By Carlos Lacayo

Argentinean designer, Victor dE Souza has made quite a name for himself in the fashion industry. Releasing multiple high-end ready-to-wear collections, shows at Fashion Week and creating form-fitting clothing for the stars seems to be all in a day’s work for the couture craftsman. DE Souza was also the Creative Director at Ruskin, spearheading three collections under their umbrella and reinvigorating their sales in the process. Victor’s own collections has seen global success with the likes of Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman being spotted in a piece or two. DE Souza was even commissioned to design the wardrobe for Mary J. Blige’s “Share My World” tour!

With so many milestones in the fashion world, it’s only natural that dE Souza would aim for the same success in the beauty industry with the release of his luxury lipstick collection. 

Victor, a creature of design, collaborated with his partner Dustin Lujan, former Creative Director and Development Consultant for several top luxury beauty houses, to work on Victor’s own line of lipsticks. The lipstick packaging was inspired by Max Factor’s packaging from the 1920s. The upgrade on the classic inspiration was the heavy metal spike on the top of the lipstick lid. The overall design aesthetic is classic, contemporary and intellectual, giving the lipstick line a modern edge.

DE Souza states, “Inspiration came quite literally from my lipstick “Mysterious Skin”, while thinking of the soft vintage hues of this shade and seeing it in contrast to a classic yet modern and edgy component the idea of this collection started to form. Mysterious Skin, in relation to the couture, has such similar aspects. Taking note from Victorian prude fashion and the eighteen century eroticism such as body silhouettes, textures, and lines letting the body show through structure couture clothing and mystery. This is something I believe is truly erotic.”

The lipstick collection includes seven colors; Female Trouble, Raspberry Reich, The Hunger, Doom Generation, Liquid Sky, Mysterious Ski and Stage Fright retailing for $68 each. For the affluent lipstick collector, there is a limited edition set retailing for $408. Victor’s signature hyla-bubble formulation gives the perfect balance to fashion and formula. Hyaluronic acid is trapped in micro-bubbles are released when lips are pressed together, replenishing moisture and redepositing color to the lip area. This attracts and holds up to 1,800 times its own weight in water, to fill in the space between collagen and elastin fibers. Shea Butter and Illipe Butter moisturize and condition lips and avocado and Jojoba Oils condition them and vitamins A, C, & E help to protect cells from free radical damage.

Christiane Seidel, TJ Miller and wife, Kate, Leesa Rowland and Jean Shafiroff were among the many guests who gathered at New York’s Cos Bar in Brookfield Place to celebrate the release Victor’s new luxury lipstick collection. DE Souza partnered with The Couture Council of The Museum at F.I.T. where a portion of the purchases made were donated to the foundation. Guests had a chance to have their makeup done and try on dE Souza’s new line of lipsticks. There was also a fashion presentation where models showcased pieces from his new couture collection.

Victor dE Souza’s luxury lipstick collection is Available in-store only at Cos Bar in Brookfield place and at Ossswald NYC and online at victordesouzany.com.