François Nars on how the brand's latest collection is designed to empower wearers with confidence

Beauty brand Nars is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new collection of lipstick. The new range, called Explicit, comprises 28 pigmented shades with names that are very

true to the brand’s identity. Nars started its journey with only 12 lipsticks available exclusively at Barneys, New York, in 1994. The new collection doesn’t attempt to remake the brand’s signature colours of the '90s, but instead pays homage to the classic shades with an updated formula. Bazaar India speaks with François Nars, the founder and creative director of the brand, about the latest additions.

Harper’s Bazaar: What inspired the name for this new range of lipsticks?

François Nars: The name, Explicit, felt right because it captures a bold, unapologetic energy. It’s about clarity, confidence, and self-expression—everything a lipstick should embody. I wanted a name that inspires women to be unafraid to show their power, loudly and beautifully.

HB: How do these new shades pay homage to the signature colours and what memories do they aspire to invoke?

FN: The original shades were all about empowerment, individuality, and freedom of expression, and I wanted to capture the same spirit with the latest Explicit range too. I wanted these shades to remind people of the timeless beauty and strength that’s always been at the core of Nars. The deep, rich tones take you back to the early days of the brand. Take a classic red from the original collection, like Jungle Red—there is a history in that colour, a certain elegance that evokes the glamour of old Hollywood. With Explicit, the reds are bolder, more unapologetic, but just as iconic as those first ones.

HB: Of the 28 shades, can you name a few of your favourites? Also, what brought them to life?

FN: Choosing a favourite shade is like asking a parent to pick a favourite child—it’s impossible. Each shade tells a different story, evokes a different emotion. The beauty of Nars is that it’s not about one colour—it’s about the endless ways you can express yourself through make-up.

These shades have the power to transform you. And that’s why it’s so difficult to choose just one or even a few favourites. Each shade represents something unique—a different side of who we are, who we want to be, or who we might become. They all belong to the same beautiful world, where there are no rules, no limits, only endless possibilities.

People often ask me if shade names are inspired by certain individuals, specific places, or singular moments, but the truth is, they’re not tied to anything that simple (even with names that seem straightforward, like Moorea or Chantilly). For me, naming a shade is about capturing a collective of feelings, moods, experiences, and creating a narrative with colour. It’s about the emotion that shade can evoke. When you hear names like Unauthorized or Rendez-vous, it’s meant to move something inside you, a feeling that’s universal, yet deeply personal.

HB: Any advice for the first-time user?

FN: Embrace it. Don’t just wear the colour, wear the attitude. I designed it to be bold, unapologetic, and powerful. Be fearless, be daring, and let your lips tell the story—without saying a word.

HB: Any renowned consumers who have been loyalists and deserve a special mention in your view?

FN: There have been so many extraordinary women who have embraced Nars since the very beginning, each leaving her mark on the brand. Our global brand ambassadors—Ciara, Camila Morrone, and Pom Klementieff—certainly deserve a special mention. Not only have they loved and worn Nars long before becoming our ambassadors, but they also embody the spirit of the brand. They are fearless, authentic, and unapologetically true to themselves.

All images: The brands

This piece originally appeared in the October-November print edition of Harper's Bazaar India.

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