Face Forward

Decades before the likes of Steven Meisel and Craig McDean were even born, the only way for most people to see couture was by looking at illustrations—and in the forties and fifties, René Gruau dominated the field. Though Balenciaga, Balmain, Schiaparelli, and Lanvin all relied on Gruau’s renderings, the artist is best known for his radiant work for Christian Dior. Gruau’s legacy went on to inspire generations of creative types of all stripes, including the one-named Yadim, Dior’s new international makeup designer, whose latest look comes courtesy of Diorskin Poudre Shimmer. “I like to use the powder all over the high planes of the face— the bridge of the nose, the Cupid’s bow, the chin, the cheekbones,” explains the 29-year-old San Diego native. “It brings the face forward and makes it more luminous.” Is this merely a consequence of the recent influx of powder foundations? Hardly. “Glowing skin is more than just a trend,” Yadim says. “It’s a sign of health and youth. I think it’s the new beauty standard.”

Manicure by Dawn Sterling For Dior Vernis At Starworks Artists; Photography Assistants: Alessandro Zoppis, Ashley Reynolds; Digital Technician: Remy Amezcua; Special Thanks To Fast Ashleys Studios