Iconic Chanel make-up artist Heidi Morawetz dies aged 79

Heidi Morawetz, one of Chanel’s most iconic make-up artists, has died at the age of 79.

For 30 years she worked alongside Dominique Moncourtois as the luxury brand’s Director of the Make-up Creation Studio and spearheaded some of its most famous products.

She was responsible for creating the Rouge Noir nail polish, which Uma Thurman famously wore in American crime film Pulp Fiction, and the Le Blanc de Chanel primer.

Chanel expressed its admiration in a tweet, which read:

Members of the public and brands alike also took to Twitter to share their condolences for the late make-up artist.

Morawetz’s successor at Chanel in 2008, Peter Philips – who has worked with the likes of American supermodel Bella Hadid for Dior – also took to social media to pay tribute.

His Instagram post read: “Besides being an amazing make-up artist and make-up creator, she was the most beautiful person inside and out.

“When I did my first steps in make-up creation, she took me under her wings and I couldn’t have wished for a better mentor.”

Laying foundations for colour cosmetics

Morawetz work with Guy Bourin // Image via Instagram @plutonic_violet

Morawetz, along with Moncourtois and Karl Lagerfeld, is said to have pioneered the idea of using cosmetics as a fashion statement.

Before joining the luxury make-up brand, Morawetz also worked with the late French photographer and artist Guy Bourdin, best known for his provocative imagery, in the 1970s.

This is when Yves Saint Laurent expressed its interest in her work and invited her to create its first-ever make-up line.

To date, Morawetz’s portfolio of collaborations includes Sarah Moon, David Bailey, Helmut Newton and Bruce Weber.

She was also the make-up artist for Vogue’s September 1984 issue featuring American model and former partner of Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall.

A private funeral will take place on 21 August.

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