We were so excited to use it on our models. The other product was the Stripped Nude Skin Tint, a new contour eyeshadow palette.
The only foundation used on the model was the Stripped Nude Skin Tint. It’s like fresh skin, and it feels like you’re not wearing anything at all. Of course, I just added coverage with the ever-famous Sensual Skin Enhancer. Each model had to let their natural beauty shine through makeup. A subtle blush was applied from the inside of the look using a cream blush underneath the skin tint application. Contour Eyeshadow Palettes were also a staple of the look, using his three matte shades from the Deep palette to sculpt and define around the eyes. I then added a pop of shimmer from the palette, just below the brow arch.
What Kevin Aucoin beauty products do you think every model and makeup artist should have in their travel cavoodles?
This is a very difficult question. I think each model or his MUA should have some key offerings from the brand.
- Our award-winning eyelash curler is included in nearly every Backstage Pro Kit.
- Volumizing Mascara is the perfect mascara for detailing and styling lashes.
- Contour Book 3.0 has all the shades to sculpt your face.
- Stripped Nude Skin Tint is the perfect editorial foundation.
- The Sensual Skin Enhancer consists of several shades for extra coverage.
- Spot set with a loose setting powder to control shine in “hot spots” on oily areas.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.