M.A.C. Becomes Official Cosmetic Supplier

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CONFIRMS M.A.C OFFICIAL COSMETIC SUPPLIER FOR ALL TOURING SHOWS

TORONTO, April 4 /CNW/ – M.A.C Cosmetics, the professional makeup brand of choice, and Cirque du Soleil, the Quebec-based entertainment company, proudly announce a first-time brand collaboration. Effective immediately, M.A.C will become the official cosmetic makeup supplier for all of Cirque du Soleil’s shows and provide product for the 900 Cirque artists in addition to makeup artistry support for Head Makeup Designer Nathalie Gagné. The agreement evolved between the two creative and like-minded companies, and is based on their existing relationship and a shared desire to discover opportunities for artistic exploration.

“The M.A.C and Cirque du Soleil global partnership is a natural fit and in line with the professional positioning of the M.A.C brand. Both companies continue to re-invent and discover new boundaries of expression in various forms of performance art with artistry. Having products backstage at their incredible shows is a tremendous testimony to M.A.C.” Peter Lichtenthal, Global General Manager, M.A.C Cosmetics

For the first time in Cirque du Soleil history, Nathalie will exclusively use M.A.C products to design the makeup looks for upcoming shows. Gagné has already used M.A.C makeup for two touring productions, Corteo and DELIRIUM. Nathalie chose M.A.C products for the performance merits and staying power, enormous shade range and diverse textures that survive performance after performance for the many theatrical, athletic and dramatic Cirque characters.

Corteo will premiere in New York on April 27, 2006 and the new partnership will be in full speed by then. M.A.C will also collaborate with Cirque du Soleil’s Special Events department, providing makeup artistry support at the opening night after-party.

“I am passionate about designing make-up for our shows. I love the fact that I will be working closely with M.A.C to develop unique professional stage-products that will be worn by the most amazing artists in the world. This new relationship with M.A.C will be in constant evolution, in constant re-invention… and promises to enhance our field” Nathalie Gagné, Make-up designer, Cirque du Soleil

M.A.C Artist Relations actively liaises with the world’s film, television, music and theatrical industries. The M.A.C PRO Team, comprises M.A.C’s stable of senior make up artists, is the voice, spirit, and living embodiment of M.A.C’s products and culture. In the world’s creative centers, members of the M.A.C PRO Team can be found on-set at photo shoots, backstage at the international fashion shows, behind the scenes at award nights, creating the onscreen looks for top celebrities or supplying techniques and tips to the world’s media.

M.A.C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), a leading brand of professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1985 and is now part of The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. The company’s popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists around the world. M.A.C is now sold in over 55 countries worldwide. For a M.A.C location visit maccosmetics.com.

From a group of twenty street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment, with over 3,000 employees from over 40
different countries, including 900 artists. Since its inception in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and
delight to more than 50 million spectators over 100 cities on four continents. In 2006, Cirque du Soleil will present 13 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Cirque du Soleil has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix, and Rose d’Or de Montreux. Cirque du Soleil’s International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.