MAC and Rodarte apologize to the victims and their families in Juarez, the people of Mexico, the Mexican Government and concerned global citizens

Please see our original thread from June 23rd here and follow-up post from July 19th here.

MEXICO CITY, México, July 29, 2010 – In response to public concern over the limited edition MAC Rodarte makeup collection, set to launch in fall 2010, MAC will donate all of its global profits from this collection to a newly created initiative to raise awareness and provide on-the-ground support to the women and girls in Juarez. MAC and Rodarte are deeply sorry that this makeup collection was so offensive to the people of Mexico and concerned global citizens.

This announcement follows a meeting last evening in Mexico City with MAC executives and Mexican government officials, including CONAVIM (Comisión Nacional Para Prevenir y Erradicar la Violencia Contra las Mujeres/National Commission to Prevent and Eradicate Violence Against Women.)

During the meeting, held at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this collective group committed to working together on the overall direction of the new initiative to help the women and girls of Juarez and to raise global awareness of their plight. MAC executives reiterated their deep regret and reinforced that it was never MAC’s or Rodarte’s intent to minimize the suffering of the women and girls of Ciudad Juarez.

In the coming weeks, MAC and Rodarte will be consulting with members of CONAVIM´s advisory board, as well as other local and global experts, to develop a comprehensive framework that provides grants to local and international organizations with a track record of improving the lives of the women and girls in Juarez.

“We are deeply sorry and apologize to everyone we offended, especially the victims, the women and girls of Juarez and their families. We have heard the response of concerned global citizens loud and clear and are doing our very best to right our wrong. The essence of MAC is to give back and care for the community and our initial handling of this makeup collection was not reflective of MAC’s values. MAC and Rodarte are committed to using these learnings to raise awareness on this important issue and to leverage our unique platform to help the women and girls of Juarez,” said MAC President John Demsey.

“Rodarte is committed to using creativity for positive social change. As designers, we strongly feel it is our responsibility to use ideas and actions for the good of our global community and are truly sorry for the offense we have caused. We are raising our voices in support of the strong women and girls of Juarez and joining others who are working internationally to improve their lives,” said Kate and Laura Mulleavy, designers of Rodarte.

Last week, MAC and Rodarte announced they would also be renaming the products and redesigning the marketing materials associated with the collection.

MAC has a longstanding tradition of service in Mexico, supporting important social causes in the country such as HIV prevention and treatment. Since 2002, the MAC AIDS Fund has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local entities, including Fundación Eudes, La Casa de la Sal, A.C., Ser Humano, A.C., Mesón de la Misericordia Divina A.C., Pirana Studio, and Fundación Unidos por un México Vivo.

MAC has had operations in Mexico since 1999. The brand currently employs more than 150 local professionals.

MAC Cosmetics for Rodarte Collection for Fall 2010

U.S. Date: September 15th, 2010 @ Select Partner Locations & MAC Stores Only
International Date: TBA

Please ensure you’ve also read MAC & Rodarte’s follow-up responses further detailing their actions, including changing product names and MAC’s commitment to donate $100,000 to benefit the women of Juarez.  We have opened a second post on this topic for our readers to discuss on.

STATEMENT FROM M·A·C COSMETICS ON THE M·A·C RODARTE COLLECTION

We understand that product names in the M·A·C Rodarte collection have offended our consumers and fans. This was never our intent and we are very sorry.  We continue to listen carefully to the comments we have received and have the following plans to address concerns:

• We are committed to donating $100,000 to a non-profit organization that has a proven, successful track-record helping women in need and that can directly improve the lives of women in Juarez in a meaningful way.
• We are changing the product names in the M·A·C Rodarte collection.

As we have done in the past, please be assured that we will communicate details regarding our progress in this matter.

STATEMENT FROM RODARTE ON THE M·A·C RODARTE COLLECTION

We recognize that the violence against women taking place in Juarez needs to be met with proactive action. We never intended to make light of this serious issue and we are truly sorry.

Helping to improve the conditions for women in Juarez is a priority for us and we are thankful for all the comments calling attention to the urgency of addressing this situation.

