MAC Cosmetics has opened its first MAC Pro flagship store in the UK, the brand’s largest global Pro flagship yet, in a move designed to further strengthen the brand’s retail platform.Â
Located at 30-31 Great Marlborough Street, near Carnaby Street, the shop officially opened in September and will offer walk-in demos, workshops, applications and lessons by appointment, in addition to specialist make-up services including bridal and theatrical.Â
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Described as “unmistakably MAC”, the store features a raw, industrial, urban vibe |
Described by MAC Cosmetics as a “high-tech science lab for make-up obsessives”, the store will house the 250 products that comprise the MAC Pro collection.
With the aim of becoming an industry hub, the retail concept will include a library area, for both customers and make-up artists, nine ergonomically-designed make-up stations as well as two private make-up areas for groups to enjoy the “ultimate” MAC experience, and a training room in the basement for MAC make-up artists.Â
The store will also feature a stylised event space on the first floor with high-tech presentation screens, cameras and professional lighting and an eight-metre-high feature wall dedicated to showcasing the work of upcoming local artists or designers.Â
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The retail concept combines high-tech service with creativity |
Over 50 make-up artists from a variety of backgrounds will work at the flagship store, in accordance with MAC’s founding ethos of: All Ages, All Races, All Sexes.Â
MAC Cosmetics Director of Makeup Artistry Terry Barber commented: “The MAC Pro Flagship Store on Carnaby aims to be the creative hub for both professionals and make-up junkies alike. MAC Pro was born out of the need to extend the already iconic MAC palette to meet the exacting needs of make-up artists working in fashion, film, and theatre, with every colour and texture from natural to neon.”Â
MAC Cosmetics Senior Vice President/Group Creative Director James Gager added: “The Carnaby Street area is synonymous with music, fashion and trend, like MAC, so we wanted to provide consumers with a visionary, high octane store that meets all their needs. This new store moves us in a different direction of our retail experience in the UK, especially for our Pro customer, providing a fresh and contemporary format that cannot be found elsewhere. Overall, we wanted to create a store that embodies the vibrancy, multiculturalism and creativity of Soho and continues to excite and engage a diverse audience through its artistry, design and product line-up.”
