Pat McGrath and Nicolas Ghesquière Unite for Louis Vuitton’s First-Ever Beauty Collaboration

Dame Pat McGrath and Nicolas Ghesquière are bringing their longstanding creative partnership from the runway to the beauty counter with Louis Vuitton’s first-ever beauty collaboration—a limited-edition collection spanning eyes and lips.

The collaboration marks the first time Louis Vuitton La Beauté products will feature the house’s iconic Monogram canvas, reimagined in two distinctive colorways: Monogram Dune and Monogram Infrarouge.

McGrath, who serves as Louis Vuitton’s creative director of cosmetics, and Ghesquière, the house’s artistic director, have worked together for years developing beauty looks backstage at Louis Vuitton’s fashion shows. Their shared creative language became the foundation for this new collection.

“I’ve worked so many years with Nicolas backstage, and we have a real incredible shorthand between us,” McGrath said. “We understand each other instinctively. There’s a deep trust, a real creative rhythm, so creating this collection was really like a natural next step.”

Ghesquière echoed that sentiment, describing the collaboration as a natural extension of their work together.

“I’ve had a great creative dialogue with Dame Pat McGrath over the years developing beauty looks backstage at Louis Vuitton shows,” he said. “In many ways, La Beauté Louis Vuitton was already part of the story. This is simply giving it a new dimension.”

Rather than beginning with a traditional creative brief, the collection evolved from a shared feeling and the energy McGrath and Ghesquière have developed through years of fashion shows.

“It was more a feeling,” McGrath explained. “It’s the same electricity and emotion in the way that we build the shows. That’s what makes this feel so special to me. We had a lot of fun creating this together.”

The pair also explored the duality of femininity, translating Louis Vuitton’s heritage codes into a contemporary beauty collection. That inspiration arrives at a particularly significant moment for the house as it celebrates the 130th anniversary of its Monogram.

“That heritage became a real big, powerful source of inspiration,” McGrath said. “To reinterpret that through a contemporary beauty language felt incredibly exciting. It was about translating the codes of the house, especially the canvas, into textures and tones.”

Monogram Dune

Inspired by the shifting colors and light of desert landscapes, Monogram Dune takes a softer approach with a palette of warm neutrals, beiges and luminous nudes.

“The palette was built on soft beiges, warm nudes,” McGrath said, describing the collection as elegant, effortless and luminous while still maintaining a sense of strength.

The Monogram Dune lineup includes the LV Ombres 724 Monogram Dune Eyeshadow Palette, featuring four shades, alongside the LV Rouge 724 Monogram Dune Satin Lipstick in a rosy beige and the LV Baume 098 Stellar Veil Topper Lip Balm, finished with holographic sparkle.

Monogram Infrarouge

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Monogram Infrarouge embraces drama, contrast and intensity.

“Monogram Infrarouge is unapologetic, high-contrast, playing with blacks and reds,” McGrath said.

Inspired by the dramatic Monogram Infrarouge canvas, the collection is designed for a woman who embraces boldness and defines beauty on her own terms.

The lineup features the LV Ombres 715 Monogram Infrarouge Eyeshadow Palette, also featuring four shades, a Satin Lipstick in a redcurrant tone and the LV Baume 099 Galactic Veil Topper Lip Balm, infused with holographic glitter.

“I love the fact that when you’re creating for two separate worlds, two opposing worlds, you get this explosion of creativity,” McGrath said.

Rather than viewing the two collections as separate identities, McGrath sees them as different expressions of the same woman. Soft beige tones can transition into a dramatic smoky eye and stained red lip for evening, allowing the wearer to move freely between both sides of the collection.

Beauty Meets Louis Vuitton Craftsmanship

The collection extends beyond color cosmetics. Its packaging is designed to be part of the overall experience, with the Monogram canvas appearing on a dedicated assortment of small leather goods and accessories, including lipstick pouches and mini vanities.

“For me, the packaging is not separate from the makeup,” McGrath said. “It’s part of the fantasy, part of the experience, part of the story.”

The LV Ombres eyeshadow palettes retail for approximately $340 each, while the LV Rouge lipsticks and LV Baume lip balms are priced at approximately $195 each. All of the beauty products are refillable, adding a functional element to the luxury presentation.

The limited-edition collection launches first in China on August 17, followed by an online launch on August 20 and availability at Louis Vuitton stores beginning August 27.

And this appears to be only the beginning.

“We’re really at the beginning of this,” McGrath said. “It is our first collaboration, and I cannot wait to do more.”

With McGrath’s legendary approach to beauty and Ghesquière’s distinctive vision for Louis Vuitton, the collaboration brings together two creative forces who have already shaped some of fashion’s most memorable runway beauty moments—and now, they are giving that partnership a permanent place in the world of luxury beauty.

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton