M•A•C Cosmetics threw two gatherings of a different kind to unveil two hot new collections for spring – Style Black and Make-Up Art Cosmetics – all in the same location.

As a celebration of two opposite ends of the M•A•C spectrum, the night took place in two parts, kicking off with the launch of Make-Up Art Cosmetics.

The Makeup Art Cosmetics collection is the result of a unique collaboration with three top American artists – New York painter Richard Phillips, illustrator for The New Yorker Maira Kalman and photographer Marilyn Minter who has worked with Madonna, Julianne Moore and Pamela Anderson.

Art is a part of M•A•C’s DNA and the collection celebrates makeup as an art form, with the face and body as the ultimate canvas. Fittingly, the launch took place in a bespoke art studio where members of the beauty industry were treated to an inspiring art happening.

Models in live art installation at the Makeup Art Cosmetics launch

M•A•C Senior Makeup Artist Nicole Thompson showcased the collection with a live art installation, re-creating the works of the three American artists by body-painting live models for an art exhibition with a difference.

As the evening grew darker, M•A•C’s second collection Style Black was unveiled to a crowd that likes to delve into the darker end of the spectrum. Black clad creatives, 80’s punks, Edie look-a-likes, neo-Goths and broody geniuses ventured into the night, for a dark and dangerous affair at the cleverly re-branded Style Black venue.

Annalise Braakensiek on the black carpet

A mixture of musos, models and celebrities including Jodi Gordon, Erin McNaught, Renee Bargh, Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales were entertained by emerging talent Bertie Blackman, with a first time performance of her hot new single ‘Byrds Of Prey’. Modular favourite and fashion darling DJ Graz kept the crowd on the dance floor for the rest of the night with of mix of punk, indie, rock and new wave records.

Aja Bradley from MAC on the black carpet

The STYLE BLACK collection celebrates the arrival of the New Goth, a fashion/ art hybrid with make-up that changes the mood to permanent midnight around the clock. Featuring Mineralize Black Shadows, with jewel metallic undertones, Blackfire Glimmerglass for seductively painted lips, and the pinnacle of the collection – the Greasepaint stick – slash it on and paint the night black.

The Make-Up Art Cosmetics collection is on shelf from September 7 and is available for 8 weeks.

The STYLE BLACK collection is on shelf from October 5 and is available for 8 weeks.

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The big news in swimming this week was sparked by the dwindling numbers of professional swimming coaches. On the back of a string of high profile retirements, the number of elite coaches in Brisbane has dropped from 13 to nine. Scott Volkers, the coach responsible for the swimming legends like Susie O’Neill and current head coach at the Queensland Academy of sport believes it all boils down to the leasing of public pools to large leisure companies. The poor funding and lack of resources available to coaches is resulting in fewer new faces emerging and aging coaches are either retiring or being snapped up by international programs. Previously, councils would lease pools to coaches who would earn revenue from swimming lessons, gate takings and the kiosk while devoting large amounts of time to the less-profitable art of coaching. Now companies like leisure operator Belgravia, which runs 11 aquatic centres in Queensland’s south east, are taking up the rights to pools. Volkers says high-performance coaching, which reaps rewards on an international scale but does little for the bottom line of pool operators, is often the first activity tobe pared back. As a result, professional swimming could become a sport of yester year, because without the high quality coaches, there will be no swimmers.

Actor Steve McFadden has credited swimming as his secret weapon in his war against weight. Steve, 50, will don a wetsuit to take part in the British Gas Great North Swim on Sunday, September 13. The challenge will see him making waves in Lake Windermere, Britain’s largest natural lake, with depths of up to 220ft. He is doing all this to raise money charity.

Erin McNaught takes the catwalk during the Miss Universe 2006 Preliminary Competition in Los Angeles

On a more social note, Erin McNaught isn’t letting her recent break-up with Braith Anasta cramp her style. Last weekend she was spotted with yet another sportsman – Eamon Sullivan. Confidential spies said the good looking pair were dominating the dance floor at Kings Cross nightclub Kit and Kaboodle on Friday night.

BLK1 Article: ALEX SHLEIBS Photographer HECTOR MATA

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