Look out for Louis Vuitton lips. Fashion label is branching into beauty

Louis Vuitton, the world’s biggest fashion label, will begin selling beauty products this autumn.

It has tapped British make-up artist Pat McGrath to lead creative direction for the new venture, which expands its offer as the industry seeks new avenues of growth to offset a current slump.

A number of high-end fashion houses including Hermès, Valentino and Celine, which is also owned by LVMH, have branched out in recent years into make-up, which – even at the high end, where lipsticks can cost over US$50 – is more affordable than fashion handbags that are priced upwards of US$1,000.

McGrath, whose make-up company Pat McGrath Labs sells concealers in over 30 colour shades, is well-known for her influence in the fashion industry.