MAC Cosmetics

MAC Cosmetics, stylized as M·A·C, is a cosmetics manufacturer founded in Toronto and now headquartered in New York City and part of the Estée Lauder Companies.

History

MAC Cosmetics (MAC standing for Make-up Art Cosmetics) was founded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo in 1984 with the assistance of chemist Vic Casale. The first U.S MAC store opened in 1991, in New York. The company's products were initially aimed at professional make-up artists, but are now sold to consumers worldwide. Nordstrom was the first department store in the United States to sell MAC products.

Estée Lauder Companies acquired a controlling interest in MAC in 1996, then completed their acquisition of the company in 1998. Original founder Frank Angelo died in 1997 due to complications during surgery.

Controversy

MAC was the center of controversy when public offense arose over the anticipated September 2010 release of the MAC Rodarte collection, a collaborative effort with the fashion label Rodarte. The collection was based on the border town of Ciudad Juarez, in which at least 400 women have been killed in brutal slayings. MAC eventually pulled the line before distribution, and instead set up $100,000 in a charity. The charity has currently raised over 3 million dollars in 2 years.