It’s a grim subject but one that many of us bloggers have been inspired to write about in the last 48 hours. It’s also a story about a brand I previously had a lot of respect for – MAC.
They’ve come up with a new collection in collaboration with the fashion house Rodarte, which was inspired by a road trip from El Paso to Marfa, Texas – and specifically by the Mexican town of Ciudad Juárez. So far so what, you might think.
Well, this is no ordinary town. After the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, US companies flocked to establish factories there, which tend to employ mostly female workers – mainly because they are more likely to put up with working for less in vile conditions. Consequently it’s difficult for men to find get jobs, adding to already high tension caused by the crime the drugs trade brings.
The result is of course that violence against women is rife. Women are being murdered – and often raped and tortured first – before their bodies are dumped, often out in the open. Many of those that disappear are just teenagers and a lot are factory workers: easy prey as they travel back and forth to night shifts. 400 women have been raped, tortured and murdered in Juarez in recent years – and amidst allegations of police and government corruption, most of these killings remain unsolved.
So, what does MAC do? Calls one of its new lipsticks ‘Sleepless’ and one ‘Ghost Town’. There are nail polishes called ‘Factory’ and ‘Juarez’, and a revolting blood-streaked eyeshadow called ‘Bordertown’. The glamorisation of such a grim place is nothing short of mindless. And it’s not as if a company of this size and wealth hasn’t had the time and resources to do a bit of research first.
You can read more about Juarez and how you can help the women there on Amnesty International’s website. And here are links to just a few of the other beauty bloggers who have come together in an unprecedented way to post about this issue simultaneously both here in the UK, in Australia, Europe and in the USA.
Mizz Worthy
British Beauty Blogger
Bangs And A Bun
Lady Of The Lane
Big Fashionista
Vex In The City
So Far So Chic
London Makeup Girl
Le Salon De Beaute
Get Lippie
London Beauty Queen
Krasey Beauty
Makeup Loveer
Sparkles And Bows
Healing Beauty
Really Ree
Just Nice Things
Liloo
And last but not least, a thoroughly well researched and brilliantly written piece on Beauty Mouth.
5 Comments
Gosh, thanks for that information I must say I am stunned. It seems that they have had the time and money to do the research (or some twat in a brainstorming meeting came up with the idea after reading about it in a Sunday supplement) and consequently thought it was a great idea to incorporate this tragic situation into their latest beauty campaign – not cool MAC, really not very cool – they will be off my shopping list. One advantage is of course that the have raised awareness about this place, shame however that their motivation was only to raise some profit. lots of love xx
Update for you all:
STATEMENT FROM M·A·C COSMETICS ON THE MAC RODARTE COLLECTION
We understand that product names in the MAC Rodarte collection have offended our consumers and fans. This was never our intent and we are very sorry. We continue to listen carefully to the comments we have received and have the following plans to address concerns:
We are committed to donating $100,000 to a non-profit organization that has a proven, successful track-record helping women in need and that can directly improve the lives of women in Juarez in a meaningful way.
We are changing the product names in the M·A·C Rodarte collection.
As we have done in the past, please be assured that we will communicate details regarding our progress in this matter.
much cooler but still off my shopping list!
Very odd. As you say, they have the researchers to know what they’re doing so either the researchers are terrible or Mac just wanted some dodgy publicity. They should launch a line which gives money to a connected charity.
A further announcement from MAC which came yesterday (29/7/10)
MEXICO CITY, México, July 29, 2010 – In response to public concern over the limited edition MAC Rodarte makeup collection, set to launch in fall 2010, MAC will donate all of its global profits from this collection to a newly created initiative to raise awareness and provide on-the-ground support to the women and girls in Juarez. MAC and Rodarte are deeply sorry that this makeup collection was so offensive to the people of Mexico and concerned global citizens.
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