Temptalia has reached out to MAC for comment on the collaboration with Rodarte, and if and when we receive more information, we will be certain to share with you. We received official statements from MAC and Rodarte @ 11AM (pst), which we share below:

STATEMENT FROM M·A·C COSMETICS ON THE M·A·C RODARTE COLLECTION

We understand that product names in the M·A·C Rodarte collection have offended some of our consumers and fans.  This was never our intent and we are very sorry.  We are listening carefully to the comments posted and are grateful to those of you who have brought your concerns to the forefront of our attention.  M·A·C will give a portion of the proceeds from the M·A·C Rodarte collection to help those in need in Juarez. We are diligently investigating the best way to do this.  Please be assured that we will keep you posted on the details regarding our efforts. 

STATEMENT FROM RODARTE ON THE M·A·C AND RODARTE COLLECTION

Our makeup collaboration with M·A·C developed from inspirations on a road trip that we took in Texas last year, from El Paso to Marfa.  The ethereal nature of this landscape influenced the creative development and desert palette of the collection. We are truly saddened about injustice in Juarez and it is a very important issue to us. The M·A·C collaboration was intended as a celebration of the beauty of the landscape and people in the areas that we traveled.

Please remember to respect your fellow Temptalia readers. I do not tolerate name calling or insults.  Debate and discuss with intelligence and passion but leave out jibes, digs, or other personal attacks.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if you may disagree with it or find it “stupid.” We want to facilitate the discussion and keep it focused on the issues, not to foster attacks on other readers.

After moderating through many, many comments, if you insult anyone, do not expect it to go through.  If you can’t argue intelligently and must attack other people to get your point across, I will not tolerate it.  If you cuss someone out, do not expect it to be approved.  If you call someone “brainless,” “dumbass,” or “bitch,” do not expect it to be approved.  Threats to me or any one else will absolutely not be tolerated and will result in total removal from Temptalia.com.

Please be mature and respect people’s right to express and hold an opinion that is different than yours.

Lipstick ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)

• Ghost Town Sheer white with white, gold and green pearlized pigment (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Rose State Mid-tone blue pink (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
• Sleepless Light grey taupe (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Lipglass ($18.00 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)

• Rodarte Pale creamy pink with layers of sparkling white, mint, and pink (Limited Edition)
• del Norte Light creamy violet with layers of sheer sparkling taupe, pink and grey (Limited Edition)

Lip Erase ($16.00 U.S. / $19.00 CDN)

• Pale Flesh tone NC 27 Shade (Matte) (PRO)

Mineralize Eyeshadow ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

• Bordertown Black with red, pale blue, and silver veining (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Sleepwalker Beige with copper, pale blue and pale pink veining (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Pigment ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

• White Gold White pearl with gold duochrome (PRO)
• Kitschmas Shimmering pink/mauve (Permanent)
• Mauvement Cool taupe with gold pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Rushmetal, Overrich)
• Badlands Mid-tone shimmer beige brown (Limited Edition)

Chromographic Pencil ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• NW25/NC30 Flesh tone NW25/NC30 shade (Matte) (PRO)

Beauty Powder ($25.00 U.S. / $30.00 CDN)

• Softly Drifting Pale neutral white-ish pink with soft gold pearl (Limited Edition)

Blush ($18.50 U.S./$22.00 CDN)

• Quinceanera Shimmery mid-tone blue pink (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S. / $14.50 CDN)

• Juarez Bright opal pink (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Factory Light opal mint (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Source, Images

Please remember to respect your fellow Temptalia readers. I do not tolerate name calling or insults.  Debate and discuss with intelligence and passion but leave out jibes, digs, or other personal attacks.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if you may disagree with it or find it “stupid.” We want to facilitate the discussion and keep it focused on the issues, not fostering attacks on other readers.

After moderating through many, many comments, if you insult anyone, do not expect it to go through.  If you can’t argue intelligently and must attack other people to get your point across, I will not tolerate it.  If you cuss someone out, do not expect it to be approved.  If you call someone “brainless,” “dumbass,” or “bitch,” do not expect it to be approved.  Death threats to me or any one else will absolutely not be tolerated and will result in total removal from Temptalia.com.

Please be mature and respect people’s right to express and hold an opinion that is different than yours.