The first cultural history of the iconic brand MAC Cosmetics, VIVA MAC charts the evolution of MAC’s revolutionary corporate philanthropy around HIV/AIDS awareness. Drawing upon exclusive interviews with MAC co-founder Frank Toskan, key journalists, and fashion insiders, Andrea Benoit tells the fascinating story of how MAC's unique style of corporate social responsibility emerged from specific cultural practices, rather than being part of a strategic marketing plan.
Benoit delves into the history of the MAC AIDS Fund and its signature VIVA GLAM fundraising lipstick, which featured drag performer RuPaul and singer k.d. lang in its first advertising campaigns. This lively chronicle reveals how MAC managed to not only defy the stigma associated with AIDS that alarmed many other corporations, but to engage in highly successful AIDS advocacy while maintaining its creative and fashionable authority.
