Two New Faces for Two Cosmetic Giants

American cosmetic mogul Estee Lauder has recently signed model Hillary Rhoda as the new face for Estee Lauder brand.

The announcement was made by Aerin Lauder, Senior Vice President, Creative Director of Estee Lauder on Friday, 26th of January 2006, at its New York headquarters. Rhoda will join the likes of Liya Kebede, Carolyn Murphy and Liz Hurley, Gwyneth Paltrow and Anja Rubik as the spokeperson for one of the world's favourite skincare and fragrance brand.

"Hilary is one of fashion's brightest stars," said Ms. Lauder. "Hersophisticated all-American look has captivated the attention of the fashionand beauty world in a very short time. Hilary is perfect for Estee Lauder."

An avid athlete raised in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Hilary was on thetraditional path to college at the all girl Academy she attended in high school. While she applied and was accepted to many colleges, she was also diligently studying fashion publications and quietly aspiring to move to New York to pursue modeling.

Within weeks of moving to New York, Hilary traveled to Paris for theSpring/Summer 2006 Collections which proved to be the turning point in her career. There she was personally cast by Balenciaga's Nicholas Ghesquiereto appear in his show which officially landed her on the radar screen of fashion's leaders. She was subsequently featured in that season's top fashion shows, editorials, as well as the Balenciaga ad campaign photographed by David Sims.

Hilary quickly became a runway favorite, appearing in a wide range of shows including: Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Narciso Rodriguez, Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Hermes, John Galliano, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera and Ralph Lauren.

Hilary's image has been captured by many of fashion's leading photographers including: Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, Craig McDean, Mert &Marcus, David Sims, Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, Peter Lindbergh,Patrick Demarchalier, and Arthur Elgort. She has appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue and French Vogue and in the pages of fashion publicationsacross North America, Europe and Asia including American Vogue, Chinese Vogue, W, Harper's Bazaar, V Magazine, I-D and Numero.

In addition to Hilary, Estee Lauder's current models - Elizabeth Hurley, Carolyn Murphy, Liya Kebede, Gwyneth Paltrow and Anja Rubik -- will continue to represent the brand in various global advertising campaigns.

Elizabeth Hurley, who just re-signed with Estée Lauder for her 13th year, will represent the Resilience Lift Extreme franchise and act as the global spokesperson with Evelyn Lauder for the company's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

Carolyn Murphy, who has represented the brand since 2001, will debut in a new global campaign for Re-Nutriv, Estée Lauder's high end skincare line. Liya Kebede, who joined in 2003 and is also a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal and Child Health, will be featured in global makeup campaigns.

Gwyneth Paltrow, who joined the brand in 2004, will continue to represent the pleasures and Pure White Linen fragrances; and Anja Rubik, announced in November 2006, will be featured in campaigns for the Beautiful fragrance franchise as the "Beautiful bride."

Rodha will appear in Estee Lauder's global campaign for its skincare and makeup starting August 2007.

On the other hand, sister brand MAC cosmetics recently adds Hollywood screen goddess Raquel Welch to its lineup of starry spokeperson. Welch is the fourth addition after Liza Minelli, Diana Ross and French actress and fashion icon Catherine Denueve for its Icon series, paying tribute to the world's most celebrated cultural icons.

Each icon has been shot by photographer, Michael Thompson, in his New YorkStudios under the direction of James Gager, Senior Vice President/CreativeDirector, M-A-C Cosmetics.

"Raquel Welch, M-A-C's fourth Beauty Icon, is the original, ultimate pin- up bombshell," says Mr. Gager. "Raquel represents the va-va-voom thatM-A-C has always been famous for. She's a real tigress at heart, an international film star as well as a beauty who represents the diversity of ethnicity in terms of her heritage. She truly embodies the essence of M-A-C."

"When M-A-C approached me to their Beauty Icon face for 2007, I was delighted!," says Ms. Welch. "I've been a devotee of M-A-C products for over 20 years. Because of my profession, the art of makeup is a real passion of mine, both on and off screen, so it's exciting to be designing a signature collection for M-A-C. When I started making movies, I was exposed to an entire arsenal of makeup techniques and discovered that in a world of beauty, cosmetics are an important fashion statement as well as a key element of personal style. What is 'real' style? I believe in the theory that a real style is being yourself, on purpose."

Bright colours represent this iconic sex symbol and legendary screen siren. Specially created for women of all races and ages, the Raquel Welch Beauty Icon Collection conveys classic sex appeal and arresting beauty. The collection is packaged in a tiger-print pattern and "was created and designed around Raquel's love for shading and her ability as a makeup artist," says Jennifer Balbier, Senior Vice President, Product Development,M-A-C Cosmetics.

"M-A-C admires and respects everything about Raquel Welch," says Peter Lichtenthal, Global General Manager, M-A-C Cosmetics. "Raquel is an iconic Hollywood sex symbol and cult siren and was a joy to collaborate with. As we worked with her on this collection, we were constantly impressed by her extensive beauty knowledge.

Raquel Welch collection, which celebrates her sultry, exotic, strong and wild image will debut at all MAC stores this February.

*News and photos courtesy of The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. and MAC Cosmetics.

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