When you think of the Proenza Schouler and Merit Beauty girls, you’ll easily notice the synergy. She appreciates the classics, but with a cool-girl twist—her look exudes elevated minimalism that one might even dub “quiet luxury.” With such complementary codes in mind, it wasn’t surprising the brands would collaborate—first in February 2022 when Merit’s Signature Lip lipsticks debuted on the Proenza Schouler F/W runway.
“We both focus on making products that women actually want to wear and that have a place in their everyday lives,” says Aila Morin, senior vice president of brand, growth, and innovation at Merit. “There’s a certain ease and realism at the core of both of our brands, balanced by a focus on luxury and quality.” She explains that from the start, the idea with the Merit was to be fashion-adjacent—closing the gap between the fashion and beauty industries.
Thus, alongside its clean, skincare-enriched foundations, blushes, and highlighters, came The Signature Bag—a velvet pouch that doubles as a makeup bag and clutch. “Once I could wear it out to dinner and I’d be asked where I bought it, we knew we had something different,” Morin adds. So, having Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez reimagine the cult-favorite bag was a no-brainer.
Photo: Courtesy of Proenza Schouler
Photo: Courtesy of Proenza Schouler
“We wanted to explore the idea of using a leather-like material to elevate the look of a makeup bag while keeping functionality the main focus,” the designers tell Vogue. “The double-sided fabric in black and MERIT blue reveal a color block combination when the bag is tied.” So undeniably chic that we’re surprised it didn’t, too, walk the runway.
Today, Proenza Schouler and Moda Operandi offer a pre-order of Runway Set: a limited-edition kit featuring the new bag, plus a handful of Merit makeup products: Great Skin Serum, Brush No. 1, Clean Lash mascara, Shade Slick lip oil and Flush Balm blush. In mid-October, shoppers will receive the vegan leather bag as a gift with purchase on orders over $100 at meritbeauty.com.
“Merit and Proenza are the most genius match,” says Moda Operandi director of beauty, Jessica Matlin. “Both brands are cool, unfussy, and totally sophisticated.” It’s clear the two brands have met their stride, and we can’t wait to see what the pair do next.
